Reishi Mushroom Intake Reduces Risk of Three Diseases

Since ancient times, Reishi mushroom has been esteemed as the crown of superior medicines, and it is the only one among 365 traditional Chinese medicines that benefits the heart, liver, lungs, and kidneys. Thousands of years of medicinal history have proven that regular consumption of Reishi mushroom not only cures existing diseases but also can be used for preventive treatment of disease.

In today’s world, where chronic diseases are prevalent, those who persist in consuming Reishi mushroom over the long term reap significant benefits.

1. Reishi mushroom reduces the risk of diseases related to hepatitis.

According to the 2023 Tmall Health Annual Report, nearly 50% of liver protection tablets on Tmall were purchased by people born in the 1990s, with 15% of these orders placed in the early hours of the morning.

Compared to the potential side effects of frequently consuming liver protection tablets, Reishi mushroom is mild and non-toxic. It nourishes the liver qi and calms the spirit, providing good auxiliary protection for the liver. It is more suitable for long-term consumption for preventing diseases before they occur.

Today, pharmacological research from various sources has confirmed the efficacy of Reishi mushroom in nourishing the liver qi. A recent study published in "Current Research in Food Science" shows:

Indeed, the alcohol extract of Reishi mushroom can alleviate or prevent liver cell damage, hepatitis, fat accumulation in the liver, and elevated blood lipids caused by alcohol. It can also reduce the negative impact of alcohol on the intestinal flora.

2. Reishi mushroom reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Today, the "three highs" - high blood pressure, high blood lipids, and high uric acid - are no longer exclusive to the elderly. According to the 2023 Tmall Health Annual Report, these conditions are becoming "regulars" on the health check-up reports of many young people.

Reishi mushroom often referred to as the "scavenger of blood vessels", was documented as early as in "Shennong’s Materia Medica". It was recorded to "treat chest tightness, benefit heart qi, and nourish the middle", indicating that Reishi mushroom can enter the heart meridian and promote the circulation of qi and blood.

Modern medical research has confirmed: Reishi mushroom can lower blood pressure by inhibiting the sympathetic nervous system and protecting vascular endothelial cells, and it can also alleviate myocardial hypertrophy caused by cardiac overload.

——Excerpted from p86 of "Pharmacology and Clinical Applications of Reishi mushroom" compiled by Lin Zhibin. 

It is precisely the interaction of effective components such as Reishi mushroom polysaccharides, triterpenoids, and sterols that allows Reishi mushroom to exert effects such as lipid-lowering, antioxidation, and anti-inflammation, keeping "vascular diseases" at bay!

3. Reishi mushroom improves sleep quality and significantly reduces the risk of insomnia.

Difficulty sleeping due to high stress, light sleep due to old age, easy waking, difficulty falling asleep… Sleep problems have spanned all age groups.

Reishi mushroom, as a "spirit-tranquilizing medicine", has the effects of calming the mind, relieving cough, and easing asthma. Today, it is widely used in clinical practice to assist in the treatment of insomnia.

Professor Zhang Yonghe from the Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, has conducted pharmacological experiments to confirm that oral administration of water extract of Reishi mushroom fruiting body (240 mg/kg per day) can not only shorten sleep onset time and prolong sleep duration but also enhance the amplitude of delta waves during deep sleep (delta waves are an important indicator of sleep quality), thereby improving overall sleep quality.

Furthermore, Reishi mushroom also has the effects of relieving anxiety, alleviating depression, and reducing pain, playing a role in calming the mind and improving sleep quality. Regular consumption of Reishi mushroom can lead to sound sleep and good spirits.

In conclusion, those who regularly consume Reishi mushroom should feel lucky for their health. The rich nutritional value and medicinal effects of Reishi mushroom, if combined with the syndrome differentiation treatment of traditional Chinese medicine, can greatly improve the chronic conditions and constitution of modern people.

Image source: Tmall Health