The Reishi mushroom is a shiny little fungus which grows on rotten wood. For 2,000 years the Chinese have used reishi in medicine, making it one of the oldest mushrooms known to have been used medicinally. Because of reishi’s presumed health benefits and apparent absence of side-effects, it has attained a reputation in the East as the ultimate herbal substance, even being called the elixir of eternal life.

Modern science has only just begun to explore the benefits of reishi mushrooms, with most research being performed by the Chinese and Japanese.

Here are some health benefits of Reishi mushrooms:

1.Immune System Support    
Reishi mushrooms can be used to reinforce the immune system. In studies on patients with advanced tumors, reishi mushrooms were prescribed for thirty days, and researchers discovered a significant positive effect on the immune system with an increase in T lymphocytes and decreased CD8 counts. Furthermore, patients reported lesser side effects from chemotherapy and radiation, and smoother post operation recovery.

In a clinical study of asymptomatic children from 3 to 5 years old, treatment with beta glucans from reishi mushrooms showed increased immune system cells in the peripheral blood — signaling a strong defense against childhood infections

Studies have also suggested that the regular use of reishi mushrooms increases antioxidant levels.  Reishi mushrooms contain high concentrations of Organic Germanium, Polysaccharides and Triterpenes. These components have been shown to strengthen the immune system.

2. Cancer Prevention and Treatment

Studies have shown that reishi mushrooms bolster immunity and fight the spread of cancer cells. Some laboratory studies have also shown they may prevent metastasis. It is not yet known how reishi does this but they appear to target many different stages of cancer development, including angiogenesis (the formation of blood vessels made to supply nutrients to the tumor) as well as metastasis and the migration of cancer cells. They are also believed to induce apoptosis (suicide) of cancer cells. In any case, extracts from reishi mushrooms are already being used in some commercial pharmaceuticals to suppress cancer cell proliferation and migration. Studies on breast cancer cells have found that combining reishi mushrooms with green tea augments the mushroom’s power to retard the growth of cancer cells.

Reishi (in Japanese) or lingzhi (in Chinese) mushrooms are well known in Asia for their anticancer properties. In a meta-analysis by scientists of 23 trials involving 4,246 cancer patients, reishi mushrooms enhanced longevity and quality of life in cancer patients.

In a lung cancer-induced study of mice, treatment with reishi mushrooms inhibited cell viability and mobility of lung cancer cells in vitro. In a cell study of reishi mushroom extract, the treatment offered high antitumor and liver protection with low toxicity on human liver cancer cells. In a clinical study of 105 cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments, a combination of reishi mushroom extract and geraniums improved immunity and fought the cancer and secondary infections that could have compromised treatment and health

3. It Lowers Blood Pressure
The blood pressure-lowering abilities of reishi mushrooms have been known for centuries. Studies in China have found that reishi mushrooms improve blood flow and lower oxygen consumption in the heart. Japanese research has made similar discoveries, which they say is due to a chain of acids belonging to triterpenes, a group of natural compounds known to reduce high blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and prevent blood clots. Russian research found that Ganoderma prevented plaque build-up on artery walls.

4.Reduces Cholesterol
Reishi mushrooms may help reduce cholesterol by causing the liver to suppress its production. A study at the Nestle Research Center in Switzerland called reishi mushrooms “a renowned medicinal species”. In their study on animals, oxygenated lanosterol derived from reishi mushrooms “inhibited cholesterol synthesis.”

5.Blood Sugar Regulation
Research has shown reishi mushrooms to have a significant blood sugar regulating effect. This benefit seems to be owed to their polysaccharides, known as Ganoderans A, B, and C. Keeping blood sugar balanced helps to avoid many of the problems brought about by diabetes, such as hypertension, high blood pressure, ulcers, strokes, and impotence. In this way reishi mushrooms help to control and combat diabetes and improve the general health of the person eating them.

6.Anti-viral effects – Herpes and Cold Sore Treatment
Preliminary evidence suggests that reishi mushrooms may have antiviral benefits. They are reported to exhibit direct anti-viral effects with herpes simplex virus 1 and herpes simplex virus 2. These effects have been shown to be strongest in protecting against the contraction of herpes and cold sores, and in speeding relief from symptoms. Some Japanese studies analyzed the properties of reishi mushrooms and found that most of the fungus’s benefits seem to derive from a compound they contain called GLP, which inhibits viral replication by interfering with the early events of viral absorption and entry into target cells.

