Reishi

Latin: Ganoderma lucidum

Czech: glossy cucumber

Chinese: Ling Zhi

Japanese: Reishi

Thevital Reishi mushroom has been known for at least 4,000 years and has gained a reputation as a strengthening agent over that time. It has been known throughout Chinese history as the "elixir of life".

It probably originated in South and Southeast Asia, where it grew mainly in coastal areas. It is a non-poisonous, but non-edible, woody fungus. It is non-edible only because of its hard consistency and rather bitter and pungent taste. It grows in summer and autumn on the bottom of the trunks of injured trees or stumps. Its Czech name is derived from its appearance. The sessile, semi-circular cap is reddish-brown to dark brown and very shiny, giving the impression that it is varnished. It is no longer very common in the wild and the demand for it is the reason for its massive cultivation. During artificial cultivation, it is also possible to vary the composition of the mushroom slightly according to the substrate on which it is grown. In addition, it is also possible to collect mycelium or differently aged fruiting bodies, as each development stage has a slightly different composition of active substances. Reishi grown on oak trunks, harvested after 6-9 months, has the optimal composition. However, the history of cultivation goes back a long way. It is described in many Chinese herbaria, including the most famous, the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, which dates back to 206 BC.

It was different in the Western world, where it was not described until 1781 by the biologist William Curtis. For a long time, it was not given much attention and only came into the scientific spotlight thanks to traditional Chinese medicine. Its tonifying effects and its ability to withstand high altitudes, which are used by Sherpas in the Himalayas, are interesting. It is also used in the training of Russian cosmonauts.

Characteristics according to traditional Chinese medicine

Nature: neutral

Taste: sweet, slightly bitter

Tropism: Heart, Liver, Lungs (some sources also mention kidneys)

Main effects according to Traditional Chinese Medicine:

• Replenishes Qi and nourishes blood/Yin
• Calms the spirit Shen
• Transforms phlegm and stops coughing
• soothes shortness of breath
• Strengthens Kidney essence

When do we use the vital Reishi mushroom to maintain or improve health?

1) Supports Zheng Qi

• Zheng Qi translated means proper Qi
• Zheng Qi can be translated as our vitality or our life force
• When we are full of Zheng Qi we are healthy and harmful Qi (Xie Qi) will not penetrate
• Reishi is considered the best vitality mushroom to support Zheng Qi!

Remark:

Zheng Qi is called the correct, proper Qi of the body. It is made up of Qi from food, as well as Qi obtained from the air, and also Qi and Kidney essence. It is the sum of several kinds of Qi.

2) Strengthens Wei Qi

• Wei Qi translates to defensive Qi
• Defensive Qi is also a part of Ordinary Qi
• Reishi supports the defensive Qi by strengthening the proper Qi.

3) Fatigue states

• Reishi is such a 2 in 1 - it replenishes both Qi and blood, which according to Chinese medicine are the two essential substances of our body. They are like fuel and momentum.
• It is used for conditions that traditional Chinese medicine calls Qi and blood energy deficiency, i.e. physical and mental fatigue
• itcan be used for: exhaustion, anemia, insomnia, imbalances after childbirth, weakening of the body during chronic diseases, before and after surgery, etc.
• It is often used together with Cordyceps for chronic fatigue conditions.

4) Strengthens the essence of Kidney Jing

• Can strengthen the essence of Jing, however Cordyceps is much stronger in this effect

5) Adaptogenic effect

• Reishi is an excellent adaptogen
• It supports the body's function to adapt to changing external conditions, such as higher altitude. This effect is also used as a support during stress.

6) Cough

• Reishi strengthens Qi Lung
• It is suitable for coughs from weakened Lungs, especially chronic

7) Asthma

• Reishi strengthens the Qi of the Lungs and transforms phlegm
• used for: asthma, COPD, emphysema, cystic fibrosis, etc.
• In asthma, it is often combined with Cordyceps or Coriolus mushroom.

8) Allergies

• used for allergies, including food allergies
• helps with histamine mediated allergic reaction - the triterpenes in Reishi are involved in this reaction
• does not work for acute allergic conditions (such as sneezing and runny nose conditions as a reaction to pollen), but is more for long-term preventative use
• for food allergies, Reishi is often combined with Enoki or Hericium mushrooms

Notes:

For hay fever, it is recommended to take Reishi at least three months before the pollen season begins. For very weakened defensive Qi, it is combined with Agaricus mushroom.

For year-round allergic rhinitis, Reishi can be taken long term throughout the year

When using Reishi to alleviate allergic reactions, it is a good idea to increase the intake of vitamin C very significantly and also zinc.

9) Eczema

• Reishi is excellent for atopic eczema, especially in children
• it is often combined with the Agaricus mushroom
• when the eczema is wet, the Polyporus mushroom is added

10) Autoimmune problems

• regulates the immune response - can stimulate or dampen immunity as needed
• can be used for autoimmune diseases: rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, autoimmune thyroiditis, type I diabetes, Sjongren's syndrome, etc.

