Reishi Mushroom Benefits List for Health, Aging & Immunity

Many health benefits have been attributed to the reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) over the course of its long history of medicinal use.

Reishi mushroom benefits range from lowering blood pressure to inhibiting tumor growth, as well as decreasing LDL cholesterol and reducing the symptoms of asthma.

This mushroom contains a class of triterpenes, referred to as ganoderic acids, which have similar structures to natural steroid hormones. The mushroom is also a source of polysaccharides including beta-glucan, coumarin and mannitol.

Recorded use of the mushroom dates back to the Han Dynasty in China between 206 BCE-220 CE. It was said to improve the function of the lungs, the heart, the memory and to generally prolong life. Today, Reishi is commonly made into teas, used as a tincture or taken orally in powdered form or as a dietary supplement.

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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What is the Reishi Mushroom?

Also known by the Chinese name lingzhi, reishi is a bracket fungus indigenous to many Asian countries, including Korea, Japan, China and Vietnam.

Lingzhi mushrooms are now propagated worldwide in hydroponic and natural growing operations, making supplements more readily available.

In the wild, reishi mushrooms often act as saprotrophs, meaning they feed on decaying organic matter. It generally grows in rotting wood or tree stumps, particularly from hardwood trees.

Reishi has tiny spore-releasing pores on its underside instead of gills, a characteristic that makes it a morphologic polypore. Its bitter fruit meat and mycelium are used to make medicinal agents, which are used for a number of functions.

Reishi Mushroom Benefits

Reishi mushrooms are used for a wide array of purposes. The historic mushroom has attracted the attention of researchers, but most studies have been lab-based or conducted on animals. Little scientific evidence exists regarding the effect of reishi mushrooms on human health.

However, reishi mushrooms have traditionally be used in the hopes of conferring a number of health benefits, including:

• Strengthening the immune system;
• Reducing fatigue
• Preventing and alleviating the symptoms of influenza, avian flu and other viral infections;
• Reducing symptoms associated with bronchitis and asthma;
• Decreasing risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease;
• Regulating blood pressure and relieving symptoms of hypertension;
• Lowering levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides;
• Raising high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol;
• Supporting liver and kidney health

Medicinal Properties

The specific therapeutic agent in reishi mushroom remains unknown. However, a number of the mushroom’s phytonutrient constituents may play a therapeutic role. The major constituents of reishi mushrooms are polysaccharides, triterpenoids, sterols, nucleosides and alkaloids.

Other components include mannitol, fatty acids, peptides, proteins, ganolucidic acid and coumarin. The sterols contained in the mushroom can act as hormone precursors and triterpenes may exhibit anti-histamine and anti-allergy effects and may help lower blood pressure.

Additionally, reishi mushrooms contain beta-glucans, which have been observed in animals to stimulate certain immune cells. Further benefits being investigated in research studies include:

• Anti-tumor effects;
• Anti-viral effects;
• Decreasing the severity of CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome);
• Relieving the causes of insomnia and other sleep disorders;
• Relieving symptoms of stomach ulcers;
• Lowering stress levels;
• Treating pain, especially pain caused by herpes and shingles

Research into the Effects of Reishi

There is insufficient evidence to attribute any specific therapeutic function to G. lucidum. However, in laboratory and animal studies, reishi mushrooms or its extracts have been observed to:

• Exhibit anti-tumor effects in patients being treated for colorectal adenomas;
• Reduce chest pain and improve breathing in some angina patients;
• Reduce the amount of circulating hepatitis B while improving liver function;
• Increase hemoglobin production. No effect on glucose levels have been observed;
• Lower blood pressure and moderate hypertensive episodes.
• Enhance the immune system and improve quality of life in some lung cancer patients;
• Strengthen the effects of certain chemotherapy agents when used in conjunction with other medicinal herbs.

Reishi Mushroom Contraindications

Reishi mushrooms have been observed to affect blood clotting and blood pressure, which may cause interactions with some drugs. For instance, reishi supplementation is not recommended for anyone who uses prescribed medications for hypertension or issues associated with blood clotting.

Using reishi with antihypertensive medications may cause blood pressure to fall below recommended levels. It should not be used with any medication that slows blood clotting because the risk of bleeding and/or bruising may be increased.

There is insufficient evidence to support reishi supplementation in pregnant and nursing women. Similarly, individuals who will be undergoing surgery should cease reishi supplementation at least two weeks before the scheduled operation. People with diabetes mellitus type II should not use this supplement as it may cause glucose levels to drop too much.

Ganoderma lucidum is generally well tolerated. Mild side effects may include dizziness, nausea, skin rash, sleep disturbance or dry mouth. In rare cases reishi mushroom powder has been associated with toxicity and death. [1]

There is no standardized dose and individuals should speak with their doctor before starting a supplement program in the hopes of achieving the health benefits associated with reishi mushrooms.

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