Reishi mushroom is a fungus that some people describe as “tough” and “woody” with a bitter taste. The fruiting body (above-ground part) and mycelium (filaments connecting a group of mushrooms) are used as medicine.
Reishi mushroom is used for boosting the immune system; viral infections such as the flu (influenza), swine flu, and avian flu; lung conditions including asthma and bronchitis; heart disease and contributing conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol; kidney disease; cancer; and liver disease. It is also used for HIV/AIDS, altitude sickness, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), trouble sleeping (insomnia), stomach ulcers, poisoning, and herpes pain. Other uses include reducing stress and preventing fatigue.
In combination with other herbs, reishi mushroom is used to treat prostate cancer.
Benefits of Ganoderma
The benefits of Ganoderma a wide an varied. Ganoderma works on the body at a cellular level to improve ones health and general wellbing.
Cardiovascular Benefits
Ganoderma Lucidum has been shown in some studies to inhibit platelet aggregation and reduce blood pressure. In studies of people with hypertension, researchers found blood pressure was significantly reduced over two-weeks' time with Ganoderma (Reishi) supplementation.
Lower Cholesterol
Ganoderma lucidum mushrooms may help reduce cholesterol by causing the liver to suppress its production. Researchers at the Nestle Research Center in Switzerland called ganoderma lucidum "a renowned medicinal species". In their study, oxygenated lanosterol derived from Ganoderma lucidum "inhibited cholesterol synthesis."
Immune Benefits
Ganoderma Lucidum is commonly prescribed by practitioners for long-term immune system support. In studies involving patients with advanced tumors, the patients were given Ganoderma Lucidum for thirty days. Researchers found a marked immune-modulating effect as demonstrated by an increase in T lymphocytes and decreased CD8 counts. Patients also reported reduced side effects due to chemotherapy or radiation as well as post operation recovery.
Blood Sugar Balance
Studies have shown Ganoderma Lucidum to have a blood sugar lowering effect. Much of this activity appears to be due to polysaccharides known as Ganoderans A, B, and C.
It appears there are three main mechanisms behind this hypoglycaemic effect. This includes Ganoderma Lucidum's ability to elevate plasma insulin levels, to enhance peripheral tissue utilization of glucose, and to enhance liver metabolism of glucose.
Weight Loss
Oxygen is a necessary component for burning fuel. the more you oxygenate the body, the higher your metabolism. That means weight loss
Anti-inflammatory Effects
Studies have shown that hot-water extracts of Ganoderma Lucidum have anti-inflammatory effects. One study found that 50 milligrams of Reishi powder had comparable effects to 5 milligrams of hydrocortisone.
Liver Protector
Ganoderma Lucidum is commonly used for its hepatoprotective (liver protective) action. One study of patients with hepatitis B and elevated liver enzymes (SGOT/SGPT) and bilirubin were given Reishi for three months. Significant reduction in SGOT and SGPT were noticed within one month. After three months all values were within normal range.
Oxygenation
One of the unique uses of Ganoderma Lucidum is for altitude sickness. Reishi appears to reduce altitude sickness by oxygenating the blood. This benefit was studied in Asian mountain climbers that ascended mountains as high as 17,000 feet with minimal reaction.
Antioxidants
Ganoderma lucidum is a potent source of antioxidants. The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine says it contains one of the highest concentrations of antioxidants in any food. Polysaccharide, polysaccharide-peptide complex, and phenolic components of Ganoderma lucidum have all been proposed to be responsible for their antioxidant strength. However, research has shown that the Ganoderma lucidum peptide (GLP) is the major antioxidant component of the mushroom
Anti-allergy activity
While the ganoderma, or reishi mushroom has been shown to increase natural killer (NK) cells and interferon production, there are other parts of the fruiting body that may modulate the immune system so that it doesn’t attack harmless substances and healthy tissue.
Anti-inflammatory
This is important because total body inflammation is beginning to be recognized as a contributing factor to many different diseases such as coronary artery disease, cancer, and irritable bowel disease.
