Meet Winter's Favorite Mushrooms: Reishi, Chaga and Turkey Tail

Winter slows everything down. Shorter days, colder weather and more time indoors naturally shift our focus toward rest and nourishment. It’s no surprise that some of the most beloved functional mushrooms are ones we turn to during the colder months. 

Reishi, Chaga and Turkey Tail each offer unique ways to support both overall wellness and immune health, making them especially well-suited for winter routines.* All three of these mushrooms take some coaxing to reveal their benefits, requiring precise extraction methods or long cooking times — ideal for slow winter weekends. 

Keep reading to find out why this trio should be part of your winter wellness routine – and get some fresh ideas on how to use these time-tested fungi.

Reishi: The Queen Who Always Keeps Her Cool*

Reishi, known as Ganoderma lucidum or Ganoderma lingzhi, has been revered for thousands of years. Often called the mushroom of immortality and the “queen of adaptogens,” Reishi is valued for long-term balance and grounding energy.* 

As a restorative adaptogen, Reishi is used to help the body respond to physical and emotional stress. Winter can bring disrupted sleep, heightened stress and immune challenges, and Reishi is commonly incorporated into evening rituals to support restful sleep and overall wellness.*

Good quality Reishi is naturally a little bitter. That taste comes from triterpenes, one of its key compound groups. For that reason – and due to its dense, woody texture – you’ll often find Reishi encapsulated or mixed with additional botanicals in teas, extracts or elixirs.

Fantastic Fungi Sleep Capsules blend organic Red Reishi, with Passionflower and Hops extracts to support restorative deep sleep.* Prefer to taste your mushrooms? Reach for our Chill Elixir, which pairs Reishi with Shiitake, Holy Basil and Vervain to help you relax and unwind naturally.* (And, yes, it tastes great.) Marci G. calls it “like taking a deep breath.”

Turkey Tail: Immune Support with Deep Roots*

Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) is one of the most widely researched mushrooms in the world – and one of the easiest to spot. Found growing in layered, fan-shaped clusters on fallen hardwood trees, this colorful mushroom has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Native American herbal traditions.

Turkey Tail is especially known for its polysaccharides, including beta-glucans, which are studied for their role in supporting immune function.* 

During winter, Turkey Tail is often used consistently as part of daily immune-support routines.* Fans of our Immunity Elixir keep this tasty tincture on hand through the colder months, especially when they’re heading into the office, hopping on a plane or simply trying to feel their best.*  

You’ll also find Turkey Tail in our Protect Capsules, Energy Elixir and Gratitude Elixir.

Chaga: Antioxidant-Rich Winter Nourishment*

Native to bitterly cold climates across northern Europe, Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) has been used as a winter tea for centuries. It is valued for its antioxidant content and its role in supporting immune health – particularly during harsh winters.* Its earthy flavor pairs well with warming spices, making it a natural fit for winter drinks.

Beyond our Immunity Elixir and Protect Capsules, Chaga is also a key ingredient in our Beauty Elixir. Alongside Horsetail and Tremella, Chaga helps nourish your skin, hair and nails from within with hydrating, collagen enhancing ingredients.* If winter has you feeling like your glow has dulled a bit, this nourishing blend is all about supporting glowing skin.*

Our Mighty Mushroom Matcha blends Chaga with Reishi, as well as ceremonial-grade Matcha in a drink mix that’s delightfully energizing and centering on a cold winter morning. Formulated to support calm energy, antioxidant protection and metabolic health – and a collaboration with Dr. Andrew Weil & Matcha.com – this matcha is the ideal winter wake-up!*

Why Choose These Mushrooms in Winter

Reishi, Turkey Tail and Chaga support the body in different but synergistic ways. Together, they reflect what winter wellness is really about: slowing down, nourishing yourself and supporting your body’s natural resilience. By incorporating these mushrooms into seasonal rituals, winter becomes less about getting through and more about restoring balance. When winter gets you down, choose one of these cold weather rituals for mushroom lovers.