The Reishi mushroom is one of the world’s best natural marvels. It has been used for medicinal purposes in China for around 2,000 years, making it one of the oldest mushrooms to be used this way.
Throughout that time, it has been a hallmark of traditional Chinese medicine. The mushroom itself is traditionally soft and flat with a red cap. The cap stands out quite clearly as it almost has a varnished visual effect.
Depending on the age of the mushroom, there might be brown pores underneath the cap. It lacks any gills, and, as a result, it releases its spores through its tiny pores. These mushrooms can be found worldwide as they can survive and thrive in almost any kind of open environment.
They tend to grow as parasites on the sides of trees. However, they only grow on around two or three of every 10,000 trees. This makes it one of the rarest mushrooms to be found in the wilderness.
The Science Behind Health Benefits of Reishi Mushroom
The Reishi mushrooms have chemicals that have been proven to be very effective in treating a wide variety of health issues. They have even been proven that they can be effective against:
- Cancerous tumor
- Weak immune system
- Flu and Asthma
- Insomnia or even chronic fatigue syndrome
- High blood pressure and high cholesterol
- Slow metabolism
When combined with an effective weight loss program, the Reishi mushroom can be extremely beneficial for those who are taking it.
Related studies:
Jin, X., et al. (2016). “Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom) for cancer treatment“, in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
Liu, Z., et al. (2016). “Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides encapsulated in liposome as an adjuvant to promote Th1-bias immune response“, in Carbohydrate Polymers, Vol. 142.
Cui, X. Y., et al. (2012). “Extract of Ganoderma lucidum prolongs sleep time in rats“, in Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Vol. 139(3).
Chang, S. S., et al. (2012). “Effect of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides on oxidative stress of hyperlipidemic fatty liver in rats“, in Vol. 37(20).
Yue, G. G., et al. (2006). “Comparative studies of various ganoderma species and their different parts with regard to their antitumor and immunomodulating activities in vitro“, in Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Vol. 12(8).
Recommended Dosage of Ganoderma Lucidum
Depending on the exact reason you are taking the mushroom, your recommended dosage may vary significantly.
Always consult your dosage with your medical professional before you decide to take this supplement!
General usage:
For the majority of people, the recommended dosage is between two and six grams a day to be taken with meals. This should be the same even if you have it as a raw fungus or as a concentrated extract.
For serious issues:
It’s when you are taking it for something more specific that the dosages get smaller and more precise. Just 600 milligrams taken a maximum of three times a day is usually the recommended amount for people who are suffering from some form of cancer, diabetes, or heart disease.
For pain management:
When it is being taken to reduce pain, then up to 72 grams can be taken every day for ten days, after which the pain should have subsided if it is temporary.
As you can see, though, the majority of the time the dose size is rather small. Most studies have found that when it is being used for treating a severe disease, it should only be used over a certain period of time. This is to ensure that the mushroom is effective, and can do its job.
5 Most Common Side Effects
At first, people assumed that Reishi has no side effects at all, but it has become clear that this is not always the case. While side effects are rather rare, you can experience following issues:
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Skin rashes
- Lower blood sugar (diabetes or hypoglycemia patients need to be cautious)
- Blood thinning and gastric bleeding (be careful if you are taking blood thinners such as warfarin tablets)
Studies have shown though that these health problems are symptoms that usually arise among people who have been taking the mushroom for over 16 months or who have exceeded the recommended dosage.
Pay attention: Diarrhea and bloody stools have been reported among people who have been taking supplemental doses, and even liver inflammation has also been linked to the powdered form of this mushroom. Again, this is usually due to exceeding the recommended dosage over an extended period.
Weight Loss Advantages
While you may face several negatives, the intake comes with additional advantages:
- Weight loss – It’s understandable why the Reishi mushroom is very popular among people who are trying to lose weight. Because it can boost a person’s metabolism, it means that it helps burn off more body fat while doing exercises.
- Potent antioxidant – It can also act as an antioxidant, particularly if you take it in the morning on an empty stomach and then drink water afterward.
Pay attention: The benefits can be felt almost after two weeks. What is more, you should notice a significant increase in your health after two months of taking it.
Health Benefits Of Reishi Mushroom
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User Feedback I Have Discovered
The majority of feedback left by users has been extremely positive. On sites like Amazon, people who have taken the mushroom for weight loss purposes have said that they have noticed positive effects on their health after just ten days.
Others have said that it takes a little longer for them, but that the speed with which benefits are noticeable are very impressive. Only in very rare cases have people said that they felt that taking the mushroom was a waste of time and didn’t have the desired effect.
Keep in mind: The majority of these people probably weren’t continuing with a proper weight loss program and were just banking on the mushroom to do all the work. It’s very rare that users have reported any form of side effects, and those who have decided to stop taking the mushroom immediately.
Best Brands & Places to Get Them
Reishi mushrooms can be bought online or at the majority of good alternative lifestyle stores. It can be purchased for around $10 in powder form, or even as an herbal tea. Larger quantities of the mushroom can cost between $40.00 – $50.00.
My advice is to look for best online retailers, such as Amazon, Walmart, GNC, etc.
Pay attention: You should always buy it depending on how long you plan to be taking it, and the reason you want it. Always take into consideration the recommended dosage when purchasing.
