The Magic of Reishi Mushroom | National Mushroom Day

This post is sponsored by REBBL the premier brand for delicious and nourishing super herb elixirs. We teamed up for this post and video (below) to celebrate National Mushroom Day, October 15, 2017.

How do I spend my free time? Watching YouTube videos and reading about mushrooms: edible mushrooms, forest fungus, magical shrooms, and medicinal ones too. They’re truly fascinating! And October 15th is National Mushroom Day!! Where’s the party at? My kitchen, obviously 🙂

To celebrate National Mushroom Day, and to help spread the magic of mushrooms, I teamed up with REBBL. Since it would take a very long time to talk about all of the different types of medicinal and edible mushrooms, let’s instead focus on one of my favorites and the one that REBBL uses in all five of their mushroom-powered elixirs: reishi, the so-called “King of Mushrooms”. For thousands of years this woody shroom has been used in Chinese medicine to fight disease and boost the immune system. Despite its long history it is only now that we’re starting to see it in US stores.

Don’t expect to find reishi mushrooms in the produce section though. While it is edible, this fungi is more commonly consumed as a tincture, powder, capsule, or in an elixir like the tasty ones REBBL makes. Reishi has long been prized and studied for its role in reducing inflammation, lowering cancer risk, protecting against liver disease, supporting healthy blood pressure, helping to balance hormones, and so much more.

I also love reishi because it goes well with some of my favorite foods: coffee and chocolate. REBBL has an incredible elixir blend of coconut milk, cacao, and reishi, and my other favorite is their cold brew coffee with reishi. I also like their cold brew protein beverage with reishi because it’s perfect as a pre- or post-workout snack. Taken before a workout reishi will give you more endurance. Taken after, it will help reduce inflammation. Like many medicinal mushrooms, reishi is an adaptogen. Adaptogen is simply a fancy word for a food that helps our body handle the negative effects of stress. These substances help the body to find balance and homeostasis, which is particularly important for our busy modern lives.

Reishi isn’t the only mushroom worth celebrating, of course. The next time you’re at the farmer’s market, dare yourself to try a new kind. Portobello and porcini mushrooms are most popular, but their healing powers pale in comparison to those of other delicious culinary mushrooms like oyster, maitake, and shiitake mushrooms––all of which can be considered medicinal.

On National Mushroom Day, pick up a bottle of one of REBBL’s elixirs, powered with reishi mushroom, and cook up a tasty mushroom-centric meal. Your body will thank you, and so will your tastebuds! Join me in celebrating this fungi holiday on October 15, and use #magicofmushrooms when you post your shroom adventures to Instagram.

To find REBBL near you, visit their website. And don’t forget to follow REBBL and Sweet Potato Soul on Instagram.