6 benefits of Reishi mushrooms

Read on to know how consuming Reishi mushrooms affect our health!

Reishi or Lingzhi mushrooms are used in native Asian countries for medicinal purposes. These mushrooms are characterized by a glossy, reddish, and kidney-shaped cap on the stem. This mushrooms grow in clusters and can sometimes form an elongated stem without a cap depending upon the availability of carbon dioxide in the nearby vicinity.

Bioactive compounds

It has a large variety of bioactive compounds such as peptidoglycans, polysaccharides, and triterpenes. These bioactive components are responsible for the healing properties, and anti-inflammatory, immunity boosting, hypoglycemic, and anti-tumor effects.

Boosts immunity

These mushrooms are associated with longevity and enhanced vital energy. Reishi mushrooms also have robust antioxidant properties compared to other variety of mushrooms, which makes them a great pick to boost the immunity.

Anti-cancer benefits

As these mushrooms are beneficial to boost immunity, Reishi mushrooms have been found to offer tumoricidal and chemopreventive effects. The active compounds present in these mushrooms inhibit the growth, addition, and migration of breast, lung, liver, prostate, and colon cancer cells, and sarcoma.

Neuroprotective benefits

A test tube study found intake of Reishi mushrooms to weaken the amyloid beta peptides, which are toxic to brain health. These mushrooms have also been found to prevent Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

Fights depression

Neurasthenia is a condition that is associated with mental and physical fatigue, dizziness, irritability, pains, headache, sleeplessness, and depression. Reishi mushrooms are usually recommended for the treatment of neurasthenia.

For the liver

Reishi mushrooms have been found to improve the functioning of the liver and are beneficial to enhance the detoxification of the liver.