Herbal Information for Certified Organic Red Reishi Mushroom  in Sliced Form

Common Names: Reishi Mushroom

Botanical Name: Ganoderma ludidum fungus

Pin Yin Name: Ling Zhi

Other Ingredients: None, nothing has been added to this product.

Package Size: One Pound (1lb)

Form: Sliced, Organic

Dosage: Consult your healthcare professional for correct dosage.

Origin: China

Brand: Nuherbs

Cautions: Do not use if pregnant or nursing.

California Prop 65

Additional Information about Reishi Mushroom

• Adrenocortical restorative
• Adaptogenic
• Promotes a Restful Sleep
• Benefits Positive Mental and Emotional States
• Supports Cardiovascular system
• Improves Blood Sugar when used with diet and exercise
• Support Proper Liver Function

Parts of Mushrooms

Mushrooms have a variety of different parts. See the diagram on the left to identify what each part of the mushroom is.

Cap: The cap is the top of the mushroom (and often looks sort of like a small umbrella or fan). Mushroom caps can come in a variety of colors but most often are brown, white, or yellow.

Gills, Pores, or Teeth: These structures appear under the mushroom's cap. They look similar to a fish's gills.

Ring: Is the tissue around the upper part of the mushroom stem.

Stem or Stipe: The stem is the tall structure that holds the cap high above the ground.

Volva: The volva is the protective veil that remains after the mushroom sprouted up from the ground. As the fungus grows, it breaks through the volva.

Mycelium: The mycelium of a mushroom is the vegetative body of fungi: a mass of branching filaments (hyphae) that spread throughout the nutrient substratum (an underlying layer) as defined by the McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

The Reishi mushroom is a product of the Far East with its usage dating back to ancient China. Royalty would utilize this precious mushroom in the hopes of obtaining immortality and promoting calmness and thought. 

Red Reishi mushroom have a lot to bring to the table.  The reishi mushroom's active constituents are:
Sterols
Ergosterol
Fumaric acid
Aminoglucose
Alkaloids
Enzymes
Coumarin
Mannitol
Polysaccharide
Triterpenoids called ganoderic acids

The polysaccharide and triterpenoids have shown to help lower blood pressure and reduce cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides. Plus, these work as an anticoagulant. All of these benefits contribute to a healthy cardiovascular system. Reishi Mushroom has antibacterial, antiviral properties, and anti-tumor activity to prevent cancer.  The Pauling Institute has also done extensive work with considerable success using Reishi Mushroom in combination with Vitamin C to treat cancer.
This mushroom also acts as an anti-inflammatory for bronchitis and respiratory problems such as allergies, hay fever, colds, and chest colds.
Reishi mushroom is a fungus which is described as pithy and woody with a slightly bitter taste. The form above is sliced.  They are about 4 inches long by 1 inch wide.  These are easily used as a decoction, made into a tincture, or to put into soups.  The fruiting body --which is the part above ground--and mycelium (filaments connecting a group of mushrooms) are used as medicine.
Reishi is used to prevent fatty liver and cirrhosis due to alcohol abuse, or poor diet.
Reishi Mushroom is used as a tonic and a sedative. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Reishi was thought to "mend the heart." Reishi is a cardio tonic that supports normal blood and oxygen flow to the heart.

Reishi Mushroom, also known by the Chinese name Ling-Zhi, has shown in recent studies to be helpful for heart health, including normal cholesterol, blood pressure, and circulatory system support. Reishi mushroom contains a high amount of polysaccharides which are essential for proper functioning of the immune system. Reishi is particularly effective in stress control, due to the effect Reishi Mushroom has on the liver.  It can  reduce emotional outbursts during long-term stress and tension.

References:

Dr. Gilbert Ng website
Dr. Shiuh-Sheng Lee, Professor of Biochemistry at National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
Nanba, H. 1994b. Activity of Maitake D-fraction to prevent cancer growth and metastasis. J. Naturopathic Med. (In press).,
Bo, L. and Bau Yun-sun. 1980. Fungi Pharmacopoeia