11) Supports the cardiovascular system

• Has tropism to the Heart - supports the functions of the cardiovascular system and the heart
• used inconditions: heart weakness, arrhythmias, tendency to thrombosis, etc.
• Reishi is also suitable after a heart attack or stroke!

Remark:

Reishi has mild anticoagulant effects, so it is used as a prevention against coronary diseases. Then Reishi is often combined with the Auricularia mushroom. However, caution should be exercised as Auricularia should not be taken concurrently with blood thinners.

12) Harmonizes blood pressure

• Due to its ability to nourish the liver, Reishi can harmonize blood pressure
• in very low blood pressure, in turn, by strengthening the body, it stabilizes the pressure

13) Harmonizes cholesterol

• Reishi can harmonize blood cholesterol levels

14) Anti-cancer effects

• promotes the production of NK cells - these are responsible for the destruction of damaged cells
• Promotes the production of T-lymphocytes - cancer cell killers
• common combination: Reishi + Coriolus + Maitake
• can be used together with conventional treatments (chemotherapy, radiology, biological)
• reduces the incidence of unwanted side effects and mitigates the impact of conventional treatment

Remark:

It is recommended to take Reishi as well as other mushrooms for the entire duration of conventional treatment plus 2 months afterwards. After cure, it is recommended to take a one to two month treatment with Reishi in combination with other vital mushrooms 1-2 times a year.

Often Reishi is used for tumors with the Coriolus mushroom. Both have anti-cancer effects. However, Reishi is more vitalizing, whereas Coriolus is more of a cancer cell "killer".

15) Mental imbalances

• Reishi nourishes the blood of the Heart, has An Shen effect - calms and harmonizes the spirit of Shen
• Used forconditions: insomnia, restlessness, depression, anxiety, poor memory, etc.
• When used for a long time, Reishi increases resistance to emotional stress
• supports memory and mental function, concentration, learning - in combination with Hericium
• also helps with palpitations and cardiac arrhythmias, especially if dependent on emotions

Notes:

The Shen spirit is responsible for our psyche, emotions, feelings, thinking and also long-term memory. Its chambers are the heart and brain. The substrate for its anchorage and the fuel for its work is the blood of the Heart.

16) Insomnia

• Sleep problems are most often associated with insufficiency of the blood of the Liver and Heart
• Reishi, due to its ability to nourish the blood of both the Liver and Heart and its An Shen effect (ability to harmonize the psyche), is excellent for insomnia

17) Neurological problems

• used forconditions such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, dementia in old age, multiple sclerosis or neuropathy
• Combined with the mushroom Hericium

18) Diabetes

• is suitable for type 2 diabetes - increases the sensitivity of cells to insulin
• its action helps to stabilise blood sugar
• Combined with: Maitake and/or Coprinus

19) Promotes detoxification of the body

• Strengthens the Liver and Kidneys - thus improving detoxification
• can remove from the body: heavy metals, toxins, metabolites, etc.

20) Protects the Liver

• Has hepatoprotective effects - protects and regenerates liver cells
• used in chronic hepatitis - the triterpenes in Reishi have a significant effect
• Reishi also helps to regenerate the liver if it is burdened by excessive alcohol consumption or perhaps long-term use of Western drugs.

21) Supporting athletes

• improves oxygen uptake by the tissues - used in both the preparation and performance phases
• Reishi promotes strength and performance and shortens the recovery phase
• Combined with Cordyceps as needed

22) Tendon and ligament support

• Traditionally Reishi is used to strengthen and nourish tendons, ligaments, joints and bones - this is related to its nourishing function and effect on the Kidneys and Liver

23) Menopause

• Reishi nourishes the blood and Yin of the Liver and harmonizes the psyche
• Used for menopausal problems such as hot flashes and sweating or psychological imbalances, insomnia etc.
• Cordyceps (morning) and Reishi (evening) - together they balance Yin and Yang

24) Hair fall

• due to its ability to nourish the blood of the Liver, Reishi is used for hair loss problems
• is not only used for hair loss, but also improves the quality of hair if it is dry and frizzy
• similarly, Reishi also improves the quality of the nails

25) Antiaging effects

• Reishi is called "the mushroom of immortality" or also "the elixir of immortality"
• due to its ability to replenish kidney essence, it is used to slow down aging

26) Thyroid hyperfunction

• by promoting Zheng Qi and Kidney Essence, it improves the functioning of the whole body and can adjust the elevated thyroid function

Less common use of Reishi in clinical practice:

• Protection from radiation
• antioxidant effects
• anorexia
• neurasthenia
• overweight
• arthritis

What to remember:

Reishi boosts proper Qi and delays aging. By nourishing the blood, Shen calms the spirit, protects the liver and improves asthma.