ABOUT MUSHROOMS
Essential Nutrition to Protect Yourself from Coronavirus
ABOUT REISHI MUSHROOM
MEDICAL USE
BENEFITS
HOW TO USE IT?
SIDE EFFECTS & SAFETY
INTERACTIONS
ABOUT REISHI MUSHROOM
Reishi: The Mushroom of Immortality
Species name: Ganoderma lingzhi
Reishi mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum) have been a part of some traditional medicine practices for more than 2,000 years.
According to one review article, reishi mushrooms contain polysaccharides, peptides, and triterpenoids, which may provide some of their health benefits. They also contain dietary fiber and various minerals, vitamins, and amino acids.
People grind them into powder or use extracts to make supplements and other products. While their use is widespread, the evidence supporting any benefits is still lacking.
Reishi mushroom is a fungus. Some people describe it as "tough" and "woody" with a bitter taste. The above-ground part and portions of the below-ground parts are used as medicine.
Reishi mushroom is used for cancer, boosting the immune system to prevent or treat infections, and for many other reasons, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
How does it work?
Reishi mushroom contains chemicals that seem to have activity against tumors (cancer) and beneficial effects on the immune system.
Other names
Basidiomycetes Mushroom, Champignon Basidiomycète, Champignon d’Immortalité, Champignon Reishi, Champignons Reishi, Ganoderma, Ganoderma lucidum, Hongo Reishi, Ling Chih, Ling Zhi, Mannentake, Mushroom, Mushroom of Immortality, Mushroom of Spiritual Potency, Red Reishi, Reishi, Reishi Antler Mushroom, Reishi Rouge, Rei-Shi, Spirit Plant.
Location
Grows on hardwood (especially oaks) in warmer regions, such as Asia, the south Pacific, southern Europe and the Southeastern United States. Ganoderma tsugae – Found in the Northeastern United States, the species name “tsugae” means “hemlock tree” which tells you where you should begin looking for this species.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of reishi mushroom depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for reishi mushroom. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
MEDICAL USE
Reishi or Ganoderma lingzhi, has been recorded for its use for around 2000 years. Most notably used in China by Taoist monks to promote calmness, as well as enhance their meditative practices. It has even been used by Chinese royalty who sought longevity and held Reishi or “the mushroom of immortality” in high esteem. Reishi was listed the most cherished among the superior herbs, that are considered to prolong life, prevent aging, boost qi, and make the body light
Uses & Effectiveness?
Possibly Ineffective for High levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood (hyperlipidemia). Reishi mushroom does not seem to lower cholesterol in people with diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.
Insufficient Evidence for Alzheimer disease. Early research shows that taking reishi mushroom powder does not improve memory or quality of life in people with Alzheimer disease.
Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH). Men with enlarged prostates often have urinary symptoms. Taking reishi mushroom extract can improve some urinary symptoms such as the need to urinate often or immediately. But other symptoms such as urine flow rate don't seem to improve.
Tiredness in people with cancer. Early research shows that taking reishi mushroom powder reduces tiredness in people with breast cancer.
Noncancerous growth in the large intestine and rectum (colorectal adenoma). Early research shows that taking reishi mushroom extract can reduce the number and size of these tumors.
Heart disease. Early research shows that taking reishi mushroom extract (Ganopoly) reduces chest pain and shortness of breath in people with heart disease.
Diabetes. Most research shows that taking reishi mushroom extract doesn't improve blood sugar control in people with diabetes. But most of these studies were small, and some conflicting results exist.
Genital herpes. Early research shows that taking a mixture of reishi mushroom and other ingredients helps reduces the time needed for herpes outbreaks to heal.
Swelling (inflammation) of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (hepatitis B). Early research shows that taking reishi mushroom (Ganopoly) reduces how much of the hepatitis B virus is in the body. This product also seems to improve liver function in people with this condition.
Cold sores (herpes labialis). Early research shows that taking a mixture of reishi mushroom and other ingredients reduces the time needed for cold sores to heal.
