Reishi - the mushroom of immortality

Reishi, a mushroom used for over 4000 years. The divine mushroom of immortality - in the past, it was believed to revive even the dead. It holds its significant place especially in Chinese medicine (under the name lingzhi), where it was mentioned in writing as early as 200 BC. Entire armies were designated to search for it, as the Chinese imperial court believed it could be used to concoct the elixir of immortality. The Slovak name might not tell you much - Leskokôrka brown-red, is actually a wood-decaying parasitic mushroom, living mostly on injured trees. It has a vast spectrum of biologically active substances. Its effects are also described in the professional encyclopedia Mushrooms as medicine. 

Reishi contains more than 200 polysaccharides, 150 triterpenes, and numerous amino acids such as alanine, leucine, aspartic acid, and glutamic acid. According to scientists, its two main health-benefiting ingredients are beta-glucans and triterpenes. The former is water-soluble and forms complex molecules - polysaccharide peptides - when combined with proteins. Triterpenes are water-insoluble and require fat or alcohol to dissolve. Reishi contains three times more germanium than garlic and eight times more than ginseng. 

The main strength of Reishi is its positive effect on immunity and stress reduction. It removes and reduces inflammation in the body. It helps detoxify the body from toxins. The demand for it is so immense that for a long time, methods were sought to artificially cultivate it, so it's accessible not only to elites but also to common people. In 1970, the Japanese achieved this. It is grown either in plastic bags on sawdust or on pieces of hard (oak) wood. It's harvested once every 6-9 months. 

There are many different forms and products on the market that contain Reishi. Although it might seem that the most natural form is powder from dried, ground mushroom - this is not ideal because it contains few polysaccharides. A much better option is powdered extract from fruiting bodies (not from mycelium). Reishi can be purchased as powder (ground, dried mushroom), as a tincture with alcohol, or as extract in bio capsules - which is the best option. 

Regarding medical studies, they confirm a positive effect on the production of white blood cells, increasing the number of T-cells and B-cells to strengthen cellular immunity and enhance vitality in treating oncological diseases. Reishi supports the production of NK cells that cleanse the body of tumor cells. It reduces the negative impacts of oncological radiotherapy. The terpene content in Reishi also aids with anti-inflammatory effects. The use of Reishi can favorably influence blood pressure, help protect and regenerate liver cells. Together with Cordyceps, it is the most used mushroom for chronic fatigue conditions. It helps people get back in shape, especially after postoperative conditions. 

It seems almost a miraculous product. But as with everything - it's something humanity has known literally for millennia, it's just modern medicine that is coming up with scientific explanations for what people have observed themselves over centuries of living in nature. 

Reishi - Ganoderma lucidum is a product that can also be used as a dietary supplement, ideally twice a day before meals. You can either directly take the capsules or sprinkle their contents into water or food. Reishi is also suitable for long-term use.