Life throws a lot at us daily, which causes us to feel overly emotional or run down. If this becomes a constant feeling, then it can be symptoms from a multitude of things. Our Bounce Backs contain another mushroom powerhouse, Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum). We talked about how these supplements also help with muscle recovery, but they have more than one benefit. We’re big fans of this fan-shaped fungus for its magical ability to balance both our immune system and hormone levels while also detoxifying the liver.
Beneficial Factors
Stress sucks, there’s no way around it. However, Reishi is an adaptogen. These little fighters deal with the adverse effects of stress like increased inflammation, low energy, and various hormonal imbalances. This immune modulator can also act as a shield to protect and positively impact the endocrine system, which encompasses the glands that are responsible for the production of hormones. The endocrine system has a direct impact on metabolism, growth, sleep, mood, and sexual function.
This disease-fighting mushroom can also protect against oxidative stress. This type of stress comes from free radicals, which can cause chronic inflammation. We use an extract in our daily mushroom blend, which is known to be a more effective way of getting your dose of antioxidants. These antioxidant abilities allow them to strengthen the body’s defenses against cancer, autoimmune conditions, heart disease, allergies, and infections. The aging process may slow down too, making its nickname “the mushroom of immortality,” rather fitting.
Reishi mushroom spores promote liver cell regeneration in mice, improving the organ’s ability to shuttle toxins out of the body. It also helps out the kidneys, keeping everything running smoothly and detoxed from most viruses.
How is this one mushroom able to do so much healing? There are a few active ingredients such as complex sugars known as beta-glucans, plant sterols that act as precursors to hormones in the body. Other components such as polysaccharides that fight cancer cell development, and acidic substances called triterpenes can also be found within this specific mushroom.
Let’s Get Historical
In traditional Chinese medicine, it’s believed that Reishi ‘nourishes the spirit,’ which in turn nourishes the body as well. Around 200–250 C.E., the Divine Farmer’s Classic of Pharmaceutics said the following:
’Chi Zhi (Ganoderma rubra) is bitter and balanced. It mainly treats binding in the chest, boosts the heart qi, supplements the center, sharpens the wits, and [causes people] not to forget [i.e., improves the memory]. Protracted taking may make the body light, prevent senility, and prolong life to make one immortal….’
Hence the ‘mushroom of immortality. The Reishi mushroom has a variety of other benefits that are worth getting to know as well.
Research:
