Reishi mushrooms are perhaps best known for their immunity-boosting capabilities. In particular, it helps alter the inflammation pathways of specific white blood cells, boosting the immune function.
This functionality opens a number of use cases for the mushroom, especially where Western medicine may have limitations such as in cancer and other inflammatory conditions. It has been demonstrated that molecules within the mushroom including triterpenoids, polysaccharides, and peptidoglycans foster improved activity levels for certain kinds of white blood cells in patients with advanced-stage cancer. This particular type of the WBC, also known as the Natural Killer Cell, has a predominant role in resisting cancer cells.
Peer-reviewed studies have demonstrated how the Reishi mushroom has helped increase lymphocytes in people suffering from colorectal cancer.
Now here is a benefit that not many other mushrooms can provide: a boost to the testosterone levels. This makes the Reishi mushroom a powerful weapon in the fight against prostate cancer. Certain studies have demonstrated the role of this mushroom in actually reversing this kind of cancer. We need to remember though that Reishi mushrooms are still a neophyte when it comes to the scientific method of analysis. Therefore, more and more peer-reviewed literature is gradually coming in. A highly encouraging study demonstrates how the Reishi mushroom helped bring down the number and the size of tumors present in the large intestine.
This mushroom also has mollifying effects upon depression and anxiety. This particular study introduced Reishi mushroom supplements for up to eight weeks in participants, demonstrating lower levels of fatigue, reduced anxiety and depression as well as improved levels of overall well-being.
Reishi mushrooms also enable healthy people to maintain their health. In a study carried out upon healthy athletes, this mushroom enabled the lymphocyte function against inflammation as well as infections.
The Reishi mushroom has been correlated positively with improved HDL cholesterol levels and lower triglyceride levels.
Certain molecules within the mushroom help maintain lower glucose levels as well.
You can find more benefits of the Reishi Mushroom by reading this article.