Reishi Raves
We believe in the power of the mushroom at our house! (even if none of us will eat them!)
I learned of their immune-boosting benefits quite a few years ago. More research is proving these nightshades are more medicinal than we ever knew! One of my favorite products is called Immune Stimulator from Nature's Sunshine. When GoodHealthHusband or our son gets a little symptomatic, it's one of our go-to supps. It has reishi and cordyceps and maitake mushrooms in it.
Here's an article that I first saw in Life Extension magazine on the miraculous mushroom...
Reishi mushroom combats cancer and deadly microorganisms
Posted by: Lori Alton, staff writer in Food News January 17, 2016
Like a reliable wake-up call, Reishi mushrooms activate the disease-fighting cells of your immune system, pushing them to aggressively combat cancer and other diseases. It’s little wonder Reishi mushrooms have been prized by Eastern medicine for centuries.
Scientific studies have shown Reishi mushroom extracts to be effective in combating tumor growth, preventing cancer and prolonging life. But it’s immune-boosting advantages aren’t limited to cancer. Research shows that Reishi’s cellular and molecular activities also provide protection against a long list of deadly microorganisms – including those causing human immunodeficiency (HIV) and hepatitis B (HBV), among others.
Catalyst for stimulating the immune system against deadly diseases
The secret to Reishi’s powerful punch is its broad array of bioactive molecules, including alkaloids, sterols, polysaccharides and triterpenoids. Each has a different mode of action when interacting with the varied components of the immune system and spurring them to action.
It is known that over time, the immune system ages and becomes less effective, one of the biggest factors behind an increase in disease later in life. But Reishi extracts bring more youthful patterns back to circulating white blood cells, promoting protective cell types – like those producing antibodies – while squelching activities of cells causing inflammation and other effects of aging.
Reishi is also known to have the ability to stimulate energy production and transfer at the cellular level. This is particularly critical given the frenzied metabolic needs of active immune cells.
Protection against cancer and other life-threatening microorganisms
Research has shown Reishi mushroom extracts could be instrumental in preventing cancer through their interaction with cells that are able to attack abnormal cancerous tissue before it can grow into a full-blown tumor. The spleen and the thymus, both of which are sources of aggressive cancer-killing cells, are likely the primary location of interaction. In laboratory tests, the advantages of Reishi in fighting cancer occurred even in subjects where cancerous tumors had already been discovered.
Numerous laboratory and animal studies have shown that Reishi extract can also have a direct effect on a broad array of other deadly microorganisms that are particularly known to threaten health during the aging process.
Among them:
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): Reishi may offer a less-toxic approach to HIV. Reishi extracts have been shown to produce a substantial drop in the number of active virus particles in primates infected with simian acquired immune deficiency, or SAIDS, a model of human HIV/AIDS. Active compounds found in Reishi mushrooms are able to inhibit HIV enzymes.
Influenza: Too often, attempting to halt the flu with a flu vaccine results in contracting the virus itself. A better choice? The trace elements found in Reishi mushroom extracts are known to be effective combatants against influenza viruses. If already infected, those suffering from a flu virus can expect Reishi mushroom to reduce the severity of the illness and its complications.
Herpes Simplex, Herpes Zoster: Reishi mushroom extract has been shown in studies to halt spread of both the Herpes simplex virus, which causes cold sores and genital herpes, as well as the Herpes zoster virus, which is known to cause shingles infections. Reishi serves as a catalyst for activating the production of natural “killer” cells in the immune system.
Postherpetic Neuralgia: Patients with Postherpetic Neuralgia know well the pain of this infection, which is often resistant to conventional pain management. But Reishi extracts have been shown to diminish the painful effects of this viral outbreak. It should be administered before a herpes outbreak for greatest effectiveness.
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV): This dangerous virus is a major culprit behind liver disease around the globe. Reishi mushroom extracts have been shown in studies to stop HBV replication, diminishing the virus’s ability to gain a stronghold in liver cells.
Epstein-Barr virus: While you may not have heard of this virus, Epstein-Barr virus is known not only to cause mononucleosis in young people, but several types of very aggressive lymphomas in adults.
Adding Reishi to your diet
There are a variety of Reishi supplements available, but with most supplements, not all are of equal quality. Look only to trusted sources.
In addition to supplements, Reishi mushroom extracts can also be incorporated into your diet on a regular basis.
Editor’s note: The NaturalHealth365 Store offers the most potent Reishi supplement available in North America.
References: http://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2016/1/stop-accelerated-aging/page-01 http://www.naturalhealth365.com/reishi-mushroom-immune-system-1198.html
