Reishi — The Mushroom of Immortality

Due to its impressive array of health benefits, this mushroom rose to extraordinary fame in ancient times. Its popularity earned it the nickname of the “mushroom of immortality”. The name of this mushroom can be traced back to at least 100 B.C. The Chinese called it ‘lingzhi’ which means “herb of spiritual potency”, and the Japanese named it ‘Reishi’. The reishi mushroom became an important constituent of traditional Eastern medicine due to its outstanding health benfits.

Reishi mushroom has been used in Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. People considered it as a fountain of divine power and success. Due to extreme rarity and immense popularity, it became a symbol of nobility. The Chinese believed that the mushroom could improve Qi — the life force. Several other therapeutic properties such as enhancing vital energy, improving cardiac function, curing insomnia, and increasing longevity were also associated with it.

This mushroom from ancient times has found a way into our modern world as well. Researchers have performed extensive studies to find out its probable health benefits. Health benefits associated with reishi are due to several bioactive compounds it contains such as terpenoids, phenols, peptidoglycans, polysaccharides, and triterpenes. This article gives you an insight into scientific research on this mushroom.

Reishi as an Immune Booster

Your immune health determines the state of your overall health and well-being. If your immune system is working properly, you are better equipped to fight off pathogens — bacteria and viruses — as well as remove cancer-forming cells. Immune modulation is the most prominent health benefit of the reishi mushroom.

The latest research has pointed out that polysaccharides, a bioactive compound in reishi mushrooms, boosts the human immune system. They promotes the function of antigen-presenting cells that capture the harmful bacteria or viruses and present them to killer cells for destruction[2].

Scientific evidence also entails a complex pathway by which reishi affects your immune system. A study published in the peer-reviewed journal Nutrition and Cancer has reported that reishi targets genes in monocytes — defense cells — that promote their immune function. Apart from this, some strains like purple reishi also affect inflammation pathways, a type of immune function in your body[3].

Anticancer Properties

Cancer is the leading cause of death around the globe, and the potential of reishi mushrooms against cancer has been studied extensively. Studies have shown that reishi improves the cellular activity of defense cells such as helper T cells, natural killer cells, and CD4/CD8 ratio significantly. All of these cells possess anticancer properties.

Due to its potential anti-cancer effects, it is one of the eight components of a herbal mixture called “prostate cancer hope” or (PC-SEPS), which is used to treat prostate cancer[5].

Reishi against Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes is a long-lasting health condition characterized by high blood glucose levels. Reishi mushrooms have shown promising health benefits in diabetic patients. Polysaccharides isolated from reishi mushrooms decreased plasma glucose levels when supplemented in mice [6].

Similar effects have been observed in human studies as well. A study involving 71 confirmed diabetic patients gave its participants mushroom extract three times a day for 12 weeks. The results reported that plasma glucose levels decreased significantly in the participants[7].  

Antioxidant Properties of Reishi Mushroom

Free radicals are molecules that damage the healthy cells in your body. Antioxidants possess protective properties against free radicals. Bioactive compounds present in reishi such as polysaccharides and triterpenoids have shown antioxidant properties[8].

A study published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition has reported that consumption of reishi mushrooms increased the antioxidant biomarkers in human subjects[9].

Antiviral and Antibacterial Effects

Antibiotic resistance is a constant headache for the scientific community. Researchers are searching to find novel antibiotic agents to overcome resistance against current antibiotics. Reishi mushrooms can potentially overcome the challenge of antibiotic-resistance by offering an alternative to commonly used antibiotic agents.

Reishi possesses both antibacterial and antiviral properties. In a study, protein-bound polysaccharides showed inhibitory effects against the herpes virus[10]. Another study investigating the antibacterial effects of the mushroom had findings indicating that it is effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria[11].

This provides us with a chance to use it in combination with other drugs to reduce healthcare costs as well as minimize the chances of antibiotic resistance.

What to Expect?

Reishi mushrooms possess a multitude of health benefits. An especially great tonic for fall and winter, reishi can help modulate your immune system and support your overall health with its many beneficial properties. 

[1] Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi or Reishi) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[2] Cellular and molecular mechanisms of immuno-modulation by Ganoderma lucidum pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[3] The effects of two different ganoderma species (Lingzhi) on gene expression in human monocytic THP-1 cells pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[4] A Phase I/II Study of Ling Zhi Mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (W.Curt.:Fr.)Lloyd (Aphyllophoromycetideae) Extract in Patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms

[5] Effects of ganopoly (a Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide extract) on the immune functions in advanced-stage cancer patients pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[6] Isolation and hypoglycemic activity of ganoderans A and B, glycans of Ganoderma lucidum fruit bodies pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[7] A Phase I/II Study of Ling Zhi Mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (W.Curt.:Fr.)Lloyd (Aphyllophoromycetideae) Extract in Patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms

[8] Biochemical characterisation and antioxidant activity of mycelium of Ganoderma lucidum from Central Italy sciencedirect.com

[9] Ganoderma lucidum (‘Lingzhi’); acute and short-term biomarker response to supplementation www.tandfonline.com

[10] Antiherpetic activities of acidic protein bound polysacchride isolated from Ganoderma lucidum alone and in combinations with acyclovir and vidarabine pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[11] Investigation of the Antibacterial Activity of a Chloroform Extract of Ling Zhi or Reishi Medicinal Mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum (W. Curt.: Fr.) P. Karst. (Aphyllophoromycetideae), from Iran International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms

[12] Identifying the “Mushroom of Immortality”: Assessing the Ganoderma Species Composition in Commercial Reishi Products frontiersin.org