Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) mushroom has long been revered in Asia, particularly China and Japan, for its wellness benefits. Historically it was used as a sleep aid and immune booster. Now available as both dietary supplement and tea form reishi has earned itself the moniker “Mushroom of Immortality”, due to purported longevity-increasing effects and potential cancer fighting properties among other things.

Attractive properties of Reishi Mushroom may not yet have been proven through scientific research; however, some studies support its potential for supporting healthy lifestyle choices and treating specific illnesses.

Reishi has long been revered in Eastern herbal medicine for its therapeutic benefits, particularly insomnia and stress relief. Many find Reishi effective as an ingredient in herbal tea blends as it has also been reported to improve blood circulation and increase energy levels, according to some studies.

Mushrooms contain many essential nutrients, including protein, vitamin D, potassium, calcium, selenium and fiber. These nutrients may support cardiovascular health by helping lower cholesterol levels, reduce blood pressure and lessening heart disease risk. Mushrooms may also aid with weight loss while offering antioxidant protection against free radical damage.

Reishi mushrooms can be consumed in many different ways, with certain methods being more efficient than others. Reishi is typically boiled to make tea to preserve its medicinal properties and protect its medicinal qualities; this process also releases many beneficial compounds like polysaccharides and triterpenes which have anticancer and immune-enhancing effects as well.

Reishi may help to promote healthy skin and slow down the aging process by its natural compounds’ ability to reduce wrinkles, age spots and soothe irritation caused by acne. Reishi may even help combat male pattern baldness by blocking dihydrotestosterone (DHT) production – an agent responsible for miniaturizing hair follicles until they stop producing hair entirely.

Whoever is interested in Reishi may also wish to consider organic mushroom extract capsules, which provide more concentrated intake of its beneficial compounds. These supplements use dual extraction processes which combine water and alcohol processing in order to capture more of Reishi’s medicinal properties. They can be added easily into beverages and food items while on-the-go; also convenient.