It has been labelled the mushroom of immortality and we’re all looking for ways to be healthy in the most natural way possible. Reishi mushrooms are a natural addition to your health routine that can provide several health benefits.
Reishi is a nutrient-packed mushroom that’s usually ground into a powder and added to a food recipe or a drink. These mushrooms pack a bigger health punch than traditional mushrooms. They’re rich in antioxidants, detoxifying properties, and more.
Reishi Mushroom Tea
“The mushroom of immortality”- 8 reasons you need to try Reishi
1. Reishi Is A Cancer Fighter
Reishi mushrooms hone in on cancer cells in the body and help eradicate them, making reishi known as a “tumor shrinker.” Reishi is not approved as a first-line approach to cancer therapy but it’s often recommended as a complementary therapy alongside traditional first-line methods. There is also some evidence to suggest that reishi has cancer preventative properties, helping strengthen the case for taking this mushroom daily.
2. Reishi Detoxifies The Liver
Reishi mushrooms are an excellent detoxifier. According to the International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, reishi may help protect the liver from toxic chemicals. Reishi was also shown to reduce levels of Hepatitis B in the livers of infected patients.
3. Reishi Stabilizes Blood Sugar
Reishi is not a replacement for insulin, but it can help stabilize blood sugar. This is a benefit for diabetics, but also for anyone who suffers from hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. It’s important to use caution however, as taking too much reishi in conjunction with diabetes medication can actually cause blood sugar to drop too low.
4. Reishi Is A Mood Lifter
Reishi mushrooms can be an alternative to antidepressants, which often have negative side effects. Studies on the use of reishi mushrooms have shown reduced irritability, depression, and pain in those with the disease neurasthenia. While there hasn’t been substantial research into the use of reishi to treat depression or anxiety, the results with neurasthenia are promising and warrant further consideration.
5. Reishi Protects Your Brain
Reishi mushrooms are neuroprotective, meaning they help stimulate new nerve growth in the brain. This can be useful in combating debilitating conditions such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. Reishi mushroom extract may be a good addition to the diet of those who have a family history of Alzheimer’s or other neuro-degenerative conditions.
6. Reishi Reduces Your Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a common ailment in our society, and reishi mushrooms may help get it under control. That’s because reishi mushrooms help improve the heart’s overall efficiency, resulting in lower blood pressure.
7. Reishi Regulates Sleep
When consumed daily, reishi mushrooms help promote a healthy sleep cycle, but they don’t cause sleepiness. An effective way to get an appropriate dosage and help with regular sleep is by drinking reishi tea or ingesting its extract on a daily basis.
8. Reishi Lowers Anxiety And Stress Levels
Reishi mushrooms can help reduce overall anxiety and stress levels by acting as an adaptogen. Adaptogens are plants used in ancient Chinese medicine that help the body adapt to stress.
What You Need To Know About Taking Reishi Mushrooms
It’s easy to see why Reishi is worth adding to your diet regimen. Besides these 8 Reishi mushroom benefits, research continues to look at using organic Reishi mushroom powder in the treatment of viral and bacterial infections.
But you may still have questions about using Reishi, such as what is the best way to take Reishi, and is it safe to take Reishi everyday?
So now let’s delve into some important considerations to take advantage of Reishi mushroom benefits.
The Different Ways to Take Reishi
Reishi mushrooms can be eaten fresh, but it’s more common to take them in other formats. In fact, they have a bitter flavor and tough texture that makes them better taken in other ways. Dried mushrooms can be steeped into tea, for instance. As well, it is possible to grow Reishi mushrooms, although it is one of the more difficult varieties of mushroom to grow at home.
Other more common ways to purchase and take Reishi include a capsule, extract or powder form:
Capsule: the mushroom is ground into a powder and then made into a pill, eliminating the bitter flavor.
Extract: easy to take but carries the bitter flavor of the mushroom.
Powder: can be added to smoothies or drinks, but still tastes somewhat bitter.
The proper dosage of Reishi can depend on your age and your health. Clinical trials have used different dosages for different testing. In general, it’s recommended to start with 0.5 to 1 gram daily. It’s best to follow instructions on the product label.
If you’re wondering, how long can you take Reishi mushroom? Or is it safe to take Reishi everyday? There are different answers. Some sources state that Reishi mushroom extract can be taken for up to one year, while powdered whole Reishi mushroom should be taken for up to 16 weeks. Once again, it’s best to follow instructions or seek advice from an expert.
Reishi Mushroom Extracts
When you’re making a decision about how best to get the benefits of Reishi mushroom, it appears that extracts are a better choice.
That’s because the process that makes extracts allows for better control over the final elements in the product. That includes what’s called beta-glucans, which provide a variety of health benefits. Extracts are also easier to absorb and usually contain a high amount of antioxidants in comparison to powders.
As for those beta-glucans, they provide an extra boost to skin health.
Here’s how.
First, they help attract water from the environment to your skin, helping to keep your skin hydrated. Reishi also helps your body synthesize ceramide, a component of the protective layer of your skin that keeps moisture in and stress out. Finally, Reishi extracts have detoxifying benefits, working against premature aging, fine lines and redness.
Possible Side Effects of Reishi
Also known as “lingzhi,” the Reishi or Ganoderma lucidum has also had its side effects studied.
One study was called “Herbal Medicine for Cardiovascular Diseases,” and looked into herbal safety, including that of Reishi. The researchers examined signs of toxicity in high doses provided to male and female rodents, and it appears there was no effect.
The same study did cite that Reishi can affect platelets in some subjects. It recommended caution when using Reishi supplements if platelet counts are low, or prior to a surgery. Care should also be exercised if Reishi is taken along with medications that slow blood clotting.
But for most subjects, there did not appear to be concerning side effects, although these researchers concluded that further study was needed to examine the toxicity, side effects, and safety of Ganoderma Lucidum.
Other studies have found issues that have raised the question: Is Reishi bad for your liver?
In this instance, an issue arose when patients switched from traditionally boiled Lingzhi/Reishi to a powder form. Therefore, it’s unclear whether the issue was Reishi or the powder supplement itself.
Another common question is does Reishi mushroom make you sleepy? While it has been used to help aid sleep, it’s also cited as a support for fatigue, so there’s no clear evidence that taking Reishi will make you sleepy.
Some sources state that the Reishi mushroom can cause dizziness, dry mouth, itching, nausea, stomach upset, and rash.
As with any type of food product, it’s a good idea to start with small amounts, since there’s always a chance of upset stomach or other digestive issues with large servings. And those who are pregnant or breastfeeding may want to speak to a physician before adding any new supplement.
Final Thoughts
Reishi mushrooms have multiple health benefits, whether in its dried form, as an extract, or as a powder.
With it’s name as the mushroom of immortality and natural properties that can help regulate sleep, reduce stress, fight depression and more it’s worth taking advantage of some of these health benefits by adding reishi mushrooms to your daily health routine.
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