A study published by the Journal of Nutrition and Cancer examined reishiвЂ™s cytotoxicity against metastatic breast cancer cells. Reishi Benefits and UsesД¬ancer:В In recent years, the reishi mushroom has gained much public and scientific attention for its anti-cancer and anti-tumor properties.

These findings have emerged primarily from cell culture models, in vitro assessments, and animal studies (there have also been some clinical trials assessing reishiвЂ™s effectiveness in humans, though this type of research is somewhat limited). Similarly, its triterpenes have been found to have anti-inflammatory, antitumorigenic, and hypolipidemic activity. Of all its components, its specific polysaccharides and triterpenes are the most physiologically potent, and can be extracted from the mushroomвЂ™s spores, mycelia, and fruit body.Д«ioactive polyglycans and water-soluble polysaccharides found in the reishi mushroom have been found to have anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, anti-tumorigenic, hypoglycemic, and immunoprotective properties. It is also heavily composed of bioactive molecules, including water-soluble polysaccharides, steroids, phenols, nucleotides, terpenoids, and amino acids.

The reishi mushroomвЂ™s components can be broken down into approximately 90% water (by weight), with the remaining 10% consisting of the fungusвЂ™s proteins, fats, fibers, and vitamins/minerals (which include potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium, iron, zinc, copper, and calcium). It remains a popular and well-regarded product used in traditional medicine in many Asian countries. Now the reishi mushroom is commercially available in many different forms, including dietary supplements in powder and capsule form, tea extracts, broth, and dried slices. The earliest mention of lГngzhД« in Chinese historical literature can be traced back to the ChвЂ™in Dynasty (221-207 BCE), during which its consumption and use were reserved for the royal family alone.

The characters of its Chinese name lГngzhД« represent вЂњspiritual potencyвЂќ and eternal life, and in the Chinese mythos the mushroom has been regarded as extremely beneficial for both spiritual and physical well-being. This mushroom has a long and well-established history of medicinal usage in China, Japan, and many other Asian countries, in fact it is probably the most popular and well known medicinal mushroom. Here is a list of our Favorite Reishi Mushroom on the market.

It prefers warmer climates and can be found throughout Asia, Australia, South America, Southern Europe, and parts of the Southeastern United States. Thus, it can most often be found on stumps, logs, or aged decaying trees. The reishi mushroom is a type of saprotrophic fungus, which indicates that it decomposes dead organic matter through a process called extracellular digestion. As the mushroom ages, its flesh becomes progressively tougher. The mushroom is particularly notable for its shiny, almost varnished-looking surface, which belies an inner texture that is often described as tough or вЂњwoody.вЂќ Its cap is typically fan-shaped, with a distinctive reddish-brown color. The reishi mushroom, otherwise known by its Chinese nomenclature lГngzhД« or its binomial classification Ganoderma lucidum, refers to a species of fungus that falls under the fungal genus Ganoderma.

The long dark reishi tea