Most of us love to add mushrooms to our favorite recipe, but there’s increasing evidence that we should be adding organic Reishi mushroom powder to our daily routine.
Mushrooms in general contain a wide variety of beneficial molecules, feature proteins with all the essential amino acids, are especially rich in lysine and leucine, and have a low total fat content.
But Reishi mushrooms in particular are known for their health benefits. That’s because Reishi mushrooms, also known as Lingzhi, have a long history in Asian cultures as being beneficial in promoting health and longevity. The mushroom strain known as Ganoderma lucidum has also undergone recent scientific tests and initial results are positive.
Why You Should Be Taking Organic Reishi Mushroom Powder
Traditional Chinese medicine cites Reishi or Lingzhi mushrooms as providing spiritual potency and immortality. It’s thought of as an herb that promotes well-being. In fact, among mushrooms, the Reishi is known for its medicinal properties more than for its flavor and nutritional benefits.
Also known as the “King of Mushrooms,” Reishi is believed to help adjustment to stress and anxiety, control blood glucose levels, and help boost the immune system. The powder is milled from the body of the mushroom and has a sweet flavor, making it a great addition to your every day routine.
And if you’re wondering what you do with organic Reishi mushroom powder, you can stir it into tea, smoothies, or add it to recipes if you desire.
Now is the time to start taking organic Reishi mushroom powder, thanks to numerous scientific studies showing its health benefits.
1. Reishi May Be Cancer-Fighting
Taken in conjunction with conventional cancer therapies, Reishi powder may boost the immune system, and support antitumor activity, helping cancer patients fight this deadly disease.
While research is in the early stages, many polysaccharides and triterpenes, the two major components in this mushroom, exhibit chemo-preventive and/or antitumor effects. That means Reishi can help reduce the body’s immunosuppressive response that happens when taking anticancer drugs, helping to fight the autoimmune diseases that can be side effects.
One study showed that patients who had been given Reishi along with chemotherapy and radiotherapy were more likely to respond positively compared to receiving the medical therapy on its own.
As well, a review of various research analyses described four studies that showed patients who received Ganoderma lucidum had relatively improved quality of life, including minimal side effects such as insomnia and nausea. This review also concluded that Reishi could be used in conjunction with conventional treatment “in consideration of its potential of enhancing tumour response and stimulating host immunity.”
2. Reishi Supports the Immune System
There are indications that Reishi is an agent that enhances the functioning of the immune system, which could enhance health overall. Early studies indicate that the Reishi mushroom has antioxidant properties that may enhance immune response, improving resistance and perhaps even fighting disease.
Consuming this antioxidant-rich powder could help prevent cancer and other chronic diseases. As well, research is continuing on the use of organic Reishi mushroom powder in the treatment of viral and bacterial infections, by inhibiting viral and bacterial multiplication without affecting normal cells.
The triterpenes in Reishi have been shown in trials to be active as antiviral agents against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). The Ganoderma strain also displays antiviral activity against influenza virus type A and is active against herpes simplex virus type 1.
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3. Reishi Aids in Blood Health
Components of the Reishi mushroom have a hypoglycemic effect in animals, meaning it could be a benefit to those with diabetes. Reishi also contains triterpenes, which may have blood pressure-lowering and anti-allergy effects. And, Reishi mushrooms have been shown to slow blood clotting.
4. Reishi Supports the Liver and Gastric System
There are also indications that organic Reishi mushroom powder is beneficial to the liver and helps with gastric issues such as ulcers. While early studies have been done on animals, the results are positive.
For instance, one study showed that a Reishi extract powder was found to reduce weight gain in the liver and fat tissues of mice. It also found that the extract improved glucose metabolism and reduced lipid accumulation in the liver.
5. Reishi May Lower Blood Pressure
Scientists have also explored the Reishi mushroom’s proteins and bioactivities, including a study that provided a Reishi extract to hypertensive rats. This was an exploration of whether Reishi could possibly be a hypotensive medication – which means to lower blood pressure. The study used Reishi’s protease compounds to hydrolyze protein and create what they called an auto-digested Reishi (ADR) extract. The study concluded that the ADR extract could be a good source of hypotensive peptides, and could be added with antihypertensive medication or incorporated into food.
