Top Benefits of Reishi Mushroms |

Reishi mushrooms, also known as lingzhi mushrooms, are well known and recognized for their benefits for body and mind. These fungi are packed with properties that bring mental clarity, immune support, and liver health. Long used in traditional Chinese medicine boiled as a tea or soup, many people today profit from these potent adaptogenic mushrooms through supplements, powders, or tinctures.

Read on to discover the ways that reishi mushrooms bring health and longevity.

What are reishi mushrooms good for?

While reishi mushrooms can flourish from Europe, North America, or Southeast Asia, they have the longest history of being harvested and used in China and other Asian countries. They grow best on deciduous hardwood trees in tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates. Reishi mushrooms are not often used in cooking because of their strong bitter flavor and tough texture.

Most people take these reishi mushrooms in either a powder or tincture form at a dose equivalent to 2-6 grams of uncooked mushroom. Most often, reishi are paired with other fungi and herbs, depending on what benefit the supplement supports. For immunity, reishi mushrooms may be combined with shiitake mushrooms. Lion’s mane and cordyceps mushrooms are often added to reishi mushrooms to boost mental clarity and energy.

Health Benefits of Reishi Mushrooms

In traditional Chinese medicine, reishi mushrooms are honored for bringing health and long life. Today, they are used in many of the same ways. Some uses do not yet have strong research to support them, while others have more clear evidence. Many studies on reishi mushrooms are either test-tube studies or animal studies. Regardless of this, many doctors and patients have seen clear positives from using reishi mushrooms.

Reishi Mushrooms for Cancer

While the evidence is limited on reishi mushrooms helping to prevent cancer or fight it on their own, they do support cancer treatments, like radiation and chemotherapy. The polysaccharides in reishi mushrooms help guard DNA and prevent cell mutations. Additionally, triterpene may limit tumors growing and spreading. This compound found in reishi mushrooms may prevent cancer cells fastening themselves to endothelial cells. Finally, the beta-glucans in reishi mushrooms fight cancer cells and support the immune system. This makes cancer treatments more effective and limits the side effects typically associated with them, such as fatigue and a weakened immune system.

Reishi Mushrooms for the Immune System

Like some other mushrooms, reishi mushrooms benefit the immune system. Similar to shiitake mushrooms, the reishi variety also has beta-glucans. These support white blood cells as they fight off infections and viruses. Beta-glucans also manage T cells, a subset of white blood cells which fight against infections and cancers. Reishi mushrooms are anti-inflammatory, a key component of immune health. They are also adaptogenic mushrooms, meaning they help the body adapt to stress. This also supports a healthy immune system. Chronic stress weakens the immune system in a variety of ways, but adaptogenic mushrooms help balance your system. From well-balanced hormones to managing your stress response, reishi mushrooms keep your body balanced and able to fight off infection and disease.

Reishi Mushrooms for Liver Health

The liver, which has more than 500 functions, is a major part of your body’s waste management system. It filters your blood and breaks down germs and pathogens so they can leave your body. A damaged liver can seriously impact your health, leeching health and wellness from your body.

Reishi mushrooms are known to support your liver’s health. Research shows that they protect the liver, fighting off damaging cells and toxins. Reishi mushrooms help the liver filter and detoxify the blood. As an adaptogenic mushroom, it promotes the liver’s function of purging toxins and bacteria. These mushrooms help keep the liver healthy, so you can be healthy.

Mental Clarity and Fatigue

Part of its adaptogenic properties make reishi energizing and mentally clarifying. By helping your body respond to and manage stress, adaptogenic mushrooms reduce fatigue and brain fog. Reishi mushroom’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties also can clear the mind and balance energy levels. This makes reishi mushrooms a useful support for those who have chronic fatigue or those with depression.

Reishi Mushroom Recipes

Because of their strong flavor and woody texture, reishi mushrooms are not typically used in cooking. Instead, you can make reishi mushrooms into a tea or broth if you prefer not to buy premade tinctures and supplements.