Texts documenting ancient Chinese medicine praise reishi mushrooms for their ability to:
- Strengthen heart function
- Increase memory
- Detoxify the body
Over time, the mushrooms’ use extended to treat a variety of conditions, like asthma, dizziness, insomnia, and irregular heartbeat.
While not all of reishi mushrooms’ traditional uses are backed up by modern science, studies show that they have biological effects that can benefit your health. You can eat reishi mushrooms fresh, and they’re also sold as a nutritional powder, dietary supplement, and tea.
Health Benefits
Reishi mushrooms have more than 400 different nutrients. This includes beta-glucans and triterpenoids, compounds that can lower blood sugar and blood pressure levels, reducing your diabetes and heart disease risk.
Studies show the mushrooms also have high antioxidant activity, which protects your body from cell damage that can increase your risk of many chronic diseases.
While research is ongoing, reishi mushrooms may also help:
Boost Your Immune System
Reishi mushroom’s claim to promote long-term health may be due to their effect on our white blood cells — the cells that flow through the bloodstream to fight viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens, protecting the body from illness. Studies show reishi mushrooms may increase the number of white blood cells in your body and improve their function.
Promote Anti-Cancer Effects
Reishi mushrooms contain beta-glucans, complex sugars that can slow or stop tumor growth. While more research is needed in humans, lab studies show that reishi mushrooms also stimulate a type of white blood cell called “natural killer cells” that target abnormal — including cancerous — cells.
Reduce Fatigue
Chronic fatigue is a condition where tiredness isn’t relieved by getting enough rest. The causes of ongoing fatigue aren’t well understood, but experts think it could be triggered by a combination of factors like infections, immune system problems, hormonal imbalances, and stress.
Studies show that reishi mushrooms may reduce the severity of chronic fatigue. This effect may be due to the mushrooms’ ability to boost the immune system and fight free radical damage. Reishi mushrooms can also help regulate the body’s testosterone levels, which promotes good energy levels.