Could the key to immortality be hidden in the small Reishi mushroom? Is it true that in order to find it, one has to check more than 10,000 trees? What is its relation to health?
Is its power exaggerated because of its rare origin and respectively expensive or rare substances? Learn today's scientific view on the mystery of "the phantom mushroom."
People in Japan call it Reishi or “the phantom mushroom.” The fungus is edible and has the characteristic shape of a horseshoe. It grows on trees as a parasite; it feeds on dead plants and thus improves the soil.
Reishi contains large quantities of active polysaccharides, ergosterol, coumarin, mannitol, lactones, alkaloids, vitamins, minerals, and last but not least- unsaturated fatty acids.
Studies show that Reishi affects immunity by changing the sensitivity to certain bacteria and viruses, cancer tissues, etc. But that does not automatically make it an immunity improving substance. It can just potentially improve immunity.
The general adaptogenic effect of reishi is proven on a lot of parameters indicating levels of stress. In the treatment of cancer (chemotherapy), Reishi is also used for preventing metastasis after surgery and others.
The prolonged intake of Reishi has a positive effect on various liver toxins, such as alcohol, and different medicamentation with effect on the hepatocytes. Reishi can be used as an adaptogenic supplement for the prevention of liver health.
Top 5 Best Selling Reishi Supplements
Product | Name | Buy on iHerb | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Nature's Way Reishi Mushroom | ||
| #2 Nature's Answer Reishi Mushroom | ||
| #3 Paradise Herbs Reishi | ||
| #4 Solaray Reishi Mushroom | ||
| #5 Fungi Perfecti Reishi |
What Is Reishi (Reishi, Ling Zhi, Ling Shi, Ling Chi)
Reishi or Ling Zhi (the two most popular names of the Ganoderma lucidum fungus and its other kind - Ganoderma sugar). People in China it is called Ling Zhi - "mushroom of spiritual potency" or "mushroom of immortality."
People in Japan call it Reishi or “the phantom mushroom.” The fungus is edible and has the characteristic shape of a horseshoe. It grows on trees as a parasite; it feeds on dead plants and thus improves the soil.
The reason why I write wrote this article is hidden in its yet unknown health benefits, known to traditional Chinese and Japanese medical practices.
Modern medicine confirms its healing properties. Some sources indicate that Ling Zhi has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for 4000 years.
What Do We Need to Know About the Active Ingredients in Reishi
The tissues of the Reishi mushroom contain some truly unique substances.
Examples: the specific group of triterpenes, called ganoderic acids with a molecular structure similar to that of the steroid hormones.
Reishi contains large quantities of active polysaccharides, ergosterol, coumarin, mannitol, lactones, alkaloids, vitamins, minerals, and last but not least- unsaturated fatty acids.
Unlike most fungi, containing an average of 90% water, the Reishi mushroom has a dry structure (75%) and is rich in useful nutrients.
Purpose and Health Benefits
Reishi can be taken in the form of an edible mushroom, dry extract, tinctures, and others.
Proven Benefits of Taking Reishi
- Hepato - stimulating and hepatoprotective effect: There is evidence of anti-toxic effects. The prolonged intake of Reishi has a positive effect on various liver toxins, such as alcohol, and different medicamentation with effect on the hepatocytes. Reishi can be used as an adaptogenic supplement for the prevention of liver health.
- Anticancer effect: Confirmed, but with an unclear mechanism by which the impact occurs. It was found that the intake of Reishi extract increases the production of cytokines (signaling molecules) which are used by white blood cells to mark hostile tissues and cells. We are talking about Interleukin-2. Furthermore, in the treatment of cancer (chemotherapy), Reishi is also used for preventing metastasis after surgery and others.
- Anti-stress adaptogen: the exact mechanism of anti-stress effects that Reishi mushroom has on the people who receive it, is still unclear, but the general adaptogenic effect is proven on a lot of parameters indicating levels of stress.
- Supports respiratory system: It has been found that it relieves bronchitis, asthma, cough and other inflammations of the respiratory tract.
- Immunomodulatory effects: Studies show that Reishi affects immunity by changing the sensitivity to certain bacteria and viruses, cancer tissues, etc. But that does not automatically make it an immunity improving substance. It can just potentially improve immunity.
Are There Side Effects and Contraindications
In traditional medicine, Reishi should be usually taken for a long time (months). Limited numbers of cases have registered some temporary symptoms: dry nasal canals, dry mouth, and throat.
More frequent symptoms can be nosebleeds and gastric restlessness. All symptoms disappeared after discontinuation of using Reishi.
Dangerous Combination
No evidence of interactions with different medicine.
It is believed that Reishi has a synergistic effect on the narrowing of the blood vessels in combination with aspirin, Warfarin, and other vasospastic blood medicamentation.
If you use such kind of medication- consult a cardiologist.
Necessary Dosages
Reishi is usually taken raw in quantities of between two to six grams a day, along with other similar herbs and fungus.
If you take the dry extract, the recommended intake on the packaging is equivalent to the raw amount.
In Which Sports and Health Supplements, We Can Find Reishi Mushroom
Except as a standalone formula, Reishi can be found in complex adaptogenic liver health optimizers, immunomodulatory products with herbal components, and others.
