Reishi Archives - StonehengeHealth.com

October 12, 2024

This Mushroom Broth Recipe is Perfect for Fall and Your Brain Health

Fall is here, and it’s got us yearning for something earthy, warm, and comforting.

Today, we have a mushroom broth that’s perfect for a rainy day or even as an appetizer for a hearty meal.

Note that the mushrooms for this recipe are a bit harder to find than portobellos, so you may need to look up your specialty or health foods store. But trust us, it’s worth it!

We call it the Zen Brain Mushroom Broth.

Now, let’s get to the recipe!

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup dried Lion’s Mane mushrooms (or fresh if available)

• 1/4 cup dried Reishi mushrooms (or fresh slices)

• 1/4 cup Chaga chunks (dried)

• 8 cups water

• 2 cloves garlic (smashed)

• 1” piece fresh ginger (sliced)

• 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari

• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (helps extract nutrients from the mushrooms)

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Optional: Fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for additional flavor

Instructions:

1. Prepare the mushrooms:

• If using dried mushrooms, soak them in hot water for 20–30 minutes to rehydrate.

• Once softened, chop them into smaller pieces to release more nutrients during cooking.

2. Simmer the broth:

• In a large pot, add the water, mushrooms (including the soaking liquid if using dried), garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar.

• Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

3. Strain the broth:

• After simmering, strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove the mushrooms, garlic, and ginger. You’ll be left with a rich, flavorful mushroom broth.

4. Season to taste:

• Add salt, pepper, and any herbs you like. If you prefer a stronger flavor, you can let the broth simmer longer.

Serve: Warm the broth in a mug or use it as a base for soups or other dishes.

Did you notice anything special about this recipe? OK, we’ll tell you…

Lion’s Mane, Reishi, and Chaga are all known as “functional mushrooms” for their benefits beyond flavor.

• Lion’s Mane: Supports focus and cognitive health

• Reishi: Supports relaxation and stress relief

• Chaga: Provides antioxidants that support brain function

In other words, these mushrooms are known for their ability to positively affect your cognitive function, your mood, and your stress response.

This savory broth is a great way to naturally integrate these mushrooms into your diet, and it not only tastes delicious but may give you a mental boost. Plus, it’s versatile—you can sip it throughout the day for a gentle focus lift or use it to enhance other meals!

What do you think—are you ready to give this broth recipe a try?

To take your cognitive and overall well-being to the next level, consider Dynamic Mushrooms from Stonehenge Health.*

While this Zen Brain Mushroom Broth is a delicious way to enjoy the benefits of functional mushrooms, Dynamic Mushrooms delivers the power of Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Chaga, and more in a simple daily capsule.

Each serving is scientifically formulated to promote cognitive processing speed and efficiency, support feelings of happiness and motivation, ease feelings of stress, immune health, and healthy digestion, giving you all the benefits of these powerful mushrooms without the need to source or prepare them.*

Try it today and experience the cognitive enhancement and calming effects these mushrooms can provide—anytime, anywhere.

May 1, 2024May 1, 2024

20-Minute Savory Mushroom Pâté Recipe: The Star Appetizer of Your Next BBQ

Family having lunch at summer garden party.

“Can you bring an appetizer?”

If you have a dinner party or a barbecue coming up, we have a dish you can bring that will seriously ‘wow’ your friends.

If you bring chips and salsa, your friends will be grateful, and it’ll probably get eaten.

If you bring this mushroom pâté, there will be a line at the appetizer table, and you will become a legend.

This is a vegetarian version of the classic pâté and makes for a rich and flavorful spread that’s perfect for appetizers or as part of a sophisticated meal.

It’s not only delicious, but the mushrooms in this recipe contain several health benefits your friends and family will appreciate.

Mushrooms like shitake, portobello, and cremini are low in calories, making them a great weight management choice.

They also provide valuable nutrients such as B vitamins, which are essential for energy metabolism and brain health, and minerals like selenium, which is important for thyroid function and has antioxidant properties.

Additionally, mushrooms labeled “fortified” have been exposed to sunlight or ultraviolet light, which provides them with vitamin D—a crucial nutrient for bone health and immune function.

You can feel confident knowing this recipe is not only tasty but also supports a healthy, balanced diet with a range of nutrients.

This pâté is an elegant and flavorful choice that can impress as a part of a charcuterie board or a gourmet appetizer. Its rich, umami-packed flavor profile makes it a delightful alternative to meat-based pâtés.

