Living Healthy Eating Reishi Mushrooms
Throughout coastal regions of China, Reishi mushrooms are grown horizontally, on rotting logs or vertically, from fallen tree stumps. The mushrooms are one of six colors (red, green, white, black, yellow and purple), but prominently red, being most common cultivated for use, in North America, China, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea. The fruiting part of the mushroom, provide medicinal properties. The flesh is tough and woody, with a bitter taste. The whole mushroom top, with little shaft, is desirable, and preferably, larger mushrooms are better. Reishi mushrooms are kidney-shaped, and grow eight inches or more in diameter. Reishi Mushroom or Ganoderma lucidum (botanical name) known as a Lingzhi or “herb of spiritual potency.’ In China, Reishi Mushroom is called “mushroom of immortality,” relieves fatigue and weakness. Also, commonly treating: Asthma, insomnia (Enhances relaxation of muscles and increase sleeping time.), coughs, cancer, hypertension, diabetes, headaches, stomach ache, sleep, arthritis, back pain, skin care, and hair loss. Frequently, mountain climbers combat altitude sickness by taking Reishi, and Chinese athletes enhance their performance, by taking this herb. Reishi herb classified as ‘Top of the Superior Quality’ of all herb, by Chinese doctors, for thousands of years, and more potent, than Ginseng. Emperors considered the herb, for immortality.
The herb contains triterpenoids called ganoderic acids. These acids, may lower blood pressure, decrease cholesterol, and reduce formation of blood platelets, from sticking together, causing coronary artery disease or anticoagulant medication. Also, these mushroom contain, polysaccharides, fight cancerous tumors and stimulate the immune system, combating infections and viruses. Reishi consumed fresh or dried in cooking. Cancers studies in animals, shown Reishi Mushroom extract, reduced fifty percent tumors. Cancer surgeons in Japan, treat patients using Reishi extracts, combined with chemo and radiotherapy, accelerate recovery. Chinese study, examining 2,000 elderly patients, with chronic bronchitis. These patients, treated with concentrated Reishi Mushrooms product. After, several months, sixty percent of these patients, increased immunoglobulin ‘A,’ for treatment of chronic bronchitis.
Process, extract Reishi, for commercial products, at low temperature, with water and alcohol, ensures presence, for medicinal compounds. Reishi mushrooms are available dried (powder), tablets, capsules, tea bags, and syrup. These extracts are found in health food stores, herb stores, Chinese markets, and online websites. Recommended dose of Reishi mushrooms is 400 milligrams, three times a day. Reishi Mushrooms grow kits are available online, for cultivation, in virtually foolproof kit.
Studies are evaluating, safety use of Reishi for pregnant women. Currently, not advised, for women are pregnant or breast-feeding. Generally, rare side effects taking Reishi include: Dizziness, dry mouth, stomach upset, nose bleeding, sore bones or skin irritation. Some side effects, not present, for three to six months. Reishi known be nontoxic. Beware, some variety of mushrooms are extremely toxic. Requires, expert identifying and picking the medicinal Reishi Mushroom. Herbal supplements, can be harmful, combining with prescription medication. Dried mushrooms, sold as Reishi mushrooms, by scientific names: ‘Ganoderma oregonense and Ganoderma tsugae,’ will resemble and taste, same as the medicinal herb, however provide, less effective healing properties, and should be avoided. Vitamin ‘C’ prescribed, reducing any side effects of diarrhea, taking Reishi mushrooms.
