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Best Herbal Tea for Gut Health: Mushroom Chai Tea

ByBrittany Gibson
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If you’re looking for a natural way to support your gut health, functional mushrooms are a powerhouse ingredient worth incorporating into your routine. Mushrooms like lion’s mane and chaga are packed with bioactive compounds that promote gut microbiome balance, reduce inflammation, and support digestion. In this post, we’ll explore the best herbal tea for gut health featuring some of my favorite mushrooms.

mushroom tea with real mushroom powders in bags and a mason jar of cacao powder

Seriously though, this mushroom tea tastes way better than you’d think! I was concerned about the taste of mushroom tea at first, I’ll be honest! But these mushroom powders taste mildly earthy and ground the faux chai tea perfectly!

Why Mushrooms Are Great for Gut Health

Each of these mushrooms has unique properties that contribute to a happy, balanced digestive system. Take note that these functional mushrooms are adaptogens that can help the body deal with stress. If you are new to these ingredients, try them first one at a time!

Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) is famous for its brain-boosting effects, but it also plays a significant role in gut health. It has been shown to promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria while protecting the intestinal lining. Lion’s mane contains polysaccharides that may help reduce gut inflammation, making it a great choice for those dealing with digestive discomfort.

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is rich in antioxidants and beta-glucans, which support immune function and gut health. It has been used in traditional medicine to reduce gut inflammation and promote a balanced microbiome. Chaga is also an adaptogen, helping the body manage stress, which is a crucial factor in digestion and gut health.

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is often called the “mushroom of immortality” due to its extensive health benefits. When it comes to gut health, reishi acts as a prebiotic, nourishing beneficial bacteria in the microbiome. It also helps regulate inflammation, which can ease digestive discomfort and bloating.

Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) is one of the most well-researched mushrooms for gut health. It contains polysaccharopeptides (PSP) and polysaccharide-K (PSK), compounds that help increase the diversity of gut bacteria and improve digestion. Turkey tail is often used to support gut balance, especially after antibiotic use.

Make the Best Herbal Tea for Gut Health

One of the easiest ways to incorporate functional mushrooms into your daily routine is through tea. This Gut-Healing Mushroom Chai Tea Recipe is not only gut-friendly but also delicious, making it an enjoyable way to get the benefits of these powerful fungi.

Please Note:

A traditional chai is black tea plus lot of amazing spices. This faux chai is naturally grounded and spicy, without the caffeine! Feel free to add traditional chai spices like ginger, cardamom, and clove if you enjoy the added spice!

from above, silver metal measuring spoons of chaga, lions mane, cacao, and cinnamon

Gut-Healing Mushroom Chai Tea Recipe

This tea is easy to make and can be enjoyed daily as part of your gut-health routine.

Ingredients:

  • ½ tsp chaga powder
  • ½ tsp lion’s mane powder
  • 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp cacao powder
  • ¼ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup hot water (or 1/2 water and 1/2 milk)
  • Raw honey (to taste)

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Pouches of Real Mushroom brand mushroom powders, near plants on a beige backdrop

Real Mushrooms Chaga Powder

Buy Chaga Powder on Amazon

Real Mushrooms Lion’s Mane Powder

Buy Lion’s Mane Powder on Amazon

Of course, you can always forage chaga or lion’s mane yourself if you prefer! I was kindly gifted these mushroom powders by Real Mushrooms.

Instructions:

  1. Heat 1 cup of water until hot, but not quite boiling.
  2. Stir in the chaga powder, lion’s mane powder, cinnamon, cacao powder.
  3. Let the mixture sit for 3 minutes to allow the powders to dissolve and infuse.
  4. Stir again with a spoon or use a handheld whisk frother for better incorporation.
  5. Sweeten with raw honey and vanilla extract to taste.
  6. Enjoy warm and reap the gut-healing benefits!
Measuring spoon adding cacao to mug
Add Powders to Hot Water
hand stirring powders into tea
Stir Vigorously
mug with wood lid
Let Sit for 3 Minutes
Vanilla extract pouring into mug
Add Vanilla Extract and Honey

How to Brew Herbal Tea

For detailed instructions on the methods for brewing herbal tea, check out my post: How to Brew Herbal Tea: Infusions and Decoctions.

Making This a Daily Ritual

Incorporating this tea into your routine is a great way to support digestion naturally. Whether you drink it in the morning as a cozy start to your day or in the evening as a calming, nourishing treat, this Gut-Healing Mushroom Chai Tea is sure to become a staple in your wellness routine.

Adding mushrooms to your daily diet can be an easy and effective way to support gut health. Whether you enjoy them in tea, coffee, or even in soups and broths, these mushrooms provide long-term benefits for digestion and overall wellness.

close up, angled from above, finished mushroom tea for gut health

FAQs

Yes! This tea is gentle enough to be enjoyed daily and provides ongoing gut health benefits with regular consumption.

It has a warm, earthy flavor with subtle sweetness from the cinnamon, cacao, and vanilla. The raw honey balances the bitterness of the mushrooms. It’s kind of like a weak, spicy hot chocolate!

Yes! Some great additions include nutmeg, cardamom, ginger, or even a splash of coconut milk, oat milk, or even raw milk for extra creaminess.

  • Mushroom Coffee: Add ½ tsp of lion’s mane or chaga powder to your morning coffee for a gut and brain boost.
  • Smoothies: Blend a small amount of mushroom powder into your smoothie with bananas, nut milk, and cacao for a creamy, nourishing drink.
  • Golden Milk: Add mushroom powders to a turmeric latte with warm milk and spices for a gut-supporting evening beverage.
  • Soups and Broths: Stir mushroom powders into homemade vegetable or bone broth for an extra dose of immune and gut support. You can also add them to an herbal mushroom broth.
  • Energy Balls: Mix mushroom powder with nut butter, oats, honey, and cacao to create nutritious, gut-friendly snacks.
  • Oatmeal or Chia Pudding: Sprinkle a small amount of mushroom powder into your breakfast bowl for a mild, earthy addition.

Let me know in the comments—have you tried functional mushrooms for gut health? What are your favorite ways to use them?

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A glass mug filled with mushroom chai tea is displayed, featuring text that promotes the drink for gut health and highlights the inclusion of Chaga and Lion's Mane mushrooms.
Brittany wearing a big hat. At the kitchen table working with herbs and potted plants

About the Author

Brittany Gibson is a modern suburban homesteader and the founder of The Homestead Challenge. She empowers women to adopt a simpler, more self-sufficient lifestyle, feeling confident to grow, create, and thrive on their own terms with joy and balance.

Read more about my transformation and join me in building our lives from scratch.

Contact Brittany
dark brown milky tea in a clear mug on a brick surface

Mushroom Tea Recipe

Brittany Gibson
A delicious warm, spicy tea featuring mushrooms for gut health!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 2 minutes
Resting Time 3 minutes
Course Drinks

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 tsp Chaga Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Lion's Mane Powder
  • 1/8 tsp Ground Cinnamon
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 1 cup Water
  • Raw Honey, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Heat 1 cup of water until hot, but not quite boiling.
  • Stir in the chaga powder, lion’s mane powder, cinnamon, cacao powder.
  • Let the mixture sit for 3 minutes to allow the powders to dissolve and infuse.
  • Stir again with a spoon or use a handheld whisk frother for better incorporation.
  • Sweeten with raw honey and vanilla extract to taste.
  • Enjoy warm and reap the gut-healing benefits!

Notes

Fun flavor additions could include nutmeg, cardamom, ginger, or even a splash of coconut milk!

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