7.Flu Fighter
Preliminary evidence suggests that reishi mushrooms may have antiviral benefits. They contain polysaccharides, which have been reported to exhibit direct effects on the influenza virus.

8.Cardiovascular Support
Clinical studies and experiments with animals confirm that reishi mushrooms can dilate the coronary artery, increase blood flow, and improve circulation in cardiac muscle capillaries, thus increasing the supply of oxygen and energy to cardiac muscle. Reishi mushrooms can reduce blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels and prevent the formation of arterial atheromatous patches. They can also reduce hardened cholesterol already in the arteries and soften the blood vessel wall to avoid further damage. Reishi mushrooms may help to prevent strokes by improving blood circulation and inhibiting the aggregation of platelets.

9.Radiation Damage Protection
Research indicates that reishi mushrooms augment the effects of radiation therapy while acting directly against the tumor. Investigation also reveals reishi mushrooms help to strengthen the immune system, to better manage radiation therapy and chemotherapy treatment and assist to improve the quality of life of the patient. They have also been found to ease symptoms of chemotherapy, such as nausea, vomiting, headaches, fever, infection, weight loss and hair loss.

10.Antioxidant

Polysaccharide beta glucan extracted from reishi mushroom was shown to be a powerful antioxidant in 37 high risk and 34 stable angina patients; those who were treated with 750 mg per day for three months had significantly decreased oxidative radicals and improved progression of atherosclerosis.^[xiv]

In a study of 42 healthy subjects, another intervention with beta glucan from reishi mushrooms of 225 mg per day for three months demonstrated its antioxidative effects — enhanced total antioxidant capacity and enzyme activities as well as reduced mild fatty liver condition to normal by suppressing oxidative stress were observed.

11.Anti-inflammatory  and pain killing action

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. Treatment with a triterpene compound from reishi mushrooms showed that the inflammatory cytokines were significantly inhibited in a study of children with Crohn’s disease.

In a study of 32 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis, supplementation of medicinal mushroom and Chinese herbs — reishi (4 grams) and San Miao San (2.4 grams) daily — lowered arthritic pain for patients

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References

• J Dermatolog Treat. 2001 Mar;12(1):33-6.

• Abdel-Naby Awad OG et al “Honey can help in herpes simplex gingivostomatitis in children: Prospective randomized double blind placebo controlled clinical trial” Am J Otolaryngol. 2018 Nov – Dec;39(6):759-763. doi: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2018.09.007. Epub 2018 Sep 12.

• Co JL et al “Effectiveness of honey on radiation-induced oral mucositis, time to mucositis, weight loss, and treatment interruptions among patients with head and neck malignancies: A meta-analysis and systematic review of literature” Head Neck. 2016 Jul;38(7):1119-28. doi: 10.1002/hed.24431.
• Epub 2016 Mar 29.

• Samdariya S et al “Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Role of Honey in Reducing Pain Due to Radiation Induced Mucositis in Head and Neck Cancer Patients” Indian J Palliat Care. 2015 Sep-Dec;21(3):268-73 doi: 10.4103/0973-1075.164892.

• Boyanova L et al “Honey and green/black tea consumption may reduce the risk of Helicobacter pylori infection” Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2015 May;82(1):85-6. doi: 10.1016/j.microbio.2015.03.001. Epub 2015 Mar 6.

• Subrahmanyam M et al “Honey dressing versus boiled potato peel in the treatment of burns: a prospective randomized study” Burns. 1996 Sep;22(6):491-3.

• Maghsoudi H et al “Comparison between topical honey and mafenide acetate in treatment of burn wounds” Ann Burns Fire Disasters. 2011 Sep 30;24(3):132-7.

• Eyarefe OD et al “Small bowel responses to enteral honey and glutamine administration following massive small bowel resection in rabbit” Afr J Med Med Sci. 2008 Dec;37(4):309-14.

Disclaimer

This content is strictly the opinion of its author and is meant for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice , diagnosis or treatment from a personal physician.

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