Although classified as a superior tonic, Reishi mushroom does not contain the proteins necessary for cellular structure, does not improve digestive function, and lacks sedative active ingredients.
Reishi’s presence in medical history dates back long before Qin Shi Huang sent his royal physician, Xu Fu, to search for the elixir of immortality in the Eastern Sea. For thousands of years, Reishi has held the highest position in ancient Chinese texts. Therefore, it is well-known among practitioners worldwide and has been officially listed in the pharmacopoeias of China, Japan, Korea, and beyond as a cancer treatment.
Not only is it highly valued in East Asia, but Reishi has also become a hot topic of research and application in Western medicine. Western medicine surely has its legitimate reasons for exploring a medicinal herb from across the horizon.
Though categorized as a superior tonic in Traditional Chinese Medicine, the nutritional value of Reishi does not equate to the building effects provided by a piece of meat or an egg. Countless people who have used Reishi report feeling healthier, eating better, and sleeping soundly; however, analysis shows that Reishi lacks the proteins necessary for cellular structure, does not improve digestive function, and does not contain sedative active ingredients. The ability of Reishi to support overall well-being is an undeniable fact, not just based on the subjective feelings of patients but also grounded in objective scientific standards with clear quantification, according to the results of hundreds of studies conducted in various institutes from Asia to Europe. So, how does Reishi exert its effects?
The unique structure of Reishi consists of various trace minerals, some of which, like germanium, vanadium, and chromium, have been confirmed as crucial factors in multiple reactions against cancer, allergies, aging, atherosclerosis, and coagulation, helping to regulate nerve transmission and protect the cellular nucleus. Is there any disease today that escapes the influence of these pathological factors?
With its unique composition, Reishi restores the body through indirect mechanisms. Unlike traditional tonics that provide nutrients in a straightforward “supplement what is lacking” manner, Reishi benefits the body by cleverly and flexibly operating through leverage. On one hand, it thoroughly and uniformly detoxifies the body through diuretic and choleretic effects, while on the other hand, it stimulates numerous biochemical reaction chains in the body due to the catalytic role of trace minerals. Reishi skillfully awakens the body’s resistance, enabling it to adjust functional disorders, heal organ damage, and restore the immune system. When all three conditions are met, the body becomes resistant to illness, and aging slows down. The ancients were not exaggerating when they classified Reishi among the elixirs of youth!
Based on hundreds of thematic reports at international conferences about the efficacy of Reishi, the question of whether “Reishi is effective or not” seems redundant. If we consider the number of patients from East to West who have been and are being treated satisfactorily with Reishi, then any doubts about its scientific basis become unnecessary. However, one thing is certain: Reishi is not a miracle drug that guarantees longevity or eternal youth as advertised or as hoped by tyrants of the Qin dynasty. With a foundation of scientific knowledge, if used correctly, Reishi can be an effective and safe means to enhance the body’s resistance in the stressful and heavily polluted environment of the 21st century.
The final question is whether Vietnamese Reishi is effective or if only foreign Reishi should be used as medicine. This is a completely reasonable question, as not all Reishi is medicinal, and patients are concerned about finding high-quality Reishi.
4 Standards for Selecting Reishi
It is advisable to use professionally cultivated Reishi for stable quality, guaranteed effectiveness, and no adverse side effects. Contrary to popular belief, wild Reishi may not be safe, as it is currently difficult to control environmental pollution.
Only purchase Reishi with clear origins and provenance. Do not be swayed by sweet advertisements claiming Reishi is found… in forests or mountains.
High-quality Reishi should have no signs of insect damage, and the underside should be a color ranging from light lemon yellow to white. If the underside of the Reishi is turmeric yellow, it is usually of poor quality, as that is not its natural color.
If using Reishi to brew tea, choose mushrooms of moderate size, with a diameter of 8-20 cm. At this size, the mushroom has not completely hardened, and the levels of polysaccharides and triterpenes are still high, making them easier to extract when boiled in water. Pharmaceutical companies worldwide also use mushrooms that meet these standards when extracting active ingredients from Reishi for drug production.
