Across the Soviet Union, it was the scourge of every home: A slimy bacterial mass that resembled a jellyfish swimming in a jar. This was the tea mushroom, a fermented drink made from sweetened tea and a symbiotic colony of yeast and bacteria. It could be brewed at home, presented to friends and family as a gift (or, more likely, a nuisance), and if regularly “fed” sugar, would last for years.
Today, the tea mushroom has resurfaced in the form of “mushroom tea,” a beverage made from steeping functional fungi such as chaga, turkey tail, reishi and lion’s mane into hot water. Advocates claim that the drinks boost energy, support cognitive function and even have adaptogenic properties that help your body deal with stress. But does this trendy beverage live up to the hype? We turned to registered dietitians and scientists to find out.
Chaga Mushroom Effect
Chaga mushrooms, Inonotus obliquus, have been used in folk medicine across Russia and northern Europe for centuries. Often called the King of Mushrooms or Herb of Kings, these wood-like mushrooms grow on birch trees and can become as large as a human head. Chaga’s outer layer contains a substance called melanin, which reflects light and helps the mushroom defend itself against harsh weather conditions.
Inonotus obliquus is also rich in beta glucans, which have been shown to exhibit immunomodulating effects. These can help boost immune function, protect against oxidative stress, and improve cardiovascular health and skin, liver and gut function.
In some animal studies, chaga extracts have been found to stimulate the production of interleukin 6 and T lymphocytes (which are key immune system cells that fight bacteria, viruses and cancer). It has also been shown to have antiviral effects against hepatitis C and a number of other viruses. Despite these promising findings, more clinical trials are needed to confirm these claims. But for those looking for a natural way to increase their immunity and help their bodies cope with daily stresses, chaga mushroom tea is definitely worth considering.