In ancient China and Egypt, mushrooms have been eaten and used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years.

Many mushrooms, especially chaga and lion’s mane, are considered to be adaptogenic, meaning that they have been shown to support overall health.

“To keep the body in good health is a duty… otherwise we shall not be able to keep the mind strong and clear.” - Buddha

We all want to be the healthiest and best versions of ourselves that we can be, which is why we love incorporating some mushroom superfoods into our diets.  

Many studies have shown that mushroom superfoods have all kinds of amazing properties that benefit the body and mind.

Keep reading as we’re going to share with you our passion for adaptogenic mushrooms.

Should You Add Adaptogenic Mushrooms To Your Diet?

Mushrooms can be magical superfoods.

In the world full of radiation and pollution, mushroom superfoods may be more important than ever because certain mushrooms may be helpful in helping us strengthen our immune systems.

In this study, adaptogenic mushrooms have been shown to help with cholesterol levels, help improve immune system and help fight off common allergies. (1)

Who doesn’t want a little bit of natural relief from seasonal sniffles?

Lion’s Mane and Chaga

Medicinal mushrooms have an array of benefits.

People have used them to help boost their immune system, their physical performance, and to help support mental clarity.

They are called “medicinal mushrooms” for a reason. People have been using them for prevention and treatment for centuries.

Each type of mushroom has its own unique set of properties.

Let’s look at two of the most popular mushrooms, chaga and lion’s mane.

Chaga Mushrooms Benefits

Chaga mushrooms have been used in traditional medicine in a variety of health concerns.

In one study, it is shown to have many health benefits. (2)

Chaga is shown to be packed with antioxidants. (3)

Inflammation, the body's response to injury is closely linked to almost all infectious diseases. One study found chaga mushrooms were able to lower inflammation. (4)

In another study, Chaga showed the ability to stop cancer growth in mice. It also helped in weight loss, further showing that Chaga has loads of health benefits. (5)

Lion’s Mane Mushrooms Benefits 

Lion’s Mane mushrooms are another great mushroom superfood, as it has been shown to help support brain function. 

It’s currently being studied for its neuroprotective benefits because Nerve Growth Factors (NGFs) in this mushroom have been shown to have the ability to regenerate and protect brain tissue.

This adaptogenic mushroom can also help the brain heal from injuries as well as help prevent memory loss and certain brain diseases that are common with old age. (6)

Adaptogenic mushrooms such as Chaga and Lion’s Mane hold a wide variety of health benefits - not just physical health, but mental health as well.

Research is still in its infancy but the possible effects of lion’s mane mushroom has been found to have on brain cells should not be ignored. (7)

5 Ways to get Mushroom Superfoods Into Your Diet

Now that you have an idea of some of the magical properties of mushrooms, you might want to know how you can start adding them to your diet. 

Here are 5 of our favorite ways to add mushroom superfoods into our diet, counting down to the very best one.

5. Cook and Eat Adaptogenic Mushrooms Whole

The most popular way to take in the nutritious benefits of adaptogenic mushrooms is to eat them. 

There are lots of recipes for ways that you can cook them.

You can bake, boil, fry, and even grill them.

Lion’s mane is especially a great mushroom to cook, as its firm, meaty texture can make for an excellent steak or even nugget-like pieces.

Prepare it in your best marinade or favorite dry rub

It is so much healthier than a real steak.

It can also serve as a great alternative meal option for vegetarians and vegans.

You can also try cutting Lion’s Mane up into smaller pieces and sautéing them with a little oil in a pan for a pleasant side dish to any meal.

If the texture of mushrooms is an issue for you though, there are other ways you can cook with them to receive their powerful qualities.

4. Use The Powdered Form of Adaptogenic Mushrooms For Cooking

Finding certain types of mushrooms in their most natural and whole form can sometimes be difficult, so another option that is actually quite popular is to buy the powdered form of adaptogenic mushrooms.

Mushroom powder is also perfect for those who don’t like the texture of natural mushrooms but still want to incorporate them into their diet.

You can usually find adaptogenic mushrooms in their powdered form at various health food stores where more natural products can be found.

Try using the powder to make a broth, or even add it to soups, gravies, and more to get your daily mushroom superfood fix.

You can also sprinkle some into your favorite dishes to add some extra flavor and round out your next healthy meal.

Using the powdered form of adaptogenic mushrooms for cooking is a fantastic way to add some extra nutrients to your diet, but cooking isn’t the only way either.

3. Add Mushroom Superfood Powder to Shakes, Smoothies, Teas, and More

If you’re not big on cooking, another great way to use adaptogenic mushroom powder is to add it to special drinks.  

Mushrooms make a great addition to any pre or post-workout drink.

Lion’s Mane, in particular, has medicinal properties that can help support focus and clarity of mind.

Cordyceps are another great mushroom that’s pairs well with exercise.

What Are Cordyceps?

Cordyceps are a genus of fungi that have been used extensively in traditional Chinese medicine.

Cordyceps are another type of mushroom that have actually been shown to improve athletic performance, allowing you to get more out of each workout and be able to build and grow your muscles more than ever. (8)

They are usually taken in a powder form or capsule, making it easy to add to your post-workout routine.