And best of all…

It’s easy to make!

Mushroom Pâté

Ingredients:

• 1 pound mixed mushrooms (shiitake, portobello, cremini), finely chopped

• 1 shallot, minced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter (consider subbing 3 tsp of olive oil for a healthy alternative)

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1/4 cup dry sherry or white wine

• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves

• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

• 1/3 cup low-fat cream cheese, softened (consider subbing ⅓ cup silken tofu for a healthy alternative)

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• Toasted bread, crackers, or vegetable sticks for serving

Instructions:

1. Cook the mushrooms: Heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the shallot and garlic, and sauté until soft and translucent. Add the mushrooms and increase the heat to medium-high. Cook until the mushrooms are golden brown and all their liquid has evaporated, stirring occasionally.

2. Deglaze and season: Add the dry sherry or white wine to the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook until most of the liquid has evaporated. Stir in the thyme and cook for another minute. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.

3. Blend the pâté: Transfer the mushroom mixture to a food processor. Add the parsley, Dijon mustard, and cream cheese. Blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

4. Chill: Transfer the pâté to a serving bowl or mold. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld and the pâté to firm up.

5. Serve: Serve the mushroom pâté chilled with toasted bread, crackers, or a selection of vegetable sticks for dipping.

Nutritional Info:

Servings: Approximately 10

• Serving size: 2-3 tablespoons

• Calories per serving: 80 kcal

• Fat per serving: 7 grams

• Protein per serving: 2 grams

• Carbohydrates per serving: 3 grams

• Sugars per serving: 1 gram

• Fiber per serving: .5 gram

This unique recipe is guaranteed to impress your friends. Be prepared for a lot of questions about the recipe, and feel free to share this link.

Or keep it a secret; it’s up to you.

Functional Mushrooms for Healthy Stress Response

Do parties, BBQs, or other social gatherings ever give you anxiety?

Party anxiety is pretty common, but it can turn what’s supposed to be a pleasant time among family and friends into something that you dread.

Dynamic Mushrooms from Stonehenge Health harnesses the natural power of adaptogenic mushrooms to address stress and anxiety.*

Adaptogenic mushrooms are types of fungi known for their ability to help the body adapt to and resist different physical and mental stressors. In other words, they can help your body cope with stress and anxiety, which is why they’re a key ingredient in Dynamic Mushrooms. It’s important to note that these are not the mushrooms you’ll find in this pâté or at the supermarket.

This blend contains four renowned types of mushrooms—Lion’s Mane, Chaga, Maitake, and Reishi—each known for their health-promoting properties.*

Lion’s Mane is celebrated for its potential to support brain health and cognitive function.* This can be particularly beneficial for managing stress, as it may help improve focus and mental clarity, making it easier to navigate stressful situations.*

Reishi is widely used in traditional medicine for its calming properties and is believed to help enhance sleep quality and reduce anxiety, providing a more relaxed state of mind.*

But there’s more.

Chaga and Maitake also help your body and mind better adapt to stressful situations, so you feel zen-like calmness.*

Chaga is known for its antioxidant properties, which can combat oxidative stress—a physiological stressor.*

Maitake has been noted for its potential to support overall immunity, which can be compromised by chronic stress and anxiety.*

By combining these powerful mushrooms, Dynamic Mushrooms aims to offer a natural, holistic approach to managing stress and promoting a sense of well-being, helping users maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle amidst their daily challenges. Why not give it a try and see how it can help you?

April 22, 2024April 22, 2024

Unveil the Power of Fungi: 3 Science-Backed Benefits You Can Get From Mushrooms

If you’ve been reading magazines or seeing lots of ads for mushroom products, you might be wondering:

What’s all this talk about mushrooms? I thought they were just for pasta, salads, and pizza…

We’re not talking about those kinds of ‘shrooms—we’re talking about functional mushrooms.

They’re called “functional mushrooms” because they contain bioactive compounds believed to positively impact the body, from boosting the immune system to enhancing mental clarity and providing energy.*

Functional mushrooms are:

• Rich in beta-glucans, so they support your immune system.*

• Nootropic, meaning they support memory and mental clarity.*

• Adaptogenic, which means they assist your body in adapting to daily stress, leading to improved mood and sleep quality.*

At Stonehenge Health, we have a unique blend of five functional mushrooms we call Dynamic Mushrooms.

With thousands of online reviews, our community has shared many stories about the results they’re getting with our functional mushroom blend.

