Cocoa just got Healthier

I am in love with Mycobrew, a delicious hot cocoa and mushroom blend by Host Defense. The flavor is rich and deep and sinfully good. Host Defense, was founded by renowned mycologist Paul Stamets with the goal of building a bridge between people and fungi. Host Defense is the leading company in mushroom products and research. Their quality is amazing. This formula is 95% organic, non-GMO and free trade certified. A cup of Mycobrew Cocoa contains 800 mg. of Lion’s Mane mushroom (that’s equivalent to 2 capsules).

Why this brew? In the morning I limit myself to just one cup of coffee to keep my caffeine intake down. But I love the whole coffee ritual and am disappointed once the cup is empty, until I found this wonderful cocoa. The Mycobrew mushroom blend by Host Defense gives me that same feeling of drinking a nice rich cup of coffee and only contains ~5-10 mg. caffeine. Now I can extend my morning ritual while reading or writing blogs in the morning (I’m enjoying a cup as I write this). What makes me even more excited is that they included Lion’s Mane mushroom powder in the mix.

Why Lion’s Mane? Lion’s Mane is a wonderful mushroom to support the function of the brain and nervous system. It has been studied thoroughly and is thought to promote metal clarity, focus, and improve memory. They have also identified substances in Lion’s Mane which promote NGF (nerve growth factor) in the brain. NFG protects the brain against age-related mental decline and helps to generate new pathways in the brain to improve brain function and learning. Lion’s Mane mushroom is also very healing to the stomach which adds to its appeal as a morning beverage. If you love cocoa, I encourage you to try this wonderful brew.

From the depths of the earth and the wisdom of the ancient healing traditions, come the healing power of mushrooms. Their gift to us is their ability to activate and balance the immune system, support stress, and improve cellular communication in the body. These amazing fungi are now part of Nature’s Sunshine line of products.

My Immune Defense is a 100% organic, non-GMO, powdered mushroom formula. It combines 6 medicinal mushrooms: Reishi, Turkey Tail, Changa, Maitake, Cordyceps and White Button. Mushrooms are full of health building potential. I will share with you some of their key medicinal properties –

Reishi – A true “stress buster” reishi mushroom improves our ability to handle stress while having a calming effect on the body. It is very helpful with combating anxiety, has natural anti-depressant properties, and improves sleep patterns. Reishi also helps to build a healthy immune system. There has been a lot of research done indicating reishi as having powerful anti-cancer properties.

Turkey Tail – Stands in the spotlight for its immune building properties. In a news report form Bastyr University, October 2014, reported that researchers from Bastyr University under the leadership of university professor and oncology researcher Cynthia Wenner, PhD, spoke to about 100 clinical oncologists in Tokyo, Japan on the anti-tumor, immune-boosting effects of an extract from Turkey Tail mushroom called Polysaccharide K (PSK). Turkey Tail helps reduce inflammation in the body, is high in antioxidants and contains prebiotics which improve the health of gut bacteria.

Changa – is high in antioxidants and is known for helping to reduce inflammation and combating free radicals, making this a key player for a healthy immune system. Like Reishi it is known for its anti-cancer properties and is also renowned for its anti-aging properties and helping to lower LDL cholesterol.

Cordyceps – This turbo charged fungi is well known for enhancing physical performance, energy and stamina. It has also been shown to enhance muscle recovery after exercise. Like Reishi, cordyceps is known for its mood enhancing, sleep improving and anti-tumor properties. In addition, the Chinese revere these fungi for their rejuvenating properties on the kidneys and lungs and for their ability to help balance blood pressure.

Maitake – I found it interesting that “Maitake” means dancing mushroom in Japanese. The mushroom is said to have gotten its name because people were so happy to find this highly revered mushroom in the wild, that they danced with joy to celebrate. As with our other medicinal mushrooms Maitake is known for its immune balancing and cancer protecting properties. Maitake has properties which enhance the performance of certain immune cells such as T cells, B cells, macrophages, and natural killer cells, making your immune system “smarter”. Maitake mushrooms also contain beta-glucans which help to modulate your immune system, so it operates efficiently. This is helpful for those who suffer from auto-immune illness which results from an overactive, confused immune system.

White Button mushroom – is included in this formula as a natural vegan source of vitamin D, to further boost the immune building benefits of this formula. In addition, this little mushroom is full of antioxidant power and contains the minerals selenium, zinc, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium.

I’m excited to add this formula to my nutritional program. It will be great to help build and protect my immune system over the coming winter months, as well as enhance my energy and moods 😊

Blessings, Valerie

Disclaimer: We do not directly dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of herbs or supplements as a form of treatment for illness. The information found on this Web Site is for educational purposes only to empower people with knowledge to take care of their own health. We disclaim any liability if the reader uses or prescribes any remedies, natural or otherwise, for him/her or another. Historically all of these herbs & vitamin supplements may nutritionally support the body’s biological systems. Please consult a licensed health professional should a need be indicated.