Mushrooms are a magical superfood that many people are adding to their diet.

Mushroom Cinnamon Tea

Another great way to consume mushroom powder on a daily basis is to make a tea out of it.

Mushroom tea is great because you can add it to your regular routine and enjoy the rich flavor in the process.

All it really takes is a few teaspoons of your choice of mushroom powder, hot water, and anything else you’d like to have included for taste or health benefit.

There are plenty of recipes to choose from, but you can start out with this one if you’d like:

• 1 tsp lion’s mane powder
• 1 tsp chaga powder
• 1 cinnamon stick
• A dash of your preferred choice of milk
• 1 to 2 tsp of honey, depending on taste

Add all the ingredients into a cup, then pour 8 to 10 ounces of boiling water over it.

Cover and let steep for 4 to 6 minutes, stir, sip, and enjoy!

Try experimenting to see what you like best, making it a fun - and healthy - experience all around.

Mushroom Hot Chocolate

You can also try adding the mushroom powder to hot chocolate for a super healthy treat.  

After all, nothing says relaxation and good times more than a nice cup of tea or hot chocolate - and it’s even better when you can say there are health benefits to it!

If you already have a hot chocolate recipe that you love, you can just add a teaspoon or two of mushroom powder to the mix.

If not, then here’s a simple and great recipe for you to try:

• 1 tsp of lion’s mane powder
• 1 tsp of chaga powder
• 2 tbsp of cocoa powder
• 1 to 3 tsp of your sweetener of choice
• 8 to 10 oz of your milk of choice

Add all ingredients together and bring it all to a slow boil for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring often.

Remove from heat, pour into a cup, and enjoy!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Banana Mushroom Smoothie

If you prefer something cold though, another great option is to add the adaptogenic mushroom powder to just about any smoothie. 

You don’t even really need a new recipe for this one, but if you’d like one to try, here’s a great recipe for you:

• ½ tsp of lion’s mane powder
• ½ tsp of chaga powder
• ½ tsp of cordyceps powder
• 1 scoop of your preferred chocolate protein powder
• 1 frozen banana
• 1 tbsp of peanut butter
• 1 cup of boiling water

First, you’ll need prep by boiling all the mushroom powder in water to get the mushrooms to dissolve and let the flavors steep.  

Then refrigerate the tea.

Once chilled, add the tea and all other ingredients together in a blender.

Blend until smooth, then grab a straw and enjoy! 

If you already like making smoothies and you know what you like in them, just make the smoothie the same way you always do, but use the chilled mushroom tea instead of milk or water.

You can also add nuts, spices, and anything else you can think of that you have on hand and that sounds good to you.

The possibilities are endless, so just see what you come up with!

2. Try Taking Adaptogenic Mushroom Supplements

Maybe you’ve tried every recipe in the book but can’t seem to get the mushrooms into your everyday diet

That’s doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on all of the great health benefits of mushroom superfoods.

There are other options that allow you to receive all the nutritional properties of adaptogenic mushrooms.

Mushroom supplement capsules are also a convenient option.

Taking adaptogenic mushrooms in pill form can save you a lot of time in preparation and consumption, and is a great option for anyone looking for the simplest and easiest way to get their daily mushroom superfood fix.

For many, remembering to take a pill is easier than remembering to prep a meal or workout drink.

Mushroom capsules are convenient. It’s less time consuming to swallow a pill than it is to marinate whole mushrooms or steep tea.

The two main downsides of taking capsules are

1. The absorption may affect the efficacy because of the hard-shell gelatin or vegan casing.
2. Losing versatility in ways to enjoy the mushrooms.

The most versatile solution to consume adaptogenic mushrooms is through a powdered drink mix.

Plus, a powdered drink mix is ideal for the best and fasted absorption into the body.

1. Add Adaptogenic Mushrooms To Your Morning Coffee

“Coffee: the favorite drink of the civilized world.” -Thomas Jefferson

Our favorite way to add adaptogenic mushrooms into our diet is to add them to our morning coffee.

If you’re like most people, you probably love starting your day with a cup of coffee, right?

Sure, you can add mushrooms and mushroom powder to your food, but that takes time and effort.

You can add mushroom powder to various other drinks, but adding them to your morning coffee, almost guarantees that you’ll enjoy them daily.

We can forget to take a pill, but we’ll never forget our morning coffee.

Adaptogenic mushrooms such as chaga and lion’s mane have so many health benefits.

Many say that it helps them improve focus and thinking faster.

What’s great about adding the mushrooms to coffee is that you also get to enjoy the brain healthy benefits of the coffee itself and the caffeine.

Coffee is the perfect mix for the mushrooms because the lion’s mane and chaga are flavorless in coffee so you won’t even know that the mushrooms have been added.

Also, the mushrooms give the coffee a delectable creaminess texture.

You can add mushroom powder to your coffee yourself, or you can try a premixed instant coffee.

Why waste time measuring when you can conveniently tear open a packet?

By adding these adaptogenic mushrooms to your morning coffee, you can start enjoying their daily benefits.

With a healthy brain, you can start being the best version of yourself.