3 MIN READ | GEORGIA SMITH
What you need to know about Reishi Mushrooms
If you’re new to medicinal or functional mushrooms, you’re likely to stumble upon reishi mushrooms, otherwise known as ‘Ling Zhi.’ On the exterior, the mushroom is glossy and woody in texture, and beyond the surface, the history and benefits of the mushroom are not to be overlooked.
With over 2,000 years of use, reishi mushrooms have been observed and reported to have notable health benefits for the mind and body. The interest in reishi mushrooms has evolved abundantly as of late, and because of that, formal research studies have picked up to further analyze and support many of these claims. For now, we’re sharing what you need to know about reishi mushrooms based on the information that is available today.
HISTORY OF REISHI MUSHROOMS
To understand how we use and benefit from reishi mushrooms, it’s important to take a look back at their history. These mushrooms have a long history of use in asian countries like China and Japan similar to other medicinal mushrooms. In fact, the word ‘Ling Zhi’ represents “spiritual potency” and “immortality.”
For years, reishi has been considered to be the “mushroom of immortality” due to its pharmaceutical value which has been documented in ancient scripts and has been based on traditional use to prolong life. But where do medicinal mushrooms like reishi stand in modern times and what are studies saying about these claims? Let’s dive a bit deeper.
REISHI MUSHROOM BENEFITS
The benefits that have been observed, studied and documented from reishi mushrooms over the years are vast. According to the studies that have been carried out recently, we can credit three major physiologically active components within the mushroom for the benefits many of us are able to experience today. This includes polysaccharides (beta-glucans), peptidoglycans, and triterpenes which are also found in other medicinal mushrooms.
These three compounds can be extracted from either the fruiting body, mycelia, or spores of the mushroom and contribute to the mushroom’s beneficial effects for the body by exhibiting anticancer effects, blood glucose regulation, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral effects and more.
While a majority of data and studies used to support the benefits of reishi mushrooms were conducted on animals and cell-culture models, there is still an overwhelming need for human studies to be conducted to further analyze the true validity of the effects of reishi mushrooms on the human body.
What’s great about the growing interest in reishi mushrooms today is that the basic data needed to support the existence of these benefits is available. We also know that there is ongoing research being conducted to narrow in on what else the mushroom has to offer for our health and wellness.
REISHI MUSHROOM SIDE EFFECTS – DO REISHI MUSHROOMS GET YOU HIGH?
Anyone who is looking to add reishi mushrooms into their lifestyle may have some questions, and understandably so. Before consuming medicinal mushrooms like reishi, factors such as potential side effects or challenges may come into play. One of the biggest questions that often gets asked about these mushrooms is, “Do reishi mushrooms get you high?”
Medicinal mushrooms are often wrongfully compared or correlated with psychedelic mushrooms, however, the two are not the same. So to answer the question, “Do reishi mushrooms get you high?” They do not. Instead, they exhibit high levels of antioxidants and compounds that exude positive activity the body can benefit from. They are for medicinal and wellness purposes only.
On the other hand, dosage and mushroom sourcing may be other factors to keep in mind. Many challenges surrounding the reishi mushroom can range from dosage to the quality of how it is produced. It is important before incorporating reishi mushrooms into your diet to do careful research and ensure that you have some transparency from your source of how the reishi mushrooms you are consuming have been produced.
As studies are still needed to identify how the mushroom can benefit the body, so are protocols in how to best ensure that the mushrooms are being produced in a way that can allow consumers to best reap its benefits.
FINDING THE RIGHT REISHI MUSHROOM PRODUCT FOR YOU
If you haven’t been convinced yet about the benefits of reishi mushrooms, it’s growing popularity in the market is another factor that may spring up some hope. If you’re looking to add reishi mushrooms into your diet, there’s no better time than now to do so. We have studies to support some of its largest benefits, and we also know that there is more to come.
The way you choose to consume reishi mushrooms is entirely dependent on your lifestyle. For some this may include powders, drinks, capsules, and mixes. Luckily here at Zolt, we’ve made it easier than ever to incorporate reishi mushrooms into your daily diet, no matter the lifestyle you live.
Our plant-powered superdrinks include adaptogens, antioxidants, terpene botanicals and more to help you support your health and wellness. For instance, our Peak, Well+ Tropical Orange, and Well+ Passion Fruit drink mixes feature reishi to help the body adapt to physical and mental stressors and alleviate stress and fatigue. Explore these adaptogenic drinks and others at heyzolt.com.
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