Mushroom Cardamom Hot Chocolate Elixir

A delicious and warming elixir for a cold winters day. I know the combination of mushrooms and chocolate sounds strange, but the earthiness of the mushroom complements cocoa well. I like to use the 12 mushroom powder from Harmonic Arts, because they are a local Vancouver Island company and I trust their quality and product sourcing. You can use any type of mushroom powder however, and Chaga and Reishi are both nice choices. In general, most medicinal mushrooms are immune modulating, which means they help keep your immune system in good shape over the long term. You do not want to take these mushrooms when you are already sick, because they will not help you get better. They are more appropriate for maintaining well being over the cold and flu season, making this a perfect winter drink.

Recipe: 
enough almond milk to fill your mug
1 heaping T cacao or cocoa powder
1 t mushroom powder
3 cardamom pods
2 t almond butter
1/2 t honey, or to taste

Pour almond milk into your mug to measure how much you need. Pour from mug into saucepan on stove on low. Add cocoa, mushroom powder, and cardamom pods. Whisk to mix and bring to a simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add almond butter, whisk, and take off the stove. Pour into your mug and mix in honey. 

I like to simmer my hot chocolate for at least 5 minutes to make sure the mushroom powder absorbs water and is cooked. This prevents any grainy texture in your hot chocolate. When used for medicinal purposes, mushrooms are usually prepared as a decoction (boiled in water) rather than as a tincture (an alcohol extract) because the active constituents are polysaccharides that are best extracted by water, so boiling the powder will also help make these active constituents more accessible to your body. In addition, I find raw mushroom powder causes my stomach to get quite bloated, and when cooked this is no longer a problem.

I always add the honey after taking my elixir off the stove. If you boil honey you denature the enzymes that are part of why honey is so good for you. 

Disclaimer: Information can be empowering, but we all have unique health profiles and needs. Health-related information contained in this post is intended to be general in nature and should not be used as a substitute for a visit with a Naturopathic Doctor. The advice is intended to offer only a general basis for individuals to discuss their medical condition with their health care provider.  Always consult your licensed Naturopathic Physician, or visit the Boucher Naturopathic Medical Clinic for individual care.

References:

Hoffman, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism. Vermont: Healing Arts Press.