Medicinal mushrooms have been the center of attention recently within the natural health and wellness world. People have become so much more aware of the many health benefits that have been linked to certain mushrooms and are keen to try them out for themselves.
One mushroom that has been grabbing people’s attention is the reishi. Claimed to offer the broadest range of health benefits, it is not surprising that reishi mushrooms are quickly becoming one of the most popular fungi on the market.
Purchasing edible reishi mushrooms can be expensive, and they are not always the easiest to find. For this reason, most people are turning to reishi powders to fit this mushroom easily into their regular supplement plan and experience its many benefits.
The most common way of using reishi powder is in capsule form. For example, the reishi powder VidaCap is a popular option. While this method works great and is cheaper than eating mushrooms, it is not for everyone.
So, what are the other ways to use reishi powder, and what kind of benefits can you expect?
What Are Reishi Mushrooms?
Reishi mushrooms are found in East Asia and have been eaten throughout history for medical purposes. Reishi mushrooms are one of the diverse and widely studied functional mushrooms and are thought to offer a diverse range of health benefits when consumed frequently.
They have been nicknamed the ‘mushroom of immortality’ in certain cultures due to the many benefits they can provide to the consumer. They are also an excellent source of important antioxidants and nutrients.
The Benefits of Reishi Mushrooms
The rich nutritional content of reishi mushrooms means that they can provide a number of benefits. They are thought to positively impact the body’s immune system, support healthy digestion, and help to maintain cognitive function.
Reishi mushrooms have become especially popular among health enthusiasts as they are considered to be a great source of antioxidants. Many users choose to use reishi as part of a detox plan before commencing on a new, healthier diet.
Reishi mushrooms have also been found to be an effective immunomodulator, used to support the body’s immune system and natural defenses.
The polysaccharides found in reishi mushrooms have been linked to improved immune function. It is thought that adding reishi into your diet as a supplement can help to improve overall good health and reduce the chances of unnecessary inflammation within the body.
Reishi mushrooms have even been linked to improved sleep patterns and quality of sleep. They are known to promote relaxation and encourage a restful night, which may benefit those with sleep disorders.
Furthermore, reishi mushrooms are adaptogens and can therefore play a part in regulating the body’s stress response.
The Best Ways to Use Reishi Powder
Reishi mushrooms are most commonly purchased in the form of powders, much like protein powder. These powders are not designed to be used on their own, but instead mixed into recipes to make them more palatable.
Here are a few of the ways you can use reishi mushroom powders in your diet in a way that you can enjoy each day.
#1 – Smoothies
Many people choose to add protein powders to their smoothies to pack a little extra protein into their diet. Reishi mushroom powders can be used in precisely the same way, masking the flavors to hide the nutritional benefits of fungi in a tasty blend of fruit.
Most packs of reishi powders will give serving suggestions, which are useful as a guide as to how much you should add. After adding the powder, simply add the rest of your smoothie ingredients and whizz it together, and you have a fruity blend that incorporates all of the benefits of reishi.
#2 – Baked Goods
Another excellent option for sneaking reishi mushrooms into foods is to add them to baked goods. Whether you’re making cookies, cakes, or brownies, this method works great.
When adding reishi mushrooms powders to baking recipes, it is important to adjust the quantities of dry ingredients, like flour, to ensure the consistency of the final product is still good. There are tons of brilliant recipes to be found online that give suggestions about how to add mushroom powders to recipes while not affecting their overall taste.
#3 – Just Add Water
For a super simple way of working reishi mushrooms into even the busiest of days, mixing the powder with water works great. This might not be the tastiest of methods, but it is extremely quick and requires nothing more than a glass and running water.
Often, reishi products come with instructions for the correct ratio of water to powder to ensure that the liquid is easily drinkable and not a thick paste.
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