By Stephen Case
The Forgotten Mushroom
Reishi mushroom is well known for its healing and body system-balancing properties
Reishi’s Origin and History
Reishi is a hard, wood-like mushroom that grows on old trees and tree stumps in many parts of the world, including northern Europe, the eastern United States, Asia, and Canada.
Throughout history, Chinese herbalists and mushroom hunters have sought this prized mushroom. Reishi is well known for its healing and body system-balancing properties. It has been revered for its anti-aging attributes and possesses an extremely broad range of health benefits. It can be used daily to strengthen the immune system and alleviate many symptoms and disorders.
Clinical Use
Dr. Terry Willard is a herbalist who has not forgotten about this mushroom. In his new book, Dr. Terry Willard’s Encyclopedia of Herbs, Dr. Willard describes how he uses reishi in his Calgary clinic to treat the following diseases and disorders: ADD, AIDS, allergies, angina pectoris, anxiety, arteriosclerosis, asthma, cancer, Candida, cardiovascular disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, fibromyalgia, hepatitis, high blood pressure, infertility, insomnia, liver and gall bladder disorders, lung ailments, lupus, Lyme disease, manic depression, pneumonia, shingles, skin cancer, stress and syndrome X.
Clinical Studies
Studies have shown that reishi has the ability to regulate or balance the immune system, whether the immune system is overactive in the case of autoimmune diseases or underactive in the case of chronic illness. Researchers also noted that reishi supports T-cells in attacking tumours, inhibits the growth of human leukemic cells and helps to re-establish normal levels of white blood cells.
Reishi has been shown in studies to help 80 percent of people with heart problems. It is known to reduce and balance cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and lower platelet aggregation, which reduces the incidence of blood clots and strokes, as well as migraines. Reishi’s calming and energy-regulating properties appear to be key to its beneficial influence on blood pressure and the immune system.
Japanese research demonstrates the effectiveness of reishi mushroom in inhibiting histamine release, which means it is useful in the treatment of type 1 allergies, including anaphylactic shock, atopic dermatitis, hay fever, hives, drug allergies, and bronchial asthma.
|d|Regenerating with Reishi
Reishi helps regenerate and protect the liver from toxicity. Researchers state, “Reishi appears to accelerate the clearance of drugs from the system through its effect on the liver.” This helps to explain why reishi is used in Chinese medicine for poisoning and chronic hepatitis. In a three-month clinical study, acute hepatitis-B patients showed significant improvement, even after only one month of treatment.
Relaxing with Reishi
Reishi’s calming effect reduces the nighttime restlessness and nagging thoughts that can bring on sleep disorders. Research also shows that taking reishi before bed lengthens the restful, REM (rapid eye movement) stage of sleep.
Reishi’s calming effects are valuable to those who suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It will also help calm children whose nervous systems have been hijacked by caffeine, sugar, sugar-substitutes and mood-altering food colouring.
Reishi is a supplement that can be taken on a daily basis. It provides strong support for a long and healthy life.
Use reishi daily to:
- Balance immune function
- Improve heart health
- Calm stress
- Combat allergies and hay fever
- Relieve insomnia
- Support liver function
- Lower blood pressure and glucose
References:
1. Dr. Terry Willard’s Encyclopedia of Herbs, Terry Willard, Ph.D., Cl.H.
2. James Meschino, DC, MS Dynamic Chiropractic PG 6, Volume 20, Number 5.
3. Reishi Mushroom, Terry Willard, Ph.D., Cl.H.
4. Radiant Health, Ron Teeguarden, M.H.
5. Reishi Mushroom: Ancient Medicine in Modern Times, Kenneth Jones. Alternative and Complementary Therapies, August, 1998. pp.256-266.
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Stephen Case
Stephen Case is a business professional who writes and lectures on important products and developments in the field of natural health. He actively researches and reports on statistical and scientific health data to help bring natural health solutions to the Canadian public.
