Given the popularity of reishi mushroom in Eastern medicine, human studies on the impact of this fungus are limited. There are also mounting evidence that reishi mushrooms could be dangerous and harmful to medical issues.
Continue reading for more information on the potential benefits of reishi mushrooms, as well as the risks and side effects.
Reishi mushrooms are frequently recommended by Chinese and Japanese herbalists to patients who have trouble sleeping. Some consider Reishi to be a “Shen tonic” for restoring consciousness and emotional balance. Mood, cognition, and sleep function are all improved when the Shen (or spirit) is in balance, according to traditional Chinese Herbalism. Incorporating this adaptogenic herb into your daily health routine can help with stress relief and winding down both the body and mind for a better night’s sleep.
Reishi mushroom for sleep? What research says
The simple answer is that reishi mushroom for sleep does work wonders. Intake of reishi mushrooms on a regular basis support quality sleep. Reishi, unlike sedatives or melatonin supplements, does not make you sleepy. Instead, the naturally present substances in reishi mushrooms help with managing stress and relaxation.
According to a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, three days of reishi mushroom use “significantly increased total sleep time and non-rapid eye movement sleep” in test subjects at a dose of 80 mg/kg. TNF-a, a key substance in sleep regulation, was found to be higher in the hypothalamus region of the brain, which regulates sleep/wake cycles, and the dorsal raphe nucleus, which is associated with learning and memory.
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food studied the possible impact of reishi on neurasthenia, a situation marked by tiredness, drowsiness, migraine, mood swings, and emotional disturbance. Patients treated with reishi extract had “significantly lower scores” for fatigue and an increased sense of wellbeing after eight weeks.
While researchers continue to investigate the effects of reishi mushrooms, you can reap the rewards by trying to incorporate the prescribed dose into your nightly routine.
Benefits of reishi mushrooms
They could be an ally in the fight against cancer. Various studies have been conducted on the effect of reishi mushrooms on cancer cells. The findings have been intriguing—in one small study published in the Journal of Oncology, tumours shrank in three cancer patients who took reishi mushrooms. Researchers think that beta glucans in mushrooms can stop future blood vessel growth, which really is important because cancer cells require a constant blood supply to grow. The triterpenes (also known as essential oils) in mushrooms may also hinder tumour growth and metastasis. According to additional research, the mushrooms may be able to alleviate chemotherapy-induced nausea and enhance the effectiveness of radiation therapy.
Helps in boosting the immune system: Reishi mushrooms have long been used to boost the immune system; in Asian cultures, they’re even used as an immunostimulant for HIV and cancer patients. According to the study done by the experts during National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The mushroom’s beta glucans (complex sugars) are thought to stimulate the immune system, preventing infection.
They have the potential to improve liver function.
In mice, reishi mushroom spores were found to promote liver cell regeneration, improving the organ’s ability to transport toxins out of the body. A healthy liver can also help with the other health benefits mentioned above, such as managing blood sugar and allergies.
The Outlook
Regardless of the fact that it is not a pharmaceutical drug. The reishi mushroom in Australia is a very thrilling supplement for researchers because of its strong effects on sleep. This is significant for a natural compound.
This is especially true for its anti-cancer effects, as many over-the-counter remedies lack scientific data on their efficacy. However, the Reishi mushroom seems to be one of the only ones that work!
