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Reishi Mushroom Benefits
Reishi mushroom benefits include its soothing effects that aid your adrenal glands – responsible for managing wake/sleep cycles. Furthermore, it’s also an incredibly potent antioxidant.
Collagen promotes wound repair by increasing concentrations of hydroxyproline and hexosamine in its structure, as well as being believed to reduce fatigue and stress levels.
One of the easiest ways to experience Reishi is through tea. Here’s how you can make Reishi Tea at Home.
Boosts Immune System
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) mushrooms are not your average culinary mushrooms – they’re large, dark and bitter-tasting fungi used extensively in traditional Chinese medicine to boost energy and extend health and life span. In China they’re called “lingzhi,” representing success, wellbeing, divine power and immortality.
Reishi mushroom has long been recognized for its ability to stimulate immunity and prevent cancer, among many other health benefits. Reishi contains beta-glucans – complex sugars which help boost the immune system while inhibiting tumor growth – as well as being an extremely potent antioxidant that fights free radical damage to cells and tissues.
Laboratory experiments using cell cultures and animals have demonstrated that Reishi extracts reduce inflammation levels and boost white blood cell activity that kill bacteria and viruses, along with possessing antitumoral properties to suppress cancer cell invasion in colorectal cancer patients. As well as strengthening immunity, Reishi is believed to help alleviate symptoms associated with chronic fatigue and insomnia while simultaneously improving mood and relieving stress.
Studies have demonstrated the protective abilities of Reishi as an aid against liver disease. Researchers found that its triterpene compounds, composed of isoprene units, had anti-inflammatory and regeneration benefits for liver cells. One research paper published by Food and Chemical Toxicology demonstrated how Reishi extract could reverse chemical-driven liver damage in mice.
Reishi mushrooms may provide neuroprotective benefits that could aid in the prevention of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Studies on both animal and cell cultures have indicated that extracts derived from Reishi can reduce free radical levels that damage brain tissue over time, leading to cognitive decline as we get older.
Reishi mushroom tea isn’t commonly available commercially, but you can find it in tea blends from Rritual that feature chaga, turkey tail and cordyceps mushrooms. Or try it solo or add it to other herbal beverages such as green or black tea for best results; within weeks you should start feeling its positive health effects. Just remember it takes time for its benefits to take effect in your body!
Promotes Healthy Liver Function
Reishi mushroom tea has been proven to help support one of our bodies’ most essential organs: the liver. Reishi contains antioxidants which protect from oxidative stress and protect it from damage while improving its functionality, while acting as an adaptogen and helping reduce stress for increased well-being.
Reishi can be found in many forms, from dried slices and powders to extracts and tea bags. When choosing your reishi products, look for ones made with organic ingredients that do not contain additives and that are free of additives. Use it in smoothies or culinary recipes, making sure to read reviews from trusted sources before purchasing quality reishi products.
Reishi mushrooms possess anti-inflammatory, antihistamine and antiviral properties that make it an effective solution for many ailments. Reishi has been widely used to treat insomnia and other sleep disorders as well as boost immune systems. Research has also indicated its ability to lower blood pressure, promote healthy cholesterol levels and slow clotting processes while providing greater oxygen flow to heart and brain – all qualities which may help protect against cardiovascular disease.
Studies have also demonstrated the ability of Reishi mushrooms to suppress tumor growth and boost white blood cell activity, making it an attractive therapy option for cancer patients with chronic fatigue symptoms, in particular those experiencing chronic malaise. Their ability to regulate hormones and increase energy production within the brain may help alleviate fatigue as well as depression.
Reishi can help promote the production of enzymes essential to fighting viral infections and other illnesses, while its polysaccharides can inhibit viral absorption, decrease viral load and improve symptoms associated with herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, hepatitis B, HIV as well as decrease duration and intensity of outbreaks of herpes outbreaks and their related pain.
