At Healing Earth, we believe hot chocolate should be a time to relax & de-stress. We chose to include the Reishi mushroom because it has been used for millennia in chinese medicine to relax the mind and bring the body into balance. So the mushrooms actually enhance the naturally relaxing experience of hot chocolate!

I came up with mushroom hot chocolate because I’m always cooking with mushrooms and love developing recipes. I couldn’t find a mushroom hot chocolate so I decided to make my own. I modified my Mom's 'Bienek Family Hot Chocolate' recipe to include the Reishi mushroom, known to enhance relaxation without adding a mushroomy flavor.

This hot chocolate is also dairy free, so vegans and people with dairy allergies, like myself, can enjoy it.

"It's rich, nutty, and smoothly coats my mouth. It has just the right balance of sweetness; hot chocolate is usually too sweet for me." -Zak Weinstein

The Reishi mushroom, which includes the Ganoderma complex including (Ganoderma lucidum, G. tsuga, G. orgense) is what is called an adaptogen. An adaptogen is a natural substance which is known to be non-toxic and helps the body adapt to stress as well as bringing balance to the endocrine(hormones) and immune systems. Reishi has been used as an anti-inflammatory, enhanced immune system support, respiratory support, and liver support. Researchers have identified that water-soluble polysaccharides are the most active element found in Red Reishi that have anti-tumour, immune modulating and blood pressure lowering effects.

I believe that fine ingredients and fresh local sources are worth it for good food. Our hot cocoa powder is fair-trade certified, so even though we cannot purchase from a local source we do what we can to ensure the human rights of farmers around the world.

Ingredients: Organic Fair-trade Cocoa Powder, Organic Coconut milk powder (Organic Dehydrated Coconut Milk, 2.5% Organic Tapioca Maltodextrin (Derived from Organic Yuca Root*) 0.5% Organic Acacia Fiber), cane sugar, Organic Reishi Mushroom Powder.

References

Chen, C., Li, P., Li, Y., Yao, G., & Xu, J. (2016). Antitumor effects and mechanisms of Ganoderma extracts and spores oil. Oncology Letters, (12): 3571-3578. doi:10.3892/ol.2016.5059

John W. M. Yuen and Mayur Danny I. Gohel (2005). Anticancer Effects of Ganoderma lucidum: A Review of Scientific Evidence. NUTRITION AND CANCER. 53(1): 11–17.

Hasnet et al (2004). Anti inflammatory activity on mice of extract of Ganoderma lucidum grown on rice via modulation of MAPK and NF-jB pathways. Phytochemistry, (115): 125-126.

Li-Xin Sun, Zhi-Bin Lin, Xue-Jun Li, Min Li, Jie Lu, Xin-Suo Dua2, Zhi-Hua Ge, You-Xin Song, En-Hong Xing and Wei-Dong Li (2010). Promoting Effects of Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharides on B16F10 Cells to Activate Lymphocytes. Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology (108): 149–154.

Jingsong Zhang, Qingjiu Tang, Changyan Zhou, Wei Jia, Luis Da Silva , Long Duc Nguyen , Werner Reutter , Hua Fan (2010). GLIS, a bioactive proteoglycan fraction from Ganoderma lucidum, displays anti-tumour activity by increasing both humoral and cellular immune response. Life Sciences (87): 628–637.

Dejan S. Stojkovic, Lillian Barros, Ricardo C. Calhelha, Jasmina Glamocˇlija, Ana C´ iric´, Leo J. L. D. van Griensve4, Marina Sokovic´, and Isabel C. F. R. Ferreira (2014). A detailed comparative study between chemical and bioactive properties of Ganoderma lucidum from different origins. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 65(1): 42–47.

Watchel-Galor, S. (n.d.). Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. (2nd ed.). CRC Press/Taylor & Francis. ISBN-13: 978-1-4398-0713-2