The Reishi mushroom’s beneficial effects have been known in Chinese medicine for centuries, and Western medicine is finally understanding how these powerful fungi can work with the body’s natural immune system to improve and modify immune responses.
What’s a Reishi mushroom?
Wild Reishi mushrooms, or Ganoderma lucidum, are rare, but can be found growing on trees in temperate forest regions throughout Asia, Europe, South America, and the United States. They are a shiny reddish brown, have kidney shaped caps, and can grow up to eight inches across.
Mycologists have managed to grow potent, bioavailable Reishi in a controlled setting, to make sourcing this powerful superfood easier and affordable. Reishi mushrooms have been heavily researched, and there are multiple benefits to adding mushroom powders to a daily diet. ‡
Immune benefits of Reishi mushrooms
Mushrooms contain hundreds of compounds that can modify how the immune system reacts in any given situation. Since much illness is caused either by an insufficient immune response or an overactive immune response, this can be extremely valuable to overall health.
The innate immune system is the one people are born with. The adaptive immune system is the one that learns and changes over time, as it is exposed to different stimulants and threats. Compounds in the Reishi mushroom can help modify both. ‡
- Immune stimulation: Around 80% of the Reishi mushroom cell wall is made up of more than 100 starches called polysaccharides. Around half of these are beta-glucans (β-glucans), which can activate immune cells and stimulate the innate immune system. ‡
- Immune modulation: Reishi also contains more than 119 triterpene compounds that can help modulate adaptive immune response. Triterpenes help prevent overreactions, act as an anti-inflammatory, boost anti-allergenic properties, and support cardiovascular health. ‡
- Immune transitions: Ingesting Reishi extracts can help boost the body’s production of cytokines, which are intercellular messengers. They help manage transitions from innate immune response to adaptive immune response, as the human body develops resistance against disease. ‡
Reishi and you
Many people whose immune system is constantly tested, such as those who travel for work or have mentally or physically stressful jobs, find that Reishi helps support their wellbeing. Discover more and get your daily dose with the Magical Reishi Mushroom Powder. ‡
‡ These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.