The Red Reishi Mushroom

RED REISHI MUSHROOM

Although most people in the western hemisphere are currently hearing about it, medicinal mushrooms have been used for medical purposes for thousands of years in eastern world cultures. There are over 150 different medicinal mushrooms, but only a handful have been researched to date, thus only a few are currently used as natural health remedies. As you already know, at Mother Earth Mushrooms we are all about the wellness lifestyle. Our blog is where we share information, resources and the latest research about medicinal  mushrooms.

Today we will discuss Red Reishi, which is one of the most recognized medicinal mushrooms, perhaps because the list of its potential benefits is vast. The Red Reishi mushroom is said to have over 400 different isolate compounds, some of which offer support for dealing with stress, anxiety, sleep, antibacterial, antiviral, immune health. The botanical name for Red Reishi is “Ganoderma Lucidum/Lingzhi.” When doing your research, make sure to reference its botanical name. You will be surprised by the amount of information you’ll come across. 

In my research for this blog post, I focused on a few of the more recognized benefits of Red Reishi: immune system support and sleep/relaxation aid. Research indicates that Reishi can help regulate the immune system while stimulating a part of your immune system referred to as “Autophagy.” Autophagy (also known as self-healing) is a natural detox process your body undergoes, which functions to clean out damaged cells and help to regenerate new cells. Reishi supports this process by supporting the mitochondria, protecting the integrity of your cells and assisting in the process of elimination. Reishi can help to increase a declining immune system. Hence, Reishi is often taken during the cold and flu season to help build a strong immune system. Did anyone else have Biology 101 flashback when reading the word mitochondria?

In any case, it is important to note that while Reishi positively increases white blood cells, this is the action individuals that have an overactive immune system (autoimmune diseases) must be aware of (if overused). Due to the potent effect on the immune system, Reishi is most often consumed for its anti-cancer properties, (early research is around prostate cancer and colorectal cancer).

As the research on Reishi continues, more benefits of this medicinal mushroom are emerging. When Reishi is consumed daily in small doses, it may help to support the body’s sleep cycle (circadian rhythms) as it is said to provide a chill-out calming effect. One small study showed that drinking or taking Reishi mushroom supplements helped reduce the symptoms associated with fatigue, stress, anxiety and depression. 

When purchasing Reishi, ideally look for products that are certified organic such as out Mother Earth Mushroom Red Reishi Full Spectrum Tincture which can be taken daily to help with lack of sleep, anxiety and stress. It can also help to support the immune system.