Recent findings suggest that reishi mushrooms can lower inflammation and increase the release of natural killer cells, which work to remove various types of mutated cells from the body. This makes the reishi mushroom ideal for preventing heart disease and working as a natural cancer treatment.

Some of the ways that reishi mushrooms work to promote better health include:

• activating cytotoxic receptors (NKG2D/NCR)
• inhibiting cell proliferation
• suppressing vascular endothelial growth factor
• increasing plasma antioxidant capacity
• enhancing immune response
• converting excess testosterone to dihydrotestosterone

Health Benefits

1. Contains Powerful Anti-Cancer Properties

Just like other anti-inflammatory foods, reishi mushrooms are packed with important nutrients, including antioxidants, beta-glucans and amino acids. Researchers believe that some of the most beneficial components of the reishi mushroom are its polysaccharides.

These are water-soluble types of nutrient found in carbohydrate foods that are known to have anti-tumor abilities.

Polysaccharides, which also found in other beneficial plant foods like sweet potatoes or beets, are immune-modulating substances. They are compounds that help reishi mushrooms protect the DNA and block cell mutations while preserving healthy cells in the body.

According to some studies, certain medicinal mushrooms help fight cancer because polysaccharides have important biological benefits, including antioxidant, neuro-protective, radio-protective, anti-diabetes, anti-osteoporosis and anti-fatigue abilities.

Additionally, laboratory tests demonstrate that the triterpenes found in reishi mushrooms may also have cancer-fighting properties. This is one reason why brightly colored or bitter-tasting, antioxidant-rich foods like pumpkin, berries and black rice have a reputation for promoting health.

Triterpene compounds seem to inhibit tumor formation and metastases by limiting the attachment of cancerous cells to endothelial cells. Beta-glucans can also help fight off cancer formation by blocking the growth and spread of cancer cells and increasing the activity of the immune system.

Studies have turned up promising results on the link between the reishi mushroom and cancer prevention. It has been successfully used to help fight cancer of the breasts, ovaries, prostate, liver and lungs in in-vitro studies, sometimes in combination with other treatments.

Research in cancer patients suggests that reishi has antiproliferative and chemopreventive effects. It helps alleviate side effects of chemotherapy, like low immunity and nausea, and potentially enhances the efficacy of radiotherapy.

All this makes the reishi mushroom one of the most powerful cancer-fighting foods available and shows reishi mushroom powder benefits include supporting immunity to combat chronic disease.

2. Improves Liver Function

The liver is one of the most vital organs in the body. It is responsible for aiding in detoxification and helping clean, process, store and circulate healthy blood and nutrients.

Reishi mushrooms work as adaptogens to help improve liver function and prevent liver disease. They allow your body to flush out toxins and bacteria more efficiently and improve immunity against diseases that can develop over time.

A 2013 study published in the International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms found that reishi induces hepatoprotective effects on acute liver injury because it contains antioxidant properties and fights harmful immune responses that slow down liver function — adding to list of benefits of reishi mushrooms.

3. Promotes Heart Health

The triterpenes found in the reishi mushroom may have blood pressure-lowering abilities as well as benefits for blood-clotting and cholesterol. This is likely because they help lower inflammation within blood vessels and arteries while also restoring hormonal balance.

High blood pressure and high cholesterol can sometimes be caused by hormonal issues, including thyroid disorders or high amounts of stress. Reishi mushrooms help restore optimal hormonal levels to strengthen the cardiovascular system.

In addition to lowering blood pressure, reishi mushroom extract can improve overall circulation, lower inflammation that worsens heart problems and prevent clogged arteries by keeping cholesterol under control — yet another one of the impressive reishi health benefits.

4. Balances Hormone Levels

Reishi mushrooms work as adaptogenic mushrooms. They can help your body cope with stress more efficiently and help regulate hormone levels to optimize your health.

Although research is currently limited to mostly animal models, some studies indicate that reishi mushroom extract could help normalize levels of certain receptor hormones, which may be beneficial in the treatment of cancer.

Other studies show that it can protect and positively impact the endocrine system, which encompasses the glands throughout the body that are responsible for the production of hormones. This could have far-reaching effects on many aspects of health, as the endocrine system has a direct impact on metabolism, growth, sleep, mood and sexual function.

5. Stabilizes Blood Sugar

Sustaining high levels of blood sugar can bring detrimental effects to overall health, causing symptoms like fatigue, unintentional weight loss and frequent urination. Some research shows that reishi mushrooms may have anti-diabetic properties, helping to maintain normal blood sugar levels to prevent adverse side effects.

For example, one review out of Taiwan showed that reishi mushrooms were able to decrease levels of both blood sugar and insulin in mice. They also helped modify levels of certain enzymes involved in blood sugar control and improved the way that the body uses insulin to transport sugar from the bloodstream to the tissues to be used as fuel.

6. Fights Allergies and Asthma

Triterpenes are active ingredients in reishi mushrooms. They are a type of ganoderic acid tied to a reduction in allergies and histamine reactions associated with asthma.

For this reason, the reishi mushroom is often used as a safe and effective asthma natural remedy. Triterpenes are capable of lowering allergic reactions because of the way they affect the immune system, strengthen the digestive organs, protect the gut lining, lower inflammation, inhibit a histamine release, improve oxygen utilization and improve liver functions.

7. Protects Against Infections and Viruses

Reishi mushrooms are considered natural antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal substances thanks to the active compounds that they contain. For example, aside from relieving allergies, triterpenes offer protection against microbial, viral and fungal infections.

Triterpenes can be found in many plant foods that taste somewhat bitter, a sign that they’re protective in nature and defend the plant against predators.

Because reishi mushrooms can improve blood circulation and lower inflammation, they can help resolve infections more quickly, reduce pain and fight fatigue. Reishi mushrooms have been used to help treat symptoms and underlying causes of urinary tract infections, hepatitis and even HIV/AIDS, among other reishi mushrooms benefits.

Nutrition

In supplement form, reishi mushrooms typically contain little to no calories and only a small amount of dietary fiber and protein. However, the true reishi mushroom health benefits come from the ingredients that aren’t listed on the nutrition label.

In particular, reishi mushrooms are jam-packed with antioxidants and health-promoting compounds, such as polysaccharides and triterpenes. These powerful compounds are linked to a number of health benefits and have been shown to account for many of the anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-diabetic properties of the reishi mushroom.

Many forms of holistic medicine take advantage of the full scope of health benefits of reishi mushroom and use it to treat a variety of ailments.

Reishi mushrooms are an especially common ingredient in Traditional Chinese Medicine and have been used as a staple for thousands of years. They are believed to nourish the heart, preserve liver health, slow aging, and enhance vitality, stamina and strength.

They’re also said to promote calmness and relaxation and often used to supplement spiritual practices.