Reishi Mushrooms For Light Sleepers
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t get enough rest. It’s getting harder and harder to get enough sleep in today’s fast-paced world.
The demands of our careers and social lives (especially online) leave us feeling mentally exhausted and anxious.
But there’s hope! Reishi mushroom tea is a centuries-old remedy for insomnia that is making a comeback in as a natural sleep aid.
Dubbed “the mushroom of immortality”, Reishi (Japanese), Lingzhi (Chinese), or Mannentake (Korean) are a type of fungi that have been widely used in traditional East Asian medicine for their medicinal properties.
These mushrooms are super rare in nature and while they have been reserved for the more affluent (read ultra rich) in the past, they are gaining popularity today as a natural way to improve sleep quality and overall health.
Along with a huge list of other beneficial things, reishi mushrooms contain compounds that can help to promote relaxation and reduce stress levels.
How Reishi Mushrooms Can Help You Sleep Better
– Reishi And Insomnia
You’ve probably noticed this but sooo many people struggle with insomnia at some point in their lives.
And even though it’s often temporary, insomnia can be a frustrating condition that makes it impossible to get a good night’s sleep.
I bet you didn’t know that reishi mushrooms have been used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine. These types of mushrooms been used to treat a variety of ailments for over 2000 years!
As a side note; check out “The Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica” if you want to learn more about Traditional Chinese Medicine. It’s actually super insightful.
These days, we tend to be a bit more nit-picky (and for good reason) when it comes to medications but science has shown that Reishi mushrooms are rich in active compounds that can have a positive effect on dealing with insomnia.
– Reishi Mushrooms Can Improve Your Mood
Many people suffer from depression and anxiety, and one of the most common symptoms is insomnia.
It can be incredibly frustrating to lie in bed for hours, unable to fall asleep. The mind races with anxious thoughts, making it impossible to relax.
As the sleepless night wears on, the fatigue only deepens the depression. This vicious cycle can be difficult to break, but a warm, reishi infused drink can help.
A 6-week long study involving Spanish women with fibromyalgia found that their happiness, as well as their general satisfaction with life had improved after taking reishi supplements (at the minimum recommended dose).
And while I’m not a scientist, I don’t think it’s necessary to have an illness that causes pain all over your body in order to benefit from the positive effects of a mushroom that’s been used medicinally for literally thousands of years.
– Promising Studies On Reishi Mushrooms And Sleep
While more studies on actual people are needed there are some really promising leads out there based on other mammals.
According to this study, reishi mushroom extract significantly improved sleep time and non-REM sleep in test subjects.
Another study confirmed that the same type of reishi extract showed a significant effect on the shortening of sleep latency, meaning the test subjects fell asleep much faster.
Now, as good as this seems, it is important to keep in mind that these test subjects were rats. Obviously, with the long history that reishi mushrooms have for their benefits it’s impossible to have another fialuridine fiasco but I do feel it is important to point this out and hopefully inspire more research to be done with actual human volunteers.
Reishi Drinks To Enjoy Before Bed
Classic Reishi Tea
It’s best to prepare this one in advance as it does take some time.
- Boil some water
- Add 1 gram of dried reishi to every cup of water
- Simmer for about an hour (the longer you simmer the stronger the tea will be)
- Strain and enjoy
- Optional: sweeten with maple syrup or honey
Cold Brew Reishi Tea
This one takes even more time but it’s worth it if you want a more mellow flavor with less bitterness.
The steps/ingredients for this recipe are the same as the classic tea with one big difference.
Instead of boiling the water and simmering the reishi, you let the mushrooms soak in the water for 7-8 hours.
Just pop some dried reishi mushrooms in a cup of water in the morning and place it in your fridge for the day. Your cold brew reishi tea will be ready by the time you’ve finished your dinner.
Our ceramic Japandi Mug is the best for this recipe as it comes with a lid and and it’s own ceramic filter.
Ceramic is perfect for this job as it’s inert and doesn’t react with anything in your brew.
Reishi Chocolate Milk
Not everyone is a fan of a classic reishi tea. Let’s be honest, it has a (not surprisingly) pretty mushroomy flavor.
This recipe by Laura of the first mess if perfect for those that don’t mind a bit of extra work for a chocolaty reward.
It’s vegan and uses reishi powder instead of whole mushrooms so even though it has a few more ingredients, it’s quicker to prepare.
Putting It To Bed
If you’re looking for a natural way to improve your sleep quality, look no further than reishi mushroom tea. This centuries-old remedy for insomnia is making a comeback as more and more people are looking for natural ways to improve their health.
Reishi mushrooms contain compounds that can help to promote relaxation and reduce stress levels, both of which are important for good sleep quality.
So next time you’re struggling to fall asleep, reach for a cup of reishi mushroom tea instead of an over-the-counter sleep aid. Your body will thank you!
