How to Make Mushroom Tea: The Magic and Medicinal Mushroom Guidebook

Mushroom tea is a classic way to reap the benefits of medicinal mushrooms, including adaptogenic mushrooms and those with nootropic effects.

It is, of course, also one of the primary ways that “magic mushrooms” (those laced with psilocybin) are used. Regardless of which therapeutic experience you're after, making mushroom tea is super easy, and you can mix it up to fit your preference.

Below we'll cover two different ways to make mushroom tea, plus information about mushroom tea dosage, risks, and more.

Let's take it from the top:

• Mushroom tea can be made from all kinds of mushrooms, from the “magic” ones to the more classical “healers,” like turkey tail.

• Mushroom tea is one of the best ways to reap the therapeutic benefits of mushrooms when dealing with whole mushrooms.

• If you have an extract, you have a lot more leniency in how you can make your tea (or numerous other food and drink items).

Mushroom tea is exactly what you’d expect–a liquid infusion made by steeping mushrooms in hot water. This releases the therapeutic compounds by breaking down the chitin, or the polymer layer that makes up the mushroom’s tissues, which is difficult for the human body to digest.

Making tea with your mushrooms helps to unlock their therapeutic potential by breaking the beta-glucans and other beneficial compounds away from the chitin, making them more bioavailable for the body.

Plus, it makes for an easy and exciting consumption method that you can dazzle up with honey, lemon, cinnamon, or whatever other aromatics are pleasing to you.

Let’s dig a bit further into these therapeutic compounds and the potential benefits they may offer:

Psilocybin is a psychedelic compound found in certain "magic mushrooms." It is converted into psilocin in the body, affecting serotonin receptors and leading to altered perceptions and mood changes.

Known for potential benefits in treating depression, anxiety, and PTSD, psilocybin is also studied for enhancing creativity and spiritual experiences. However, it is not legal everywhere, and its use can cause challenging psychological effects. Professional guidance is recommended.

Beta-glucans are a type of polysaccharide that are much more bioactive than other carbohydrates. Because they are bioactive, they are often linked to the positive health effects of many mushrooms. Many sources believe that beta-glucans are the primary component behind the holistic benefits of any mushroom formula.

Most medicinal mushrooms also contain an array of different terpenoids, a modified classification of terpenes . These are lipids that are believed to give various mushrooms their immunomodulatory benefits .

It’s no secret that many mushrooms are considered superfoods –meaning they contain plenty of nutritional benefits, including some vitamins and minerals that are scarce in our usual diets. Some of the nutritional compounds you may find in most mushrooms used to make tea include:

• B-complex vitamins

• Vitamin D

• Potassium

• Rubidium

• Cesium

• Amino acids

• Fiber

• Copper

• Selenium

• Zinc

• Iron

• Manganese

• Magnesium

• Calcium

Now that you know which therapeutic compounds you can reap from medicinal mushrooms, let's move on to the next question: Which mushrooms provide which benefits?

Aside from the common grocery store varieties like portabella and cremini, and psilocybin mushrooms, many people are unfamiliar with the wide variety of mushrooms available.

Moreover, the benefits of functional mushrooms and which ones to choose for specific health benefits are often overlooked.

Once you start familiarizing yourself with popular medicinal mushrooms—such as lion’s mane, reishi, chaga, and maitake—it can get tricky to keep up.

If you're deciding which mushrooms to use for your tea, you'll be happy to know that almost any mushroom can make a good, nutritious cup of tea. Some mushrooms have special, specific health benefits.

Below, we'll break down some of the most popular mushrooms used to make tea:

• Lion’s Mane : A sweet, mildly flavored mushroom associated with boosting mental performance and improving brain function.

• Maitake : An earthy, herbal-tasting mushroom known for its adaptogenic effects that may positively impact digestion, cholesterol, and immune functions.

• Cordyceps : Known as the “athlete's mushroom” due to its potential to increase endurance, exercise performance, and improve heart health.

• Tremella : Known as the “beauty mushroom” for its moisturizing properties and proposed anti-aging effects on the skin.

• Reishi : A soothing, sleep-supporting mushroom with adaptogenic properties.

• Chaga : A soothing mushroom with potential for boosting immunity and helping to regulate inflammatory functions.

• Psilocybe cubensis : One of the most common species of psychedelic mushrooms, known for its moderate psilocybin content and widespread availability.

• Psilocybe semilanceata : Also known as "liberty caps," these mushrooms are potent and widely found in the wild.

• Psilocybe azurescens : Known for its high psilocybin content, making it one of the most potent species.

