This is a precious medicinal herb that helps enhance health, prevent certain diseases, and promote longevity.
Benefits of Reishi Mushroom
Reishi mushroom, also known as Ganoderma lucidum, is a valuable medicinal herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine, classified as a superior type of mushroom. This mushroom is commonly found growing wild in the cold mountainous regions of several provinces in China.
In Vietnam, reishi mushrooms mainly grow in mountainous provinces and prefer to thrive on coconut oil trees, water oil trees, and rattan trees. In ancient times, only kings and nobles could use this mushroom due to its rarity and high value, which was beyond the reach of ordinary people.
According to clinical research, reishi mushrooms offer numerous health benefits. This mushroom contains over 400 different active compounds such as polysaccharides, antioxidants, adenosine, vitamin B, vitamin C, minerals, enzymes, fatty acids, protein, iron, calcium, zinc, and 110 types of amino acids, and is often used to support the treatment of various diseases.
Here are some of the notable benefits of this mushroom:
1. Blood Sugar Control
A study published in the Journal of Phytotherapy indicates that reishi mushrooms can effectively reduce blood sugar and insulin levels, making them highly beneficial for people with diabetes.
Consuming this mushroom helps stabilize and lower blood sugar.
Specifically, reishi mushrooms contain polysaccharides that lower blood sugar by increasing plasma insulin levels and decreasing plasma glucose levels. The triterpenoids in this mushroom also help inhibit Aldose Reductase and α-Glucosidase, which can prevent post-meal blood sugar spikes. Therefore, consuming this mushroom helps stabilize and lower blood sugar, eliminating diabetes-related complications such as hypertension, heart issues, and strokes. You can use reishi mushrooms in decoctions, soups, or as tea for daily consumption.
2. Cancer Prevention
Reishi mushrooms are also among the medicinal herbs that effectively prevent cancer. According to modern medicine, numerous scientific studies show that reishi mushrooms contain germanium, which helps cells absorb oxygen more effectively and inhibit the growth of cancer cells. The polysaccharides in this mushroom also enhance immunity, supporting liver function against cancer cells.
A study involving 4,000 breast cancer survivors revealed that approximately 59% of these patients used reishi mushrooms during their treatment. Additionally, reishi mushrooms play an important role in preventing and combating colorectal cancer, helping to reduce the number and size of tumors in the colon.
3. Liver Health
Many studies have shown that reishi mushrooms enhance the body’s immune response, inhibit viruses from attacking liver cells, and restore damaged liver tissue. The steroids found in this mushroom have detoxifying properties that protect the liver, halt cholesterol synthesis, neutralize viruses, and inhibit pathogenic bacteria.
A study published in the International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms concluded that reishi mushrooms contain antioxidants and possess liver-protective properties that can improve liver function. Therefore, they are very effective for liver conditions such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, and fatty liver disease.
4. Cardiovascular Health
Researchers have indicated that reishi mushrooms positively impact cardiovascular health. According to one study, this mushroom helps increase good cholesterol and decrease triglycerides, which support the prevention of blood clots in blood vessels and arteries, reduce inflammation, and lower blood pressure. Furthermore, reishi mushrooms also enhance blood flow to the heart and arteries, improve heart microcirculation, and assist in glycogen formation, which supports increased fatty acid oxidation. As a result, they effectively nourish and enhance cardiovascular health.
Using reishi mushrooms helps cleanse the intestines and digestive system.
5. Intestinal Cleansing
In addition to its other benefits, consuming reishi mushrooms helps cleanse the intestines and digestive system, promoting a lighter body. The nutrients in this mushroom stimulate digestion, enhancing appetite. Consequently, the digestive system absorbs nutrients more effectively and avoids various digestive-related diseases.
6. Skin Health
Reishi mushrooms are also beneficial for the skin. Studies have shown that reishi mushroom extract contains nucleic acids and proteins that help maintain skin elasticity and hydration. Additionally, the polysaccharides in reishi mushroom extract enhance DNA synthesis in cell nuclei, increasing cell division. This helps the skin produce more collagen, resulting in smoother and younger-looking skin.
