Today, there are a huge number of plants that are famous for their medicinal properties. The most important thing when using them is to familiarize yourself with all the side effects.
Reishi mushroom, or varnished ganoderma, has long been famous for its healing characteristics. The properties of this plant have been actively used in traditional oriental medicine for more than two thousand years. Even in ancient treatises there were references to the fact that he bestows longevity and eternal youth.
Reishi mushroom, the healing properties of which have been proven over the years of practice, are often used for preventive purposes. It is used to treat many diseases. Also called varnished, sacred mushroom, lingzhi.
Where is it found?
Under natural conditions, this fungus grows in many countries of the world. However, in temperate latitudes it is much more difficult to find it than in subtropics. The varnished tinder fungus is rather exacting to environmental conditions. Finding a true Reishi mushroom in vivo is quite difficult. Therefore, it is considered an expensive and inaccessible product.
Mushroom description
The varnished polypore belongs to saprophytes. Dead and dying trees are excellent substrates. Most often, the mushroom can be found on deciduous and coniferous trees. Usually it grows on oak, alder, birch, beech. The mushroom is located closer to the base of the plant. Sometimes it can be found on a stump. Fruit bodies can be located directly on the soil. However, in this case, the mycelium is likely to be hidden in the underground roots. In our country, Reishi mushroom can be found in Altai, Stavropol, Krasnodar Territory, as well as in the Caucasus.
Appearance
The fruiting body of the fungus is annual and forms in the warm season. His hat has a flat, slightly rounded shape. In diameter, it can reach 18 cm. In the upper part it is covered with a shiny wavy skin. It is divided into concentric growth zones. Each of them can have its own color. The edges of the cap are sharp and can be slightly bent to the bottom. The leg is uneven, in shape resembles a cylinder, in diameter up to 3 cm. Its length can reach 25 cm. The pulp of the mushroom has a yellow-brown color and is stiff in texture. At first it resembles a sponge, but it grows stiff as the fungus grows. On the underside of the mushroom cap is a hymenophore. It consists of short single-layer tubes, the length of which reaches 1.5 cm. The pores of the fungus are small and turn yellow as it grows.
Composition
So, what is the plant in question? Reishi mushroom, the use of which is not limited to the preparation of traditional medicine, has no taste or smell. The chemical composition and appearance of the product depend on the environment in which it grows. The varnished tinder fungus is characterized by an extremely complex structure. It has been studied for many years by scientists from America and Japan.
The following substances are found in mycelium and fruit bodies:
- amino acids;
- vitamins (C, B3, D, B5);
- essential oils;
- volatile;
- polyunsaturated and organic fatty acids;
- macro- and microelements;
- flavonoids;
- steroids;
- triterpenoids;
- lipids.
From the point of view of medicine and biology, carboxyethyl sesquioxide, polysaccharides, and ganoderm acids are most important in the composition of the fungus. Due to the presence of these valuable compounds in the Reishi mushroom, it is characterized by its healing properties.
Medical use
An unusually wide range of medicinal preparations is obtained from the varnished herbalist. Why is Reishi mushroom so good? The medicinal properties and contraindications of this product are used to prevent and treat various diseases. It is also used to cleanse and strengthen the body as a whole. It is proved that the regular use of drugs made on the basis of this tool helps to improve memory, increase efficiency and cope with chronic fatigue and depression. Due to its high content of organically bound germanium, Reishi helps to saturate the heart and blood with oxygen. The fungus can be used to prevent the development of myocardial hypoxia. In addition, the product improves metabolic processes and strengthens the body's defense against viruses and microbes. Germanium helps to reduce the level of free radicals in the blood. This is known to be one of the causes of premature aging.
Beta-glucans, which are present in the composition of the Reishi mushroom, have an excellent immunomodulating effect, and also have antibacterial properties. They perfectly reduce blood cholesterol and blood pressure. Reishi mushroom tea has a hypoglycemic effect and increases insulin susceptibility. This is especially important in the treatment of diabetes. The lanostan polysaccharide contained in the varnished tinder fungus is also of great importance. It has an anti-allergic effect, prevents the development of mediators of allergic reactions and antibodies. Thus, the mushroom significantly reduces symptoms such as itching, swelling, rash.
Today, medical institutions in America, Canada, France, and Japan are actively researching a product such as Reishi mushroom. Properties and contraindications for its use have not yet been fully studied. Although today it is used in official medicine to prevent the development of cancerous tumors.
The triterpenoids that make up the varnished ganoderma play an important role for the human body. They have anti-allergic, hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. They are also often used to create painkillers and antitumor drugs. Triterpenoids help lower blood viscosity. They are especially effective in reducing the risk of diseases of the cardiovascular system. Reishi mushroom is recommended to be used as part of rehabilitation therapy after strokes and heart attacks. Plant-based preparations and products are widely used in traditional and traditional medicine both as part of complex therapy and for prevention. They are often used to alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation.
What diseases is fungus effective for?
