Last Updated on June 1, 2025 by Nico
Make your own immune-boosting remedy by learning how to prepare reishi tea. Reishi mushrooms are helpful in supporting overall health and the immune system and making tea with them is incredibly simple.
Reishi mushrooms (scientifically known as Ganoderma lucidum) are known as the “mushroom of immortality”. They have been a cornerstone in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Reishis have adaptogenic properties, which means that they are a nature way to help support your body to be more resistant to stress and illness. While I normally tincture reishis because tinctures are an excellent way to consume the benefits of plants and mushrooms, I also like to make reishi tea in the colder months.
Where to find reishi mushrooms
Reishi mushrooms are large and kidney-shaped. They have a glossy, reddish-brown surface and are native to Asia, where they grow on hardwood trees in primarily in humid regions. Wild reishi can also be found in North America, and are found primarily in warmer regions, and grow on hardwood trees like oak or maple.
I tend to buy my dried reishis from a local and reputable source that grows them in a controlled environment. There is an increasing problem with certain fungi being over-harvested due to their health benefits so make sure to avoid contributing to the problem by doing some research on your sourcing.
Whole or powdered reishi
You can use either powdered or whole reishis to make the tea, but I recommend using small pieces of whole reishis instead of powder. Powdered mushrooms are good because they allow for the maximise surface area to be exposed during the extraction process but they are super difficult to strain off. For this reason, I’d recommend using pieces of whole reishis to make tea.
Reishi benefits
Support overall immune health – Reishis contain beta-glucans, which can boost the immune system.
Stress support – The mushrooms are adaptogens, which help the body resist stress and improve cognitive function and energy levels.
Antioxidant properties – They are high in antioxidants which help combat oxidative stress and inflammation and rid the body of free radicals.
How to make reishi mushroom tea
Tools
A fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth – I like these unbleached ones
A small saucepan – for simmering the mushrooms
A glass mason jar for storing extra tea – I like these ones
Food processor – for blitzing large chunks of the dried mushrooms
Supplies
Dried reishi mushrooms – Here’s an organic source
Water
Optional – fresh ginger, maple syrup (here’s a bulk source), lemon, orange
How to prepare reishi tea
Start preparing the tea by deciding if you need to chop up your dried reishis. I like to have smaller pieces of the mushroom because it means that more of the surface area of the mushroom will be exposed to the hot water. This leads to more of the beneficial compounds being extracted from the mushroom and into the tea!
If you only have large pieces of reishis, consider adding them to a food processor and blitzing them briefly to break them up. I wouldn’t recommend blitzing them into a powder because it will be more difficult to strain them out of the tea.
Once you have your mushrooms in the size you want, add the reishi pieces to a saucepan. You want to use about 10 grams reishi slices to a litre of water (or about 4 cups of water). You can optionally add in a handful of slices of fresh ginger to the pot for added health benefits.
Simmer the reishis in water on a low heat for a couple of hours (1-2) to extract the medicinal compounds. You want to avoid rushing the simmering process by using a high heat because our goal is to extract the benefical properties, which is done slowly.
After the hot water extraction is finished, use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain off the mushroom pieces from the tea. If you’re using powdered reishis, I recommend using cheesecloth doubled over or a coffee filter to strain off the tea.
After you strain them off, you should about 3 cups of reishi tea left. You can add some to a mug and the rest to an airtight container like a glass jar.
Allow it to cool before drinking. Reishi tea can have a bitter taste, so consider adding a splash of lemon juice or maple syrup to add more flavour.
That’s it! I hope you enjoy it.
How much reishi tea should you drink?
As with any herbal remedy especially those with functional mushrooms, it’s best to start with a small amount and work your way up. You can start with 1 cup per day and observe how your body responds. Make sure to consult a healthcare professional, especially if you’re on medication or have underlying health conditions.
How to consume reishi tea?
On its own – Consume it like you would any other cups of tea – just add a dash of maple syrup or raw honey to taste and enjoy.
With orange or lemon – You can add orange peel or lemon juice to the mug of tea for extra flavor.
Blended with other herbal teas – I like to blend it with green tea for an earthier flavour.
Disclaimer – I’m not a medical professional and do not intend to offer medical or health advice in any content I create. I offer information for educational purposes and, as always, get your physician’s advice or the advice of your health care provider before trying a new herbal remedy. There are always possible unintended consequences of trying a new herbal remedy such as an allergic reaction or unexpected side effects like interactions with other medication.
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How To Prepare Reishi Tea (Immune-Boosting Mushroom)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Start preparing the tea by deciding if you need to chop up your dried reishis. I like to have smaller pieces of the mushroom because it means that more of the surface area of the mushroom will be exposed to the hot water. This leads to more of the beneficial compounds being extracted from the mushroom and into the tea!
- If you only have large pieces of reishis, consider adding them to a food processor and blitzing them briefly to break them up. I wouldn’t recommend blitzing them into a powder because it will be more difficult to strain them out of the tea.
- Once you have your mushrooms in the size you want, add the reishi pieces to a saucepan. You want to use about 10 grams reishi slices to a litre of water (or about 4 cups of water). You can optionally add in a handful of slices of fresh ginger to the pot for added health benefits.
- Simmer the reishis in water on a low heat for a couple of hours (1-2) to extract the medicinal compounds. You want to avoid rushing the simmering process by using a high heat because our goal is to extract the benefical properties, which is done slowly.
- After the hot water extraction is finished, use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain off the mushroom pieces from the tea. If you’re using powdered reishis, I recommend using cheesecloth doubled over or a coffee filter to strain off the tea.
- After you strain them off, you should about 3 cups of reishi tea left. You can add some to a mug and the rest to an airtight container like a glass jar.
- Allow it to cool before drinking. Reishi tea can have a bitter taste, so consider adding a splash of lemon juice or maple syrup to add more flavour.
- That’s it! I hope you enjoy it.
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