Why We Chose These 2 Herbs to Pair with Our Mushrooms
As we recently announced, we have launched a new collection of capsules featuring mushrooms. In addition to Wake, Protect and Mind, we’re thrilled to share that our Sleep Capsules are now available.
Fantastic Fungi Sleep Capsules contain a blend of organic Reishi fruiting body extract, Passionflower extract and Hops extract.* They are formulated to support a healthy stress response and deep sleep.* This trio of botanicals promotes deep, replenishing sleep.*
They’re easy to use: To integrate Sleep into your P.M. winddown routine, take 1 to 2 capsules in the evening. Read on to learn about the trio of ingredients in Sleep — and why we specifically chose these two herbs for the formula.
Red Reishi
Red Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is known as the “mushroom of immortality” and the queen of mushrooms. It is an adaptogen that supports a healthy response to stress, as well as a tonic that promotes longevity and healthy aging.* Used for over 4,000 years, Reishi supports healthy sleep and rest, as well as immune health.*
- Promotes relaxation*
- Supports a healthy response to daily stress*
- Promotes healthy sleep*
Reishi is the grande dame of mushrooms, with centuries of traditional use across cultures. It is our go-to mushroom for sleep support.* We wanted to pair it with equally time-honored herbs that offer gentle, relaxing support to help you wind down body and mind at night.* We selected two beautiful, well-researched and common herbs: Passionflower and Hops.
Passionflower
- Calming and relaxing support*
- Support for a racing or tired mind*
- Promotes healthy, restful sleep*
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is a flowering herb that grows across the southeastern United States. In fact, it’s the state flower of Tennessee! Passionflower is also known as maypop, apricot vine, maracuja and water lemon. Native to Central and South America, it was later widely used in Europe as a folk remedy to promote sleep and a balanced mood.*
Passionflower is in the same genus as passionfruit (Passiflora edulis) within the Passifloraceae family. While the name might conjure up an amorous connection, the etymology is actually religious. The name Passiflora is derived from the Latin words passio (“passion”) and flos (“flower”). The flower has a crown that resembles a cross. When early Spanish colonists saw the plant in South America back in the 16th century, they believed it symbolized the biblical crown of thorns.
The flowers are frilly and vibrant purple, but they are grown for more than decorative purposes. In herbalism, the flowering vine is valued for its gentle, calming support.* Categorized as an herbal sedative, Passionflower may boost the brain’s gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels.* This amino acid reduces nerve cells’ ability to receive, create or send messages, reducing brain activity.
Passionflower will grow across much of the US. Learn more about how to add this beautiful vine to your garden. All of the aerial parts (the leaves, flowers and stems) are used in herbalism.
Hops
- Traditionally provides calming support for the nervous system*
- Supports a healthy response to daily stress*
- Promotes healthy and restful sleep*
Hops (Humulus lupulus) are green cone-shaped flowers of a vine that’s best known as an ingredient in beer brewing. The bitter flavor they lend to beer is quite unique, and Hops have been used in beer making since at least 736 AD. This perennial climbing plant is native to Europe, where they grow quickly and freely.
Humans have used Hops since Neolithic times. For centuries, Hops has been a popular herb to promote healthy rest and sleep.* As with Passionflower, Hops is believed to boost the brain’s GABA receptors, which is why the herb may be useful for rest.*
Hops is in the Cannabaceae family, along with cannabis and over 150 other species of plants. Native Americans commonly use the plant in herbalism and the kitchen, with at least one tribe in Quebec using it to leaven bread.
The strobiles (flowers) are used in herbalism. The origin of the common name “hops” comes from the Anglo-Saxon word for “to climb,” and the species name Lupulus comes from the Latin word for “wolf,” lupus, due to a false belief that Hops vines strangle other plants.
While that myth has been debunked, Hops are fast-growing. They love loose soil and will freely climb trellises in your garden. Learn more.
Why Capsules?
Our Elixirs have been well-received, but we wanted to offer another way to integrate the benefits of mushrooms into your daily rituals and routines.* Capsules are easy to transport — perfect for maintaining healthy habits away from home — and they are a familiar format.*
Of course, ours are made with integrity and a focus on quality. We included a therapeutic amount of each ingredient, and the extracts are mushroom fruiting bodies. All ingredients are organic, and the capsules are Certified Organic, too.*
When you try the new capsules, share your experience on social media and tag us! We love hearing from the community.
Photo Credit: Shyam