This issue should be given special attention. What can be used reishi mushroom? Reviews of doctors and patients confirm that this tool is especially effective for the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and liver. It can be used for hepatitis, cirrhosis, gastritis, ulcers, enteritis, pancreatitis, colitis, and dysbiosis. A positive effect is also observed in disorders of the cardiovascular system. Reishi mushroom allows you to fight hypertension, arrhythmia, atherosclerosis. It can also be used to treat infectious and autoimmune diseases. The effectiveness of Reishi mushroom preparations in the treatment of respiratory diseases has been proven.
Use for weight loss
How else can Reishi be used? The properties of this product help speed up the metabolism. This means that the mushroom can be used as a means for losing weight. With its regular use, there is a decrease in appetite, normalization of metabolism and body cleansing. Therefore, the use of tea with Reishi mushroom often becomes an indispensable item in many modern diets.
How to prepare raw materials based on this plant?
There are various ways. So, how to cook Reishi mushroom, the beneficial properties and contraindications for the use of which were considered in this review? As a rule, the fruit body of a tinder fungus is used to prepare drugs. Over the past 20 years, this mushroom has been successfully grown for medical purposes. It is cultivated on an industrial scale on specially designed plantations of Southeast Asia. The fruits are harvested and harvested from mid-summer to late autumn.
How is Reishi mushroom grown?
Let's dwell on this in more detail. This culture, if desired, can be easily grown at home. How does Reishi mushroom grow? Photos of home plantations indicate that for its cultivation it is necessary to purchase mycelium on tree sticks. You will also need a freshly cut log. Hardwood is best. Holes up to 5 cm deep are stitched along the edge of the log in a checkerboard pattern. The sticks with mycelium are immersed in the holes obtained and closed with wet sawdust. A log infected in this way must be left in order for the mushroom to sprout on it. Planting and cultivation should take place in a clean, damp place. The main conditions are the absence of drafts and sunlight. The recommended temperature range is from 18 to 25 degrees. It is also worth daily monitoring soil moisture. Try not to allow waterlogging and drying out of the soil.
Given that Reishi mushroom is quite rare in the wild, its cultivation can be fraught with many difficulties. Therefore, for medicinal purposes, it is better to buy finished raw materials from reliable manufacturers.
How to use?
Dried reishi mushrooms can be used to make tincture, tea or broth. This requires chopping the fruit. You can do this with a coffee grinder or blender. To prepare the tincture, you should take 10 grams of chopped mushroom, pour into a glass jar and mix with half a liter of vodka. The mixture is insisted for 45 days. After that, it is filtered. Take tincture daily before breakfast, 5-20 ml.
To prepare the infusion, you need to take one teaspoon of chopped mushroom, pour half a glass of water and leave for a while for infusion. The cooled solution is filtered and drunk before meals. This procedure should be repeated three times a day for maximum effect. The duration of treatment is 2 months.
To prepare the broth, one tablespoon of chopped mushroom is placed in the pan. You should also add half a liter of water. The resulting mixture is boiled for 30 minutes. After this, the broth is cooled and filtered. It should be taken three times a day before meals. It is best to store the prepared mixture in the refrigerator.
Reishi mushroom tea is also highly effective. To prepare it, you need to take two teaspoons of raw materials, add a liter of water to them and insist for 20 minutes. They drink such a drink instead of regular tea. Often a varnished tinder fungus is used as an additive in plain black, fruit tea. It gives the drink an interesting specific flavor. Such tea benefits the whole body and helps strengthen immunity.
Contraindications
They are definitely worth exploring. Despite the huge list of positive properties that Reishi has, he also has contraindications for use. It can not be used by pregnant and lactating women. Serious side effects of the fungus can cause in people with poor blood coagulation. It is also not recommended for children under 7 years of age. In some cases, individual intolerance and allergy to this product may develop.
To reishi mushroom, the medicinal properties and contraindications of which have long been known, bring only benefits, it is recommended to consult a doctor before its use.
Finally
In this review, we examined in detail what a Reishi mushroom is. At present, he has not only lost his importance in medicine, but is also becoming more and more accessible. But before it was not available. Nowadays, technologies have emerged to grow reishi mushrooms on plantations around the world.
Many call this plant a real natural miracle. Today, its healing properties are being actively studied by scientists around the world. It is believed that it can be used in the fight against cancer.
Reishi mushroom contains many useful substances. This makes it not just a good prophylactic, but a real drug. Due to the high concentration of ganoderic acids, Reishi mushroom is effective in the fight against tumors. The composition of this product also includes peptides, steroids, lipids and antioxidants, which can improve the general condition of the body. The use of Reishi mushroom helps strengthen immunity, helps fight bacterial and viral microorganisms, and normalizes the intestinal microflora. Many are interested in this product in terms of weight loss. It is scientifically proven that the use of infusions and teas based on Reishi mushroom helps to lose weight. And this is not a complete list of all the positive effects of using this product.
Despite the many positive characteristics, you should not thoughtlessly eat Reishi mushroom. It is better to consult with your doctor first.