What is a Reishi Mushroom?
Searching for a dose of immortality? No, we haven’t found the philosopher’s stone yet, we’re talking about reishi mushroom! A member of the genus Ganoderma, reishi mushroom, also commonly referred to as Lingzhi in China, has been used for thousands of years in a variety of medical applications. Once extremely rare and only affordable to the wealthiest in ancient China reishi is now available and cultivated worldwide. Literature and iconography of reishi mushroom and its use in China dates back as far back as the first century BC, when the poet, Ban Gu (班固), referred to the Lingzhi in his poetry. Since then, reishi has developed a strong association to Taoism and Taoist temples, where the mushroom is revered for its hallucinogenic and medicinal properties, as well as its perceived ability to grant immortality to whomever consumes it. In later depictions in Chinese art, such as in the Forbidden Palace, images of reishi mushrooms are meant to convey good health and longevity in the loyal families.
In the wild, reishi mushrooms are most often found in deciduous forests, growing at the base or on the stumps of maple trees. They can typically be identified by the fan-like shape, and come in various sizes and colors, including purple, green, and yellow, but the red variety is the most sought after for its many uses in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Reishi mushrooms have been thought to promote liver function, strengthen the immune system, combat cancer, and provide relief from insomnia and other neurological disorders for centuries, and with continued medical study and experimentation, these conclusions have only been supported by modern science.
A Potential Liver Protector
Long thought to restore and boost Qi in the abdomen and heart, reishi mushrooms, with modern pharmacological analysis, have been suggested to provide a hepatoprotective effect on the liver, and to combat liver-related diseases. The polysaccharides contained in reishi mushrooms have been demonstrated to combat Hepatitis and aid in liver cell regeneration following conditions like liver failure. In addition to the liver, reishi mushrooms are also thought to benefit the cardiovascular system by lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Strengthening Your System
Reishi mushroom was thought for centuries to increase longevity even to the point of immortality when consumed in one of its various forms as a powder, tea, or extract. Recent studies have supported these ideas (perhaps not the immortality bit), as reishi mushrooms have been noted to provide a strong boost to the immune system via the strengthening of illness-combating white blood cells. The triterpenoids in these mushrooms are also thought to promote the production of interleukins and cytokines, resulting in an overall more robust immune response to illness. In addition, the polysaccharides contained in reishi mushrooms are also thought to have an immune system-supporting antibacterial effect.
An Anti-Cancer Combatant
Extracts of reishi mushroom have been shown to combat breast and ovarian cancer, and this miracle spore has also been shown to inhibit tumor growth and reproduction. One way this occurs is through the production of lymphocytes, which can reduce the size and number of tumors in the body by stimulating T-cells and macrophages. Apoptosis of leukaemia cells has also been shown to be inhibited by reishi mushrooms, giving this fungus a remarkable ability to combat cancer.
Neurological Benefits
Rest easy with the knowledge that Lingzhi can also reduce stress and combat insomnia, due to its notable positive effects on the endocrine system. That’s right, reishi mushrooms can also help your body modulate cortisol and adrenaline levels, which can result in an increase in overall wellness due to a reduction of stress, which can also put your mind at ease, resulting in longer and more replenishing sleep.
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