Reishi Mushroom
By Essential Nutrition
Immune System Booster
In today’s world, there is a tremendous desire to keep the energy and vitality of our younger days as we mature. And, many people are blessed with even longer life spans than their predecessors. This increased longevity is due in part to a greater emphasis on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and the availability of nutritional supplements and alternative healing methods.
Today’s health-conscious consumers are discovering the benefits of the ancient Asian herbs. Two such powerful health-enhancing herbs are the Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) and Coriolus mushrooms. Asian herbal practitioners have used these medicinal mushrooms for thousands of years to boost the body’s immune system and improve overall health.
And, after 4000 years of use and observation, Oriental Medicine suggests that good health can be obtained by maintaining the proper balance through nutrition (including medicinal herbs), exercise, and mental peace. If disease is present, then the body is out of balance in one or more of these areas and the necessary steps must be taken to restore the harmony.
In ancient times, the Reishi mushroom (also known in China as Ling-Zhi) was very rare and the most highly rated herb due to its multiple health benefits and lack of side effects. Today, wild Reishi is extremely rare. Within the last 35 years, the cultivation of high-potency Reishi in large quantities has been possible due to modern bio-engineering technology; making it an affordable option for the health-conscious consumer.
The Coriolus (Yun-Zhi) mushroom (commonly known as “turkey tail” in North America) is one of the least known outside of Asia. During the Ming dynasty, the herbal practitioners believed that the Coriolus mushroom helped to improve one’s spirit energy, strengthen bones, and help one live a longer life. Coriolus mushrooms are high in polysaccharides.
Health Benefits
Recent studies have shown Reishi to be helpful for heart and circulatory health. Reishi contains concentrations of polysaccharides and triterpenoids which enhance the functioning of the immune system. The polysaccharides stimulate the immune system by activating the body’s immune cells and increase the number of antibodies needed to destroy unwanted foreign cells (bacteria, viruses, etc.). Polysaccharides also help to improve the overall health of the body by removing toxins, improving the body’s natural healing ability, and strengthening the body’s resistance to disease. Triterpenoids help to improve blood pressure and increase blood lipids. Triterpenoids have a harmonizing effect on the circulatory system and the immune system.
The oriental medicine philosophy states that it is better to take preventive measures to maintain a high quality of health than to seek a solution after disease or illness strike. With the consuming of diets high in fats, sugars, salt, cholesterol, and chemical additives, with environmental pollution, and modern lifestyle stress is it any wonder that many of our population suffer from chronic disease? In the oldest Chinese medical journals, Reishi was recommended for preventing ill health rather than as a cure.
Coriolus appears to provide significant benefits for the immune system.
Scientific Studies
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study conducted at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, researchers investigated the in vitro antioxidant capacity of Reishi (ganoderma lucidum), the absorption and distribution of Reishi antioxidants, and the short-term effects of supplementation on biomarkers of antioxidant status, coronary heart disease (CHD) risk and DNA damage. The blood and urine samples of ten healthy subjects were taken prior to taking 1.1 grams of Reishi (fasting). Samples were again taken at 45, 90, 135, and 180 minutes after ingestion. Subjects took 720 mg per day for ten days, with additional fasting samples of blood and urine taken. Researchers noted that total antioxidant capacity increased significantly, with a peak response at 90 minutes after indigestion. The average peak increase in urine antioxidant capacity occurred within three hours of ingestion. Researchers concluded that Reishi caused an acute increase in plasma antioxidant capacity, without negative side effects. This may have possible benefits for improving antioxidant status and reducing CHD risk.
In a study conducted during the 1970, 2000 Chinese with chronic bronchitis were given Reishi for two weeks. At the end of the study, 60 to 90% reported they felt better and their appetite improved.
In a clinical study conducted at a university hospital in Tokyo, 53 hypertensive patients were given Reishi for six months. Twenty-four of the patients had a blood pressure drop of 10-19 mm Hg and 5 had a drop of 20-29 mm Hg (both systolic and diastolic readings).
In a case study conducted by Dr. Jean Monro at Breakspear Hospital (United Kingdom), fifteen patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) were given Coriolus supplement for 45 days. Patients were given 3 grams for fifteen days and then 1.5 grams for the next thirty days. Dr. Monro monitored the Natural Killer Cell (NK) activity levels during the study. After 45 days, Dr. Monro concluded that Coriolus significantly increased NK cell activity in CFS patients. An increase in NK cell activity appears to be helpful for boosting the immune system.