Reishi mushrooms, also known as Ganoderma lucidum, are not typical culinary mushrooms. Reishi are large, dark, bitter tasting mushrooms with a shiny exterior and a woody texture. They have been used for many years in Chinese medicine and other Asian countries to promote overall good health, including modulating immune function, increasing energy and promoting longevity. Because of their incredible purported benefits, they are often referred to as medicinal mushrooms.

The effects of reishi mushrooms and others – such as shiitake, maitake and chaga – on immune system health and immune function are widely touted – and these are not the only health benefits of this wonderful mushroom.

13 Health Benefits of Reishi Mushroom

Immune system support

• One of the most well-known health benefits of the reishi mushroom is its immune support abilities and protection against the aging of immune cells. Research shows that beta-glucans, polysaccharides present in reishi mushrooms, as in other mushrooms, exhibit immunomodulatory activities. Beta-glucans, specifically β-D-glucans in reishi mushrooms, offer immune support.

Fight inflammation

• Evidence from preclinical studies supports the use of reishi in the fight against inflammation.

Heart health

• Another potential use and health benefit of reishi mushrooms is heart health, due to their ability to lower cholesterol. Some research has shown that people with high blood pressure can achieve lower blood pressure with reishi. Keeping blood pressure and cholesterol within a normal, healthy range can help promote heart health and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Antioxidant properties

• Antioxidants are molecules that help prevent cell damage. Reishi contains various compounds that can help increase the antioxidant status of the body.

Liver Health/Detoxification

• Liver protective effects due to a myriad of mechanisms including increased free radical scavenging have been demonstrated. Free radicals are unstable molecules that have been shown to contribute to many chronic health problems including cancer and liver disease.

Brain health

• The neuroprotective activity of Reishi can help improve memory, cognition and protect the brain from age-related diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer's.

Skin health

• Reishi mushroom can help your skin too. In a pre-clinical study, an active ingredient isolated from Reishi was found to help promote burn healing.

Protection against cancer

• For over 30 years, medicinal mushrooms such as Reishi have been approved as an adjunct to standard treatment for cancer patients in Japan and China. Medicinal mushrooms are currently being researched to see how they affect the immune system and whether they stop or slow the growth of cancer cells.

May help manage blood sugar in type 2 diabetes

• Reishi may have an anti-diabetic effect in patients with type 2 diabetes, including reducing cellular insulin resistance and reducing HbA1c, which is the average blood glucose level and a marker of diabetes. Keeping your blood sugar in a key range is essential to managing type 2 diabetes. Insulin controls blood sugar levels by helping blood sugar enter the body's cells so it can be used for energy.

Help with allergies

• Studies suggest that Reishi mushrooms may have an antihistaminic effect, due to their immunoregulatory properties, they relieve most of the symptoms in hay fever patients, such as runny nose, itchy eyes, congestion and sneezing.

Mood

• Reishi is considered an adaptogen – meaning it can help regulate the body's stress response.

Long life

• Reishi can help you live longer! Its potential anti-aging properties are primarily due to its antioxidant, immunomodulatory and anti-neurodegenerative mechanisms that can help slow down the aging process.

Energy and fatigue

• Reishi mushrooms may also improve physical fitness in women with fibromyalgia.