REISHI: Ganoderma lucidum
Ganoderma lucidum in Latin, or Lingzhi to the Chinese, reishi mushrooms represents spiritual potency and the essence of immorality. Ling zhi translates to mushrooms of immortality, and in Japan, known as mannentake, which translates to the 10,000 year mushroom. Reishi is traditionally associated with royalty, health, longevity, sexual prowess, wisdom, and happiness. Sounds good to me.
Ganos- brightness
Derma- skin, shining skin
Lucidem- shining
This woody mushrooms with a glossy exterior is shaped like a fan, with mandala like rings akin to tree rings emanating from the center. Reishi mushroom is incredibly bitter, although edible.
The reishi mushroom is a polypore fungus, and grows on the base and stumps of deciduous trees, especially hemlock and maple. However, it may be cultivated on hardwood logs, sawdust, or woodchips. There are six different types of Ganoderma lucidum; red, purple, green, white, yellow, and black. All are heralded with health and chi benefits within Chinese medicine, however the red mushroom is most commonly used and is the most well studied, thought to be most medicinally beneficial.
Why we love reishi:
- Known as the king or queen of mushrooms, reishi has been used to support health and wellbeing in China and Japan for thousands of years; due to its rarity in nature, it was considered for royalty only.
- Regarded as the herb of spiritual potency, symbolizing success, well-being, divine power, and longevity.
- The perfect companion to immunity elixirs and for an evening chill out.
Our reishi is dual extracted in in rice alcohol and hot water extract. It is an 8:1 ratio, meaning it takes 8 kilos of dried reishi chunks to make 1 kilo of the reishi powder in our blend. The dual extraction process means it can be ingested hot or cold, without removing any medicinal benefits of the fungi.
We’ve provided a summary of our research below. As always, we encourage you to dive into the mycelial web of wisdom and decide for yourself. We also encourage you to speak with your doctor or natural health practitioner if you have any concerns about whether taking reishi is right for you.
Health Benefits of Reishi
Chinese texts have recorded medicinal uses of lingzhi for more than 2000 years.
Today, it’s most common uses include the following:
- Calming the central nervous system and helping the body react to stress
- A rich source of antioxidants
- Boosting immunity
The chamomile tea of mushrooms, this anti-inflammatory, immunity-boosting fungi will help you relax at the end of the day. Reishi is also used throughout the day to keep your nervous system nice and calm- helping you chill out and respond to life with ease. Reishi is a herbal medicine and an adaptogen, helping your body optimise its functioning where extra attention is needed.
Reshi contains protein, fat, carbohydrate, and fibre, as well as potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, manganese, and zinc. Reishi contains chemicals that seem to have a variety of potentially beneficial effects on human health, including its ability to kill cancer cells, and it’s boosting effects on the immune system. Reishi also contains antioxidants, polysaccharides, and beta-glucans, all playing important role in the immune system and in fighting off tumorous cells.
Most studies with reishi have been conducted in vitro, as well as animal studies. However, studies have been conducted with human subjects using both reishi, as well as specific compounds found in reishi.
In a study of 132 patients with physical and mental exhaustion caused by neurasthenia, consumption of a compound found in reishi mushrooms was shown to reduce pain, aches, and alleviate feelings of irritability.
Two randomized, controlled trials have been conducted with cancer patients using reishi. In both of these studies, cellular immunity in 80% and 65% of patients, respectively, was significantly enhanced. Evidence from smaller studies are showing promising results using reishi to shrink tumors in cancer patients, with the connection being made to beta glucans and triterpenes in the mushroom.
Please find number of scientific studies on the benefits of Reishi at the bottom of this post.
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. We encourage you to do your own research to see if Reishi is right for you.
Consult a physician if you are pregnant or nursing, have or had a medical condition, or are taking prescription medicine.
Scientific studies:
- From 2000 years of Ganoderma Lucidum to recent developments in nutraceuticals – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25794896
- Ganoderma lucidum Chapter 9 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92757/
- Ganoderma lucidum (“Lingzhi”), a Chinese medicinal mushroom: biomarker responses in a controlled human supplementation study – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14756912
- Comparison of Triterpene and Polysaccharide Contents of 11 Commercial Lingzhi (G. lucidum) Products currently available on the Market – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92757/table/ch9-t1/?report=objectonly#
- Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide peptide reduced the production of proinflammatory cytokines in activated rheumatoid synovial fibroblast. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17219061
- Ganoderma lucidum suppresses growth of breast cancer cells through the inhibition of Akt/NF-kappaB signaling. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15489214
- Ganoderma lucidum inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells PC-3. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15067330
- Ganoderma lucidum suppresses motility of highly invasive breast and prostate cancer cells. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12408995