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There are several forms of reishi mushroom for sale online and in local health food stores. Reishi mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum) are also known by their Chinese name, lingzhi (Ling Zhi).
The mushroom is a polypore fungus that has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine systems throughout Asia.
In Chinese herbal medicine, the mushroom is considered a “superior” herb. Superior herbs are thought to normalize health and prolong life.
Consumption of the mushroom was historically isolated to the rich and powerful as it is very rare in the wild. Advances in cultivation have allowed reishi mushrooms to be grown in controlled environments at a much lower price.
The once rare fungus is readily available in a number of supplement forms, including liquid tinctures, extract powders, capsules, teas and coffee beverages. You can also find reishi supplements for sale combined with cordyceps mushroom extract or in formulas such as Shroom Tech Sport and Shroom Tech Immune by Onnit Labs.
Immune Booster
Heart Health
Longevity- Traditional Chinese immune modulator
- Promotes healthy blood pressure & cholesterol
- Anti-oxidant used for anti-aging benefits
Top Reishi Products* ❯Why Buy Reishi Mushroom?
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Reishi mushroom is said to be the one of the oldest medicinally used mushrooms that remains in use today.
Documentation of its use dates back to the Han Dynasty in China between 206 BCE – 220 CE. The name literally translates to “supernatural mushroom” and was believed to be the key to immortality.
The mushroom grows in six different colors naturally, but it is the red reishi that is the most common and has been the most researched.
In Chinese medicine, consumers buy Reishi mushroom extracts for their ability to affect the ‘qi’ or life energy of the user. This mushroom is said to improve the function of the heart, the lungs and the brain. It was also attributed certain nootropic effects including the ability to fight memory loss and improve intellectual performance.
Reishi mushroom is used for a number of purposes, including hypertension, enhancing the immune system, reducing stress, reducing fatigue and alleviating some forms of pain. Many purchase reishi supplements in the hopes of supporting good health.
Effects vary and there is insufficient scientific evidence to support a number of the common uses.
Research Studies on Reishi Extract
The increased availability of reishi supplements for sale and its long history of medicinal use have attracted scientific attention. Although no definitive health claims can be made based on existing scientific evidence, in laboratory studies G. lucidum is showing potential to act against some forms of cancer, improve cardiovascular health and support the immune system.
According to the Center for Disease Control, heart disease continues to be a significant health issue in the United States. The most prevalent cause of heart disease is coronary artery disease. Reishi mushroom is often used to support cardiovascular health.
In contemporary studies, G. lucidum mushroom extracts have been observed to exhibit characteristics that may support heart health.
Constituents in Reishi
The adenosine contained in reishi mushroom supplements may help limit the aggregation of blood platelets. Further, adenosine is known to increase the synthesis of hemoglobin and control mitochondrial energy expenditure within the heart muscle. Based on these characteristics, some claim the reishi mushroom supports general heart health and circulation through a blood-thinning effect.
Constituents of reishi mushroom may help flush away fatty acid deposits on the inside of the blood vessels (arterial plaque), which are known to lead to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Atherosclerosis is the most prevalent cause of coronary artery disease.
Additionally, many reishi mushroom supplements sold online contain triterpenoid compounds, which have been observed to help the body better adjust to physical, mental and environmental stress (qualities that are often described as ‘adaptogenic’).
Stress is becoming increasingly associated with the onset and progression of preventable disease. It is thought that by improving the body’s ability to adapt to stress, less oxidative damage may occur.
Evidence of Effects
Reishi supplementation has been observed to help reduce the amount of oxygen the heart muscle needs to operate. Consequently, more oxygen is left in the blood to be delivered throughout the circulatory system. Further, reishi supplementation may help support vasodilation, or the relaxing of blood vessels, which may help lower blood pressure and improve circulation.
With increased blood flow throughout the body, more nutrients, hormones and other blood constituents may be delivered, which can help support good overall health.
Reishi mushroom is often used to help promote health cholesterol levels and lower triglycerides in the blood. There is not enough evidence available to assess whether or not this use is effective. Nevertheless, healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels are associated with good heart health.
Anticancer and Chemopreventive Properties
Reishi mushrooms are sometimes used for their purported anti-cancer properties.
While they cannot be marketed or sold as cancer treatments, many naturopathic doctors recommend this mushroom as an adjunct therapy in a cancer regimen.
