Reishi: Fungus, with many properties and effects

Reishi is a species of fungus (Ganoderma Lucidum) that has been studied by modern science for over 20 years because of his many and health benefits. It has been used for over 3000 years in traditional oriental medicine in China, Japan, Malaysia, etc.
The many qualities of Reishi were already known by Doctor Shi-Jean Lee, a famous doctor who lived during the Ming Dynasty, who described them in his book “Ban Chao Gang Moo” (The big Medicine book). He said that Reishi helps to lead a “large and healthy life”. This species of fungus is hardly ever eaten raw, as it has a very unpleasant bitter taste; it is therefore often mixed with other natural products to make it easier to ingest and digest.

The Reishi fungus is rich in unsaturated acids, natural alkaloids, polysaccharides and minerals such as Germanium and Calcium. It is considered an adaptogenic food; it nourishes our body and helps it to overcome periods of physical and mental strain. Certain theories confirm reishi is able to reinforce the immune system and aid anti-inflammatory processes, but these are still in the process of being researched.

ORIGIN AND DESCRIPTION

It is a soft, leathery, flat fungus (when green), with a conspicuous, varnish red kidney-shaped hat. Depending on its age, its pore area is white or brown. It grows in all the warm latitudes of the subtropical climate. The reishi fungus grows in the trunks of damaged or dead trees.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

Polysaccharides, peptidoglycans and heteropolysaccharids
Triterpenes (ganoderic acids) classified from A to Z, with antihistaminic type activity (A, C and D), a liverprotecting effect (R), anti-hypertensive effect (B,D,F,H,K,S,Y) , hypocholesterolemic (M,F), ACE-inhibent (ganoderol B) and antiplaetelet.
Mineral Salts (Iron, Zinc, Manganese, Magnesium, Potassium, Germanium, Calcium)
Group B Vitamins (particularly Vit B9)
17 amino-acids, all of which are essential
Sterols and cortisone-like substances
Adenosin and guanosin with an antiplatelet, myorelaxing (skeleton muscle) and sedative SNC

PROPERTIES REISHI

Useful in case of chronic fatigue and when our immune system needs a boost.
Contains a range of antioxidants, which makes it a good ally in the fight against free radicals.
Reishi is usually recommended for “mental” problems such as insomnia, anxiety and stress.
It is also useful to cure auto-immune illnesses, viral infections, diabetes, improve mental performance, altitude sickness and ulcers.
A good complement to treat cardiovascular diseases: it reduces cholesterol, hypertension, antiplatelet effects. Chinese researchers discovered that Reishi increases the blood flow and lowers the oxygen consumption of the heart muscle.
In 1990, researchers of the Center for Health Sciences at the San Antonio Texas University discovered that Reishi may also be useful in case of bone inflammations, a wry neck and muscle cramps.
In China, it is usually used for the treatment of liver problems such as hepatitis and cirrhosis.
Helps to fight allergy problems, including asthma and dermatitis.
Japanese researchers have investigated the effects of Reishi in the investigation against cancer. It may be a good ally in the prevention of cancerogenic processes. Dr. Morishige confirms that this is due to the presence of a type of polysaccharides called Beta-D-glucan, which strengthens our immune system. The researchers also confirm that high doses of vitamin C increase the effectiveness of this fungus even more (the dose will depend on each individual dose and should be recommended by a doctor).

BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF REISHI

Effect on the immune system:

Isolates, curbs and reduces excessive production and secretion of histamine, thus improving bronchial asthma and allergy-type chronic bronchitis.
According to Dr. Andrew Weil from Harvard University, the Reishi fungus contains lanostin compounds with a stimulating effect on persons who suffer from asthma and other kinds of allergies.
Improves the suprarenal gland functions, while regulating the secretion of its hormones.
Prevents allergies.
In case of auto-immune diseases, regulates the response of the immunological system.
Reduces certain symptoms of auto immunity disorders (for instance: rheumatoid arthritis), such as pain, due to its content of endorphins (a Reishi element)or inflammation, due to the ganoderic acid D and lanostin (components of Reishi)
Cardiovascular Effect:

Hypotensor: may decrease diastolic and systolic high blood pressure by 10 to 20%.
Tonic for the heart: increases the blood stream to the heart, lowers the consumption of oxygen in the heart muscle, and it is very useful in the treatment of pectoral angina.
Hypocholesteremic: due to the presence of low density lipoproteins de (oleic acid) the concentration of cholesterol decreases by 50% with patients that use the fungus for more than four months. Clinical studies do not show a significant decline in the numbers of triglycerides and glycemia.
Anti-arteriosclerotic: decreases the formation of ateromatose plaque which restricts the blood stream through the narrowing of the arteries causing arteriosclerosis.
Adaptogenic Effect:

Alleviates the symptoms of tiredness.
Diminishes stress and chronic fatigue.
Alleviates neuropsychiatric disorders, such as: insomnia, anorexia nerviosa and Alzheimer.
Purifying Effect:

Purifies the blood and regulates the immunology system.
Regulates and balances the different body functions without causing any harm (adaptogenous).
Reishi mainly works through the bloodstream, through which it cleans and eliminates excessive impurities while improving blood circulation and our immune response.
Activates the body’s own defenses.

Liver-protecting Effect:

Restores and regularizes the normal functioning of damaged liver cells (Liver Regenerator).
Reduces liver inflammation, thanks to the regenerating power of polysaccharides, while alleviating hepatitis.
Accelerates the decomposition of alcohol.
Curbs oxydation produced by toxic substances.
Prevents cyrrhosis.

Positive Effect on Diabetes:

Its effect is similar to insulin; it inhibits the synthesis of glucose and facilitates its entry in the blood cells.
Reduces the glucose levels in the blood stream.
Alleviates diabetes symptoms.
Improves the auto-immune response in case of Mellitos-type Diabetes
Prevents diabetes and diabetes-related complications.
Effect on the prostate:

Research by professor Fujita R.and her team at the Faculty of Agriculture, at the University of Kyushu, Japan has shown that Reishi extracts show the largest inhibiting effect on 5-alfa-reductase. A Reishi cure may curb the growth of the prostate due to hormones significantly. Therefore, Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) can be useful for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Regulates the blood pressure (adaptogenic), probably due to the tripeatens identified in the Reishi fungus, which reduce high blood pressure.

SIDE EFFECTS

Some of the common side effects are dizziness, a dry mouth and throat, nose bleeding and abdominal pain. These side effects are rare and may appear as a consequence of the continuous and immoderate use of the fungus during long periods of time. Pregnant and lactating women should consult a physician before taking Reishi.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Reishi is not recommended for people who take anticoagulants, as it may increase bleeding time.