Reishi

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is a potent medicinal mushroom used for it’s health benefits for thousands of years in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Commonly referred to as the Queen of Mushrooms, Reishi is considered the ‘mushroom of immortality’.

It’s packed with over 400 bioactive compounds which have a number of positive biological effects including balancing the immune system, lowering inflammation, regulating blood sugar levels as well as being anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-tumor and anti-oxidative. While it’s not going to actually make you immortal, it does have amazing benefits for your health.

Let’s take a look at just some of the main benefits of Reishi.

Hormonal Balance and Sleep

Our hormonal systems are supported and balanced by the triterpene compounds found specifically in the Reishi mushroom. Having a well-balanced hormonal system allows our bodies to rest and recover more effectively by encouraging a longer duration of restful sleep. And we all know how much a good sleep improves our performance during the day.

Immune System Boosting

Some medicinal mushrooms, including Reishi, are considered adaptogens, which means they help balance natural systems in the body. Adaptogens have a balancing effect on our immune system, helping to boost it when weakened and moderate it when over-active.

Reducing Inflammation

Inflammation plays an important role in the body’s natural healing process, but can cause issues when the body is experiencing chronic ongoing inflammation. Chronic inflammation can lead to and worsen other health issues, such as arthritis and asthma, and so it’s important to reduce this where possible. The anti-inflammatory attributes of the polysaccharides found in Reishi mushrooms have been demonstrated in a range of studies.

Reducing Oxidative Damage

Free radicals cause oxidative damage in our bodies, which can lead to health issues as well as aging effects. Antioxidants in our diet are important as they help to fight these damage causing free radicals. Clinical trials have shown bio-active compounds from Reishi work well as antioxidants with an array of benefits seen from our intestinal flora to our skin – getting results, inside and out!

Alleviating Allergy Symptoms

The Ganoderic Acid found in Reishi mushrooms has shown to inhibit the release of histamine, improving lung function and reducing the symptoms of Asthma and seasonal allergies.

Fighting Infections

Reishi contains hundreds of bioactive compounds which have a range of potential health benefits, including being antiviral and antibacterial. Various clinical trials have demonstrated Reishi’s efficacy in reducing infections such as Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), shingles, Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) and many more.

Improving Cardiovascular Health

The Sterols found in Reishi mushrooms have been shown to lower cholesterol by impeding its absorption in the body, improving blood circulation and heart health.
Another beneficial compound found in Reishi mushrooms is Beta D-glucan. Beta glucans can help improve heart health by acting as an antioxidant and reducing the risk of atherosclerosis (narrowed arteries).

To fully take advantage of all of the amazing health benefits that Reishi mushroom has to offer, after extensive research we decided to use full spectrum mushroom powder in our products. Our mushrooms are grown using a unique and specialised process to ensure that all of the beneficial compounds found in each life cycle of the mushroom are fully utilised and bio-available in our formulations. The fermentation process used in growing our mushrooms utilises only organic substrate material and is extended so there is less than 5% substrate in the final product.

Another benefit of Full Spectrum Powders is they contain all of the antiviral and antibacterial extra-cellular compounds that are excreted throughout the lifecycle of the mushroom, in order to protect itself in its environment. These extracellular compounds are not included in mushroom extracts as they are lost in both hot water and alcohol extraction processes.

Find out more about the benefits of full spectrum mushroom powder and our processes here.