The universe of“medicinal mushrooms” is vast and fascinating, and one of the most extraordinary elements emerging from this rich biodiversity is the
Reishi
, also known as Ganoderma lucidum .
The Reishi is a mushroom that has been revered for centuries in various Eastern medicine traditions for its health and wellness benefits.
In this article we will explore the world of Reishi in depth, examining its fascinating history, unique composition, and potential positive impacts on human health. From ancient Chinese healing practices to modern approaches to integrative medicine, Reishi continues to attract attention for its reputation as the “
mushroom of immortality
” and its alleged ability to support a wide range of bodily functions.
Let’s find out together.
Reishi Ganoderma: properties and benefits
Table of Contents
Reishi mushroom, what is it? Where does it come from?
The Reishi mushroom (
Ganoderma Lucidum
) is a parasitic fungus that prefers oak or chestnut wood and has been known and used for thousands of years in China for its beneficial properties, especially the adaptogenic (i.e., it can help the body cope with stress and boost the immune system).
In China it is called “Ling Zhi” while in Japan it is called “Reishi,” a name also commonly used in Europe.
The etymology of the scientific name “Ganoderma Lucidum” comes from its appearance, in fact:
- Ganoderma means lumimnosity/splendor
- Lucidum means shiny/brilliant
The earliest written references about the mushroom date back to the Shennong Materia medica, 100 B.C., the first pharmacology text in which the experience of ancient Chinese physicians of the previous 2,000 years was collected. In addition, this mushroom is widely depicted in Chinese art, especially in paintings/sculptures/furniture and carpets.
The "magic" properties and benefits of reishi mushroom.
The Ganoderma Lucidum mushroom, due to its special chemical composition, can boast properties:
- Antimicrobial
Anti-inflammatory
: Some research gives Reishi anti-inflammatory effects due to the presence of compounds such as triterpenes.
- Antihistamines
Antihypertensive
: Reishi would appear to help reduce blood pressure and cholesterol
Antioxidants
: Reishi is rich in antioxidant compounds that can help in fighting oxidative streess in the body by neutralizing free radicals
- Antiaging
Immumostimulants
: Reishi is often associated with increased immune response.
Adaptogen
: Reishi is known to help the body better adapt to environmental stresses
These properties have been mainly attributed to the presence of a group of triterpenes called ganoderic acids but also to the presence of other compounds often found in mushrooms.
Ganoderma Lucidum, and in particular its extract, is one of the richest “Chinese Mushrooms” in biological action substances. In fact, there are about 400 bioactive compounds, including:
Polysaccharides
(more than 100 different types, including some beta-glucans useful for the immune system and other beta-glucans useful as hepaprotectants or as hypoglecimizers)
- Triterpenoids (140 different types), almost all of which are Ganoderic Acids with antihistamine, cortisone-like anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.
Nucleotides and nucleosides
(including adenosine, which has a vasodilator effect, also has beneficial actions against anxiety and has a relaxing effect on muscles).
Cytosome P-450
: is a family of liver enzymes and is the body’s main detoxification mechanism from external agents. Think of it as the most evolved purification system in nature found in mammals and fungi.
- Antioxidant Substances: They counteract oxidative stress
- Tyrosinase: An enzyme that modulates melanin production
- LZ-8: a protein useful in allergies
- Prebiotics:nourish healthy intestinal flora
Glucomannan
: a plant fiber that tends to give satiety
- Sterols
- Fatty acids
- Proteins/peptides
- Minerals (Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, Zinc, Iron, Manganese, Copper and the rare Germanium)
It is precisely these components (especially the
triterpenoids
and the
polysaccharides
) are responsible for the promising results obtained in vitro with this mushroom, concerning its potential beneficial action for many disorders.
Reishi supplement, how to select a quality product:
There are so many products on the market
Reishi supplements
, so it is useful to know how to recognize a quality product and then make aninformed purchase.
The main factors to be understood are:
1: Mushroom Powder or Mushroom Extract
It is necessary to understand, especially for capsule products, whether they contain
dehydrated mushroom powder
or a
Dry Extract
(typically an alcoholic or hydroalcoholic extraction).
- Dehydrated mushroom powder: contains all the nutrients and active ingredients native to the mushroom, however in lower concentration compared with the dry extract. In addition, some active ingredients can only be absorbed after alcoholic extraction.
- Dry extract of mushroom: by using mushroom powder as the starting base for extraction (in larger amounts), it is instead possible to have a higher concentration of the most important active ingredients.
2: Fructiferous Body vs. Mycelium
Especially for capsule products, you should know that there are 2 types of raw material used: Fruit Body e Mycelium on Grain.
- Mycelium on Wheat: is the most economical way of growing mushrooms, where the mycelium of the fungus (as well as its vegetative apparatus) is grown on a sterile wheat substrate. Once the mycelium has reached such a size, it is pulverized together with the grain to make a powder. However, in this way, the growth of the “fruiting body” of the fungus, which is where the active ingredients sought (such as beta-glucans and terpenoids) are most concentrated, does not occur, and furthermore, since the mycelium cannot be separated from the grain, the final product will contain a large concentration of pulverized grain.
