Ingredient Variation | N/A |
Cas No | 223751-82-4 |
Chemical Formula | N/A |
Solubility | N/A |
Categories | Botanical |
Applications | Cognitive, Immune Enhancement, Pre-Workout, Anti-cancer Potential, Anti-inflammatory |
The reishi mushroom, also known as Ganoderma lucidum and lingzhi, is a fungus that grows in various hot and humid locations in Asia.
For many years, this fungus has been a staple in Eastern medicine. Within the mushroom, there are several molecules, including triterpenoids, polysaccharides and peptidoglycans, that may be responsible for its health effects.
While the mushrooms themselves can be eaten fresh, it is also common to use powdered forms of the mushroom or extracts that contain these specific molecules.
These different forms have been tested in cell, animal and human studies.
One of the most important effects of the reishi mushroom is that it can boost your immune system. While some details are still uncertain, test-tube studies have shown that reishi can affect the genes in white blood cells, which are critical parts of your immune system. What’s more, these studies have found that some forms of reishi may alter inflammation pathways in white blood cells.
Many people consume this fungus due to its potential cancer-fighting properties.
Reishi’s effects on the immune system are often most emphasized, but it has other potential advantages as well.
These include reduced fatigue and depression, as well as improved quality of life.
Although mushrooms are eaten to enjoy the health benefits, the most popular means of using reishi mushrooms includes crushing dried mushrooms and steeping them in water. These mushrooms are extremely bitter, which makes them unpleasant to consume directly or in a highly concentrated liquid form. For this reason and because traditional herbal remedies have been replaced by efficient herbal supplements, you can mainly find reishi mushroom supplements in a pill or capsule form. However, there are plenty of places in the world where this type of mushroom is still processed and administered directly.