REISHI 500mg

REISHI 500mg

Reishi is a large, dark brownish-red medicinal mushroom with a glossy surface and woody texture that grows on decaying wood in warmer regions such as Asia, South America, the South Pacific and the southeastern United States. It is usually pronounced "ray-shee," and is known as lingzhi in China. Reishi is said to have an earthy taste with bitter notes (from triterpenes), but supplements mask the bitterness with sweet flavors.

Benefits of using

• so-called immortality mushroom 
• has a calming and relaxing effect
• Ideal for stressed people, helps to fall asleep 
• Supports the immune system 
• Preventive effect on the cardiovascular system 
• alleviates symptoms of allergies, has antiviral and antibacterial effects 
• effective against free radicals, antioxidant effect

There are more than 2,000 species of reishi, but the type most commonly used for therapeutic purposes is Ganoderma lucidum, the red reishi variety. Other colors include:

• black reishi (Amauroderma reugosum) 
• purple reishi (Ganoderma sinense) 
• yellow reishi (Laetiporus sulphureus) 
• blue reishi (Tramates versicolor, also known as turkey tail) 
• white reishi (Laricifomes officinalis)

''Reishi is an adaptogen - a class of herbs and mushrooms that help the body overcome and adapt to physical, chemical and biological stress. Reishi mushrooms have their properties due to their adaptogenic nature. Adaptogens are herbs that help us cope with stress and stay resilient when stress is inevitably thrown our way," - says Dr. Sydney Baker, a naturopathic physician at Oasis Hormone Therapy and Wellness Center in San Diego. "In addition to supporting immunity to stress, consuming reishi can support a healthy immune system, reduce fatigue and even support sleep. Reishi also contains antioxidants, prebiotic fiber, vitamin D precursors and other enzymes that support overall health."

Researchers have linked the following health benefits to reishi mushrooms and supplements.

1. Mood elevator / antidepressant Reishi mushrooms elevate mood and act as an antidepressant. Studies show that Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GLP) are an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulator that can treat major depressive disorder.
2. Reishi can affect neurotransmitters and serotonin, lifting mood and alleviating depression. One study found that women suffering from fibromyalgia reported improved mood and life satisfaction after taking reishi.
3. Reishi can be a significant immune booster, and studies have shown that G. lucidum polysaccharides regulate immune function and promote antigen production, humoral immunity and cellular immunity.
4. The National Library of Medicine reports significant evidence that Ganoderma lucidum promotes immune-stimulating activities through cytokine production, proliferation of T and B lymphocytes, splenic mononuclear cells, NK cells and dendritic cells. Moreover, reishi polysaccharides suppress tumor cells and enhance immune responses in patients with advanced cancer.
5. Reishi can also be an anti-anxiety or anti-anxiety agent. Studies have shown that the effects of reishi are comparable to diazepam, also known as Valium. The mushroom has sedative properties that are useful in treating anxiety, and studies suggest that reishi extracts can be used to produce anti-anxiety drugs. In one study, reishi alleviated maternal separation anxiety and depressive behavior in mice by reducing inflammation in the periphery and brain.
6. Reishi may also help treat and prevent cancer. One study found that reishi extracts can enhance immune function and increase the activity of T lymphocytes, macrophages and NK cells. The study's authors noted a significant decrease in antigen levels in prostate cancer patients and speculated that reishi's antioxidant and radical-scavenging properties may help prevent cancer and shrink tumors.
   https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1081/FRI-120023480?scroll=top&needAccess=true&journalCode=lfri20
7. Another study found that reishi inhibits tumor invasiveness in breast and prostate cancer patients, while another showed that it has anti-tumor effects in patients with breast cancer, hepatoma and myeloid leukemia.
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14713328/
8. Still other studies have shown reishi's ability to prevent cancer and kill cancer cells in colon cancer and other types of cancer. Some suggest that reishi may be an effective alternative to conventional cancer treatment.
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20518254/
9. In addition to improving mood, reishi mushroom supplements can increase energy and reduce fatigue. One study showed that people suffering from neurasthenia - chronic fatigue syndrome - showed significant improvements in energy levels after taking reishi. It has also been shown to improve cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer patients.
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15857210/
   https://ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.1200/JCO.2010.32.8054?view=long&pmid=21245436&
10. The polysaccharides and triterpenoids in G. lucidum have antioxidant properties that protect cells from oxidative damage, scavenge free radicals, protect immune cells and reduce the risk of mutations. In addition, the antioxidant effects of reishi have been shown to protect the liver and kidneys from damage. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11789593/
11. Some studies suggest that reishi can effectively treat people with allergic rhinitis. It may have antihistamine effects, and has also been shown to relieve itching caused by mosquito bites.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21698671/
12. Antibiotic resistance is a major health care concern, and researchers have found that reishi can be an effective alternative to traditional antibiotics. The National Library of Medicine reports that injections of G. lucidum increased the survival rate of E. coli bacteria in mice from 30% to 80%. One study even found that G. lucidum was more effective than antibiotics against bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella.
13. In addition, reishi inhibits viral replication by interfering with the uptake of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, hepatitis B and HIV. G. lucidum has also been shown to reduce pain and promote healing in cases of chickenpox and herpes virus, and reduce recovery time in cases of genital herpes.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92757/
14. Ganoderma lucidum is a hepatoprotective agent, meaning that reishi can protect the liver from damage. Studies show that reishi exhibits protective properties, including by fighting free radicals and inhibiting the formation of MDA. Studies have shown that reishi polysaccharides can help improve liver cirrhosis and lower collagen content in the liver. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22659462/
15. Research suggests that Ganoderma lucidum has potential as a nootropic - a class of supplements that improve cognitive function - and may help improve cognitive patterns. Evidence suggests that reishi improves spatial learning and memory deficits and may be used in the fight against Alzheimer's disease.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32464001/
16. Oligosaccharides found in reishi have anticonvulsant properties, meaning they can potentially prevent seizures. Oligosaccharides also serve as neuroprotectors that can help prevent seizure damage.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24266379/

Reishi side effects are usually minor and include:

• dizziness 
• nausea 
• dry mouth 
• itching 
• rash