Reishi mushrooms can be purchased both online and at health food stores, though it’s best to be consumed under medical supervision for those with preexisting health conditions or taking medications. It is wise to start out at a low dose before gradually increasing based on therapeutic goals and patient response.
Helps to Prevent Cancer
Traditional thinking held that mushrooms grown on reishi plants had cancer-fighting capabilities. Ganoderma lucidum mushrooms have polysaccharides which may stimulate immune function and slow tumor growth, kill cancer cells directly, or serve as an additional cancer therapy treatment plan that reduces side effects while improving effectiveness.
One study demonstrated that Reishi mushroom extracts boosted white blood cell activity, helping defend against viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens that may potentially cause illness. They also increased natural killer cell activity – another form of immune response cell which has the ability to destroy cancerous cells.
Reishi is thought to promote healthy liver function, protect against diabetes and relieve fatigue. A study demonstrated how it significantly decreased glucose levels in diabetic rats while simultaneously relaxing them for improved night’s rest.
Studies have also demonstrated that reishi can boost concentrations of hydroxyproline and hexosamine in collagen, two important ingredients essential to healing processes. These components activate proteins responsible for tissue formation and repair as well as inhibit fatty acid oxidation in the body. Reishi may also protect from free radical damage while simultaneously inhibiting its own body from producing free radicals which damage tissues by creating more than enough protective proteins such as these two essential ones.
Reishi tea can help improve sleep at night by relieving tension in your mind and body, as well as decreasing stress – both of which are major causes of insomnia. Furthermore, its chemical compounds release melatonin into your system which acts like a sleep hormone to regulate your cycle and help promote a restful night’s rest.
Since ancient times, people have honored reishi mushrooms for their healing powers and longevity benefits. Dubbed “the mushroom of immortality and medicine for kings”, it has long been an essential component of Traditional Eastern Herbalism. Bravo Tea offers various functional blends that feature this revered fungus which was once only reserved for Chinese royalty; make reishi tea part of your daily routine to experience balanced days and peaceful nights!
Aids in Weight Loss
Reishi mushrooms’ anti-tumor and immunomodulatory properties can significantly boost immune system functioning, protect liver from damage, decrease cholesterol levels and even aid in weight loss. Reishi also aids detoxification processes by decreasing liver toxins while speeding up regeneration of healthy liver cells. Studies have also proven their efficacy at lowering blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C), a marker for diabetes; suppressing colorectal tumors as well as increasing chemotherapy effectiveness against ovarian cancer patients.
Reishi mushrooms offer numerous health benefits beyond immunity-boosting. Notably, they help regulate metabolism and digestion while providing natural sources of energy – without the side effects associated with caffeine, such as headaches, nausea and digestive problems. Reishi’s high concentration of polysaccharides, triterpenoids and beta-glucans is also known to regulate blood sugar and insulin levels within the body.
Studies have revealed that reishi mushrooms can also positively influence gut microbiota.(1) This is of vital importance since imbalanced gut bacteria has been linked to obesity and metabolic endotoxemia(2) Researchers have also discovered that these mushrooms help restore a healthy balance in gut bacteria while improving glucose metabolism – both crucial elements for weight loss efforts.
Reishi mushrooms, known as the “mushroom of immortality”, have long been used as traditional Chinese medicine treatments, offering numerous health-promoting properties, such as increasing immunity and prolonging longevity. While not typically eaten like portobello or button mushrooms, reishi varieties have woody, bitter flavors used primarily for healing.
Dried reishi mushrooms can be prepared into tea by boiling and steeping in hot water, usually daily dosages between 6 to 12 grams are consumed in dosages per day.(3) As an alternative method, powdered Reishi may also be mixed into foods or drinks for an easy on-the-go option.
Note, though, that while Reishi may aid weight loss efforts, it should never be seen as an exclusive solution. Achieve long-term weight loss takes more than just diet and exercise; positive mindset can play a big role here too! Reishi mushroom can support these efforts but be patient; losing weight takes time.