Enhancing Meditation and Mindfulness With Mushroom Tea
A steaming cup of tea can be more than just a warm beverage - it can be a powerful tool for enhancing your meditation practice. Often, we cruise through the tides of time without noticing what happens in the moment. However, when you look at things in the long run, the present creates small milestones. If you become aware of them, they will help you stay in the now and savor it. In essence, noticing them can help you slow down and understand your actions. Thus, you become more mindful, which also promotes mental clarity. But how do mushrooms enter this equation? Stay tuned and discover the ultimate power of meditation with the support of mushroom tea.
Let’s start from the very beginning…
Recap of holistic health basics:
When it comes to the overall care for a person, a holistic approach means giving in to a broader concept that includes more aspects of life – mental, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. Holistic health is a way of life that acknowledges the connection of all aspects and seeks balance and harmony in all areas mentioned. We recommend this approach because it is important to keep yourself happy and healthy through exercise, meditation, mindfulness, and techniques that will promote the connection between soul and body.
How Can Mushroom Teas Support Meditation?
The routine or ritualistic act of tea brewing, drinking and experiencing is meditative alone. Combined that with the wide range of health benefits mushrooms can provide and we can explore ways to deepen our meditative practices.
Different species of mushrooms have unique flavors and health profiles and the substrate (growth medium for the mushrooms) has implications on the quality of the medicine. The bio-active constituents contained in medicinal mushrooms exhibit adaptogenic, anticancer, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and immunomodulatory, nootropic and many other effects. The most popular mushrooms are Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris) Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) and Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) and we use many of them in our tea blends and recipes.
Sipping on tea made from these magnificent medicinal mushrooms may lead to reaping some fantastic benefits check out our chart adapted from a recent NIH article by Łysakowska from July 2023.
Figure 1: Mushroom Bioactive Compounds & Health Effects. Source: (Łysakowska et al, 2023).
Incorporating mushroom teas can come with numerous benefits:
Experience improved heart health – the regular consumption of mushroom tea may help you reduce the risk of heart disease by influencing cholesterol levels and improving the function of the blood vessels.
Your body could experience less inflammation – mushroom tea contains some anti-inflammatory properties and may directly influence inflammation and lower the overall risk of chronic disease.
The abundance of antioxidant properties – mushroom tea is rich in antioxidants, meaning it can protect the body from any harm done by free radicals.
Better cognitive function – the compounds in mushroom tea may help your cognitive functions including, focus, concentration and memory.
Decrease your risk of certain cancers – mushroom teas may decrease the risk of certain cancers, such as breast, prostate, colorectal cancer, etc.
Your hydration levels will increase – tea has always been a good source of hydration, making it one of the essentials for overall well-being and health.
On our site, you will find blends of loose and powdered tea made featuring the mushrooms of;
With Lion’s Mane, we offer the following:
Lion’s Mane Matcha – This simple yet high quality blend combines the mild, earthy organic matcha makes for an enjoyable morning or afternoon beverage.
Berry Brain – This is the perfect alternative for those looking for a caffeine-free beverage option. It is the best selling blend we make and includes blueberries, ginger, hibiscus, and elderberry.
With Reishi, we offer the following:
Reishi Red – This tangy, tart and bold caffeine-free option includes Red Reishi mushroom ginger, hibiscus, and lemon.
Reishi Rose – This light and gently floral tea blend contains Red Reishi mushroom, rose hips, rose petals, rose buds, and lemon.
For the most earthy, umami flavors try:
Maitake Mint - A minty and refreshing blend featuring maitake, peppermint, green tea and fennel.
Shiitake Genmaicha - A toasted rice green tea featuring shiitake mushroom extract powder.
Citrusceps - An earthy yet bright blend of Cordyceps, lemon peel, turmeric root, orange peel and lemongrass.
Considering meditation as an aspect of self-care – you will be taking care of your body, mind and spirit. Tea can be the moment of clarity, calmness, and a necessary soothing ritual. While you are sipping on it, focus on the present and allow peace and relaxation to wash over you.
Here's some specific ways tea can support your journey inwards:
Mindfulness through ritual:
The preparation process: Treat making tea as a mini-ritual. Focus on the sights, sounds, and smells as you boil water, measure leaves, and pour the brew. Feel the warmth of the teapot and the steam rising. This engagement draws your attention to the present moment, setting the stage for meditation.
Savoring the experience: Sip your tea slowly, savoring the taste and aroma. Notice the subtle changes in flavor as the tea cools. Appreciate the warmth in your hands, the sensation of the cup against your lips. This mindful drinking brings you fully into the present, reducing distractions and quieting your mind.
Grounding and anchoring:
A physical focus: Holding a warm cup of tea provides a physical anchor for your attention. When your mind wanders, bring it back to the sensation of the cup in your hands, the warmth against your skin, the steam rising to your face. This simple focus can keep you grounded and present.
A sensory experience: Tea engages all your senses: sight, smell, taste, touch, and even sound (the gentle clinking of your cup). This multi-sensory experience can be deeply grounding, drawing you away from your thoughts and into the present moment.
Remember…
Focus on the experience: Don't worry about "achieving" anything during your tea meditation. Simply be present with the experience and enjoy your tea time.
Sources:
Łysakowska, P., Sobota, A., & Wirkijowska, A. (2023). Medicinal Mushrooms: Their Bioactive Components, Nutritional Value and Application in Functional Food Production-A Review. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 28(14), 5393. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28145393
Thorpe, M. (2023, May 11). 12 benefits of meditation. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/12-benefits-of-meditation
