Reishi Mushroom
Reishi has been classed as the highest value healing herb in China for thousands of years. Increases disease resistance and normalises bodily functions. An excellent tonic as part of any healing program. Beneficial for healing the nervous system and for fatigue, including CFS & M.E. Potent anti-allergy effects.
The Reishi Mushroom grows on old, broad leaf trees and often attains a weight of over one pound. Reishi
has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 4,000 years
and was highly prized as an elixir of immortality. In China it is known
as Ling Zhi and is often called "the marvellous herb", it is classified
as "superior" and fits into a category called Fu-Zheng. According
to Fu-Zheng, the primary function of the Reishi Mushroom is to increase
disease resistance, normalise bodily functions. It is also seen as a
natural remedy for fatigue and weakness, asthma, insomnia, and cough.
The
University of Texas Science Centre in San Antonio studied its
anti-inflammatory properties, concluding that it is comparable to
hydrocortisone and aspirin – with the ability to reduce inflammation
when taken orally and applied directly to the skin. The polysaccharides
and triterpenoids in Reishi Mushrooms enhance the functioning of the
immune system. In laboratory studies, these polysaccharides suppressed
the growth of implanted tumour cells.
Reishi
is a wonderful herb (or functional food) for the nervous system.
Indications include insomnia, anxiety or nervousness accompanied by
general adrenal weakness or general neurasthenia or deficiency symptoms.
In people suffering from insomnia, it enhances the relaxation increases
sleeping time. It is especially suitable for the sensitive patient - normally difficult to treat, as remedies tend to over stimulate. This also applies to those with chronic fatigue and M.E. syndromes.
Promotes longevity
Mushrooms are regarded as by the Chinese as "spirit medicine' because they nourish the ‘shen’, or spirit. They
are considered particularly important in vegetarian diets and regarded
as a medicinal food that promotes longevity. One of the oldest recorded
botanical monographs has claimed that Reishi mushroom made the body
lighter, which may refer to its ability to reduce cholesterol and blood
lipid levels.
In
the first Chinese herbal text (Shennong’s Pharmacopeia) written about
2400 years ago, Reishi was classified as a "superior herb". That
ancient book said, Reishi was traditionally called "the mushroom of
immortality." The Reishi Mushroom grows wild only upon old trees and
roots of certain types of trees in remote mountain forests of China,
Japan and Korea. Only in the last fifteen years have we seen the
cultivation of Reishi, and thus the commercial availability of this
amazing health product. Reishi has been the object of intensive
scientific studies to discern its many health functions from a modern
perspective.
Reishi
has shown favorable results in treating hepatitis, especially in cases
without severe impairment of liver function (Chang & But, 1986). In a
study of 355 cases of hepatitis B treated with Wulingdan Pill, which
includes the fruiting body of Reishi, 92.4% of the patients had positive
results (Van et al, 1987).
In
a clinical report from the MARA Institute of Technology, positive
results were also seen in patients with diabetes, acute myeloid leukemia
(AML), and recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinomas. Of special note are
Reishi's action on the lungs and heart. In clinical studies conducted in
China during the 1970s, over 2000 patients with chronic bronchitis were
given a tablet form of Reishi syrup. Within 2 weeks, 60-90% of the
patients showed marked improvement, including increased appetite. The
older patients, especially, seemed to benefit the most, and those with
bronchial asthma, in particular, responded well (Chang & But, 1986).
Finally,
Reishi has been found to be effective for two unusual applications.
First it alleviates high altitude sickness by oxygenating the blood. Chinese
mountain climbers given G. liicidnvi before ascending mountains as high
as 4,000-5.000 m (13.200 to 17.000 ft.) felt minimal reactions to the
climbs (Ghang & But. 1986)
Second,
and most unusual, G. lundim, has been found to be surprisingly
effective in treating myotonia dystrophica. A rare hereditary disease
characterized by muscular atrophy, which begins in the face, neck, and
larynx, and progressively affects the musculature of the entire body.
Eventually even the skin and many glands such as the pituitary, thyroid,
parathyroid and gonads atrophy as well. There is no known cure for this
disorder. Although Reishi is not a cure, it can help alleviate symptoms. In one study, patients with myotonia dvstrophica were given 400 mg/day of water-soluble spores administered iintra-muscuarly. Many
showed marked improvement in muscle strength, improved sleeping and
eating patterns and weight gain within 1-2 weeks. Patients unable to
lift their heads before treatment were able to do so after treatment,
and their speech and walking ability improved as well. Indeed, in three
cases the disease even ceased to progress (Fu & Wang)
Active Compounds
Reishi
contains several constituents, including sterols, coumarin, mannitol,
polysaccharides, and triterpenoids called ganoderic acids. Ganoderic
acids seem to help lower blood pressure as well as decrease low-density
lipoprotein (LDL) and triglyceride levels. These specific triterpenoids
also help to reduce blood platelets from sticking together - an
important factor in lowering the risk for coronary artery disease.