- Fructiferous Body : The fruiting body, or sporophore, is the “fruit” of fungi and is the part that is commonly harvested and/or eaten. A capsule product that contains fruiting body extract or powder will certainly have a much higher concentration and quality of active ingredients.
3: Type and Ratio of Extraction
Many functional mushrooms, including especially the
Reishi
, have a very hard cell wall and are therefore difficult to recruit. It tended to be the case in the past that the main method of taking the benefits of such mushrooms was by making a “hot extraction” , for example through hot tea.
Certain active ingredients (such as beta-glucans) can only be extracted by an extraction “in hot water” while other active ingredients (such as triterpenes) can be extracted by alcoholic extraction. Therefore, it is always best to opt for a product that contains amushroom extract and not mushroom powder.
At the same time, it is also important to understand the extraction ratio, that is, the amount of dry mushroom used to obtain a certain amount of dry extract.
Opt for an extraction ratio ranging from 5:1 to 10:1
, as a higher extraction ratio (20:1 or 30:1) does not necessarily mean a higher quality product (as it may mean that the yield was lower, not that the quantity used is higher).
4: Titration of Active Ingredients
These “functional” mushrooms belonging to Traditional Chinese Medicine are taken because of the presence of certain compounds within them. However, opt for a product that has a titration in these compounds such as polysaccharides, beta glucans or triterpenes.
Reishi and Beta-Glucans
The Reishi, like other mushrooms used in the
Traditional Chinese Medicine
(Cordycep and Hericium mainly) owe part of their benefits to the presence of
beta-glucans
, a type of soluble fiber found in the cell wall of certain algae and fungi that is related to a number of beneficial effects on the body.
Being a soluble fiber, the beta-glucans slow the passage of food within the intestines , thereby increasing the sense of satiety and decreasing the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, a factor that helps stabilize blood sugar levels.
In addition, this type of fiber reduces cholesterol absorption in the digestive tract, improving cholesterol levels.
It is therefore advisable to select a Mushroom Supplement that is titrated at least 20% in Beta-Glucans.
Reishi: recommended dosage
The amount of
Reishi
to take may vary depending on the individual and the reason for taking the supplement. In general, recommended doses range from the 500 to 1500 mg of extract per day.
It is always best to consult an experienced physician or pharmacist before starting any new supplementation.
In addition, as explained earlier, there is great variability in quality and type of raw material in the products on the market, a factor that also makes the minimum dosage variable in order to benefit from the effects of the
Reishi
.
We recommend taking2 capsules of 450 mg, equivalent to 900 mg of Reishi Ganoderma Mushroom Extract 6:1 .Taking 900 mg of Reishi MushroomExtract is equivalent to taking 5.4 grams of fresh mushroom and 270 mg of Beta-Glucans!
Mycotherapy and Reishi:
La
Reishi mycotherapy
refers to thetherapeutic use of the fungus Ganoderma lucidum, commonly known as Reishi or Lingzhi, to improve health and treat certain medical conditions. This approach is an integral part of
Traditional Chinese Medicine
and other Eastern medical traditions, where medicinal mushrooms have been used for their purported healing properties for centuries.
Mycotherapy involves the intake of the Reishi in different forms, including
capsules, tablets, liquid extracts or tea
. Adherents to this practice believe that Reishi can play several roles in promoting wellness and treating certain diseases, relying on a variety of bioactive compounds found in the mushroom.
Reishi: the scientific studies
The
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)
has been the subject of numerous scientific studies exploring its potential beneficial properties and effects on human health.
It is important to note that despite some promising research, most studies are still ongoing, and further investigation is needed to fully confirm the effects of the
Reishi
.
Through this link you can learn more about Reishi studies 👇:
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
BENEFITS OF REISHI?
Reishi and its extracts would appear to have adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antioxidant, antiaging, and immunostimulantproperties egrazieits particular chemical composition.
REISHI WHICH ONE TO BUY?
It is recommended to purchase a Reishi supplement that has at least these characteristics:
- Extracted from Fruit Body and not from Mycelium
- Extracted in a ratio ranging from 6:1 to 10:1
- Titrated in Beta-Glucans
REISHI HOW TO TAKE IT?
Since there is great variability in quality and type of raw material in commercially available products, it is not always easy to identify a minimum dosage to benefit from the effects of Reishi.
We recommend taking 2 capsules of 450 mg, equivalent to 900 mg of Reishi Mushroom Extract 6:1.
Taking 900 mg of Reishi Mushroom Extract is equivalent to taking 5.4 grams of fresh mushroom and 270 mg of Beta-Glucans!
BETA-GLUCANS, WHAT ARE THEY?
Beta-Glucans are a type of soluble fiber found in the cell wall of certain algae e fungi and which is related to a number of
beneficial effects on the body
.
Being a soluble fiber, beta-glucans slow the passage of food through the intestines, thereby increasing feelings of satiety and decreasing the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, a factor that helps stabilize blood sugar levels.
In addition, this type of fiber reduces cholesterol absorption in the digestive tract, improving cholesterol levels.