High blood pressure. Taking reishi mushroom doesn't seem to lower blood pressure in people with only slightly high blood pressure. But it seems to lower blood pressure in people with more severe high blood pressure.
Lung cancer. Early research shows that taking reishi mushroom does not shrink lung tumors. but it seems to improve immune function and quality of life in people with lung cancer.
Nerve pain caused by shingles (postherpetic neuralgia). Some people report that hot water extracts of reishi mushroom decrease pain when conventional treatment does not work.
A sexually transmitted infection that can lead to genital warts or cancer (human papilloma virus or HPV).
Aging.
Altitude sickness.
Asthma.
Swelling (inflammation) of the main airways in the lungs (bronchitis).
Cancer.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
Long-term kidney disease (chronic kidney disease or CKD).
Fatigue.
Heart disease.
HIV/AIDS.
Influenza.
Insomnia.
Poisoning.
Prostate cancer.
Shingles (herpes zoster).
Stomach ulcers.
Stress.
Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of reishi mushroom for these uses.
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BENEFITS
Benefits of Reishi mushrooms
Reishi mushrooms are best-known for their purported effects in boosting the immune system and helping fight off cancer. However, studies do not support the alleged benefits of reishi mushrooms.
The Susan G. Komen foundation, a cancer charity, has found insufficient or no evidence that reishi mushrooms are effective in:
reducing symptoms of an enlarged prostate
treating memory loss due to Alzheimer’s disease
reducing noncancerous tumors in the rectum or colon
treating clogged arteries
alleviating stress
reducing fatigue from cancer
treating poisoning
improving blood sugar levels in those with diabetes
getting rid of stomach ulcers
healing cold sores and genital herpes
reducing human papillomavirus in the mouth
treating lung cancer
reducing fatigue
treating altitude sickness
treating hepatitis B
alleviating asthma and bronchitis symptoms
curing liver disease
alleviating pain from shingles
treating kidney disorders
boosting the immune system
treating viral infections
curing HIV
treating chronic fatigue syndrome
treating prostate cancer
helping people sleep
HOW TO USE IT?
Dosing
Real Mushrooms ensures that their reishi products are made from the mushroom (fruiting body) and contain higher levels of the medicinal compound beta-d-glucans, triterpenes and NO grain fillers, unlike other so-called ‘mushroom’ products on the US market. One way to identify the purity of our reishi product is the dark colour and bitter taste. It is recommended to take two capsules a day, over a prolonged period of time to notice the health benefits of this incredible mushroom.
SIDE EFFECTS & SAFETY
Side Effects & Safety
When taken by mouth: Reishi mushroom extract is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken appropriately for up to one year. But the powdered form of reishi mushroom is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken for more than one month. Use of powdered reishi mushroom has been associated with toxic effects on the liver.
Reishi mushroom can also cause other side effects including dryness of the mouth, throat, and nose, as well as itchiness and rash, stomach upset and diarrhea, dizziness and headache, nosebleed, and bloody stools. Drinking reishi wine can cause a rash. Breathing in reishi spores can trigger allergies.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn’t enough reliable information to know if reishi mushroom is safe to use when pregnant or breast feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Bleeding disorders: High doses of reishi mushroom might increase the risk of bleeding in some people with certain bleeding disorders.
Low blood pressure: Reishi mushroom might lower blood pressure. There is a concern that it might make low blood pressure worse. If your blood pressure is too low, it is best to avoid reishi mushroom.
A clotting disorder called thrombocytopenia: High doses of reishi mushroom might increase the risk of bleeding in people with thrombocytopenia. If you have this condition, do not use reishi mushroom.
Surgery: High doses of reishi mushroom might increase the risk of bleeding in some people if used before or during surgery. Stop using reishi mushroom at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
INTERACTIONS
Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with REISHI MUSHROOM
Reishi mushroom might decrease blood pressure. Taking reishi mushroom along with medications for high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low.
Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), Amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL), furosemide (Lasix), and many others.
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with REISHI MUSHROOM
High doses of reishi mushroom might slow blood clotting. Taking reishi mushroom along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.
Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.