Reishi Mushroom

In China, reishi mushroom is considered one of the best herbs to increase longevity. This adaptogenic mushroom has been shown to:

• calm the nervous system
• regulate blood pressure, cholesterol and other blood lipids
• strengthen the lungs, heart, liver, immune and endocrine systems
• reduce allergies, asthma and bronchitis
• effectively treat many forms of cancer, as well as chronic fatigue
  syndrome, fibromyalgia, insomnia and anxiety

How Does it Work?

Reishi mushroom is an adaptogen that brings a person back into balance: An "adaptogen" will help a person adapt to a large range of environmental, biological, psychological and physical stresses, which this herb has certainly been proven to do. Reishi contains two major groups of consituents:

• Polysaccharides (gandelan A and B, and several glucans). Polysaccharides appear to work mostly on the immune system.
• Triterpenes (ganoderic acids, ganodermadiol, ergosterol). Triterpenes have hormone-like qualities that work on the blood lipids, allergies, and endocrine and nervous systems.

What Evidence Supports its Use?

For the nervous system, reishi has been shown to reduce insomnia, anxiety,depression and paranoia. For respiratory problems, it demonstrated a 60 percent recovery rate in allergy-related chronic bronchitis, with improvement in 97.9 percent of cases. Other studies show benefit for 87.5 percent of bronchial asthmatics with a cure rate of 48 percent. For sinus problems, the cure rate is more than 50 percent with about 80 percent effectiveness.

Reishi protects the body from the effects of accumulated fatty acid and cholesterol, showing significant results in lowering blood lipids and fatty deposits in the liver. In studies on cholesterol and triglyceride levels, it significantly dropped their levels after two months. The extract has lowered blood pressure while increasing urine volume. Another study found that 70 percent of patients improved in blood pressure (especially diastolic) after removal of medication and use of reishi.

Reishi has also been shown to inhibit excessive platelet accumulation and reinforce the outer membrane of the red corpuscles, stopping blood clots. In China, it was effective in 80 percent of myocardial infarction and angina cases while being curative in 25 percent. This fungi has antibacterial effects on Bacillus pneumonia, staphylococci and streptococci bacteria. It can be used as an antidote in some mushroom poisonings.

Japanese studies confirm reishi can arrest metastatic cancer in laboratory mice. The Japanese Cancer Society found reishi effective against sarcomas. The active ingredients responsible for this are the polysaccharides gandelan A and B. In the digestive tract, reishi has an 80 percent cure rate for ulcers. For chronic hepatitis, it proved a 10 percent cure rate in two months, with 40 percent reduction of symptoms.

How Should I Take It?

Reishi usually comes in capsule form. It is best to use a concentrated extract, usually 15:1. I suggest a person take 200 to 300 mg of this extract (equivalent to three to 4.5 grams of herb) twice daily. Reishi almost always works better in combination with other herbs or supplements. These can often be found in the same capsule, or can be taken with other supplements(equivalent to three to 4.5 grams of herb) at the same time.

Caveats

This herb has been shown to be completely safe, even well above dosage range. It can be consumed with pharmaceuticals.

The Bottom Line

This medicinal mushroom is proven to be one of our best adaptogens, treating a wide spectrum of health issues while helping us remain calm.