A popular category of wellness supplements making waves today is medicinal mushrooms. I’d like to introduce you to the reishi mushroom, which I’ve relied on for years to help support my nervous system and overall health. In this post, I’ll share all you need to know about reishi: what it is, its impressive health benefits, and how to extract them properly for the best results. I’ll also reveal my favorite brand!
### What is Reishi?
Reishi, known scientifically as Ganoderma lucidum or Lingzhi in China, is a type of mushroom that has been used for centuries to promote better sleep and boost immune function. It typically grows in the warm, humid climates of Asia, boasting a shiny, large, woody appearance with a distinctive reddish-orange color. You’ll often find this mushroom growing on trees or logs in the forest.
### How to Extract Reishi Benefits
With medicinal mushrooms, you can’t just eat them raw to enjoy their benefits, as they contain chitin, a compound that’s hard for us to digest. To harness the beneficial compounds, they need proper preparation through hot water and alcohol extractions. This dual extraction method is crucial since different compounds are released with each process. Some products simply grind up the mycelium and form capsules or powders, but these aren’t easily digestible, often resulting in less optimal benefits.
For maximum potency, look for supplements that use the fruiting body of the mushroom, which is the visible part you’d see in nature. It’s rich in health-promoting compounds, unlike the mycelium, which, though crucial, contains fewer healing elements. While fruiting body supplements might cost more initially, they require smaller doses, saving you money over time.
My go-to brand for quality medicinal mushrooms is Eversio Wellness. They extract their products from the mushroom’s fruiting body using a dual extraction method. You can get a 15% discount on their products with the code JOYOUS at checkout.
### Top 6 Health Benefits of Reishi
1. **Supports Skin Health**
– Reishi’s anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties help improve skin health, aiding in faster wound healing and collagen synthesis.
2. **Potent Anti-Inflammatory**
– Rich in antioxidants, reishi helps reduce inflammation and oxidative damage, often linked with aging and chronic diseases.
3. **Boosts the Immune System**
– Studies reveal reishi’s b-D-glucans and triterpenoids support immune function, offering protection against colds, flu, and possibly even tumors.
4. **Reduces Stress & Anxiety**
– Acting as an adaptogen, reishi supports the nervous system, potentially alleviating stress and anxiety by improving hormonal and sleep functions.
5. **Improves Sleep Quality**
– Known for enhancing sleep quality and duration, reishi provides a natural calming effect, supporting deep, restful slumber without the side effects of common sleep aids.
6. **Balances Hormones**
– Reishi exhibits estrogen-like effects, which may help manage menopausal symptoms and support treatment for conditions like PCOS by regulating hormone levels.
### My Favorite Reishi Supplement
I first noticed the calming effects of reishi when mixing it with my morning Matcha Latte. Since switching to Eversio, I’ve found their products superior in quality and potency. If you’re interested in trying Eversio’s reishi or any of their other extracts, don’t forget to use code JOYOUS to save 15%.
### Is This Supplement Safe for Children?
Currently, there is no research on the effects of reishi on children under 18, so it’s best to consult with a natural healthcare practitioner before use.