Benefits of Reishi

Red reishi is primarily composed of polysaccharides, triterpenoids, proteins, and amino acids. Researchers have identified that the water-soluble polysaccharides have anti-tumour, immune modulating, and blood pressure lowering effects.

Another group of major active ingredients found in red reishi are triterpenes, and particularly, ganoderic acids. Preliminary studies indicate that ganoderic acids help alleviate common allergies by inhibiting histamine release. They also enhance oxygen utilization and improve liver function. Triterpenes are bitter in taste and, to some degree, the level of the triterpene content contained in a product can be determined by the bitterness.

Reishi mushrooms are one of the unique herbs noted as an adaptogen. Adaptogens are substances that help the body adapt to stressors. They restore balance to the body by activating or calming the physical, chemical, or biological processes that have been disrupted. They are non-toxic and generally safe for most of the population, even for long-term use.

Regular consumption of red reishi can enhance our body’s immune system and improve blood circulation, thus improving general health. Generally, reishi is recommended as an adaptogen, immune modulator, and a general tonic. Red reishi is also used to help treat anxiety, high blood pressure, hepatitis, bronchitis, insomnia, and asthma. 

Reishi mushrooms have been used medicinally for thousands of years, dating at least as far back as the Chinese Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Widely used in Asian cultures, reishi mushrooms are now becoming more well known in the West. But it’s not just alternative medicine practitioners who see their benefits. Studies have demonstrated that reishi mushrooms can help treat a wide variety of health conditions.

Red reishi has been shown to enhance immune function, prevent cancer cell growth, fight infection, reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and improve liver health and kidney function. In addition to being safe to consume without side effects, several studies have reported that the use of reishi mushrooms may promote anti-aging and help prevent cancer.

Because red reishi is an adaptogenic, helping to bring the body back into a state of balance, technically called homeostasis, it is used to treat and prevent a wide range of health issues.