|
Also known as- Ganoderma lucidum, Lucky Fungus, Ling-Zi,
Introduction
Reishi is that age old medicine cited thousands of years ago in several texts and scripts as being a tonic for emperors. At one time this mushroom was specifically used under the prestigious vestiges of the ruling class, but it has since made its way into the pantries of us common folk. Traditional and contemporary Chinese medicine admire it as a tonic benefiting vital energy or "Qi", and it is popularly prescribed for a multitude of maladies. Reishi is a polypore mushroom, growing in damp, dark forests and the occasional rotting log. Modern day demand has forced its cultivation in Japan, China and the United States which is promising for the wild stands of Reishi.
Packed Fresh To Order In Our Flavor Savor Foil Bags! Our Herbs Are Absolutely The Purest And Freshest Shipped To Your Door! We Buy Direct From The Growers And Store All Our Precious Herbs In Climate/Light Controlled "Waiting Rooms"! See Why Sharp Labs Is Your #1 Source For Premium Gourmet Herbs, Spices, Nuts, Seeds, Oils And More!
The reishi mushroom is well known in Chinese medicine as the “king of herbs.” Mushrooms are the fruit and reproductive body of fungi, which grow out of networks called mycelium. Thread-like networks of reishi mushrooms grow under the ground around logs and organic waste.
Waste material is a rich source of nutrients for these mushrooms, which have a unique ability to reduce the volume of decayed matter in the environment by using it for nourishment. Under the right conditions, reishi mushrooms emerge from the underground myecelium and can be cultivated for medicinal use.
The medicinal properties of reishi mushrooms have a legendary status. They are said to be capable of promoting longevity and health, as well as increasing wisdom and happiness. Part of the lore of reishi mushrooms can be attributed to the fact that they are quite rare. Only two or three out of 10,000 aged trees produce networks of fungi that spawn reishi mushrooms.
Though they have only recently gained attention in the West, reishi mushrooms have been used in the East for thousands of years. In Japan and China, ancient emperors and kings drank teas made from reishi mushrooms to promote vitality and long life. Taoists searching for the elusive elixir of youth believed that the substance they sought contained reishi mushrooms.
In modern times, elixirs made from reishi mushrooms are still used to promote longevity and vitality in addition to treating a variety of other conditions. The triterpenes and polysaccharides in reishi mushrooms are thought to be responsible for their therapeutic effects, which include the ability to increase blood flow and reduce inflammation.
Reishi mushrooms are also used for patients with Alzheimers disease and heart disease under the premise that inflammation may play a role in both conditions. Pain associated with other inflammatory conditions, such as infection by the herpes zoster virus and neuralgia may respond to treatment with reishi mushrooms as well. In fact, the historical use of reishi mushrooms to promote longevity is probably related to the fact that inflammation is a key factor in many chronic and degenerative diseases.
Reishi mushrooms also have strong antioxidant properties. They can be used to boost immunity and may also increase the effectiveness of antioxidant vitamins when the two substances are used together. Reishi mushrooms are believed to suppress tumor growth and are often used in cancer prevention efforts for this reason.
Constituents
A hearty and abundant medicine with much promise. Constituents include an array of alkaloids, triterpine acids, ergosterols, fumaric acid, coumarins, lactone, mannitol, and many polysaccharides.
Parts Used
The whole mushroom top, with as little shaft as possible. The larger the mushroom the better.
Typical preparations
Tea decoction from the dried mushroom, which Chinese medicine usually call for 1-8 grams of dried mushroom per cup of tea (6-8 ounces)
Powdered mushroom sprinkled on food or in beverages, as a liquid herbal extract (non-standardized), and as an encapsulated (non-standardized) product from whole mushroom tops.
Summary
As mentioned above, Reishi was used historically to treat a multitude of ailments (Far too many to list here) and was dubbed as the "panacea tonic" or "cure all". Modern medicine recommends its use as a daily dietary supplement and currently all of the research on this mushroom has indicated that regular consumption of Reishi is safe and effective.
Precautions
None recorded
Certified Organic, In Stock And Ready To Ship In Our Flavor Savor Containers! All our herbs are true certified organic by CCOF, OTCO and certified NOP Kosher! All herbs are free from irradiation and ozone treatment, sulfur, gasses and other sanitary chemicals! Unsurpassable in color, depth, taste and aroma! Guaranteed fresh and not from "warehouse stock" Processed and handled according to strict organic standards! Analyzed for quality, safety and true botanical identity by the best in quality control!
|