• Psilocybe cyanescens : Also called "wavy caps," these mushrooms have a high concentration of psilocybin and are known for their distinctive wavy caps.

• Psilocybe tampanensis : Often referred to as “magic truffles,” these are known for their unique growth as sclerotia, a dense mass of mycelium.

Each type of mushroom brings unique benefits, whether you're seeking mental clarity, physical endurance, or therapeutic effects. Always research and ensure you're using the correct type of mushroom for your needs.

Read More:

• Lion’s Mane Cognition Benefits According to Research

• What is Tremella? Everything to Know About the Beauty Mushroom

• Cordyceps Benefits: 7 Research-Based Reasons to Try Cordyceps Mushroom

• Chaga Mushroom Benefits (Backed by Research)

After taking a peek at these potential benefits, you’ll be happy to know that you can easily make mushroom tea at home. There are a few options for this, but we are going to cover the primary ways to make mushroom tea in your own kitchen:

There are two ways to make mushroom tea– by either steeping mushrooms or using mushroom powder. 

These two ways are both beneficial and can both produce a delicious, nutritious cup of therapeutic mushroom tea, but you'll notice that one has a significant advantage over the other.

Let's compare:

If you plan to use whole mushrooms to make your tea, you can choose either fresh mushrooms or dried mushrooms. Both will have a slightly different taste profile, and some of the nutritional content may be lost during the drying process for dehydrated mushrooms, so fresh mushrooms may produce a stronger cup of tea.

Either way, both methods will work, and both will help you reap the nutritional and functional benefits of your favorite mushrooms.

Here’s how it’s done:

First, gather your ingredients:

• Whole, fresh mushroom (3.5-5 grams) OR dried mushrooms (1-3 grams)

• 8-16 ounces of water (more or less depending on desired boldness)

• Add ins, like lemon, honey, ginger, mint, or other aromatics (optional)

Instructions

1. Add the water to a small saucepan and heat it on medium-low until it boils.

2. While the water heats, cut or break your mushrooms into small chunks.

3. Add your mushrooms directly to your saucepan and turn off the heat.

4. Continue steeping mushrooms for 10-15 minutes. Now is a good time to add in fresh aromatics, if any are used.

5. After the water is slightly cooled, strain the liquid off the solids. Discard solids.

6. Now, add honey or desired sweeteners and enjoy!

Mushroom tea powder also comes in two forms–whole mushroom powder and mushroom extract. Here’s a brief breakdown of the difference.

Whole mushroom powder is made when whole mushrooms are simply dried and then ground up into a fine powder.

This type of mushroom powder still contains beta-glucans and nutritional compounds that are locked in chitin, so it’s important to steep it correctly–at the correct temperature for the correct amount of time–in order to unlock these bioactive compounds.

Mushroom extract powder has gone through an extraction process, usually involving a hot water extraction (like a tea) and an alcohol extraction. This thorough process removes all of the beneficial compounds in the mushroom, including those that are not removed during only a tea extraction. 

Finally, the extract is dried into a powder, which means it’s incredibly potent and versatile.

One of the greatest benefits of mushroom extract powder is that it does not need to be steeped. It’s already a bioavailable form of the mushroom, and it’s usually water soluble. That means you can use it in hot and cold beverages, as well as food of all sorts.

So, the process for making mushroom tea from powder is different depending on which form of mushroom powder you choose. Here’s how to do it both ways:

The process of making mushroom tea from whole mushroom powder is very similar to the process for using fresh or dried mushrooms that we explained above.

The primary difference is that you won’t have to steep as long, and you may have a harder time straining out the solids that don’t dissolve (though you could use a coffee filter or nut milk bag if you’re patient. If you don’t, you may have a gritty texture left at the bottom of your cup after you finish your tea.

Here’s how to do it:

First, gather your ingredients:

• 1-2 grams of whole mushroom powder

• 8-12 ounces of water (more or less depending on desired boldness)

• Add ins, like lemon, honey, ginger, mint, or other aromatics (optional)

Instructions

1. Add the water to a small saucepan and heat it on medium-low until it boils, then remove from heat.

2. Add your mushroom powder directly to your saucepan and stir constantly for 3-5 minutes. Now is a good time to add in fresh aromatics, if any are used.

3. After the water is slightly cooled, strain the liquid off the solids. Discard solids.

4. Now, add honey or desired sweeteners and enjoy!

Making tea from mushroom extract powder is very different for a number of reasons:

• You’ll use less powder since its a very concentrated version of mushroom powder. It may be best to follow the dosing suggestions on the product you choose.

• Extract powder works in both hot and cold liquids, so you can make any type of tea you choose.

• You don’t need to steep. Just simply stir in the powder and enjoy!

