Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is an adaptogenic mushroom with many medicinal applications. Also referred to as lingzhi in Chinese medicine, Reishi was beloved among ancient practitioners due to its ability to increase clarity and qi, or vital life force. Emperors revered Reishi for this ability.

Reishi was the favorite functional ingredient among our survey respondents in our most recent YouGov survey, topping cordyceps, lion’s mane and chaga as functional ingredients to promote energy, focus, sleep and immunity. Reishi tea blends contain these powerful herbs for energy, focus, sleep and immunity support.

Calming Effects

Health and wellness enthusiasts have long recognized the incredible healing powers of functional mushrooms – not the kind you eat with pizza but medicinal ones with powerful balancing properties such as Reishi and Cordyceps that have adaptogenic properties which aid body balance as well as relaxation and sleep, making these mushrooms popular natural remedies to aid sleep problems and ease stress relief. It has even become part of mainstream healthcare practice to include them as remedies against insomnia or stress relief.

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) mushrooms have long been revered in traditional East Asian medicine as symbols of longevity and inner peace. Reishi’s medicinal benefits include supporting immunity, balancing hormone levels, soothing mind/emotions as well as supporting respiratory function and acting as an anti-inflammatory.

Studies have shown that Reishi can aid sleep and mood by decreasing oxidative stress in the brain caused by stress hormones. Reishi’s soothing properties come from its ability to balance endocrine system activity as well as its soothing polysaccharides and triterpenes; Reishi has even been shown to lower blood pressure and heart rate!

Before choosing which reishi mushrooms to take, it is essential to first consider your needs for supplements. For increased energy and stamina, Cordyceps might be more suitable; but for relaxation and sleep promotion purposes Reishi would likely be more suited.

To maximize its calming effects, it’s best to drink this tea in the evening and just before bedtime. This allows the reishi mushrooms time to start relaxing your body and mind before falling into peaceful slumber.

Rishi Tea offers the reishi mushroom hero tea as a caffeine-free solution, perfect for anyone seeking to reduce or avoid caffeine intake or looking for healthier alternatives to coffee. Made of reishi and maitake mushrooms combined with cocoa nibs and detoxifying roasted roots for an indulgent, soothing experience – simply steep one sachet for five minutes in 8 ounces of boiling water before enjoying! Each box includes 15 sachets for your enjoyment. To learn more about this product as well as others available from Rishi Tea click here

Supports Immune System Function

Reishi mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum) have long been revered in herbal medicine as powerful immune boosters due to the polysaccharides and triterpenes present. Reishi helps improve immunity on multiple fronts.

Reishi has long been studied for its ability to activate innate immune cells, an essential first step toward activating adaptive responses against pathogens. Beta-glucans present in Reishi bind to receptors found on macrophages and dendritic cells, stimulating their activation further and helping these immune cells recognize and kill pathogens more quickly [24,25]

Reishi polysaccharides also promote differentiation of naive T cells into helper and cytotoxic T cells, further strengthening adaptive immunity. [25] Together, these effects improve response against both microbial and non-microbial pathogens.

Astragalus root (Astragalus membranaceus) is another classic adaptogenic herb with strong immune-enhancing properties. Studies show that astragalus can strengthen natural defenses against infection by stimulating production of interferon gamma and nitric oxide cytokines; its immunomodulatory effects stem largely from its ability to modulate expression of Toll-like receptors that trigger immune responses. [26]

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is an immune-enhancing spice with antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, capable of inhibiting bacteria, viruses, and fungi growth while simultaneously blocking their production as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines that contribute to inflammation.

Lifestyle factors also have a considerable effect on immune function and resilience. Regular exercise, sufficient restful sleep and decreased stress have all been shown to increase resilience against infections.

Our Reishi Mushroom Hero Tea is an adaptogenic blend containing Reishi and Astragalus that supports seasonal wellness and healthy immune function. Crafted with roasted roots and cocoa nibs for maximum benefit and natural caffeine-free, enjoy our tasty blend when your immune system needs extra support! Rishi Tea’s Reishi Mushroom Hero Tea comes packaged in convenient sachets; simply steep one sachet in 8 ounces of boiling water for five minutes for best results – each box holds 15 sachets!

Supports Liver Function

Reishi mushroom benefits include adaptogenic properties that aid both body and mind in responding appropriately to health stressors, as well as immunity-modulating effects owing to its abundance of beta-glucans – these glucans modulate immune cell activity by activating natural killer (NK) cell activity or secreting cytokines into the system.

Studies suggest that Reishi can help lower stress-induced hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, helping maintain an even mood while relieving symptoms of anxiety and depression. Reishi’s restorative qualities may promote deep sleep which is essential for balanced hormonal levels.

Studies have revealed that Reishi can protect against cell damage and slow the progression of cancer due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, its polysaccharides help balance immune responses while inhibiting blood vessel growth contributing to inflammation. Furthermore, Reishi’s polysaccharides promote healthy cell proliferation while simultaneously decreasing proliferation rates in cancerous cells.

Reishi polysaccharides have been demonstrated to aid liver protection by inhibiting damage and stimulating the regeneration of healthy liver tissue. Reishi is believed to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which may provide protection from liver damage. Furthermore, Reishi has been found to decrease leukaemia cells’ invasiveness while simultaneously increasing immunity.

One study demonstrated how Reishi can prevent the formation of blood vessels that support cancer cell growth by blocking VEGF (VEGFR-1) which stimulates angiogenesis and also helped decrease prostate cancer cell proliferation. It was also found to significantly decrease growth.

As with anything, not all reishi supplements are equal. To achieve maximum mushroom benefits from reishi supplements, it’s essential that they come from products grown without contaminants or additives, with clear labelling for source, purity, quality, as well as fruiting body content rather than just mycelium or grain powders.

Supports Heart Health

Reishi mushrooms have long been used as an aid to balance the body and enhance vitality, often called Lingzhi in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Reishi mushroom use in meditation practices to support clarity and spiritual balance is another popular use. Today it has also become an energy booster as well as supporting immune function and heart health.

Reishi is packed with antioxidants that can help the body combat free radical damage and research indicates it could promote cellular protection and decrease inflammation. Reishi may also help support healthy sleep, which is essential to maintaining an optimum immune system as well as mental wellbeing.

One study demonstrated how reishi can effectively lower LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol and triglycerides – two types of fat found in blood that contribute to heart disease – through its ability to balance cells that regulate lipid metabolism. Reishi’s efficacy at reducing cholesterol can be attributed to its effects on cell activity related to regulation.

Studies suggest that Reishi may also help maintain normal blood sugar levels; however, results have been mixed and more research needs to be completed before any definitive statements can be made.

Reishi has been found to alter inflammatory pathways within the body, helping reduce symptoms associated with chronic inflammation. Furthermore, its anti-angiogenic properties may reduce formation of new blood vessels that contribute to chronic inflammation in the body.

Reishi can also help the heart by supporting normal blood pressure. Research shows that it increases nitric oxide in the body, helping reduce strain on both heart and vessels.

Studies demonstrate that Reishi extracts can assist in inhibiting cancer cell growth and encouraging their death by altering protein expression that regulates cell division, slowing it down, or both. Reishi can do this by altering cell growth regulation proteins or by slowing cell division and encouraging its death.

As with any supplement, reishi should only be consumed moderately and as directed. When selecting a high-quality supplement that specifies it uses fruiting bodies (the part of a mushroom that rises above ground), this can ensure you receive only potency-packed compounds. Look for one which uses both hot water and alcohol extraction processes to extract only those components with healthful benefits from its mushroom source.