Reishi Benefits

We use fungi in so many of our day-to-day lives. Its was one of the first organisms on earth. Today they are everywhere. Not only are they in our cheeses and breads but can be found in our space stations, nuclear reactors, deserts and even all the way in Antartica.

Fungi is essential for our ecosystem as it builds soil and gives life to all plants on earth. We could say that fungi is saving our world. But now our civilisation is turning to these organisms to help save us.

There is fungi for relaxation, concentration, energy and immune support. However, one specific type of fungi is being studied more intensely then others.

These are mushrooms.

Mushrooms are natures weird and wonderful abstract forms that sprout up from trees and the earth. They have an entire kingdom of their own and often stand alone or clump together in groups. In fact there are over 1.5 million species to be found. It is somewhat like the fruit of a plant, except that it produces millions of tiny spores that form underneath the mushrooms ‘cap’.

You probably didn’t know that mushrooms could be used to construct buildings and cure diseases. Even make clothing items like hats and leather skins. Designers, medical researchers and engineers are utilising the natural abilities for food, medicine, textiles, fibre, packaging materials and even biofuel.

Fungi just has this incredible ability to unlock so much potential.

What we classify as a negative connotation in our ever evolving civilisation, has now transformed into something extraordinary. Now, everyone is trying to catch up in this growing phenomenon. Once we know more about them, the possibilities to use what we would normally class as something rotten, are endless.

Mushrooms have properties like protein, can filter out all types of pathogens and act in water filtration systems. However, one particular mushroom is taking the world by surprise. This fungi is so widely researched in the medicinal industry that experts have discovered at least ten beneficial qualities within the organism.

This is the Reishi mushroom.

A fruiting body with its scientific name of Ganoderma Lucidum, it is one of the most popular and medicinal used mushrooms in the world. It is also one of the most studied fungi in the animal kingdom.

Also known as the ‘mushroom of immortality’ or ‘the spirit mushroom’, it has been associated with immortality, vitality, wisdom and health for thousands of years.

Reishi mushrooms are found all over the world, especially in remote, pristine environments, like logs and the stumps of trees. Typically they grow in shady green houses during the production stage but majority of these mushrooms like to grow on dead Hemlock trees, oak and maple.

The texture is like a tough wood with a shiny outer varnish finish. It contains a red body and woody texture. It also has a leathery feel to it with a bitter taste.

Due to the stern feel of the mushroom, majority of its production and cultivation is steamed in high temperatures and made into a tea.

It is simmered in a pan for roughly two hours and with added hot water forms a bitter aftertaste. Some people will use mushroom teas to deepen there meditation. However, after one day’s use, the mushroom will begin to harden.

Reishi mushrooms are not a new discovery to our word. In fact, the mushroom has been used in Chinese medicine. The mushroom is called ‘Ling Zhi’ in there culture and has been around for over 2000 years. In traditional Chinese Folklore it was said that Reishi tea was given from a women, to a man to express her interest (Teeguarden, 2014).

Back in those days, Reishi was widely used for teas, soups or broths. But as soon as the western world became more involved in the process of cultivation, Reishi slowly turned towards being sold in the form of powder, tablets and capsules.

In ancient Taoist texts, It is thought that Taoist priests would include some Reishi mushrooms in their potions to grant a long and healthy life (Teeguarden, 2014). It was believed that Reishi could calm the mind, strengthen the heart and build wisdom.

Typically this fungi is grown from Southeast China where the humidity and warmth is perfect condition for it to evolve. When it is fresh, Reishi will show beautiful ombre colours fading down from a bright yellow, into a orange and ending at a deep fiery red colour towards the stem. Maturing turns to a maroon colour when ready to pick.

According to the National Research Centre for Mushroom, one cycle of growing takes 10-15 days before further production methods can take place (2018). When it comes to harvesting these delicacies, the process is done by a tight plucking, holding the root with one hand and pulling up with another.

