You probably all know about the benefits of coconut oil and avocados by now, but do you know about the powerful benefits of Reishi mushrooms? If you don’t, it is time to learn about one of the most beneficial superfoods ever researched.
What are Reishi mushrooms?
Reishi mushrooms are an edible type of medicinal fungus used in Asia for thousands of years for many healing abilities. However, this “mushroom of immortality”, as they call it in Asia, is still relatively unknown in Western cultures.
These mushrooms are the definition of a true “superfood”, they are anti-inflammatory, promote better immune function, increase mental clarity, and they are tied to longevity. I think we can all agree these are all things we can benefit from in the US and South America.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Reishi mushrooms are considered an adaptogen herb. Adaptogens are a unique group of herbal ingredients used to improve the health of your adrenal system, the system that’s in charge of managing your body’s hormonal response to stress. So basically they were used in Eastern medicine to “Nourish the heart and pacify the spirit”. In other words, to stay calm and decrease stress and I definitely need some of that.
What are the benefits of Reishi Mushrooms?
Even though in Eastern medicine Reishi mushrooms were traditionally used as an adaptogen herb tied to well-being, longevity, and anti-stressor. Nowadays, numerous studies have proved that the benefits go way beyond that. They have such a great amount of antioxidants that they help the body fight cancer, autoimmune disease, heart disease, infections, and so on.
In reality there are so many health benefits provided by these mushrooms that I can’t even keep count of them or even remember them. Therefore, I just want to mention to you the 5 most researched and proven ones.
Anti-cancer properties
According to recent research Reishi mushrooms were not only proven to protect us against cancer but also help us fight existing cancer cells in the body. This is due to the presence of antioxidants (polysaccharides, and triterpenoids), beta-glucans, and amino acids. The antioxidants present seem to defend DNA and stop cell mutations while also protecting healthy cells.
In my opinion, these mushrooms are one of the most powerful anti cancer foods available. They have been successfully used to fight breast cancer, overian, prostate, liver, and lung cancer, They also alleviate the effects of chemotherapy like nausea and low immunity.
Liver regeneration and detoxification
In 2013, a research in the Food and Chemical toxicology proved that triterpenes found in Reishi help release free radicals and promote liver regeneration. Another study published the same year showed that antioxidants in reishi mushrooms have protective effects that fight immune reaction that slow down liver function.
Heart health and blood pressure
Because they help lower inflammation while restoring hormonal balance and decreasing stress, they in turn also help lower blood pressure.
Fight Diabesity
Polysaccharides and triterpenes in Reishi mushrooms prevent development of new fat cells limiting fat storage. They also help lower blood sugar by inhibiting the enzyme that converts starches to sugar preventing the spike in blood sugar after we eat.
Neuroprotective properties
Reishi Mushrooms support the production of nerve growth factor, a protein that promotes the development of healthy neurons. In 2012, Neuropharmacology released a study that proved Reishi mushrooms have therapeutic effects on Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s disease and Parkinson’s by protecting brain cells from inflammation.
So now the real questions is how can you include them in your diet?
In Asia the mushrooms were actually dried and added to hot water to make soup or tea. In the Western world, because we are more convenient and NEVER have time for anything, we buy it in powder form. The brand I recommend is sun potion. You can add it to warm water, tea, broth, soup, smoothies, hot chocolate, or coffee.
Reishi has been used for thousands of generations and hardly any side effects have been recorded. They are a “class 1: herb that can be safely consumed when used appropriately”. If you ask me, I would say they are worth adding to your daily health routine to balance your hormones, improve heart health, detox your liver, fight cancer, and prevent diseases.
Natascha says
omg I’ve been searching for a good explanation about Reishi! gracias bella!
Nathalie Magno Gaitan says
De nada bella! Get them on Amazon! 😉