Reishi mushrooms
are sometimes referred to as
Ling Chih or Ling Zhi. Its medicinal use dates back to some of
the oldest Chinese pharmacopoeia
written, documented in the first century B.C.
Reishi was highly valued
at this time, and had the most
medical applications of all
medicines contained in the pharmacopoeia.
Reishi is difficult to find growing
in the wild, as it is very slow
growing, making it a highly valued
herb. More recently, however, it has been
successfully cultivated ‘in
captivity' and is now widely
available in various dietary
supplements.
Despite the long
history of reishi use in
traditional medicine, intensive research
investigations are just beginning
because of it new found
availability. Studies aim for
an understanding of reishi's
relevance in human health.
Current trials are focused on:
Parts Used
The medicinal parts
of the mushroom are the fruiting
body and mycelium, or root-like
projections. [1]
The fruiting body is what is
normally referred to as the
mushroom, or aboveground part of the
fungus. The active constituent of
this mushroom are not well known;
however substances similar to
protease inhibitors
(anti-viral medications) have been
identified in large amounts, as well
as adenosine, a specific type of
amino acid. [2,
3]
Reishi Uses
Reishi mushroom
is used for a wide variety of
conditions based on many of its
purported effects. Not all uses
listed here have been backed by
scientific evidence, however they
are worth mentioning due to the
many empirical benefits noted when
reishi is used as a therapeutic
agent. These uses include: immune system
enhancement, hepatitis, anti-viral,
high blood pressure, high
cholesterol, asthma, lung
conditions, HIV and AIDS, cancer,
insomnia, fatigue, herpes, and
poisoning.
Some of the
documented effects of reishi
mushroom include benefit in
preventing blood clotting,
high cholesterol,
HIV, cancer,
herpes,
diabetes, and
liver protection.
[4,
11]
Reishi is perhaps
best known as an immune system
modulator; it is often combined in
packages with other Chinese
medicines containing
mushrooms. Taking
mushrooms for their immune-enhancing
effects has gained much popularity
with the advent of antibiotic-resistant
organisms.
The typical dose
of reishi mushroom is 1.5 to 9
grams of the dried fungus per
day. Reishi is also available as a dried
powder, tea, or tincture delivery
forms. [12]
1 to 1.5 grams of powder may be used
per day, and 1 milliliter of tincture
is an applicable daily dose.
|
Reishi Toxicities and
Contraindications |
Reishi Side effects
Side effects of
reishi are limited to dryness of the
mouth and nose, upset stomach,
nosebleeds, and bloody stools (after
an extended use). [1]
There is some concern of reishi
allergy when the reishi-containing
wine is drunk, or exposure to
reishi spores occurs. [13]
Reishi General interactions
(supplement, herb, food, lab)
Reishi may have
certain anticoagulant
and hypotensive effects. [4,
14]
Therefore, when using other herbs or
supplements with these actions,
caution should be used.
Reishi Drug interactions
As with other
supplements or herbs with
anticoagulant or hypotensive
effects, caution should be used when
using reishi with pharmaceutical
drugs with the same effects, as this
may lead to enhanced drug activity
(additive effect).
Disease conditions
People with low blood
pressure or low platelet count
(thrombocytopenia) may experience
adverse effects when taking reishi
due to its possible anticoagulant
and hypotensive effects.
Return to Supplements
Index
