Host Defense Reishi Mushroom Reviews, Benefits & Side Effects

Host Defense Reishi is a Ganoderma lucidum supplement produced by the US-based company Host Defense Mushrooms. The supplement is made using freeze dried reishi mushrooms that have been grown and cultivated in the United States.

Host Defense Reishi is advertised as an organic, non-GMO, indoor-cultivated, freeze-dried reishi mushroom extract. It is made with sustainably cultivated mushrooms from the manufacturer’s own farm.

According to the company’s website, the freeze drying process allows the extracellular enzymes produced by the fungus to be maintained, unlike other processes that can deteriorate the mushroom’s bioactive constituents.

Host Defense Reishi is available in packages of 30, 60 and 120 vegetable capsules or 1 oz. extracts. The supplements are made from the mycelium of the fungus.

According to Host Defense Mushrooms, this product supports a balanced immune response, aids in the body’s ability to adapt to stress and promotes cardiovascular health, energy, and stamina.

This supplement is also advertised as promoting “Longevity Support”. It is noted that historically reishi was recognized as the “mushroom of immortality.”

Reishi Mushroom

Mushroom Supplement

Immune Booster

Heart Health

Longevity

How It Works:

• Traditional Chinese immune modulator
• Promotes healthy blood pressure & cholesterol
• Anti-oxidant used for anti-aging benefits

Dosage:

Between 400 - 1800 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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Reishi Mushroom Overview

Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) is a fungus that commonly grows on the decaying trunks and stumps of hardwood trees.

As is the case with many fungi, reishi mushrooms use plants as a food source. The mushroom releases a number of enzymes that can digest the surrounding plant material, allowing it to be absorbed by the mushroom.

Reishi has a long history of use in many traditional medicine systems, including traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) where it is sometimes referred to as an elixir of immortality.

Within TCM it is referred to as ling zhi and used to calm, center, balance and promote inner awareness. In other Asian medical traditions the mushroom was used to promote immunity, wellness and longevity. It is also used as an anti-aging herb and to ward off disease.

Part of the mushroom’s notoriety may be due to its rarity. Until it was successfully cultivated, reishi mushrooms were quite rare and their use was isolated to the powerful and wealthy throughout Asia.

Reishi mushrooms were relatively unknown in the West until cultivation strategies were developed to provide a consistent resource base.

Host Defense Reishi

Contemporary research indicates Host Defense Reishi contains a number of bioactive constituents, including:

• ganoderic acid (triterpenes that share a molecular similarity with hormonal steroids);
• polysaccharides, including beta-glucans, glucose, xylose, arabinoxylans, mannose and galactose;
• glycoproteins;
• ergosterols;
• coumarin, adenosine, mannitol, nucleosides and alkaloids.

The full list of reishi constituents has yet to be established. However, a number of the mushroom’s components have been observed to exhibit potentially useful properties.

For example, beta-glucans are naturally produced polysaccharides found in Host Defense Reishi.

In laboratory experiments, beta-glucans increased the activity of some immune cells in animals. These polysaccharides are also being investigated for their anti-cancer properties. In preliminary studies they have been observed to prevent the growth and spread of some cancer cells.

Triterpenes in Host Defense Reishi mushroom pills, such as ganoderic acid may exhibit blood pressure-lowering and antihistamine effects. [1]

In general, reishi mushrooms exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties in laboratory and animal experiments, but more research is needed to scientifically establish their effects on human health.

Host Defense Reishi Uses

The website for Host Defense Mushroom’s notes reishi supports the health of the cardiovascular system and promotes overall wellness. The company also details that the mushroom may enhance the body’s ability to adapt to stress and support energy and stamina.

These claims have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the company notes that the supplement is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Researchers have become interested in the mushroom for its apparent immune-modulating properties and anti-cancer activity. While some preliminary experiments have been promising, few human studies have been conducted. More research is needed to rate the efficacy of reishi for any particular therapeutic use.

Although research is ongoing, reishi is currently used for a number of purposes that have varying levels of scientific support. These uses include:

• improving immunity;
• preventing and treating viral infections, such as influenza;
• treating lung disorders, such as chronic bronchitis and asthma;
• reducing risk factors for developing coronary artery disease and heart disease;
• supporting liver function in patients with liver disease;
• treating some symptoms associated with AIDS and HIV;
• combating tumor development and progression;
• lowering chronically high blood pressure;
• reducing low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C or so-called “bad” cholesterol);
• treating the symptoms of CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome);
• treating sleep disturbances and insomnia;
• preventing altitude sickness;
• ameliorating the pains associated with shingles and herpes outbreaks;
• acting as an adaptogen, a natural compound that helps the body cope with stress.

Host Defense Reishi Reviews

Consumer reviews from online retailers, such as Amazon.com, are generally positive.

Supplement users report taking reishi for supporting cancer remission as well as treating insomnia and fatigue. Some consumers also report the supplement promotes overall calm and wellness.

Host Defense Reishi Side Effects

The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates reishi mushroom as “Possibly Safe” when taken orally and appropriately. However, it rates powdered reishi as “Possibly Unsafe” because of a small number of cases in which powdered reishi was implicated in toxic effects on the liver and a single fatal case of fulminant hepatitis.

The bioactive constituents of Host Defense Reishi may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medications.

In general, individuals taking the following medications should exercise extra caution:

• Anti-platelet or anticoagulant drugs: the full effects of reishi mushrooms on platelet aggregation are not yet understood. Adjunct supplementation with aspirin and other common OTC medications may increase the risks of bleeding.
• Anti-diabetic drugs: preliminary research indicates reishi mushrooms may affect blood glucose levels. Taking Host Defense Reishi with anti-diabetic medications may cause excessive drops in blood glucose levels.
• Antihypertensive drugs: reishi mushroom may affect blood pressure. Reishi may contribute to an unsafe drop in blood pressure when combined with antihypertensive medications.

This is not a complete list of possible contraindications. In all cases, speak with your doctor before taking Host Defense Reishi. Discussing supplement use with your doctor is especially important if you are pregnant, nursing, use prescription medications or are scheduled for surgery.

Talk to your doctor before taking Host Defense Reishi to make sure the supplement is safe for you.

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