6. Reishi may prevent insulin resistance
Ganoderma lucidum is also used in traditional medicine to treat obesity and metabolic diseases. A study that examined the bioactive substances extracted from Reishi have shown to help improve insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes in mice. The study showed that a Reishi extract powder could be used to prevent obesity and insulin resistance in a mouse model, concluding that G. lucidum could help prevent obesity and suppress obesity-induced insulin resistance.
7. Reishi may have anti-aging properties
Reishi has been labelled the mushroom of immortality by practitioners of ancient medicine. Research is looking into the possible anti-aging effects of the fungus.
One study concluded that extracts of Ganoderma lucidum extracts have “definite anti-aging properties.” It stated that Reishi provides such effects mainly through the antioxidant properties as well as by supporting the immune system (immunomodulation) and fighting neurodegeneration, which can lead to diseases such as Alzheimer’s, memory deficits, and Parkinson’s disease.
Reishi Dosage and Side Effects
Is Reishi mushroom powder safe? As with any new addition to your diet, it’s best to start with small amounts to gauge its effects on you. Some people report upset stomach or digestive distress. In clinical studies, there have been some side effects reported, including nausea, diarrhea and insomnia in a few patients.
Is Reishi bad for the liver? There were two clinical cases of liver toxicity resulting from the use of powdered reishi mushroom.
As for other concerns, the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has information on Reishi supplements and cautions that people taking warfarin or other blood thinners should avoid adding Reishi to their diet. If you’re concerned about other drug interactions, you may want to check with your doctor.
Once you’ve selected the Reishi mushroom powder you plan to take, follow the dosage instructions on the packaging. A typical dosage is 1 to 1.5 grams of Reishi powder per day.
If you’re wondering: How often should I take Reishi mushroom powder? A daily dose is an effective way to experience the benefits of Reishi powder. Results may not be immediate, so taking it over time will help increase its usefulness.
Who Can Benefit From Reishi Powder
While we can all benefit from the boost to our health provided by mushrooms, you may be wondering who should take Reishi mushroom powder.
As reported by the National Institutes of Health/U.S. National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus, Reishi is effective for people with:
- Enlarged prostate: Men with enlarged prostates often have urinary symptoms, and taking Reishi mushroom extract can improve some urinary symptoms such as the need to urinate often or immediately.
- Cancer: Early research indicates that Reishi mushroom powder can help reduce tiredness in women with breast cancer. Other studies are unclear whether taking Reishi mushroom shrinks tumors, but it might improve immune function and quality of life.
- Heart disease: Reishi mushroom extract, specifically the Ganopoly extract, may reduce chest pain and shortness of breath in people with heart disease.
- People with a noncancerous growth in the large intestine and rectum, known as colorectal adenoma: Taking Reishi mushroom extract may reduce the number and size of these tumors.
- People with inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus: Early research also shows that Reishi mushroom extract Ganopoly reduces how much of the hepatitis B virus is in the body and may improve liver function in people with this condition.
Anyone can benefit from Reishi’s anti-aging properties, such as its antioxidant power and the belief that it has brain-boosting power, helping to protect the brain against cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Those who have trouble sleeping may ask: Can you take Reishi before bed? There are claims that Reishi can be used to treat fatigue, although there isn’t much scientific evidence to support this type of use. Reishi has been used in ancient medicine to deal with stress, which would also be positive in aiding sleep.
One study did examine Reishi’s ability to fight fatigue and depression. It looked at people with neurasthenia, a condition associated with fatigue, headaches and other aches, and irritability. Researchers found that fatigue was reduced and well-being was improved after 8 weeks of taking Reishi supplements.
Another study looked at a group of breast cancer survivors and found that fatigue was reduced, and participants experienced less anxiety and depression.
Final Thoughts
The mushroom strain Ganoderma lucidum, also known as Lingzhi or Reishi, is becoming a well-researched mushroom, as science and medicine explore the health benefits of this ancient plant. Organic Reishi mushroom powder is also gaining in popularity as a dietary supplement.
The Reishi mushroom has signs of anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial activity. It contains more than 50 types of polysaccharides and peptide- polysaccharides complexes in addition to about 120 bioactive compounds, making it an excellent and easy addition to your daily health and diet routine.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92757/
https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/reishi-mushroom
https://namyco.org/docs/Three_Popular_Medicinal_Mushroom_Supplements.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6271714/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6353236/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7693844/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5758346/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15857210
/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22203880/https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/905.html
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