Any of you who follow me on instagram have probably realized that I really like mushrooms. Both culinary and medicinal mushrooms offer so many incredible benefits, that it was hard not to become a little obsessed with them. In a previous post, I talked about the benefits of lion’s mane and chaga mushrooms, and provided some recipes for two energizing morning lattes. Today, I’m going to talk about the benefits of reishi mushrooms and offer up my recipe for a relaxing evening “tea” I make for myself.

Is this a particularly challenging recipe? No, not really, but it’s something that has really benefited my life and helped me fall asleep more easily, as well as sleep more deeply through the night, so I wanted to share it with all of you!

So, this isn’t exactly a tea, it’s more of an elixir if anything. However, since one of the ingredients is actually Reishi Elixir from Four Sigmatic, it seemed super redundant to refer to this recipe in a similar manner. So, we’re calling this a tea. This tea contains a nice combination of relaxing superfoods, which will help you fall asleep at night. Many nights, I just make the mushroom elixir with water, and don’t bother adding the extra anise, maca and hemp milk, but when I’m feeling festive, these added ingredients really make for a lovely beverage.

Reishi: Research has demonstrated that reishi mushrooms have anti-inflammatory (1, 2), anti-depressant (3), immune-boosting (4), sleep-promoting (5), and many other types of benefits. Seriously, these mushrooms have been linked to cancer prevention, lowered blood pressure and cholesterol and even allergy-suppression.

Anise: If you don’t like the flavor of licorice, I’m going to recommend that you use cinnamon here instead. Like anise, cinnamon also aids in digestion and functions as a smooth muscle relaxant (6). Anise has also shown the ability to help combat insomnia.

Maca: Maca is an adaptogenic herb known for it’s abilities to help regulate sex hormones and to help boost mood and energy (7). Maca reacts with people in different ways, though, so while it is relaxing for me, it may be excitatory for you. Just something to keep in mind!

Relaxing Reishi Tea:

• 1 cup dairy free milk
• 1 packet Reishi Elixir
• 1/4 tsp maca powder
• 1/4 tsp anise or cinnamon (I don’t really measure this, but more just add until it tastes like I want it to)
• Stevia, to taste (optional)

Heat nondairy milk in a small saucepan, and whisk in remaining ingredients until smooth.

Sources:

• (1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25271985
• (2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25271860
• (3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22203880
• (4) http://idosi.org/aejb/1%283%2908/8.pdf
• (5) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19939212
• (6) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17027208/
• (7) https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-555-maca.aspx?activeingredientid=555