Reishi Mushrooms: The Mushroom of Immortality

Anyone who has not yet tried reishi is missing out. Nutrient-packed, the health benefits of this mushroom are second to none.

Often called the mushroom of immortality and typically consumed as a powder or extract, the reishi are rich in antioxidants, are an excellent detoxifier, and much more.

How much more? Read on to learn and find out exactly why this medicinal mushrooms deserve a place in your diet.

It Stabilizes Blood Sugar Levels

If you or someone you know has diabetes, take note. No, reishi will not completely replace your insulin. But, they does have a stabilizing effect on blood sugar.

In fact, they are not only useful for people with diabetes. Anyone who regularly suffers from hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia can benefit as well.

That all said, if you are already taking diabetes medication, do use a bit of caution. The combination of your meds and too much reishi could result in your blood sugar levels dropping too low.

Reishi Improves Blood Pressure

If your blood pressure tends to run high, reishi mushrooms may help there too. By improving your heart’s overall efficiency, the mushroom of immortality can lower your blood pressure and help you get it under control.

It Protects the Brain

Reishi are not all about the cardiovascular system either – they’re also a wonderful brain-boosting mushroom.

They are are neuroprotective and can stimulate nerve growth in your brain. It’s a very beneficial property when it comes to preventing or slowing down neuro-degenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s.

So, if Alzheimer’s or other debilitating cognitive diseases run in your family, including reishi in your daily routine may not be a bad idea.

It Lowers Stress and Anxiety

Staying with mental health, reishi mushrooms may also be able to lower your anxiety and stress levels. They act as an adaptogen, which is a substance that helps your body adapt to stress, and have been used for this purpose for centuries in Chinese medicine.

Reishi Lifts the Mood

Going hand-in-hand with lowering stress and anxiety, reishi can also help improve your overall mood. They may be able to offer an alternative to antidepressants, which often come with a long list of side effects.

Research has also shown that these mushrooms can reduce irritability. Anyone suffering pain as a result of neurasthenia may particularly be able to benefit.

It Regulates Sleep

They won’t knock you out immediately, but regular use of reishi mushrooms does promote healthy sleep. A daily cup of reishi tea is an excellent way of making sure you wake up rested in the morning.

Reishi Detoxifies the Liver

Based on research published in the International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, reishi have powerful detoxifying properties and may be able to protect your liver from toxic chemicals.

The same research shows that reishi mushrooms have a positive effect on Hepatitis B levels in the livers of individuals infected with the virus.

It Fights Cancer

If all of the above benefits weren’t enough, the mushroom of immortality also has a reputation as a tumor shrinker and can help eradicate cancer cells.

Reishi have not been – and, in the western world, probably never will be – approved as first-line cancer therapy, but often are suggested as a complement to traditional treatments.

There is also evidence that reishi mushrooms can help prevent cancer – yet another reason for using it daily.

Final Words

It doesn’t matter how you consume them. Be it in the form of an extract, a powder, or even just dried, reishi mushrooms have a very long list of potential health benefits.

When you include reishi in your daily routine, stress reduction, a better night’s sleep, blood sugar and pressure regulation, and even improved brain health are just some of the benefits you can look forward to.