4 Health Benefits of Reishi Mushrooms

Did you know there are 14,000+ species of mushrooms? This is a big number, but not all mushrooms are edible, of course — many are even toxic.

One of the more popular edible mushroom varieties is the reishi mushroom, also known as Ganoderma Lingzhi and “The Mushroom of Immortality”. This dark, large, bitter-tasting mushroom with a woody texture and shiny exterior has been revered for over 2,000 years in traditional Asian medicine for its numerous health benefits. 

Today, scientific research is shedding light on the incredible health benefits reishi mushrooms have to offer, validating their ancient reputation. 

In this article, we will explore some of the research conducted on reishi mushrooms and delve into how these mushrooms might help with your overall health and well-being.

Why Reishi Mushrooms Are Good for You

Reishi mushrooms can be consumed fresh, and they’re also available as a dietary supplement, nutritional powder, and tea-based medicinal mushroom.

Here are 4 reishi mushroom health benefits that science has revealed.  

1. Reishi Mushrooms Can Help Boost Your Immune System

In ancient China, reishi mushrooms were used as an immune system booster, and they’re still used today in many Asian cultures as an immunostimulant for cancer and HIV patients.

This is largely due to the presence of various compounds in reishi mushrooms that boost immune function.

For example, the mushroom contains polysaccharides, which are carbohydrate molecules that raise white blood cell formation and activity. Your bloodstream contains white blood cells that fight off bacteria, viruses, and other foreign invaders to keep your body healthy.

In one study, it was revealed that reishi mushrooms increased the number of white blood cells known as lymphocytes, and in another, it was found that reishi could boost the activity of natural killer cells, another type of white blood cell.

2. Reishi Mushrooms May Aid in Cancer Prevention or Treatment

Many reishi mushroom studies have revealed that its frequent consumption could help in the fight against a variety of cancers, including prostate, lung, breast, cervical, colorectal, and more.

One study demonstrated that the mushroom inhibited the spread of breast and prostate cancer cells, and another involving more than 4,000 breast cancer survivors revealed that nearly 59% of them took reishi. Reishi may also lessen nausea brought on by chemotherapy and improve the effectiveness of radiation therapy, according to research.

These mushrooms may be successful in the battle against cancer for a variety of reasons. The mushrooms, as I explained earlier, increase natural killer cells, which attack abnormal cells, including cancerous cells.

Additionally, beta-glucans (complex sugars) and triterpenes (essential oils) found in reishi mushrooms may stop or limit the growth of cancer tumors, according to researchers.

Due to medicinal mushrooms like reishi’s ability to combat cancer, China and Japan have permitted their use as a supplement to conventional cancer treatments for more than 30 years.

3. Reishi Mushrooms Can Help You Deal With Stress, Fatigue, and Depression

Stress and mental health issues have become increasingly prevalent in today’s fast-paced world. 

Reishi mushrooms are categorized as adaptogens, which are roots, herbs, and plants that provide a natural remedy for helping your body control stress hormones, foster a sense of calm, and support overall mental health.

In a study involving 132 patients with neurasthenia, a medical condition marked by irritability, fatigue, headaches, and aches, it was discovered that daily reishi supplement use improved the patients’ symptoms – including making them feel less tired and more relaxed – by the end of the eight-week study.

Reishi nutritional powder was found in another trial to improve the quality of life in 48 breast cancer patients after four weeks by reducing exhaustion, anxiety, and depression.  

4. Reishi Mushrooms Can Improve Liver Function

The liver is a vital organ responsible for detoxification and metabolic processes in your body.

According to research, reishi mushrooms possess hepatoprotective properties, which prevent damage to the liver and support liver function.

The triterpenes in reishi mushrooms, for example, may promote the regeneration of liver cells and accelerate the release of free radicals, which are unstable chemicals that have been linked to various chronic health issues, including liver and cancer disease.

So, consider trying reishi mushrooms if you want your liver to effectively continue producing bile, which is needed for digestion, and expelling toxins from your body.

Many more studies are being done on reishi mushrooms, and they may conclusively confirm additional health benefits that are still being investigated, including:

• Ability to boost HDL (good) cholesterol and lower blood sugar, reducing your heart disease and diabetes risk. 
• Potential to shield your body from cell damage, which elevates the risk of developing many chronic illnesses and premature aging. Studies show mushrooms are a good source of antioxidants that help prevent cell damage.
• Ability to improve brain health. According to animal studies, reishi mushrooms may treat neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and can prevent brain seizures.
• Properties that reduce inflammation. Chronic inflammation has been associated with an array of diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and several cancers. Reishi mushrooms are a viable natural treatment for inflammatory illnesses since research has revealed that they have strong anti-inflammatory effects.

What Are the Dangers of Consuming Reishi Mushrooms?

For the most part, it’s safe for the majority of people to take reishi mushrooms, which have been utilized for centuries as medicinal mushrooms.

Consumption of these mushrooms might, however, result in certain negative side effects, such as dryness in the mouth, throat, and nasal passages, headaches, stomach pain, lightheadedness, bloody stools, insomnia, and itching.

Therefore, while reishi mushrooms offer good health benefits, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional before incorporating them into your diet or using them as a treatment for specific health conditions.

Consulting a doctor is especially important if you’re pregnant, nursing, about to undergo surgery, have low/high blood pressure, or a blood disorder. They can help you determine if reishi mushrooms are right for you and recommend a safe dosage.

Choose a Trusted Source to Grow Reishi Mushrooms

If you’re looking for a way to incorporate fresh reishi mushrooms into your regular diet, you can purchase reishi spores online from PNW Spore.

We are the top online retailer of spore syringes in North America, offering a huge selection of premium gourmet and medicinal mushroom spore syringes – including reishi, shiitake, oysters, morel, and more – that you can easily grow at home.

Visit our website’s Gourmet/Medicinal Mushroom section, choose your favorite, and we’ll deliver it to your door. Enjoy superior service and free standard shipping on purchases over $100 when you order your reishi spore syringes today!