We want to let you in on a little secret. Adaptogenic mushrooms are….well, amazing. Adaptogens help us react and adapt to internal and external stressors, creating balance and stability for both the body and mind. Did you know that you can use mushrooms as medicine? Well, now you do. I mean think about it; in the wild, mushrooms take decaying material and turn it into nutritious gold. It should come as no surprise then that they can work wonders for the body.
Certain mushroom species in particular possess healing properties that have been used to protect the body and mind throughout history. Functional mushrooms like Reishi, Chaga, and Turkey Tail were used in ancient Chinese medicine for their potent protective properties like stress relief, inflammation prevention, heart health and anti-aging. References of the use of these mushrooms date as far back as 455 B.C. In fact, ancient Greeks believed that mushrooms gave warriors super strength in battle, and the Romans believed that mushrooms were the “Food of the Gods” - and honestly, we’d have to agree. They are some of the most powerful adaptogens available to us, which is why we’ve decided to use them, too.
There are several aspects of these mushrooms that contribute to their healing properties, the most recognized being polysaccharides, triterpenoids, nucleosides, egosterol, fatty acids, protein/peptides and trace elements. Don’t worry, we can’t pronounce all of those either. But we can assure you that these are where the magic happens. We’re particularly stoked on the polysaccharides because they are where Beta glucans come from. Beta glucans have been shown to stimulate the immune system which is why we’ve loaded up our beverages with different mushroom species that are filled with them.
Many of these mushrooms are also prominent sources of antioxidants, which are molecules that fight free radicals in your body. What are free radicals, anyway? They are “compounds that can cause harm if their levels become too high in your body.” Antioxidants act as safekeepers of your body - regulating and detoxifying your sacred temple.
In today’s fast-paced world - it’s important to take the time to come back to your roots and to yourself. Incorporating functional mushrooms into your routine is a good way to stay grounded and connect with the Earth’s energy so that you can step into the best version of you. Odyssey Elixirs connect you to the palpable, healing energy of our planet by using plant-based ingredients in combination with these functional fungi to create unique, sensational products that support holistic health.
