As with many things internet based, a lot of information is copied and pasted, has a dash of creative license, a sprinkling of Chinese whispers and boom you have a new superfood or a superherb. When we select our products we look for the most effective and the very best quality. So we research, then research some more, and provide all of that research here, so that you can make up your own mind.
ANTI-OXIDANT
The high anti-oxidants values within Reishi have many health benefits. Antioxidants play an important role when preventing the body from oxidising and thus put under more stress. Reishi has been shown to contain polyphenols, flavonoids and polysaccharides. (2, 5, 6, 15,)
ANTI-OXIDANTS (ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE)
Studies have shown that when Reishi is consumed with Ophiocordyceps, the body increased its ability to scavenge free radicals, reducing oxidative stress, which is great for athletes who are at risk of overtraining or overreaching in the lead up to an event. (5).
ANTI-OXIDANT (SKIN and HEALING)
Studies have indicated that Reishi, when water extracted and freeze dried, was high in anti-oxidants (polyphenols and flavonoids) and when applied to a wound it was shown to cause the wound to contract and increase the connective tissue of the cells—speeding up healing. The beta-glucan anti-oxidant polysaccharides contained in Reishi have also been attributed to potentially aiding wound healing / reduction. (3, 23)
ANTI-OXIDANT (DNA)
Reishi has been studied to protect DNA at low concentrations, but be careful not to over do it, as in high concentrations Reishi could be counter productive, everything in moderation after all. (19, 20)
IMMUNE HEALTH
Reishi's most analysed attributes – along with other medicinal mushroom’s / fungi – are their unique long chain carbohydrates that appear to have superb benefits to the functioning of the entire immune system.
Having a weakened immune system and excessive inflammation can have many negative health implications, and Reishi is a product that may modulate, improve, and protect the immune system—the system responsible for fighting off every disease including cancer—whilst at the same time potentially decreasing inflammation. Reishi's complex polysaccharides have also been shown to be significant in supporting the immune system.
Coupling compounds that may enhance immune system function and fight inflammation seems intuitive if you wish to feel and perform your best, and Reishi mushroom may naturally facilitate this—all on its lonesome.
Reishi has also been explored as a complimentary adjunct treatment to patients undergoing chemotherapy, showing that patients had the potential to respond positively when using Reishi in conjunction with chemotherapy, having positive impacts on immune function. Studies also suggest that if Reishi Extract is taken orally, it can help treatments aiming to reduce the spread of some cancers (obviously everyone is different, what works for 1 may not work for another - but every little helps, right?!).
Reishi also contains high levels of the anti-oxidants polysaccharides, beta-glucans, these are a significant compound in that they have been studied extensively in the support of immune function as well as being literature suggesting they may help in the treatment of; cancer, microbial infections, hypercholesterolaemia, and diabetes, not to mention theit activity in potentially activating the bodies natural killer (NK) cells. Beta-glucans from mushrooms are slightly different and more bio-available than those found in yeast or oats, which may be attributed to their effect being stronger. (2, 9, 11, 12, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23)
HORMONES (IMMUNE HEALTH)
Specifically in relation to supporting the immune system and cancerous activity, Reishi has been suggested by science to manage testosterone and estrogen, in the case of both hormones, helping reduce cell growth. (13, 24)
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY (MOOD and ORGANs)
Since chronic inflammation is rather rampant in the 21st century, as too is the correlated fatigue and disease. Reishi's polysaccharides and triterpine compounds appear to act as anti-inflammatories within the body, suggesting the possible benefits of Reishi position it as one of the most significant tonic ‘herbs’ we have access to. It has also been suggested that it be researched for the use as a natural therapy against Crohns Disease (a type of inflammatory bowl disease (IBD)). (1, 8, 11, 12, 4)
ANTI-FATIGUE
Studies suggest Reishi mushroom has the ability to aid in treating fatigue, making perfect sense, since having a compromised immune system—giving disease a greater chance for survival—coupled with excessive inflammation can often implicate energy levels as the body has to work harder and so you feel less energised/fatigued. So by looking beyond fatigue as the symptom and paying attention to the cause, invariably the fatigue may be rectified. :) (2, 15)
ORGANS (BRAIN / NOOTROPIC)
Studies suggest that when incorporated in the diet, Reishi can have positive impacts in the function of the brain. (6, 10)
CIRCULATORY (SUGARS and CHOLESTEROL)
Adding Reishi spore powder to the diet has also been shown to aid in managing cholesterol and blood sugar. This could be beneficial for those suffering from type 2 Diabetes. (7, 15)
CIRCULATORY (ANTI-MICROBIAL)
Our lives are surrounded by microbes, they are tiny (microorganisms) which cause disease and fermentation—some good, some not so good. Obviously the not so good ones we want to keep in check for optimum health. The high anti-oxidant activity in water extracted Reishi have been shown to protect against blood oxidation, supporting its traditional use as an anti-microbial. (More tea vicar - in our best English Dawn French-esk accent?!) (1, 15)
No wonder the Chinese, Vietnamese and Japanese all call it the Supernatural Mushroom.