In today’s article, we’ll pull a few recent testimonials and dive into the science behind the reported health benefits.

Let’s start with three of the top reported health benefits:

1. Increased concentration*

2. Reduced stress*

3. Less brain fog*

Let’s dive in.

1. Concentration

Concentrated mature businesswoman ceo boss typing on laptop, working at office desk

Short attention spans…

In our increasingly fast-paced world, you may feel like your attention span is getting shorter every year.

Maybe it’s getting harder to finish a book, pay attention to a conversation, or even watch a movie without looking at your phone…

If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. Concentration problems are a widespread concern, but you don’t have to let them negatively impact your life.

Studies on the Lion’s Mane mushroom have shown its potential to enhance cognitive functions, including concentration. One study indicated that its bioactive compounds could stimulate brain cell growth, improving mental focus and cognitive agility, which are key to maintaining concentration.¹

This is exactly why we’ve included Lion’s Mane in our Dynamic Mushrooms formulation. A full gram in a 10:1 extract of the mushroom’s fruiting body packs a potent punch of nootropics designed to help support cognitive function.*

These are the types of stories we hear from our customers every day:

“I noticed the difference in mental activity in the first few days.”* – Jeff

“The day after taking it, I do feel a lot sharper! I noticed it the very first day after taking it! I gave it a month before writing this review because I do randomly have good days sometimes, and I wanted to rule out coincidences. But I am convinced it is working for me!”* – Arlene

While many people turn to stimulants like caffeine to try and enhance their concentration, functional mushrooms may be able to give you the boost in focus you’re looking for without the crash.*

2. Stress

Senior Man Rubbing Tired Eyes Wearing Eyeglasses

Have you ever watched a TV show with a character who is so laid-back and calm no matter the situation you can’t help but laugh when you see them?

It’s funny because everyone gets stressed out occasionally; nobody stays cool 100% of the time.

And while stress is never fun, it happens sometimes and that’s normal.

But if you find yourself constantly stressed or know somebody who is, it may indicate a larger problem.

The Reishi mushroom, known for its adaptogenic properties, can help balance the body’s stress responses.*

“Adaptogenic” refers to substances that help the body manage stress by normalizing physiological processes and promoting a balanced homeostasis.

Clinical evaluations suggest that Reishi can lower elevated stress levels, promoting a more relaxed state of mind.*²

Dynamic Mushrooms is packed with 100 mg of this incredible fungi, along with another 100 mg in a 4:1 extract of Maitake—also studied for its role in helping modulate the body’s stress response.*

Together, these two adaptogenic mushrooms can provide a buffer against the physical and psychological impacts of stress.*

“These are amazing! Best mushrooms I have tried on the market. Fruiting bodies helped a lot with cognitive, stress, fatigue, and focus. Felt the results on day 2, been taking for three months now. Subscribed for monthly deliveries. Well worth it.”* – Jessica

3. Brain fog

“Helps with brain fog and concentration.”* – Geno

Brain fog isn’t technically a medical condition but rather a term describing symptoms that can affect one’s thinking ability.

If you’ve ever had feelings of confusion, forgetfulness, lack of focus, mental clarity, and decreased concentration, then you know exactly what brain fog is.

It can be caused by a variety of factors, including lack of sleep, stress, hormonal changes, diet, and medical conditions.

Hericium erinaceus (commonly known as Lion’s Mane mushroom) has been reported to have therapeutic activities related to the promotion of nerve and brain health.*³

By stimulating the production of nerve growth factor, Lion’s Mane can potentially clear mental clutter and enhance cognitive clarity, combatting brain fog symptoms.* This improvement in cognitive functioning is essential for mental clarity and effective thinking.*

Next Steps

Our customers use Dynamic Mushrooms to unlock the full power of their minds (among other health benefits).

The thousands of online reviews we’ve received continuously tell us this.

But what we want to know is:

What could you accomplish with increased mental energy and sharpness?

If you’re ready to find out, join the thousands of Dynamic Mushrooms fans and subscribe to unlock your full potential today.

Sources:
1. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10675414/
2. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8311956/
3. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5987239/

January 27, 2024January 27, 2024

Feeling Sick? Get Some Sleep

Unhappy exhausted mature woman with closed eyes lying in bed

When you’re feeling unwell, your body instinctively knows what to do – sleep.

This isn’t a mere whim but a vital part of your body’s defense strategy. Sleep is a powerful tool for energy conservation, allowing your body to focus its resources on fighting off the illness. But it’s more than just an energy saver; sleep also facilitates cellular repair and regeneration, playing a pivotal role in your body’s healing process.

