Reishi, or shiny cucumber (Ganoderma lucidum in Latin), is a stalked fungus found mainly in oak forests that grows on the trunks and stumps of deciduous plants. It is part of traditional Chinese medicine and is very popular worldwide for its various health benefits. Due to its popularity, we decided to take a closer look at it as part of our series focusing on medicinal mushrooms.
What is reishi?
The glossy reishi cap is a name derived from the shiny coloration of the reishi cap. In the wild, reishi is found mainly on stones that are injured or dead.or on the stumps of dead and dead deciduous trees (especially oaks and beeches). However, as this fungus is not widespread enough in the wild to be offeredIt is widely cultivated in specialised nurseries. Since this trend started sometime in the 1970s, the cultivation of this species has been very popular. in the 1990s, growers have been able to improve conditions in the nurseries to the extent that today the mushrooms contain the same spectrum of health benefits as those found in the wild.
As a rule, reishi fruits are used for health purposes when they are 6-9 months old, but it should be noted thatthat at each stage of development, reishi may have a slightly different composition and therefore different health effects. It is for its effects that reishi is known in Asia as the mushroom of immortality. It has been part of traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years and has not been forgotten in the modern world.
What are the proven effects of reishi?
Reishi has a variety of health benefits. Some are proven by scientific studies, others are more speculative. For the purposes of this article, we will limit ourselves to only those effects that are supported by scientific studies. Nevertheless, this is not a complete list, as it would be much longer.
Immune system support
The first positive effect of reishi is its beneficial effect on the immune system. This point contains countless sub-positive effects on the overall health of the body.The immune system is simply the building block of a healthy body. At the same time, reishi has a multitude of uses because of this, as supporting the immunesystem has a positive impact on a very wide range of health problems. It is therefore no wonder that, even after many centuries, reishi is still one of the most widely used medicinal mushrooms in the world.
Cordyceps.
Studies also suggest that reishi may be a valuable aid in the fight against tumors. In fact, it turns out that reishi can kill cancer cells. In any case, it is important to approach individual studies with a little caution and not to overstate their significance. Nevertheless, this is excellent news and a step in a very promising direction.
It reduces fatigue
Fatigue and the constant need for sleep is a very annoying problem that is not uncommon in today's world. Chronic fatigue has a negative impact on many areas of life. Reishi can alleviate the feeling of fatigue and thus have a positive effect on both sports performance and, for example, efficiency at work or study.
Combats depression
Another study is also working with fatigue reduction, but this time it also focuses on mental health. In fact, it has been shown that reishi can alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and depression, which are also on the rise nowadays. The beneficial effect on mental health naturally translates into better sporting performanceperformance, as people suffering from anxiety and depression usually experience a deterioration in physical performance as well.
Heart health
It is a well-known fact that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. A healthy heart should therefore become a priority for all of us, whether we play sport or not. Meanwhile, some studies suggest that reishi has a positive effect on heart health. However, it should be noted that these effects are still somewhat controversial, as they have not been sufficiently confirmed by a large number of studies.
Antioxidant effects
We have already written a lot about the beneficial effects of antioxidants - for exampleFor example, see our ranking of the best antioxidants. Studies suggest that reishi has powerful antioxidant effects and may therefore offer a wide range of health benefits. For example, antioxidants are important for fighting the signs of ageing, blood vessel clogging or even hair and skin deterioration.
Side effects and disadvantages of reishi
Although reishi offers a number of health benefits, you should also pay attention to whether it poses any health risks. In the case of reishi, there are several potential problems to consider if you decide to take this mushroom long-term. It is possible to experience digestive problems or nausea, but this depends largely on the amount consumed. People taking reishi should consult their doctor if they are taking blood pressure medication blood pressure or diabetes, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their doctor. Allergic reactions can potentially be a problem.
Dosage of reishi
Reishi does not have a fixed amount that is considered a recommended dose. However, scientific studies generally work with amounts ranging from 1.5 grams to 9 grams. It should be noted, however, that the dosage also varies depending on what form of reishi you take. The substance content of reishi powder is much more concentrated than in the mushroom itself. So if you are taking the whole mushroom (which is not very common), you need to work with higher doses to get the same results.
Which product to choose?
When choosing reishi, as when choosing any other product, you need to pay attention to the highest possible quality of the product. This means that its composition should ideally not contain anything in addition to the active ingredient. This is especially true for unnecessary additives or controversial substances that can have undesirable negative effects. Emphasis must also be placed on the origin of the mushroom and the conditions in which it was grown. It is therefore not a bad idea to look for products with organic certification or similar certifications confirming their safe origin.
When choosing, you also need to address the question of whether you are looking for a powdered extract or a product in capsule or tablet form. The former usually has an advantage primarily in price and active ingredient content, while tablets or capsules are easier to take. The choice is yours.
As far as specific products are concerned, we can highly recommend, for example, BrainMax Pure Reishi powderwhich has the aforementioned BIO certification and boasts very high quality.In addition, you can also take reishi in coffee, which is also produced by BrainMax.
What to take away from the article?
Reishi has been part of traditional Chinese medicine for centuries due to its beneficial effects on human health. Even after many years, it is still highly valued for its beneficial effects and is one of the most popular medicinal mushrooms in the world. Its main benefits include strengthening the immune system, beneficial effect on fatigue, antioxidant effects and much more. In practice, you will most often encounter products in powder form, but it is also possible to come across capsules or tablets. Since reishi grown in cultivation contains identical content of active substances as mushrooms naturally occurring in nature, you don't have to worry about their effect being weaker or less pronounced.
That's all from us for today's article. However, if you have any questions, feel free to contact us in the comments.
Why can you trust us?
Sport has been my lifelong passion, I have been close to it since I was a child. For a long time I was primarily involved in athletics, which also eventually led me to the gym. Every good sprinter knows that to get one tenth of a start, he must therefore sacrifice hundreds of hours in training. And it was this toil behind the curtain, which no one sees, that was my greatest passion.
Every kilo in the gym helped me to move a little closer to my goal and I fell in love with the gym very quickly. Even though I don't race anymore, nothing has changed in my relationship with uncompromising training.