Numerous legends surrounding the Reishi mushroom provide a historical record that spans two millenia. Traditionally, Reishi was used in China by Taoist monks to promote a centered-calmness, improve meditative practices and attain a long and healthy life.
Reishi is known under many names; the “mushroom of immortality”, “ten-thousand-year mushroom”, and “mushroom of spiritual potency” are but a few. Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) has been used for many centuries in the traditional herbal medicine of China and Japan for its immuno-modulatory and adaptogenic properties.
In the most comprehensive Chinese Materia Medica, the ‘Ben Cao Gang Mu’, published in 1578AD, Reishi was listed as the most respected herb out of 120 Superior herbs.
Superior herbs were classified as the highest category of medicines since they were considered to prolong life, prevent aging, boost energy (qi), and make the body light and limber.
Modern research has shown Reishi to have anti-allergic, anti-oxidant, anti-tumour, anti-viral, cardiotonic and liver-protective properties. Reishi mushroom has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for treatment of chronic bronchitis.
The Reishi is a bracket mushroom and typically attaches itself to trees including oak and plum trees. They contain polysaccharides, compounds which have been shown to help the body fight cancer tumors and stimulate the immune system to combat infections and viruses.
In Japan, Reishi Mushrooms are considered a health tonic and are used for liver, heart and asthma conditions as well as for cancer, high blood pressure and arthritis.
The Reishi Mushroom also contains Sterols which can possibly assist the hormonal system and also contain natural antihistamines which can reduce allergic reactions and inflammation in the body.
Recent studies have identified Reishi Mushrooms as an excellent source of antioxidants which can possibly counteract the damaging effects of oxidation on human tissues. In other clinical studies in Asia, Reishi Mushrooms have shown good results in treating hepatitis and chronic bronchitis. The Reishi mushroom has also shown effectiveness at repairing radiation damaged cells.
Different parts of the Reishi include:
Mycelium, Spores, and Fruiting Body.
Reishi Product Categories and Uses
Reishi Fruiting Bodies Powder
- Reishi Mushroom Fruiting Bodies are dried and made into a powder which you can add to drinks or smoothies or buy in capsule form. Reishi Mushroom Powder contains the least amount of Polysaccharides, Beta Glucans and secondary metabolites. It is not the same as Reishi Mycelium powder, which was never used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Reishi Mycelium lacks many of the triterpenes, ganaderic acids and beta glucans found in the fruiting bodies.
- Reishi Mycelium Powder is found primarily in the United States and is an inferior product when compared to Reishi fruiting body powder. We have yet to see any clinical medical studies for Reishi use this product. Usually 20% - 35% starch - which actually is a Polysaccharide yet has no benefits.
Reishi Fruiting Bodies Extract (Powder or Liquid)
- Reishi Mushroom Extracts traditionally go through a dual extraction process using hot water and alcohol to extract a full-spectrum of Polysaccharides, Beta Glucans, Triterpenes, and Ganoderic Acids which can be up to 15x stronger than Mushroom Fruiting bodies powder and 50x stronger than Mycelium based Reishi powders. Reishi extract also contains a much higher concentration of Beta glucans and Polysaccharides than Reishi Spore Powder.
Reishi Triterpene Crystals (Powder)
The most concentrated form of Triterpenes is found in reproducing Reishi spores. These Triterpene Crystals have anti-allergy and blood pressure lowering effects. One of the most remarking qualities of triterpenes researched in the scientific field is their cytotoxicity against cancer and tumor cells.
Reishi Spore Powder (Cracked Spore Powder is best)
- Reishi Spore powder is made from blossoming Reishi Flowering Body spores and also contains adenosine, thirteen amino acids, Germanium, Selenium, lipopolysaccharides, ascorbic acid, alkaloids and trace minerals.
- The Lingzhi Spore has a hard cell wall structure, much like the protective shell of an egg. This keeps the essential nutrients in a powdery form. In order for these nutrients to be released, the spore shell has to be completely broken and the actual spores cracked. Studies have shown that the body’s absorption of the cracked spores is greater than that of the uncracked version.
- What are cracked spores? They are a pollen-like powdery substance, released for about 10 days when the Reishi is reproducing. It is very precious and has therapeutic effects many times stronger than Lingzhi.
- Cracked Cell Reishi Spore Powder Benefits:
- Higher concentration of Triterpenes over Reishi Extract
- More Ganoderic Acids and Oils than Reishi Extract
- The most concentrated form of Triterpenes can be found in Reishi Spore Oil at an astounding 33% per capsule! Reishi Spore Oil is the best source for Triterpenes. It has 15% more unsaturated fat than regular spore oil.