24 Nov 6 Insane Benefits of Reishi Mushrooms
Reishi is an incredibly versatile fungi that has been a staple in Eastern medicine for thousands of years. However, its rarity meant it was limited to those who could afford its hefty price tag, namely Chinese royalty. Luckily for us, reishi has become more accessible thanks to its cultivation in the 20th century. We’re overjoyed that it has naturalised in South African forests, growing well on hardwoods such as the African acacia, black wattle and knob thorn. You may not have heard of the reishi mushroom before, but trust us when we say you’ll be racing to add this dynamic superfood to your diet once we’ve told you about its incredible healing properties.
What’s in it? This particular polypore contains a complex combination of polysaccharides, triterpenes and peptidoglycans, which have been extensively studied for their health effects. While it’s possible to consume these molecules simply by eating the mushroom fresh, the cell walls are coated with chitin, making it difficult for your body to digest. Instead, we suggest consuming reishi in powdered or extract form. We like to combine extracts from seven varieties of reishi in a tincture, enhancing its benefits and catering to a broader range of ailments. One of our favourite products is Aether Apothecaries 7 Reishis Extract, the magnum opus for medicinal polypores – shop it here to try it yourself.
How does it help? Let’s dive into some of the benefits of the reishi mushroom on your health and well-being.
1. Boosts immunity
Several studies have shown that reishi mushrooms can affect the genes in the white blood cells that are key to the immune system’s ability to protect the body. The outcome is a change in inflammation pathways, improving the body’s ability to fight off infection. What’s more, studies in cancer patients have shown molecules in the mushroom can boost the activity of natural killer cells, an essential kind of white blood cell. The role of natural killer cells is to recognise and kill infected cells, so an increase in their activity helps to provide a more rapid response to viral infection or tumour formation.
Summary:
- Reduces inflammation.
- Increases the ability to fight infection.
- Acts as an immunostimulant.
- Increases the activity of natural killer cells.
2. Fights anxiety, depression and fatigue
For centuries, Taoist monks used reishi mushrooms to help create a sense of calm in meditation, so it’s no surprise they’ve now been found to assist with mental health. We all know and love adaptogens – substances that help promote homeostasis and allow the body to cope with physical, chemical or biological stress. Reishi mushrooms also boast these adaptogenic properties. One of the best illustrations of this was a study of 48 breast cancer survivors. After four weeks on reishi powder, these subjects reported reduced fatigue and improvements in anxiety and depression brought on by their poor health diagnosis.
Summary:
- Adaptogenic properties.
- Reduces irritability and fatigue.
- Helps to combat anxiety and depression.
3. Anti-cancer properties
A major proportion of the people consuming the reishi mushroom are doing so for its anti-cancer properties. Several test-tube studies have identified reishi’s ability to cause the death of cancer cells. From this, scientists have hypothesised that bioactive compounds in the mushroom may actively seek out cancerous cells in the body and have cytotoxic (meaning toxic/deadly to cells) effects on them. Reishi has also been shown to alleviate nausea induced by chemotherapy, and it may even improve the efficacy of radiation therapy
Summary:
- Deadly to cancer cells.
- Prevents the spread of a tumour.
- Helps to alleviate chemotherapy-induced nausea.
4. Blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol
Several animal studies have shown that reishi mushrooms can decrease blood sugar levels. The possible mechanism of action here is inhibiting an enzyme responsible for glucose production. If these effects are true, reishi mushrooms could be a helpful treatment for diabetics, reducing the stress on the kidneys that people with diabetes often suffer from.
Summary:
- Decreases blood sugar levels.
- Prevents high blood pressure.
- Decreases bad cholesterol.
5. Antioxidant content
Antioxidants are molecules which assist the body in preventing the cell damage that happens as a result of free radical production. By inhibiting oxidation, antioxidant molecules reduce the production of these free radicals, ensuring their levels don’t rise to a harmful level. Reishi mushrooms have exhibited this antioxidant activity in many in vitro studies, suggesting that supplementing your diet with them could be beneficial.
Summary:
- Antioxidant activity.
- Prevents cell damage.
6. Liver and kidney health
The liver plays an incredibly important role in eliminating toxins from the body, but organ damage reduces efficiency. A study in mice showed that reishi mushrooms could promote liver cell regeneration, reversing the effects of chemical-driven liver damage. Additionally, there has been significant research into how reishi can prevent chronic kidney diseases, aid in kidney health for diabetic people, and boost overall liver health.
Summary:
- Reduces inflammation in the kidneys.
- Promotes liver cell regeneration.
Our top 5 favourite reishi products:
And there you have it! The reishi mushroom is a wonder, with endless health benefits and possibilities for use.
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