Reishi Mushroom (10% Polysaccharides)

History and Uses:
Reishi Mushrooms grow wild on decaying logs and tree stumps in the coastal provinces of China. Reishi occurs in six different colors, but the red variety is most commonly used and commercially cultivated in North America, China, Taiwan, Japan and Korea. The Latin word, lucidum, means "shiny" or "brilliant" and refers to the varnished surface of Reishi's cap, which is reddish orange to black. In Japan, 99% of Reishis growing in the wild are found on old plum trees, and wild Reishi Mushrooms are rare. In the Taoist tradition, Reishi is said to enhance spiritual receptivity; it was used by monks to calm the spirit and mind. It is also considered a symbol of feminine sexuality. The Chinese have always regarded the mushroom as having special properties, and the fruiting body of the mushroom is employed medicinally. Reishi has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for more than four thousand years to treat liver disorders, hypertension, arthritis and other ailments. Mushrooms are regarded as "spirit medicine," because they are believed to nourish the shen, or spirit. As such, they are considered particularly important in vegetarian diets and regarded as a medicinal food that promotes longevity. Various medicinal mushrooms are used by the Chinese. One of the oldest recorded botanical monographs has claimed that Reishi Mushroom made the body "lighter," which may refer to its reported ability to reduce cholesterol and blood lipid levels. Reishi also has immune potentiating properties. Fungi, such as Reishi, spend most of their life cycles in the mycelial stage. The mushroom mycelia excretes digestive enzymes to digest nutrients and fend off competition and other pathogens in their environment. At the peak of the growth cycle, the mycelial biomass contains a fully myceliated brown rice substrate, mushroom primordia, and various metabolites. The mycelial biomass is harvested and carefully dried under low temperature and then made into powder. Reishi mycelium is rich in carbohydrates, proteins and vitamins. Active compounds from Reishi include glycoproteins, enzymes, polysaccharides and other metabolites that can stimulate immune response in a host. Some compounds in Reishi Mushrooms are classified as immuno-potentiators. Reishi can also act to restore homeostasis in an immuno-suppressed host. Studies have indicated that Reishi is able to induce potent antimicrobial activity in mice.

In vitro studies point to the stimulative effects on the production of monocytes, macrophages and cytokines. Antiviral and antioxidant effects are other in vitro effects observed from the study of Reishi. Reishi contains several chemical constituents, including sterols, coumarin, mannitol, polysaccharides and triterpenoids called ganoderic acids. Ganoderic acids may lower blood pressure as well as decrease low density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglyceride levels. These specific triterpenoids also help to reduce blood platelets from sticking together, which is an important factor in lowering the risk for coronary artery disease. While human research demonstrates some efficacy for the herb in treating altitude sickness and chronic hepatitis B, these uses still need to be confirmed scientifically. Recent test-tube and human studies have demonstrated anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant effects. Reishi is said to be beneficial to the joints, increase vital energy, strengthen tendons and bones, and it may improve the complexion. The common name Reishi includes the species Ganoderma japonicum, which is used interchangeably with Ganoderma lucidum.