When you hear ‘the king of the mushrooms’ name, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? It has to be something worthy of attention due to its amazing properties, or a mushroom that’s no less than a superfood.
However, Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) isn’t your typical meal ingredient with a delicious flavor that brings up fond memories of foraging for mushrooms in the woods. ‘Reishi’ is a common name for a group of Ganoderma species that have woody textures, branch-like stems, and grow on stumps or old tree trunks. They have a bitter taste and are mostly consumed as dietary supplements, tinctures, or powders that are added to foods and beverages.
The iconic Reishi have been granted ‘the mushroom of immortality’ title in traditional Chinese medicine for their remarkable therapeutic and restorative powers. Their immunostimulating, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties were recognized thousands of years ago. But how are Reishi mushrooms different from other natural immune boosters?
Reishi Mushrooms Can Ward off ‘Silent Killers’
Unlike many other foods and herbs that boost high levels of antioxidants and strengthen the immune system, Reishi mushrooms have proven anti-cancer properties. Often regarded as a biological response modifier, Ganoderma lucidum activates the human immune cells (lymphocyte) production. Different kinds of ganoderic acids that have been isolated from this fungus are cytotoxic to cancer cells, including those that are resistant to chemotherapeutic drugs.
The studies on using anti-cancer drugs with medicinal mushrooms as a supplementary treatment show an increase in the survival rate, along with improvements in the tumor-inhibitory effect and in the quality of life of cancer patients. While ganoderic acids are not toxic to normal human cells, they reverse the drug resistance in the tumor cells and increase the clinical efficacy of the treatment.
Reishi Mushrooms Help Manage High Blood Pressure
Reishi have been proven to strengthen the cardiovascular system, improve circulation, lower blood pressure, and promote heart health, thus warding off another oft-cited ‘silent killer’ – hypertension, and a range of other cardiovascular disorders.
Reishi Mushrooms Protect Against Infections and Viruses
As the active phytochemical components of Reishi mushrooms (triterpenes) possess antimicrobial and antiviral properties, they’ve been widely used for treating a variety of inflammatory diseases for over 2,000 years.
Triterpenes Help the Body Combat Stress, Fatigue and Depression
The calming and balancing effect of Reishi mushroom is another remarkable quality of triterpenes, making this fungus an effective natural antidepressant. It helps reduce fatigue and irritability, manage anxiety and insomnia, while improving mood, brain function, and metabolism.
Who Wants to Live Forever?
Reishi mushrooms may have been praised in Asian cultures for a range of medicinal effects and health benefits. However, the ‘royal’ or ‘sacred’ nickname of Ganoderma lucidum comes from the belief that this mushroom could prevent premature ageing and age-related diseases. Therefore, its consumption was mainly reserved for royalty and the privileged members of society who desired longevity and eternal youth.
Due to their high antioxidant value and immunological effects, Reishi mushrooms can help prevent and alleviate many health conditions or diseases, as well as improve health and longevity. In fact, Reishi Mushrooms are like natural pharmaceutical factories that produce over 400 active phytochemical components and unique enzymes. These strengthen the immune system, help detox the body, have hepatoprotective and renoprotective effects, and suppress the growth of various cancer cells. While Ganoderma lucidum isn’t exactly the elixir of immortality it was once thought to be, it has numerous health benefits to affirm its traditional ‘the king of the mushrooms’ status.
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