What Is Reishi Mushroom Good For?
A closer look behind the restorative benefits of the “Mushroom of Immortality”.
Reishi mushrooms have a fascinating, documented history of reported health benefits. Reishi is a natural antihistamine with anti-inflammatory properties. They’ve also been known to reduce high blood pressure. Others have even reported increases in immune health and overall mood regulation.
A staple of alternative medicine in some Eastern cultures, the beneficial reports of Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) date back as long as 2000 years. In Chinese, its name (“lingzhi”) translates directly to “Mushroom of Immortality”.
Let’s dive deeper into the science and history of this fascinating species — and learn how you can get the best, most bioavailable Reishi mushroom products delivered directly to your door.
What Are the Health Benefits of Consuming Reishi Mushrooms?
The Reishi mushroom is packed with antioxidant compounds and complex sugars known as beta-glucans. Studies have been able to isolate around 100 polysaccharides and 119 triterpene compounds present in Reishi.
Taken as a whole, these compounds have certain medicinal benefits such as the stimulation of the immune system, reduced blood pressure, and anti-allergy effects.
Evidence also suggests that Reishi assists with liver function in people with Hepatitis B, as well as reducing tiredness in people with cancer.
The most common Reishi benefits include:
Anti-inflammatory properties
Scientific studies on animals have shown that consuming Reishi mushrooms can have antihistamine and anti-inflammatory effects.
While these effects haven’t yet been replicated in human trials, the polysaccharides thought to have caused the effect have been proven to have an anti-inflammatory effect in other studies.
Stimulation of the immune system
The beta-glucans in Reishi have been shown to stimulate certain immune system cells and, in a smaller study, enhanced the immune response in advanced-stage cancer patients.
Blood pressure reduction
Laboratory studies have shown that consuming a Reishi mushroom supplement can cause a small reduction in blood pressure for patients with slightly elevated blood pressure levels, and a larger reduction in patients with severely high blood pressure.
General healing
Multiple studies have shown that consuming Ganoderma can speed up the healing process of a range of ulcers, such as cold sores, herpes, and even stomach ulcers, possibly due to stimulation of the immune system.
How Does Reishi Make You Feel?
Consumers of Reishi mushroom products have reported an increase in mood, a reduction in fatigue and depression, and greater reserves of energy. As with many health supplements, some reported side effects of consuming Ganoderma have occurred such as nausea, dizziness and dry mouth but have been very localized and small in number.
Reishi mushroom is widely regarded as being safe to consume. After all, it’s been consumed for over 2,000 years. As with most things in life, moderation is key.
Now that we’ve learned about the many reported positive benefits of Reishi mushroom, where can you get your own?
Where Can You Buy Reishi Mushroom Products?
Reishi does grow wild in the United States, though wild Reishi mushroom is rare and treasured (Foraged co-founder Andy found a beautiful trove of Reishi in Western NC last week!). The good news is that Reishi can also be cultivated on a range of substrates, such as organic oats.
So, where can you buy Reishi products? Foraged hosts a diverse community of small-business foragers, farmers, and artisans who offer the highest quality Reishi mushrooms and Reishi products available.
We’re proud of the fact that we’re able to connect thoughtful consumers with expert artisans who grow, harvest, and create mushroom products right here in the USA.
Popular mushroom product brands like Four Sigmatic and Mud\WTR offer no information on where their ingredients come from or details on their quality.
If you’re consuming something to support your health, wouldn’t you want to know what’s in it and where it came from?
At Foraged, we certainly do.
Because of our close relationships with the mushroom community and our own dedication to providing traceable and sustainable products, you can buy the highest quality Reishi products with complete confidence — and at a fraction of the price charged by the opaque big brands like Four Sigmatic. Check out the variety of Reishi mushroom powder, Ganoderma coffee, or Reishi mushroom tea right here on Foraged.
We’re committed to transparency and community. So when you sample the benefits of Reishi mushroom products through Foraged, you’ll know who grew them and where they were produced.
Support small businesses – shop for Reishi mushroom products on Foraged.
