Are you bored with the same superfoods that have taken the spotlight? Well, reishi mushrooms will blow your mind away with their incredible health benefits. Deemed as the king of mushrooms, this type of fungi has a lot to offer. From regenerating cells to boosting mood and strengthening the immune system, reishi mushroom is loaded with plenty of benefits you can’t afford to miss.
Though reishi mushrooms have been in use for ages to make traditional medicines, they have recently been acknowledged for their outstanding abilities. In this post, we will explore the benefits of the reishi mushroom, side effects and also answer some of the most asked questions. Let’s get started!
Health Benefits Of The Reishi Mushroom
There are various health benefits associated with taking reishi mushrooms. Below are 10 potential benefits you need to know:
1. Improves Immune System
One major benefits of the reishi mushroom is that it is a great immune system booster. Reishi is known to promote long-term health due to its impact on white blood cells, the most critical part of our body’s immune system. White blood cells help fight bacteria, viruses, and pathogens from entering our bodies.
Reishi mushrooms can multiply the white blood cells in the body, thus improving their function. In addition, this form of fungi enhances the function of the lymphocytes, which combats infections and cancer.
2. Helps Reduce Fatigue
Chronic fatigue can be a major concern. Despite getting enough rest, you will still feel tired. The cause isn’t well known, but experts believe stress, infections, immune system, hormonal imbalances etc can trigger it.
Reishi mushrooms can be a game changer as they help reduce chronic fatigue. This type of fungi might greatly improve our immune systems. They also regulate testosterone levels, thus promoting good energy levels.
3. Treats Anxiety
Reishi mushroom can also be a super anti-anxiety treatment. It contains relaxing, soothing, and antioxidant properties. Research shows that their effects can be compared to diazepam, a fast-acting benzodiazepine used for treating anxiety disorders, acute seizures, spasticity, etc.
Reishi has polypeptides that serve as precursors of endorphins, which help provide adequate response when stressed. With its sedative inhibitory, and soothing effects on neuronal activity, it greatly helps induce relaxation.
4. Fights Allergy
Reishi mushrooms can be a reliever for those with allergic reactions. They possess antihistamine effects that can improve the oxygen supply in the body, which can help those with allergic or chronic asthma. Eating reishi mushroom benefits for skin in the long run but only after discussing with the expert.
Moreover, reishi extract can lower and hinder allergic responses. Another benefit of the reishi mushroom is the healing effect, which has been known for many years, especially in chronic bronchitis, as they contain antiallergic components.
They are known to prevent the release of histamine from the mast cells as well as stabilize these cells.
5. Acts as Mood Boosters
As one of the important reishi mushroom health benefits, reishi is believed to have compounds that might calm down the nervous system, therefore reducing stress and boosting relaxation. Research shows that reishi mushrooms have been linked to mood disorders like depression.
They have compounds with anti-inflammatory properties, which help lower the inflammation in the brain and the whole body. This way, they may help in alleviating the symptoms related to mood disturbances.
To add to that, they act as antioxidants. Oxidative stress is usually caused by the imbalance between the free radicals and the body’s antioxidants, which is connected to mood disorders.
Reishi mushrooms have high antioxidants that can neutralize the free radicals and safeguard the cells from damage. Lowering oxidative stress will help improve the overall health of the brain, thus contributing to a positive mood.
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6. Treats and Prevent Cancer
Another benefit of the reishi mushroom is that they have potential anti-cancer effects since they contain plenty of bioactive compounds.
The extracts from reishi can improve immune function and also boost Natural Killer (NK) cells, T lymphocytes, and macrophages.
The NK cells normally target the abnormal cancerous cells and reduce them. In addition, the anti-tumor effects found in reishi mushrooms can help treat cancer through the reduction of tumor growth, protein synthesis, and gene expression.
7. Contains Antibacterial Properties to Kill Bacterial Growth
Antibiotic resistance is now a major healthcare concern. Mushrooms are known to contain lots of natural antibiotics and species like reishi. In fact, antibiotic extracts are usually extracted from the mushrooms.
Scientists have found that reishi might be a better substitute for traditional antibiotics, thanks to their anti-bacterial properties. They feature bioactive compounds like ganoderic acids, which are rich in anti-bacterial properties that can fight almost all types of bacteria.
8. Lowers Blood Pressure
Reishi mushrooms have compounds that help keep high blood pressure low. Consuming them with other supplements such as niacin will help keep your blood pressure at bay.
They produce nitric oxide that can help relax the blood vessels, thus improving the blood flow in the body. This will help reduce blood pressure. What’s more, their anti-inflammatory properties can lower inflammation of the blood vessels, which contributes to reducing blood pressure.
9. Helps Treat Type II Diabetes
Treating type II diabetes is one of the reishi mushroom health benefits. Consuming reishi together with diabetes medications can lower blood sugar. Reishi mushrooms can help decrease blood sugar by inhibiting an enzyme that produces glucose. Researchers also stated that reishi can prevent kidney complications in type II diabetes. Therefore, taking reishi if you have diabetes can help in treating it.
10. Improves the Functioning of the Liver
The liver plays a huge role in our body as it detoxifies the body by absorbing all the harmful substances. Therefore, keeping it in check can be beneficial. Reishi mushroom helps in improving its function since the compounds found in it help in liver detoxification processes. Also, the compounds found in this fungi protects the liver against fatty buildup. With a healthy liver, all allergies and blood sugar will be highly manageable.
Culinary and Supplemental Uses of Reishi Mushrooms
Reishi mushrooms are unknown for their health benefits and they have gained prominence in traditional medicine and also in culinary practices . These mushrooms are completely brewed in teas and infusions creating a rich beverage.
The tea is completely soothing and also a pack of nutritional punch providing you antioxidants and immune boosting properties with every sip.
Furthermore you can slice it or dice it and incorporate it in your stir fries and sauteed dishes imparting a unique texture and flavor profile.
You can also get some supplements in the form of tablet forms making it very easy for you to incorporate them in your daily routine. The supplements are often standardized for specific compounds ensuring consistent potency.
Reishi Mushroom Side Effects
There are different reishi mushroom effects. Though reishi mushrooms offer plenty of potential health benefits, you should also understand the side effects. The reishi side effects are minor and include:
- Dry mouth/throat: When consumed in high doses or with prolonged use, reishi mushroom can cause the mouth or throat to dry. It is advisable to use it in smaller amounts.
- Nausea: Reishi mushrooms are safe for most people, but some may experience nausea. This is triggered by digestive sensitivity or the smell.
- Dizziness: Reishi mushroom has a high concentration and lots of natural sedative compounds that work with the nervous system to bring relaxation, and calm. This can make you feel lightheaded.
- Itching/rashes: Just like natural products, reishi mushrooms can also cause rashes or itchiness. This is especially true for those people with allergies.
Some people may have individual sensitivities or allergies to reishi mushrooms or the compounds they contain. This sensitivity can manifest as gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, bloating, or stomach upset.
People with blood disorders, pregnant or breastfeeding, must consult their doctor before taking reishi mushrooms. Additionally, reishi may potentiate those people with blood thinners. So, it is best to avoid it.
Conclusion
Now you understand reishi mushroom health benefits and evidently, reishi mushrooms are a nutritional powerhouse with many potential health benefits. Adding reishi to your diet will improve the immune system, alleviate the mood, treat anxiety, reduce fatigue, and much more. With these fungi, you are sure to bring your body’s health in order.
Despite that, you also need to know reishi side effects to take them with caution. Ensure you consult your doctor before taking these mushrooms, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, preparing for surgery, or taking medication.
