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Ganoderma lucidum or lingzhi are also known as Reishi mushrooms. Many medicinal mushrooms, including Reishi, naturally grow in humid regions of Asia and they have been used as long as recorded history for their many health benefits.
Reishi mushrooms look like the shape of a kidney because of this, they have traditionally been used to help support kidney health among other health conditions. The Reishi mushroom itself is a symbol of health and long life in traditional cultures and is known as the Mushroom of Immortality. Used for thousands of years as medicine, there are many potential benefits of taking a Reishi mushroom supplement.
It’s important to know that most people use Reishi as a medicinal mushroom because it is somewhat bitter to eat as food.
Table of Contents
Reishi Mushrooms Overview
Reishi mushrooms have numerous proven and traditional health benefits. These include:
- Stress and anxiety reduction
- Beneficial autoimmune conditions
- Thyroid benefits
- Immune benefits
- May reduce cancer risk
- Help balance blood sugar levels
- Improves energy
- Antioxidants
- Kidney health
- Heart health
- May help with mood overall
Let’s take a closer look at what the research says about the health claims of Reishi listed here.
Health Benefits of Reishi Mushrooms
Like other medicinal mushrooms, Reishi mushrooms have a long history of use for many health benefits. Reishi’s claim to fame these days is that it is used as an adaptogen for stress and is also often used for its calming properties as well as sleep benefits.
You will know this is true because any of the thousands of mushroom products on the market today are geared toward reishi’s overall calming effects if used long-term.
Adaptation to Stress
While more research needs to be done, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that Reishi mushrooms help the body adapt to stress by supporting healthy adrenal function. This is because Reishi is rich in antioxidants and increases cellular energy levels. By supporting a healthy stress response, people may also be able to sleep easier and relax better.
Immune Support
Reishi increases natural killer cells in the body, which is an important determinant of immune health.
Several other research studies show that Reishi mushrooms can help improve normal immune function. One study focused on the way that Reishi, along with herbs, was able to reduce symptoms of asthma.
Another study focused on the fact that reishi mushrooms are able to increase immune cells like CD3, CD4, CD8, and tumor necrosis factor as well in people with advanced colon cancer.
The Mushroom of Immortality also helps improve immune function in competitive athletes. By supporting healthy immunity, Reishi mushrooms also may help thyroid function.
Obviously, many questions remain about how Reishi’s immune benefits work, but so far, the result looks pretty helpful.
Reduces Fatigue
There is no magic bullet for people who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome, but Reishi may at least help.
There are several research studies that show how Reishi is able to improve energy and quality of life. This is true both in breast cancer patients and people who struggle with chronic fatigue. Both Reishi mushroom extracts and powders are helpful in reducing fatigue.
May Reduce Cancer Symptoms
Research supports that Reishi mushrooms may help people feel better and recover better when they have cancer. It goes without saying, however, that using Reishi as part of a cancer regimen should never replace standard care.
One study found that using reduced colon tumors when using 1.5 grams of Reishi mushrooms over a 12-month period.
In a review of 5 studies of Ganoderma lucidum, 4 found that patients using reishi had improved quality of life compared to those who didn’t use Reishi mushrooms when undergoing cancer treatment.
Kidney Health
Reishi mushrooms have long been used for protecting kidneys. Some research also suggests that Reishi mushroom reduce kidney injury due to kidney fibrosis. This powerful mushroom may also help protect the kidney from the damages of diabetes, although more research is needed.
Reishi Mushrooms are Calming
Not only is Reishi linked to improved life quality, but it may also help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, according to a study done in women undergoing breast cancer treatment. Using Reishi mushroom supplements also improves feelings of well-being in people who suffer from neurasthenia, or weakness of the nerves. In one clinical study, Reishi mushrooms reduced anxiety, reduced depression, and improved overall feelings of well being when receiving 1000 mg of Reishi mushroom supplements compared to a placebo.
Reishi Might Improve Cardiovascular Health
Like all other mushrooms, including chaga mushrooms and turkey tail mushrooms, Reishi mushrooms are nutritious and contain beta-glucan fibers that can bind harmful cholesterol in the gut. Reishi has the potential to help reduce cholesterol and other risk factors like high blood pressure too.
Using Reishi is just one of many lifestyle factors that can help keep you healthy, so remember to eat right and skip processed foods for the best heart health.
Rich in Antioxidants
Like other kinds of mushrooms, reishi contains lots of antioxidants that can help fight free radicals in the body. Early research shows that in diabetic mice, reishi mushrooms help to increase antioxidant enzymes in the body.
Other research shows that the antioxidants in reishi may help to protect the heart by reducing the damage of alcohol according to a rat study.
It is important to get a wide array of antioxidants in the diet from a healthy diet rich in vegetables, wild-caught fish, nuts, seeds, herbs, and spices to name a few.
Reduces Inflammation
Reishi mushrooms also reduce inflammation. Impressively, Reishi reduces the production of inflammatory compounds known as NF-kB. Because of this, Reishi mushroom supplements may help with conditions like Rheumatoid arthritis. Its anti-inflammatory properties may help reduce asthma, allergies, Alzheimer’s disease, and even inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease. While more research is needed to prove these benefits, Reishi mushroom supplements certainly won’t hurt.
Does Reishi Help Prevent or Treat Diabetes?
There are many protective substances in Reishi mushrooms, including polysaccharides and terpenoids that may help with blood glucose control. Numerous animal studies show that Reishi mushrooms help to lower blood glucose.
One human study also found that using reishi mushrooms helped to lower blood glucose levels in 71 adults with Type 2 diabetes. Some research also indicates that Reishi help protect pancreatic beta cells. However, not all research supports the use of Reishi for diabetes. Likely, just like anything, a holistic approach to helping manage diabetes that includes healthy foods like mushrooms is the best bet.
Precautions
Reishi mushrooms are very safe to eat. However, if you are allergic to Reishi mushrooms, or other mushrooms, it makes sense to avoid using Reishi supplements.
