The reishi mushroom has been hailed as the “medicine of kings” for centuries in Japan, China and Korea. Now this humble fungi is being linked with amazing health benefits by the rest of the world, including boosting the immune system, fighting cancer and heart disease, relieving allergies and inflammation, and calming nerves.
Scientific research suggests that reishi mushrooms can also help with autoimmune diseases, allergies, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, diabetes and liver disease.
The extraordinary ability of the reishi is down to its complex composition of bioactive compounds. The hundreds of biologically active molecules they contain allow reishi mushrooms to combine to devastatingly good effect on our health.
Dubbed “the mushroom of immortality” in the Far East, reishis have long been linked with long life and good health. A study reported in the journal Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology in 2009 by a team of Indian researchers revealed that reishi mushrooms do indeed boost immunity and can reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Their effect on longevity means they are ideally placed to offer some solution to age-related diseases.
The three compounds considered vital to reishi’s amazing effects are polysaccharides, triterpenes and the unique protein ganoderma lucidum peptide. Between them they can stop abnormal blood vessels forming and so prevent cancer; protect the liver; lower blood pressure and cholesterol; and have powerful antioxidants, the abilities of which are still being explored by scientists.
In fact, reishis have some of the most powerful antioxidants of any mushroom. Antioxidants protect the body’s cells against the harmful molecules known as free radicals.
Research is currently focused on reishi’s effects on cancer prevention and immunity. Reishi has been used alongside conventional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy to boost the immune system and curb tumour growth with outstanding results.
The health benefits of reishi are still being explored but the signs so far are remarkably promising.
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