Reishi

Chinese herbalists claim reishi tonifies the three treasures (Jing, Qi and Shen), which builds body resistance, and is detoxifying, aphrodisiac, and sedative. It is widely believed to prolong life and enhance intelligence and wisdom.

Current understanding and studies suggest that reishi has many medicinal benefits, and it has been the subject of a great deal of research in recent years.

• Immune System Regulator: Reishi has been found to greatly improve the body’s immune system and bring it back into balance. A healthy, balanced immune system allows the body to fend off unwelcome bacteria, viral sources, allergens and more.

• Polysaccharides: aid the body in modulating and strengthening the immune system.

• Beta-1, 3-glucans, help regulate and stabilize blood sugar levels.

• Cardiovascular support: Reishi is widely used in Asia to improve the cardiovascular system. It helps lower HDL (“bad” cholesterol) and reduce excess fatty acids. It has been found to prevent and treat hardening of the arteries, angina and shortness of breath associated with heart disease.

• Commonly prescribed by Japanese doctors for chronic bronchitis, memory loss, insomnia, hyperlipidemia and a whole range of degenerative diseases of the elderly, including disorders associated with senility. It has also been approved in Japan and China to treat myasthenia gravis, a serious auto-immune disease.

• Anti-stress benefits: Calms and centers the mind, eases the psyche, provides sense of peacefulness.

• Research demonstrated reishi may have anticancer properties, protect the liver and protect the body against radiation. A randomized clinical study noted reishi improved urinary tract symptoms in men. Research has shown that reishi contains compounds that may act as ACE inhibitors, inihibit blood platelets, and fibrosis. According to Memorial Sloan-Kettering, “in clinical studies, Ganoderma lucidum increased plasma antioxidant capacity and enhanced immune responses in advance-stage cancer patients.”