Last updated: October 2026
Mushroom tea is a drink made by simmering dried or powdered functional mushrooms, such as reishi, chaga, lion’s mane or cordyceps, in hot water. Use 1 to 2g of mushroom per mug, simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, then strain. It tastes earthy, so honey, lemon, ginger or cacao help. It is not the same as magic mushrooms.
Below: the main types of mushroom tea, how to make it, what the research shows, how long it keeps, mushroom tea vs mushroom coffee, and safety.
Types of mushroom tea compared
| Mushroom | Taste | Traditionally used for | Best time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reishi | Bitter, woody | Calm, sleep, general wellbeing | Evening |
| Chaga | Mild, slightly vanilla | General wellbeing; rich in antioxidants | Any time |
| Lion’s mane | Mild, slightly savoury | Focus and memory | Morning |
| Cordyceps | Earthy, nutty | Energy and exercise | Morning |
| Turkey tail | Earthy, mild | Immune health in traditional medicine | Any time |
See our guides to reishi, chaga, lion’s mane, cordyceps and turkey tail, or compare them in lion’s mane vs reishi vs cordyceps.
How to make mushroom tea
With dried mushroom slices or chunks
- Add 1 to 2g of dried mushroom (about 2 to 3 thin slices) to 500ml of water.
- Bring to the boil, then simmer gently with a lid on for 20 to 30 minutes. Tough mushrooms like reishi and chaga can simmer for up to an hour.
- Strain into a mug. You can reuse the slices once more.
- Add honey, lemon, fresh ginger or cinnamon to taste.
With mushroom powder or extract
- Stir 1 teaspoon of powder or the label serving of extract into a mug of hot (not boiling) water or milk.
- Whisk well, as powders can clump.
Extracts are concentrated and dissolve easily, so they’re the quickest option. Reishi pairs well with cacao, which hides its bitterness. See our healthy hot chocolate recipe and reishi cacao.
Mushroom tea benefits: what the research shows
Most research on functional mushrooms uses concentrated extracts in capsules, not tea, and many studies are small. Here’s an honest summary:
| Mushroom | Human evidence |
|---|---|
| Lion’s mane | A small Japanese trial in 30 older adults with mild memory problems found better cognitive scores after 16 weeks than placebo. A UK trial in young adults found only small effects on speed and a trend towards lower stress. |
| Reishi | A trial of 132 adults with long-term fatigue found an extract improved fatigue and wellbeing more than placebo. No good human sleep trials yet. See reishi for sleep. |
| Chaga | Mostly lab and animal research. |
| Cordyceps | Small, mixed trials on exercise. See adaptogens for energy. |
The ritual counts too: a warm, caffeine-free drink is a good swap for an evening coffee or a glass of wine. See best mushrooms for anxiety and functional mushrooms explained.
How long does mushroom tea last?
- Brewed tea: up to 3 days in a sealed jar in the fridge. Reheat gently or drink cold.
- Dried mushrooms: 1 to 2 years in an airtight container, somewhere cool, dry and dark.
- Powders: check the best-before date and keep the lid tight, as they absorb moisture.
Throw it away if it smells sour or looks cloudy or mouldy.
Mushroom tea vs mushroom coffee
| Mushroom tea | Mushroom coffee | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Mushrooms simmered or stirred into water | Coffee blended with mushroom extract, often lion’s mane or chaga |
| Caffeine | None | Usually less than regular coffee, but some |
| Best for | Evenings, or cutting out caffeine | Mornings, if you want to cut down on coffee |
See mushroom coffee, coffee crash and does caffeine cause anxiety?
Is mushroom tea the same as magic mushrooms?
No. Functional mushrooms such as reishi, chaga, lion’s mane and cordyceps contain no psilocybin and don’t cause a high. “Magic mushroom tea” is made from mushrooms containing psilocybin, which are a Class A drug in the UK, whether fresh or dried. Everything in this guide is about legal functional mushrooms.
Side effects and who should avoid it
- Stomach upset is the most common side effect. Start with a weak cup.
- Chaga is high in oxalates. Case reports link large, long-term use to kidney damage, so avoid it if you’ve had kidney stones or kidney problems.
- Reishi may affect blood clotting: avoid with blood thinners or before surgery unless your doctor agrees.
- Diabetes or blood pressure medicines: some mushrooms may lower blood sugar or blood pressure, so check with a pharmacist.
- Never forage wild mushrooms for tea unless you’re an expert. Some poisonous species look like edible ones.
- We don’t recommend our products during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and they’re for adults only.
Prefer capsules or a drink blend? See best mushroom supplement UK.
FAQs
What is mushroom tea?
A drink made by simmering dried functional mushrooms, or stirring mushroom powder, into hot water. Reishi, chaga, lion’s mane and cordyceps are the most popular.
How do you make mushroom tea?
Simmer 1 to 2g of dried mushroom in 500ml of water for 20 to 30 minutes, then strain. Or stir a teaspoon of mushroom powder into hot water.
How long should you steep mushroom tea?
Simmer dried mushrooms for 20 to 30 minutes, or up to an hour for tough ones like reishi and chaga. Powders and extracts just need stirring in.
How long does mushroom tea last?
Brewed tea keeps for up to 3 days in the fridge. Dried mushrooms last 1 to 2 years in an airtight container.
Can I drink mushroom tea every day?
Most healthy adults can have a cup a day. Avoid daily chaga if you’ve had kidney problems, and check with a pharmacist if you take medicines.
Is mushroom tea legal in the UK?
Tea made from functional mushrooms like reishi, chaga or lion’s mane is legal. Magic mushrooms containing psilocybin are a Class A drug.
What is the best mushroom tea for sleep?
Reishi is the traditional evening choice. It’s best seen as a calming ritual rather than a sleep aid, as human sleep trials are lacking.
Sources
- Mori K et al (2009). Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytotherapy Research.
- Docherty S et al (2023). The acute and chronic effects of lion’s mane mushroom supplementation on cognitive function, stress and mood in young adults. Nutrients.
- Tang W et al (2005). A randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study of a Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide extract in neurasthenia. Journal of Medicinal Food.
- Kikuchi Y et al (2014). Chaga mushroom-induced oxalate nephropathy. Clinical Nephrology.
- GOV.UK. Drugs penalties.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Evopure makes the Reishi Mushroom Adaptogenic Complex.
