Reishi is one of the top ‘tonic’ medicinal mushrooms used to support long-term, sustained health, longevity and renewed vitality. As a “tonic herb” it is a powerful contributor to overall health and vitality and should not just be prescribed for an illness, rather it should be incorporated into your daily diet to reap its various benefits. Reishi has been revered in Asia for over two thousand years as an ‘elixir of immortality’ due to its many health benefits and has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years for its cognitive and immune-boosting properties.
As an adaptogenic mushroom, it helps the body manage the negative effects of stress. It supports hormonal and other stressors in the body and may restore these imbalances to their natural, healthy state of optimal functioning. Reishi mushroom also has over 400 nutritional compounds that are beneficial for our health. This includes antioxidants that transform cell-damaging free radicals, beta-glucans which lowers our “bad” LDL cholesterol levels and have the unique ability to strengthen the body’s immune system and response, by improving the functioning of our white blood cells and increasing our pathogen-fighting white-blood-cell count.
DISCLAIMER
• Always check with your healthcare practitioner before using medicinal foods/superfoods such as mucuna during pregnancy or with prescribed medication
Reishi is a restorative adaptogen which fine-tunes the body’s functional systems to work in harmony with each other.
Broad-spectrum nutrition: Mushrooms are a source of low carbohydrate food and are especially helpful for managing energy levels as they offer valuable nutrients to the body, including protein, enzymes, B vitamins (especially niacin), and vitamin D2. Apart from being a low-calorie ‘energy boosting’ food source, reishi offers broad-spectrum nutrition as it contains over 400 nutritional compounds.
Boosts the immune system: Reishi contains long-chain polysaccharides, particularly alpha and beta-glucan molecules which have a modulating effect on our immune system. This means reishi has the ability to promote the production of immune cells to prevent diseases. It is also an effective anti-fungal and anti-bacterial that easily breaks down notoriously impermeable biofilms of candida.
Weight-loss, gut health & anti-inflammatory: Reishi contains hundreds of biologically active molecules that promote gut health by nurturing the good but bacteria in the gut microbiome. One of these compounds is Ganoderma lucidum Peptide, which is responsible for its potent antioxidant capacity and for transforming cell-damaging free radicals. It also contains polysaccharides and triterpenes that combats inflammation. Triterpenes also protect the body against viruses, fungal and microbial infections, and have been shown to improve the digestive system for more effective weight loss. Triterpenes enhance the lining of the digestive system to improve nutrient absorption and help reduce bad bacteria whilst encouraging the growth of good bacteria. All of this results in better digestion, which leads to better energy conversion and nutrient absorption of food. Since these active compounds also nourish good gut bacteria, it improves overall gut health and therefore strengthens your immune system and encourages a healthy weight.
Reishi mushroom has an earthy, slightly bitter or umami flavour. By adding reishi mushroom powder to any dish will not only add flavour to it but also enhance its nutrient density and health benefits. You can add reishi to raw dishes as well as cooked. To sweet dishes or savoury dishes. It is quite versatile.
Reishi works best blended into hot drinks or liquids. Try adding it to soups, lattes, coffee, smoothies and baked goods.
Reishi has been proven to:
RESEARCH:
http://https//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21887458
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29199568
https://www.greenmedinfo.com/substance/reishi-mushroom