Reishi Mushroom: What It Is and Its Benefits

Reishi mushroom, scientific name Ganodema lucidum, is a medicinal mushroom that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 2,000 years. It is one of the oldest mushrooms that are known to be used as medicine and treatment. This mushroom is also known as Lingzhi. These mushrooms are native to parts of Asia particularly in China, Japan, and Korea.

Reishi is a mushroom that is soft when fresh. It is corky and flat with a red, kidney-shaped cap. It has whitish to brown pores underneath, depending on the age of the mushroom. Where do Reishi mushrooms grow? Naturally, this mushroom grows at the base and stumps of deciduous trees such as the maple tree. But the wild form of lingzhi is extremely rare in these aged trees. So nowadays, lingzhi is cultivated on hardwood logs or on sawdust and woodchips. Reishi mushroom is also considered to be one of the superfoods.

Reishi Mushroom in Traditional Medicine

Traditionally, it was prepared as a hot water extract because of its bitter taste. Reishi mushroom is thinly sliced or pulverized and added to a pot of boiling water and then reduced to a simmer. It has also been used as an ingredient for decoction or also used to make a lingzhi extract.

How Reishi Mushroom works

These mushrooms, even when taken regularly, produce hardly any side effects. Reishi mushrooms contain complex sugars called beta-glucans that act as precursors to hormones in the body. It has polysaccharides that fight the development of cancer cells.  Lingzhi also has acidic substances known as triterpenes that turn off the body’s response to allergies.

In recent studies and research, these mushrooms can lower inflammation and increase the release of natural killer cells which helps in removing different types of mutated cells in the body. This is why it is ideally used as an alternative natural cancer treatment.

Reishi Mushroom Benefits

Lingzhi is a mushroom that is non-toxic and can be taken regularly without worrying about any Reishi mushroom side effects. When this herbal mushroom is taken daily, it restores the body to its natural state. It enables all organs to function normally. It is also said that it supports the immune system. Preclinical trials suggested that reishi mushroom has potential anticancer properties. Cancer patients have been using supplements with this ingredient as an alternative medicine. Although there is insufficient evidence to justify its use against cancer as a first-line of treatment, it is used as an alternative treatment because of its potential of enhancing tumor response and stimulating host immunity.

These mushrooms work as an immune modulator in the body. They can help treat hormonal imbalance, bring the body back to its homeostatic state and regulate immune system activities which include fighting tumors and cancer cells.

Lingzhi has been said to offer protection against various diseases. These diseases or illnesses include inflammation, fatigue, infections in the urinary tract and respiratory system, liver disease, digestive problems including stomach ulcers. It can also protect the body from autoimmune disorders, skin diseases, viruses including flu or hepatitis, heart diseases, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. It has also beneficial effects for people who have sleep disorders like insomnia, and people who have anxiety and depression.

Aside from its popular benefit of fighting tumor growth and cancer cells, it has also been proven that reishi mushroom can improve liver function and helps in detoxification. It helps the body flush out waste and toxins in the body more efficiently.

The triterpenes found in lingzhi have been found to lower blood pressure, as well as improve blood-clotting and cholesterol levels in the body. They help in lowering inflammation in blood vessels and arteries while restoring hormonal balance. In general, reishi can improve the body’s circulation and lower inflammation that can worsen heart problems and clogged arteries. Triterpenes can also lower allergic reactions because of their ability to affect the immune system. It is used as a natural remedy for asthma.

Reishi Mushroom as a Supplement

ARIIX, the global leader in health and wellness developed a food supplement that contains Reishi mushroom.

To Maintaining Good Health,

The ARIIX Products Team
www.AriixProducts.com
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