Reishi Mushrooms: 6 Awesome Health Benefits Of This Superfood

If you think mushrooms are only good for topping off your pizza or scrambling into your favorite veggie dish, think again. Thanks to reishi mushrooms' incredible healing properties and versatility, I think it's pretty safe to say they're a dynamic superfood.

It wasn't until the second half of the 20th century that researchers began to rigorously study the medicinal properties of the reishi mushroom, which is known to the scientific community as ganoderma lucidum.

These unique molecules were linked to promoting longevity by boosting the immune system and preventing abnormal blood vessel formations that could lead to life-threatening cancerous growths. In other words, if you drink reishi mushroom tea every day, it could have huge long-term payoffs.

A review of reishi mushrooms’ use in cancer treatment expanded on these findings, suggesting that bioactive compounds within the fungus may actually seek out and eradicate existing cancerous cells within the body. The research surrounding the impact reishi mushrooms has on cancer is pretty promising, and needs to be explored further1.

If you want to keep your liver doing its job effectively (in other words, eliminating toxins), trying giving reishi mushrooms a try. In, a study in Food and Chemical Toxicology used the power of the reishi mushroom to reverse chemical-driven liver damage in mice. The same triterpenes that displayed anti-cancer properties in other studies appear to aid the release of free radicals and promote liver cell regeneration.

In 2012, Neuropharmacology published a study that found reishi mushrooms may have neuroprotective effects in rodents, which could be important in future research surrounding Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, it was shown that reishi extract supports the production of nerve growth factor, a protein that is vital for healthy neurological function.

Most of the studies that have been conducted on reishi mushrooms and the immune system2 have been done on people who are sick and fighting infection, but with all the benefits that come with the regular consumption of reishi mushrooms, there's no reason to believe they won't give your immune system a boost—even if you're healthy.

One small study3 conducted on 132 Chinese patients with a condition called neurasthenia, found that the group who ingested reishi mushrooms extracts for eight weeks had improved reports of aches, pains, and dizziness. Not only that, but their feelings of irritability improved, suggesting that reishi mushrooms may also act as a mood booster... As an added bonus, this study also suggests that reishi mushrooms can help with pain as well.

There is also anecdotal evidence that has been published regarding liver injury and powdered reishi supplements. However, this is unsubstantiated by science. Early pre-clinical studies have actually found the opposite—that reishi mushrooms have a protective effect on the liver.5

Due to its growing status as a veritable panacea, the reishi mushroom is now cultivated commercially throughout the world and is available in a variety of formats from teas and tinctures to capsules and can even be found in superfood protein powder blends. In other words, reishi mushrooms might not taste completely amazing on their own, but when mixed and consumed in the right way, they can be straight-up delicious.

We love reishi mushrooms for so many reasons. Studied for their medicinal properties and revered in Eastern cultures, reishi mushrooms pack some potent health benefits that continue to be researched. Reishi mushrooms have been associated with a number of health benefits from longevity to immunity. If you're ready to dive right in, try this mushroom coffee at home.