Iron: vital to human health
October 19, 2021Does the sound of medicinal mushrooms sound off-putting, or gross to you?
Yes, we’re going to tell you to put mushrooms in your coffee, and it probably won’t end there, but we promise you that there are many great reasons.
Medicinal mushrooms have been used since the days of antiquity to treat a range of diseases, from diabetes and intestinal issues to fighting seasonal colds and cancers. And while their use has mostly been documented in Russia, China, and Japan—along with other Asian and Far Eastern cultures—we are now seeing a “Mushboom” in the West.
Dating back to 206 BC, the reishi mushroom was first discovered for its medicinal use in the Han Dynasty.
Its kidney shape, distinctive orange-red color, and shiny finish give it a distinct appearance. And since it has no poisonous look-alikes, they’re generally safe to forage.
Reishi mushrooms for preventing and treating cancer
Traditional Chinese Medicine has used reishi to treat immunological disorders, inflammation, and cancer for thousands of years.
And for good reason.
Although it (obviously) doesn’t grant its user immortality, reishi mushrooms do possess two very powerful therapeutic agents: triterpenes, anti-inflammatory compounds with incredible benefits, and polysaccharides, which stimulate the immune system. And because of these compounds, studies report that reishi was able to suppress specific types of cancer, especially breast cancer cell growth.
The craziest part?
It only takes 24 hours to suppress invasion and tumor growth, and only 3 hours post-treatment for it to start taking effect.
Reishi mushrooms and the case for immortality
You may have heard reishi being referred to as the mushroom of immortality. But how did it get that name, and what does science have to say about it?
In addition to fighting cancer cells, the therapeutic agents in reishi also protect us from pathogens like viruses, bacteria, and parasites.
Here’s where the ‘immortality’ bit comes in.
Reishi helps with staying in a preventative state by improving your overall health and wellness. By reducing oxidative stress, which happens when proteins in our skin are damaged by environmental stressors (like pollutants and toxins), the triterpenes found in reishi can reverse wrinkles and other signs of aging.
And it doesn’t end there.
In addition to protecting our cellular DNA and mitochondria from oxidative stress, the combined powers of the polysaccharides and triterpenes also keep us energized and alert while maintaining hormonal balance.
Reishi acts as a natural antidepressant and anxiolytic, meaning it can help with alleviating anxiety, depression, and insomnia. These disorders are normally caused by hormonal imbalances, either as a result of our diet, our personal experiences and traumas, our thought patterns, or all of the above.
By establishing hormonal balance, this medicinal mushroom promotes a general sense of well-being, simultaneously allowing your body to relax and recover during the night, the way it was designed to.