Reishi Mushroom Benefits: Digestion, Immunity & Vitality*
Bill Chioffi, COO of Nammex – our exclusive mushroom provider.
It’s not a plant. It’s not an animal. It’s a species of its own – mushrooms have been around for millions of years, yet have only made big waves in the health food industry over the last couple of decades in the United States. One of the most popular mushrooms, Reishi (Ganoderma llingzhi), is beloved by many, not for its taste (it’s extremely bitter), but for its potent health properties.*
We sat down with Bill Chioffi, Chief Operating Officer of Nammex, our trusted mushroom supplier, to dive deep into this ancient species and understand why reishi and why now?
Reishi’s Benefits Through the Doctrine of Signatures
Courtesy of Nammex
Reddish-brown and occasionally heart-shaped, Reishi is a polypore fungus native to East Asia that grows in hardwood forests with trees such as oak, elm, beech, and maple.
Its beautiful, unique appearance speaks to its Doctrine of Signatures – a concept that says a plant's physical traits, taste, and textures reveal its beneficial use for the body.
"With a color that reflects the same color as rich, oxygenated blood with a heart shape, in traditional uses, it is supportive of the Shen, the center of the heart," says Bill.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shen refers to an energetic correspondence between the heart and a person's greater consciousness or that certain “light in their eyes.”
This association speaks to Reishi’s affinity for the blood, cardiovascular system, and overall vitality.*
In addition to its connection to Shen, it also serves as a strong bitter tonic.
“Bitter is Better” for Digestion
Every herbalist knows one main thing about Reishi: it’s extremely bitter.
This bitter taste points to its many digestive properties.* "The bitterness comes from the triterpenoids that give it its color," says Bill. "Now we know that there's a correspondence to our neurological function and our ability to process thoughts through the gut-brain axis.”
The triterpenoids not only give Reishi its vibrant color but also hold powerful health properties, such as providing antioxidant protection, helping maintain balance in the body, and supporting a healthy immune response.*
Reishi is naturally made up of fiber, with 40-45% being both insoluble and soluble fibers that contain polysaccharides and beta-glucans – key components for digestive and immune health.*
The bottom line? More and more research is proving daily that our health starts in the gut – and when we nourish our gut, we contribute to a greater health span and lifespan.
What China Knew About Reishi Centuries Ago
“The average person in China will consume more mushrooms in less than two weeks than we do in an entire year in the United States.” - Bill Chioffi
Reishi has been enjoyed for centuries in China, as confirmed by the text "Longquan Fengsu Zhi."
The book outlines specific details on how to extract Reishi through its tough exterior, which is composed of chitin, a substance also found in crab and lobster shells. Traditionally, Reishi preparations were made as a decoction by drying it, cutting it into tiny pieces, boiling it for 3+ hours, and drinking it as a strong tea or, more commonly, mixing it with other herbs into a formulation. It could also be made into a syrup and taken as a honey pill.
It is only now that modern science is catching up with China’s ancient wisdom.
Reishi’s Modern Use
Today, Reishi is most commonly consumed in a practical and convenient form as a supplement or powder. This modern approach avoids the lengthy process of preparing a decoction of the mushroom for hours at home and also helps mask Reishi’s extremely bitter taste.
Bill agrees that he loves Reishi powder and consumes it daily with coffee. “Because coffee is also bitter, it complements the taste well.”
Enjoy Reishi in Our Delicious Functional Powders
You must be consistent to see effective, long-term changes with herbs and mushrooms. Bill recommends consuming mushrooms daily due to their highly nutritious, immune-supporting benefits.* They also provide the soluble and insoluble fiber we need for robust gut health.*
“Mushrooms provide us with a safe and nutritious way to support our stressed-out systems right now.”
Ready to incorporate Reishi into your daily wellness routine? Try our Ashwagandha and Super Mushroom functional blends that are mixed with herbs like Ginger and Cinnamon so you don’t taste the bitterness of Reishi:
7 Mushroom Mocha™: 199mg Organic Reishi Fruiting Body Extract
Immune Power™: 106mg Organic Reishi Fruiting Body Extract
Roasted Kokora Lift™: 106mg Organic Reishi Fruiting Body Extract
Golden Milk Bliss™: 52mg Organic Reishi Fruiting Body Extract
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