Additionally, it is often used to help support patients during chemotherapy treatment and may reduce some of the side effects experienced. As with most reishi uses, there is not enough evidence available to judge if these uses are effective.
Nevertheless, in preliminary trials constituents of the mushroom have been observed to:
- Stimulate action by natural killer cells (important cells in the immune system), which can work to kill tumor cells;
- Constrict blood flow to tumor cells;
- Increase antioxidants in the blood, which can help reduce free radical damage and support immune function;
- Improve the signaling effectiveness of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK);
- Make it more difficult for tumor cells to mutate and metastasize;
- Slow the production of metalloproteinase, hindering tumor metastasis.
Reishi Mushroom for Sale Online
Reishi supplements are most often sold in capsule form today. Many brands such as New Chapter LifeShield, Enerex Reishi Defence, Onnit Labs Shroom Tech and Solgar Reishi Shiitake Maitake Mushroom include reishi supplements in formulas designed to enhance the immune system and overall health.
Other brands such as Life Extension Reishi Extract, Nature’s Answer, and Absorb Health sell single-ingredient capsules or tablets that contain extracts from the mushroom.
Either option will provide the user with the health benefits of the mushroom, however the single ingredient formulations are generally less expensive. Supplements typically contain 400 mg to 500 mg of extract per dosage. The standard dosage is one to two capsules per day.
Always look for reishi supplement for sale that contain a standardized extract to ensure uniform potency of the product. For example, Absorb health advertises that their supplement contains a standardized 5:1 extract from the mushroom.
Safety and Side Effects
When taken correctly, reishi mushroom is generally well tolerated. However, reishi powder has recently been correlated with rare cases of toxicity. Additionally, reishi may interact with a number of prescription and over-the-counter medications. Reishi supplements may affect blood pressure, glucose absorption, immune system response and a number of other biological functions.
If you take medication that targets any of these systems or functions, reishi supplementation may not be right for you. In all cases, be sure to speak with your doctor before buying reishi mushroom online and starting a new supplement program. Medical supervision will help ensure the health and safety of any new supplement.
- Xu Z, Chen X, Zhong Z, Chen L, Wang Y. Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides: immunomodulation and potential anti-tumor activities. Am J Chin Med. 2011;39(1):15-27.
- Lin ZB, Zhang HN. Anti-tumor and immunoregulatory activities of Ganoderma lucidum and its possible mechanisms. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2004 Nov;25(11):1387-95.
- Silva D. Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) in cancer treatment. Integr Cancer Ther. 2003 Dec;2(4):358-64.
- Ren, Ang et al. "Profiling and Quantifying Differential Gene Transcription Provide Insights into Ganoderic Acid Biosynthesis in Ganoderma Lucidum in Response to Methyl Jasmonate." Ed. Sung-Hwan Yun. PLoS ONE 8.6 (2013): e65027. PMC. Web. 3 July 2015.
- Huang, Yen-Hua et al. "Generation and Analysis of the Expressed Sequence Tags from the Mycelium of Ganoderma Lucidum." Ed. Ahmed Moustafa. PLoS ONE 8.5 (2013): e61127. PMC. Web. 3 July 2015.
- Liang, Zengenni et al. "Chemical Characterization and Antitumor Activities of Polysaccharide Extracted from Ganoderma Lucidum." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 15.5 (2014): 9103–9116. PMC. Web. 3 July 2015.
- Liu, Dongbo et al. "The Genome of Ganoderma Lucidum Provide Insights into Triterpense Biosynthesis and Wood Degradation." Ed. John Parkinson. PLoS ONE 7.5 (2012): e36146. PMC. Web. 3 July 2015.
- Wu, Qing-Ping et al. "Ergosterol Peroxide Isolated from Ganoderma Lucidum Abolishes MicroRNA miR-378-Mediated Tumor Cells on Chemoresistance." Ed. Ganjam V. Kalpana. PLoS ONE 7.8 (2012): e44579. PMC. Web. 3 July 2015.
- Yu, Guo-Jun et al. "Deep Insight into the Ganoderma Lucidum by Comprehensive Analysis of Its Transcriptome." Ed. Alfredo Herrera-Estrella.PLoS ONE 7.8 (2012): e44031. PMC. Web. 3 July 2015.
Article last updated on: April 17th, 2018 by Nootriment