Reishi Mushroom (Lingzhi)
Reishi Mushroom (Lingzhi) represents a combination of spiritual potency and essence of immortality and is regarded as the “herb of spiritual potency” symbolizing success, well-being, divine power, and longevity.
Usage
Immune System
Some studies confirmed that reishi can help immune system.
Anti-Cancer Properties
Reishi mushroom has also been studied for its role in preventing or fighting some cancers.
Depression
Some studies shows that Reishi mushroom can help with depression and to improve quality of life.
How to add Lingzhi to your diet?
Tea
Tea has a has a strong taste and it’s often consumed with honey.
Superfood Shots
Its often mixed with turmeric, or matcha and taken as a boost.
As a Supplement
Available in capsules, and powders.
Shen Nong, the Chinese herbalist-emperor, compiled a book called “Herbal Pharmacopoeia” where he documented 365 herbs and plants and categorized them as superior, average, and fair.
Of all the species of plants in his book, the reishi mushroom was ranked the highest.
Among cultivated mushrooms, G. lucidum is unique.
Lingzhi, also known as reishi, native to East Asia.
About
Ganoderma lucidum is a medicinal mushroom that has been used for many years in traditional East Asian medicine as a dry powder, or consumed as a hot, bitter mushroom tea)
It occurs throughout the world in temperate and subtropical locations, including North and South America, Europe, and Asia. This species can grow solitary or sometimes in small groups, and it is typically located at the base of living tree species or rarely on the roots of a wide range of deciduous species such as Acer, Quercus, Fraxinus, Celtis, Salix, or Ulmus. It is considered a parasitic (first grows on living hosts) and saprophytic (then grows on dead hosts) species.
Composition
It is a macro fungus which is broadly utilized all the way through centuries for the purpose of common encouragement of fitness and prolonged existence in people of Asian countries. The majority weight of mushrooms is attributed to the water quantity present in them, that is, 90%. The remaining 10% weight of G. lucidum comprises 26%–28% CHO, 59% rough fiber, 7%–8% rudimentary protein, and 3%–5% crude fat.
Irrespective of this, G. lucidum comprises an extensive range of bioactive components, for example, polysaccharides, steroids, terpenoids, glycoproteins, and phenol. The chief physiologically vigorous components present in G. lucidum are polysaccharides and triterpenes as encompassed by various authors.
Research
After more than 40 years of clinical use, its efficacy, safety, and long-term tolerability have been recognized by neurologists. It is one of a few non-hormonal drugs used for treating neurosis, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, atrophic myotonia, and muscular dystrophy. It is also used for combination therapy, which reduces the amount of glucocorticoid required for myopathy patients who are in remission.
In addition, it reduces adverse reactions and improves the quality of life for cancer patients during chemotherapy. The molecular mechanisms underlying antioxidant, anti-tumor, immune-modulatory, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and other activities are yet to be elaborated.
Safety
Due to the lack of results, the intense investigation should still be performed in the field (human clinical trials). Up till now, the available data suggests that G. lucidum has a high potential to be accepted as a good health food supplement for patients experiencing cancer therapy. That knowledge and further investigation could facilitate the development of new nutraceuticals and pharmacological formulations.
The Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China recommends 6 to 12 g reishi extract daily. There isn't enough reliable information to know if reishi mushroom is safe to use when pregnant or breastfeeding.
Fun Facts
The Japanese name for reishi mushroom is mannetak, which means 10 000 years mushroom.
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Cör, D., Knez, Ž., & Knez Hrnčič, M. (2018). Antitumour, antimicrobial, antioxidant and antiacetylcholinesterase effect of Ganoderma lucidum terpenoids and polysaccharides: A review. Molecules, 23(3), 649.
Batra, P., Sharma, A. K., & Khajuria, R. (2013). Probing Lingzhi or Reishi medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (higher Basidiomycetes): a bitter mushroom with amazing health benefits. International journal of medicinal mushrooms, 15(2).
Recipes