• Most extracts are water soluble and won’t leave much residue behind.

As you can see, it would be impossible to go over all the variations for making mushroom tea with extract powder. Truly, you can’t go wrong–just use your favorite tea recipe and follow the dosing suggestion on the extract powder you choose.

Or, look for a flavored mushroom extract, like a Mushroom Chai Tea, Mushroom Matcha, or even a Mushroom Coffee, to take the guess work out of mixing and matching mushrooms and flavor add-ins.

The psilocybin content in homemade mushroom tea can vary widely depending on the type and amount of mushrooms used. Typically, psilocybin mushrooms contain 0.1% to 1% psilocybin by dry weight.

When making tea, the concentration can be influenced by factors such as steeping time, water temperature, and mushroom potency. It is difficult to measure the exact amount of psilocybin in homemade preparations, so effects can be unpredictable.

Making psilocybin tea is a simple and effective way to enjoy magic mushrooms, offering a smoother, quicker onset and less nausea compared to eating raw mushrooms.

Here's a step-by-step guide to crafting your own shroom tea:

Ingredients

• 3.5 grams psilocybin mushrooms (or desired dose)

• 2-3 herbal or decaffeinated tea bags (to avoid caffeine interference)

• 2 cups of water

• Optional: honey, ginger, or other flavorings

Equipment

• Grinder

• Saucepan or kettle

• Sieve or coffee filter

• Teapot or bowl

Instructions

1. Grind the Shrooms: Break the mushrooms into small pieces or grind them for maximum potency.

2. Boil Water: Heat 2 cups of water in a saucepan or kettle until boiling.

3. Steep the Tea: Remove the water from heat, add the mushrooms and tea bags, and let steep for 10-15 minutes.

4. Strain the Mixture : Use a sieve or coffee filter to separate mushroom bits from the liquid.

5. Add Flavor and Serve : Stir in honey, ginger, or other additives to enhance the taste.

6. Store for Later: If not consumed immediately, store the tea in a glass container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

• Faster Onset : Liquid absorption speeds up effects

• Less Nausea : Tea minimizes digestive discomfort compared to raw mushrooms.

• Dosing Control : Easily adjust potency by altering mushroom or water quantities.

• Discretion : Perfect for taking your tea outdoors without suspicion.

Enjoy your psilocybin tea responsibly and always source your mushrooms from a trusted provider.

Mushroom tea can pose several risks, including:

• Psychological Effects : Anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations can occur, especially at higher doses.

• Physical Effects : Nausea, vomiting, and dizziness are possible side effects.

• Variability : Inconsistent psilocybin content can lead to unpredictable experiences.

• Legal Issues : Psilocybin is illegal in many places, and possession or use can result in legal consequences.

• Pre-existing Conditions : Those with mental health issues may experience exacerbated symptoms.

Due to these risks, it is important to approach mushroom tea with caution and ideally under professional supervision.

If mushroom tea isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy the benefits of mushrooms. The debate over mushroom powder versus extracts or fruiting body versus mycelium is common. However, most mushrooms need to be consumed as tea or cooked to break down chitin—a substance that locks away their bioactive compounds and is tough for humans to digest.

Mushroom extract powder solves this issue. Made through hot water and alcohol extraction, it’s highly concentrated, bioavailable, and versatile. Use it in teas, drinks, meals, desserts, bars, or capsules to maximize mushrooms' therapeutic potential.

Yes, you can drink mushroom tea every day. However, it's important to consider the type of mushroom and how your body responds to it.

Some mushrooms may have stronger effects than others, so it's advisable to start with small amounts and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.

Mushroom teas like Reishi, Chaga, and Lion's Mane are known for their health benefits. Reishi can support immune function and relaxation, Chaga is rich in antioxidants, and Lion's Mane may help with cognitive function.

Lion's Mane mushroom tea is often recommended for the morning due to its potential to boost cognitive function and provide mental clarity.

No, mushroom tea and kombucha are not the same. Mushroom tea is made from brewed mushrooms, while kombucha is a fermented tea drink made with sugar, tea, and a SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast).

A fermented mushroom drink is commonly called "kombucha" when it includes tea, but if it specifically involves mushrooms, it could be referred to as "mushroom kombucha" or simply "fermented mushroom drink."

Mushroom tea can go by different names depending on the type of mushroom used. Common names include Reishi tea, Chaga tea, and Lion's Mane tea.

1. “Immunomodulatory Effects of Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms and Their Bioactive Immunoregulatory Products” https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Major-immunomodulatory-terpenes-and-terpenoids-from-medicinal-mushrooms-and-their_tbl4_346759543