Interestingly, sleep also bolsters your fever response, a key player in enhancing your immune system’s effectiveness.

As you sleep, your immune activities heighten significantly, contributing to your increased need for sleep when you’re sick. Your body’s working overtime to heal and safeguard itself, and this process is most efficient during restful periods.

Therefore, when symptoms like coughing, sneezing, or headaches emerge, prioritizing sleep becomes essential in your recovery journey.

Understanding the Immune System

Doctor shows health protection symbol on blurred background.

The immune system, our body’s built-in shield, is a sophisticated network of cells, tissues, and organs that collaborate to protect us from harmful pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites. It’s composed of two main subsystems: the innate (non-specific) immune system and the adaptive (specific) immune system, both of which work together to fend off infections and illnesses.¹

Role of Sleep in Immune Function

During sleep, your body synthesizes and releases cytokines, proteins that are crucial in managing infection and inflammation, thus initiating an immune response.² When deprived of sleep, the production of these protective cytokines can decrease. Additionally, the count of antibodies and cells that fight infections also reduces during periods of inadequate sleep.

Sleep and Immune Memory

Sleep also influences the adaptive immune system, which utilizes “immune memory” to combat previously faced pathogens effectively.³ Studies have shown that getting a good night’s sleep after receiving a vaccine can boost the immune system’s memory response. Conversely, a lack of sleep can impair the body’s ability to remember and respond to threats, leaving it more vulnerable.⁴

Sleep Deprivation and Increased Susceptibility to Illness

Middle-aged 50s sick frozen woman seated on sofa in living room covered with warm plaid sneezing holding paper napkin blow out runny nose feels unhealthy, seasonal cold, weakened immune system concept

Research has consistently shown a link between lack of sleep and increased susceptibility to illnesses.⁵ For instance, one study found that individuals who slept less than seven hours per night were almost three times more likely to catch a cold than those who slept for eight hours or more. Persistent lack of sleep can precipitate severe health conditions such as weight gain, diabetes, heart disease, and potentially, premature death.⁶

The Reciprocal Relationship Between Sleep and Immune Response

Senior woman enjoying autumn colors at sunset

The relationship between sleep and immunity is reciprocal. While quality sleep fortifies your immune system, your immune system, in turn, helps regulate your sleep patterns. This is mainly due to the cytokines released during an immune response that also promote sleep.

This intricate interplay underscores that sleep is essential in maintaining a robust immune response. So the next time you contemplate skipping sleep, remember that it’s not just your energy levels at stake, but your body’s natural defenses too.

In the broader health perspective, a balanced diet, regular exercise, and quality sleep make up the trifecta of wellness. Therefore, it’s important to give each component its due attention. Remember, a well-rested you is a healthier you!

How to relax and support your immune system at the same time…

An emerging trend in the realm of relaxation is the use of adaptogens. These natural substances aid in building resilience to the physical and mental impacts of stress to your body, fostering a greater sense of tranquility.^7-8 Among the extensively studied adaptogens, functional mushrooms like Lion’s Mane, Chaga, Maitake, and Reishi have gained attention.

Functional mushrooms also support your immune system.* Stonehenge Health has formulated Dynamic Mushrooms by expertly combining Lion’s Mane, Chaga, Maitake, Reishi, and Shiitake mushrooms. Incorporating Dynamic Mushrooms into a holistic lifestyle can help you maintain that cool and collected vibe needed to thrive.*

Sources:
1. Asif N, Iqbal R, Nazir CF. Human immune system during sleep. Am J Clin Exp Immunol. 2017 Dec 20;6(6):92-96.
2. Brain basics: Understanding sleep. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brain_basics/understanding_sleep.htm.
3. Besedovsky L, Lange T, Born J. Sleep and immune function. Pflugers Arch. 2012 Jan;463(1):121-37.
4. Zimmermann, P., & Curtis, N. (2019). Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 32(2), e00084-18.
5. Cirelli C. Definition and consequences of sleep deprivation. http://www.uptodate.com/home.
6. Spiegel, K., Tasali, E., Leproult, R., & Van Cauter, E. (2009). Effects of poor and short sleep on glucose metabolism and obesity risk. Nature reviews. Endocrinology, 5(5), 253–261.
7. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2017 Aug;1401(1):49-64.
8. Liao LY et al. Chin Med. 2018 Nov 16;13:57.