7 Scientific Reishi Mushroom Benefits

Edible mushrooms have been consumed for centuries; however, in the last 50 years more research has been conducted on their effects and reishi mushrooms is one of the few that stands apart. Bio-compounds found in reishi mushrooms, such as polysaccharides has the ability to activate your immune system. Some studies have found that reishi mushrooms could possibly increase your lifespan, fight cancer and improve your overall wellbeing.  

What are Reishi Mushrooms?

Reishi is a bitter, edible mushroom also known as Ganoderma lucidum or lingzhi mushrooms. They are grown and cultivated in East Asia, where they have been used in Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. Despite their amazing health benefits, they are still used as an immunity booster, rather than for treatment of metabolic diseases.

This is likely due to the fact that most studies on their effect are small, limited or with animals. Lingzhi mushrooms don’t seem to have serious side effects and is effective as an immune system activator. This article will look at the current research and its potential as a means of therapeutic medicine.

Helps Treat and Possibly Cures Hepatitis A, B, and C

The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that taking reishi mushrooms could help treat chronic hepatitis B. A small animal study also found that reishi mushrooms helped reduce the levels of the hepatitis B virus in the blood. Dr. Cathy Sabota, a horticulture specialist suggest that taken reishi mushrooms on a long-term basis could treat hepatitis A, B, and C in about 90 days.

I couldn’t find any studies to back these claims, so it may be far-fetched. However, considering reishi mushrooms immune-boosting and liver protective properties, its not improbable that it may in fact treat hepatitis or quicken your recovery time.

It Helps Improve Cancer-related Fatigue

Reishi mushrooms improves the cognitive function and emotional wellbeing of breast cancer patients

In a study published in the “Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine,” researchers investigated the effects of reishi mushroom powder on cancer-related fatigue in women getting treated for breast cancer.

The results of this small study suggest that reishi (lingzhi) mushrooms can improve the emotional wellbeing and cognitive function of breast cancer patients. The study reports that there were no significant side effects and taking reishi mushrooms for a month can decrease cancer-related fatigue. These results are promising but it’s a preliminary study with only about 40 participants. More extensive studies are required to learn more about its effects long term.

Boost Your Immune System

There is a lot of evidence supporting the idea that reishi mushrooms can activate your immune system. So, what does that mean exactly? Boosting your immune system is believed to help combat cancerous and potentially cancerous cells known as malignant or premalignant cells. A study published in “Life Science” in 2002 found that reishi mushrooms helped grow and strengthen T- and B-cells, which are defender cells in your body.

The “Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects” notes that reishi mushrooms is one of 8 compounds in a herbal complex called the “prostate cancer-hope” (PC-SEPS). This is due to its immune modulation effect on cells that reduce tumours.

Reishi Antioxidant Activities

Antioxidants are believed to help prevent cancerous cells from multiplying and also help prevent them from forming. This occurs when antioxidants protect cells from oxidative damage and keeps your free radical scavenging cells on high alert. Reishi mushrooms contain polysaccharides and triterpenoids, which are compounds that have an antioxidant effect.

This graph shows the difference in antioxidant present in blood plasma or the (Ferric reducing ability of plasma)(wiki) The antioxidants in reishi mushrooms were absorbed quickly in the human participants, which proves it not only increases the level of antioxidant activity in the blood but it does so rapidly. One of the possible benefits of this is a reduced risk of heart disease; however, its effects have to be observed long term. Preferably in large double-blind placebo study involving several ethnic groups.

It Could Possible Improve Diabetes Symptoms

Some animal studies have shown the potential of reishi mushrooms in regulating blood-glucose levels. One study published in the “International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms” involving 71 participants with type 2 diabetes, investigated the effects of a reishi mushroom extract.

The study revealed that the reishi mushroom polysaccharide extract, called ganopoly, effectively lowered blood glucose levels. This human study reveals that reishi mushrooms is a potential anti-hyperglycemic agent for diabetes.

Most of the studies on reishi mushrooms have been in animal studies, which generally found that its polysaccharide compounds lowered glucose levels.

Protect Your Liver Function

The liver has several essential functions, including detoxifying the body. This important role also lives the liver vulnerable to damage, known as liver disease. Reishi mushrooms abilities to protect the liver has been studied extensively in animals.

In a study published in the “Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin,” reishi mushroom extract given to rats with cirrhosis for almost a month had a hepatoprotective effect. The polysaccharides helped lower risk factors associated with liver inflammation and reduced collagen levels.

Another animal study published in “Food and Chemical Toxicology” found that reishi mushrooms have the potential to protect the liver against cadmium toxicity. Elevated cadmium levels — caused by tobacco smoking and industrial exposure — is linked to liver disease.

Other animal studies have found that reishi mushrooms could offer protection for alcohol-induced liver damage, bacterial infections and provide a general reduction in free radical damage. Although this is all great news, there are virtually no studies on humans. While these results are very promising, they have to be taken with a grain of salt until large-scale studies on humans are conducted with reishi mushrooms.

Can Reishi Mushrooms Treat Cancer?

The “Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews” evaluated published studies on reishi mushrooms as a treatment for cancer. The result found that people given reishi mushrooms with chemotherapy fared better than those who received chemotherapy alone. It was also not as effective in cancer remissions than when it’s combined with conventional treatment methods.

The review did not find enough evidence to support reishi mushrooms as a treatment option for cancer. Although it seems to help with therapy, the researcher are uncertain that it can improve cancer prognosis or prolong your survival.

Should You Take Reishi Mushrooms?

Studies found that reishi mushrooms are well tolerated and generally safe to use. However, you should consult a doctor before using it as a form of treatment. While more extensive studies are required to determine dosages for your health. Reishi mushrooms does seem like an effective way to boost your immune system, which could improve your overall health.