Have you heard of mushroom milk? If not, don’t turn away at the thought! Instead, be intrigued, read on, and you’ll learn why coconut milk powder and medicinal mushrooms together create a new superfood that you will want to explore for your personal use. And no, we aren’t creating euphemisms for magic mushrooms!

In this article we talk about medicinal or adaptogenic mushrooms. These are similar – we use the terms interchangeably throughout the text.

What are adaptogenic or medicinal mushrooms?

Adaptogens are compounds in foods that, according to Healthline, “increase the body’s resistance to physical, biological, and chemical stress, help promote normal functioning during times of stress, and protect against stress-related damage.”

Adaptogens are real. However, while our ancestors knew, for example, that ginger was a good thing for boosting immunity, and therefore we can learn from their knowledge, the science on adaptogens still has a long way to go. There is much anecdotal evidence and culturally-wide adoption of various adaptogens, but science is yet to catch up with categorically saying why certain elements seem as powerful as they do. Of course, big pharma isn’t getting a look in here, so it misses out on the research funds, so we shouldn’t miss out in the meantime!

However, we do know that adaptogens exist and they have the ability to bolster our resistance to stress and the physical effects they have on the body.

Adaptogenic mushrooms are mushrooms that are believed to help reduce the effects of stress on our immune systems. They are not hallucinogenic. Examples of these medicinal mushrooms include lion’s mane and cordyceps. There is still much research to be done, but increasingly those with an interest in natural health are choosing to use adaptogenic mushrooms in their diet.

Medicinal mushrooms are slightly different. They have properties which can also indirectly support the immune system too, for example, anti-inflammatory characteristics.

But, these mushrooms are mostly Asian in origin. This means that the easiest way to use them in your diet is in their powdered form. And that’s where mushroom milk comes in.

What is mushroom milk?

Mushroom milk is a blend of coconut milk powder and powdered medicinal mushrooms. Usually a number of different mushrooms are used. The predominant adaptogenic mushrooms used are chaga and reishi dual extract, cordyceps, turkey tail, lion’s mane and maitake. This can then be made into a liquid milk simply using water. It has a neutral taste, very similar to coconut milk on its own, with a slight earthy tang which cuts through any sweetness.

This can be diluted further and drunk directly. Many athletes are choosing to take their mushroom milk in this way after a workout.

Alternatively, mushroom milk can be used in tea, coffee or your favourite milky hot drink, such as a chai latte. Your blend of coconut milk powder and mushroom powder can also be easily added to a smoothie, bringing along creaminess to the party.

Cordyceps

More research is needed but early studies are showing that cordyceps is a type of fungus with adaptogenic properties. These studies are showing preliminary signs that cordyceps could be useful for reducing the impact of physical stress (e.g. through physical exertion) on the body.

Lion’s mane

Lion’s mane is thought to be an important medicinal mushroom. It would appear to have some adaptogenic effects, such as reversing the effects that stress has on dopamine and serotonin, but it also appears to reduce inflammation. Studies so far aren’t in humans, so more research would be fascinating.

Reishi

Reishi is believed to help support the adrenal glands. There have been some small studies in humans showing promising results, particularly against physical stress, for example oxygen levels in high altitude environments. It’s known in Chinese medicine as the ‘queen healer’ so has long been used.

Chaga

Chaga is known in Chinese medicine as the ‘king healer’ and seems to be rich in a range of properties including being an anti-inflammatory, adaptogenic and antioxidant. There may not be much research, but long term Eastern medicine use would suggest this mushroom is worth investigating further.

Turkey tail

There’s a good amount of evidence building around the benefits of turkey tail mushrooms. Not only is it adaptogenic and rich in anti-oxidants, it also contains anti-tumour properties and has even been purported to increase the efficacy of certain traditional cancer treatments. It’s also believed to be good for gut health.

How safe are adaptogenic and medicinal mushrooms?

Research has shown that these main medicinal mushrooms above are generally safe and well-tolerated. Taking them as mushroom milk, alongside other foods, is believed to be best. Taking too much of some, e.g. reishi, may cause side effects such as a headache. Reishi also shouldn’t be used by some people, for example those taking blood pressure lowering medication.

Medicinal mushrooms are often mixed with other compounds, especially if you’re buying ready-made mushroom milk powder. To prevent the likelihood of adverse effects, it can be worth making your own mushroom milk and introducing a new mushroom powder one at a time to see if you have any adverse effects.

It’s also worth noting that adaptogenic mushrooms aren’t a miracle cure for stress. You need to take wider steps such as eating a healthy balanced diet, adequate rest and sleep, in order to manage the impact of stress on your body and health. Pinpointing and eliminating the source of your stress is also important.

What else can you blend with coconut milk powder?

Coconut milk powder blended with mushroom powders for mushroom milk is one option and it’s really growing in popularity. However, lots of people like to make different superfood blends with coconut milk powder, and add it to things like soups and smoothies for a healthy-kick. Favoured blends include coconut milk powder and plant proteins, matcha, supergreens, CBD, live cultures and maca root powder. You can create the blend that works best for you knowing that with the coconut milk powder acting as a carrier it’ll always be nutritious, high in long-chain fatty acids and delicious.

Remember that not all coconut milk powders are created equally. This is especially important if, as is likely, you are choosing coconut milk powder as a support to a healthy lifestyle. Choose an organic one, like ours, which is as pure as possible. Buy coconut milk powder now and have fun creating your own blend.