They are only picked when the mushrooms are at the end of there life cycles and are classified as mature when they have dropped its spores. This can been seen when the maroon coloured cap fills with a powder substance.

Three to five grams are used daily for medicinal use. Due to the hard texture, it is to hard for culinary consumption.

A lot of mushrooms contain unique molecular signatures. They act like miniature pharmaceutical factories. They are anti-bacterial, anti-viral and restrict blood vessels feeding tumours. Due to these properties, medicinal practices have paid close attention to anti-cancer properties and immune system functionality.

Healthline stated that the mushroom can enhance immune function due to its effects on white blood cells (2018). White blood cells are the superhero of the body. They fight off infection as best they can. However, studies have shown that there has been mixed results in people who are healthy and seem to really enhance those who are ill.

Test-tube studies have shown that reishi can affect the genes in white blood cells, which form part of our immune system. They do this by altering its inflammation pathways (healthline, 2018).

Anti-cancer properties have been another popular research topic. It holds promise for prevention of treatment.

“In fact, one study of over 4,000 breast cancer survivors found that around 59% consumed reishi mushroom. Additionally, several test-tube studies have shown that it can lead to the death of cancer cells.” - healthline, 2018.

Reishi has been known to activate our T cells which help boost the immune system. If you are going through chemotherapy, reishi protects your healthy cells. Once your immune system has been completely wiped down, it helps the immune system bounce back. But like every case study, more information is needed before it can become a part of normal care.

There are several other benefits of the mushroom. Some have strong evidence while support for others is less conclusive. It is an antioxidant, used for adrenal support, allergies, can extend sleeping cycles, regulates and helps relax the mind, aid in depression, heart health, are anti-inflammatory, and reduce diabetes. There are even studies shown to have slowed down the ageing process.

With this being said it all depends on specific dosage recommendations and of course the dose of reishi mushroom is based on the amount of fungus. The rule of thumb is that if you are consuming the mushroom itself, you need a higher dose, while extracts from the mushroom provide lower doses (healthline, 2018). Heathline states that doses may range from 25 to 100 grams, depending on the size of the mushroom (2018).

Acupuncture Today advice not to go for ground reishi powder but instead go for products where the goodness is extracted (2014).

“Check the extraction ratio to make sure that large amounts of excipient are not being used to cut the product. Many reishi products contain 50% excipient, while some contain as little as 5%. Go for the one that has only 5% excipient.” - Acupuncture Today, 2014.

However, according to Medical News Today, while their use is widespread, the evidence supporting many of the benefits is still lacking (2019). They also may be harmful to people who have bleeding issues, are pregnant, or take certain medications.

This is why it is always advisable to consult with a doctor before you go ahead with anything. Studies in cancer and immune systems have been backed up with substantial support. While others vary in property value. But, intensive studies like this are just the tip of the iceberg. When one door opens, fungi seem to open a multitude of other possibilities.

Fungi are some of the most incredible and important organisms on the planet. One fungi can be as different to another like a bird is to a snake. Although we may think of fungi to be associated with mushrooms, what we know is that it stems down much further then we expected. Mushrooms are just the fruiting body.

With millions of species waiting to be explored, there is defiantly enough ‘shroom for these hidden gems to help us in our worlds ever changing medicinal civilisation.

References:

Fletcher, J. 2019. “Everything you need to know about reishi mushrooms”. MedicalNewsToday. Retrieved from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326520#benefits.

Teeguarden, R. 2014. “What you should know about reishi mushroom”. Acupuncture Today. Vol.15, issue 01. Retrieved from: https://acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=32841.

Tewari, Dr R,P. 2018. “Cultivation of Reishi Mushroom”. National Research Centre for Mushroom. Retrieved from: http://nrcmushroom.org/Folder_Ganoderma.pdf.

Tinsley,G. 2018. “6 benefits of Reishi Mushroom (Plus Side Effects and Dosage). Healthline. Retrieved from: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/reishi-mushroom-benefits.