Radical Reishi
| Published: 24th January 2008 14:12 |
Radical Reishi
Claimed to be the Oriental secret of youth, health and beauty and with global sales estimated at 3 billion dollars annually, Reishi is big business. Despite this and numerous high profile studies the Oriental mushroom remains relatively unknown in the UK. The launch of Mikei Red Reishi Essence may be about to change this though and we could soon be singing the praises of this truly ‘radical' mushroom.
Whilst exotic culinary mushrooms have seen a huge surge of sales in the UK, as we have become more experimental in the kitchen, medicinal mushrooms remain largely undiscovered. With some serious research supporting their benefits however and hundreds of years of medicinal use behind them, we could be seriously missing out.
Reishi is a very rare mushroom and one of the highest regarded remedies in Chinese medicine, having been taken medicinally in extract form for at least 2,000 years. With claimed beneficial effects including improved sleep and skin condition, lowering blood sugar levels, anti-inflammatory and immune boosting properties, protecting the liver, improving energy levels, lowering blood pressure, and acting as an anti-tumour agent and antioxidant it is clear to see why the mushroom plays such a central role in Eastern medicine and is known as ‘God's Herb' and the ‘Mushroom of Immortality'.
Sceptics will no doubt claim Reishi to be another snake oil, but with literally hundreds of studies and thousands of astonishing testimonials supporting its use, it is hard to argue that there isn't serious scope for the mushroom to play an important role in improving people's health and lifestyles. Even Cancer Research UK were so taken by the claimed benefits of the mushrooms they commissioned a report that highlighted the potential of Reishi mushrooms to boost the immune system and help in cancer treatment.
Making it harder to argue against the benefits of Reishi is the fact that its effects can be felt so quickly and there are no side-effects from its use. Within just a matter of days you should start feeling better in yourself from taking good quality extracts of Reishi.
With so many claimed benefits it is easy to see why the mushroom, which in nature is very rare, was reserved solely for the use of emperors in more ancient times. Today the mushroom is cultivated commercially to meet the global demand, not only of individuals suffering with conditions such as arthritis, cancer and liver disorders, but also for use by those looking to generally improve their health, increase their energy levels and boost their immune systems, helping them avoid colds, flus and other illnesses that slow us down in our busy lives.
It has taken some time for these incredible mushrooms to reach shop shelves in the UK. ‘Magic' and ‘poisonous' mushrooms have given medicinal mushrooms a tainted image in this country and Reishi has only been available in the West for the last 25 years. Furthermore the quality of Reishi mushrooms can vary dramatically and it has taken until now for a superior product to reach the UK and be launched mainstream.
The key to Reishi mushrooms' effectiveness are their adaptogenic qualities; that is to say that they help to normalise the body and aid its natural processes via active substances found in the mushrooms such as water-soluble polysaccharides and triterpenes. The efficacy of the mushrooms can vary dramatically depending on how they are grown however. The mushrooms draw nutrients up through their stalks from the medium on which they are grown and this determines the quantity of active substances within the mushrooms themselves. Mikei Red Reishi Essence mushrooms are grown in aged Japanese Oak logs in the most natural conditions possible and take a full year to reach maturity, resulting in one of the highest quality and most effective extracts available.
Mikei Red Reishi Essence is a Reishi extract that couldn't be easier to use and comes in ready to swallow vegetable based capsules; for general health and well-being only one capsule needs to be taken daily. Extracted from mushrooms grown in Japan, Mikei Red Reishi Essence is the most concentrated Reishi extract on the market and is now available in the UK from Haeon Limited. Buy online at http://www.haeon.com/ or from leading health stores.
1. Immune System Boosting
The mushroom stimulates natural production of helper T-cells, interferon and interleukins - the body's primary defenders. If these levels are high, you will enjoy fewer and shorter bouts of illness.
Immunomodulating Activities of Gandomerma lucidum (reishi) and its possible mechanisms. Lin Z; Zhang E
2. Cardiovascular Effects
Researchers in China and Japan have shown that reishi improves the blood flow and lowers the oxygen consumption of the heart muscle. Reishi contains ganoderic acids (triterpenes), which lower high blood pressure and cholesterol and also help inhibit platelet aggregation.
Cardiovascular Effects of Mycelium Extract of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi): Inhibition of sympathetic outflow as a mechanism of its hypotensive action. Lee S Y ; Rhee H M.
3. Liver protection
Renowned for its hepaprotective and detoxifying effects reishi is commonly prescribed in China for the treatment of chronic hepatitis. In treatments lasting 2 to 15 weeks the overall effectiveness was 70.7 to 98%
The protective effect of Mikei Red Reishi Essence on chemical induced liver injury. Jiang X.
4. Sleep improvement
In one study reishi alleviated anxiety in 18 of 20 patients after four months use.
A preliminary study on the sleep-improvement function of the effective ingredients of Ganoderma lucidum (reishi) fruiting body. Jia, W; Wu M et al.
5. Anti-aging properties
A powerful antioxidant and free radical scavenger, reishi improves circulation, resulting in healthy, glowing skin with fewer blemishes, fine lines and wrinkles.
Novel antioxidant peptides from the fermented mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (reishi). Sun J; He H; Xie B.
6. Increasing energy
Reishi aids in the regulation of blood sugar levels and adrenaline responses, creating an optimal, balanced level of energy during the day. The substantial benefit is a noticeable reduction in stress levels. Many people have also reported an increase in concentration and focus. These benefits can be noticeable in as little as one week with a quality brand.
A randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled study of a Ganoderma lucidum (reishi) polysaccharide extract in neurasthenia. Tang W; Gao Y; Chen G et al.
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