I've been looking forward to delving into the incredible health benefits of medicinal mushrooms! And while there are many mushrooms to choose from, here we will be focusing on 4 specifically that I'm referring to as "The Mighty Four". Follow along as we deep dive into how these powerful fungi can enhance your well-being and vitality.

Introduction - Part 1 of a 4 part series: Reishi Mushroom

Welcome to the first installment of our exciting new series, "The Mighty Four"! In this series, we'll hone in on the fascinating world of medicinal mushrooms, exploring their rich history, incredible health benefits, as well as a few practical applications. Medicinal mushrooms have been one of the biggest blessings and surprises of my life over the past couple years. Though they have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for centuries, they remain mostly under the radar in mainstream circles in the west. Until recently that is…it seems they are making a comeback and I truly believe we will all be better off for it. We'll begin our journey with Reishi, often referred to as the "Mushroom of Immortality" or "Spirit Plant." Revered for centuries in TCM, Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) boasts a captivating array of health-promoting properties. Out of a wide array of incredible medicinal mushrooms, Reishi mushroom shines brightly at the forefront for its versatility and effectiveness.

Reishi Mushoom (Ganoderma Lucidum)

Most Wild grown Ganoderma Lucidum is found in China

A Rich History of Healing

Reishi has been a cornerstone of Eastern medicine for over 2,000 years and has been prized for its ability to promote longevity, enhance vitality, and calm the mind. Ancient texts even depict emperors and spiritual seekers consuming Reishi to attain spiritual enlightenment and physical well-being.

Adapting to Stress, Naturally

Reishi is classified as an adaptogen, a unique category of herbs that help the body adapt to stress. Adaptogens work by modulating the body's stress response system, promoting balance and resilience in the face of challenges. I talk about reishi a lot on here and for good reason; Reishi was a key player in helping me avoid postpartum depression and anxiety. After 3 of my pregnancies I consistently dealt with PPA and PPD. It always hit around the same time and I always knew what was going on, struggling through the waves of all that looked like with small children, a house to manage and needs to be met. By my fourth baby, I knew I wanted and needed a different experience and I learned about reishi. I took a course and began making my own tinctures during my pregnancy and took it consistently. I’ll never forget standing in my kitchen at 4 months postpartum and it hitting me…I felt light and happy when usually, around this time postpartum, I would tend to feel blue and bleak. It piqued my curiosity and I began doing a deep dive into reishi. Could it have really, truly helped me bypass a typically very difficult time for me? Could it have actually, really, helped me have an easier going baby? As it turns out, based on my experience and testimonies of others (not to mention the basic science of how Reishi works), it could. Reishi is a well-known adaptogen which, as we discussed in THIS article, means that it helps the body adapt to stress. Many women have given anecdotal feedback that when taking reishi consistently while pregnant and breastfeeding, they have had calmer, happier babies aka, "reishi babies". While this may seem mythical or too good to be true, when you look at the science behind how adaptogens work and reishi specifically, it starts to make sense. It’s common knowledge now that when women experience high stress and/or anxiety during their pregnancies, it can in fact impact the developing baby. Some stress is normal and cortisol is part of a healthy pregnancy, but we do want to be aware when it is too high, causing severe stress or anxiety. A rise in mother’s cortisol triggers a rise in baby's. It’s also been studied that babies who experienced a higher level of cortisol in the womb have a tendency to be more fussy and agitated, whereas babies born from a woman with lower levels of cortisol tend to be calmer and more content in demeanor. Given reishi’s ability to lower cortisol by regulating stress responses it makes sense that both mother and baby could benefit from regular consumption of reishi.

Not surprisingly, a google search of "Reishi in pregnancy" would yield plenty of conflicting information from a variety of sources. In general, though, Reishi is considered safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding as it is classified as a Class A safety herb; however, if you’re uncertain, I urge you to do your own research and speak to your health care providers as I would with anything supplemental during pregnancy.

I’ll always have a special spot in my heart for reishi because of how it helped me postpartum and also how it’s helped my family members - there have been countless times when I notice my children or husband struggling with various stressors, I give them regular doses of reishi throughout the day and notice the calm, collected demeanor coming back. It’s not magic, it’s not placebo, it’s simply, God’s incredible design to let plants work with us and for us. It’s science and nature at its finest.

A few more Science-Backed Benefits of Reishi

Modern research consistently validates the ancient wisdom surrounding Reishi. This fascinating fungus contains a variety of bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides (like beta-glucans), triterpenoids (such as ganoderic acids), peptidoglycans, and sterols. These compounds contribute to Reishi's diverse health benefits:

Immune System Support: Besides being an incredible adaptogen, another favorite quality of Reishi is its immune-modulating abilities. Immune-modulating simply means it regulates immune responses. It’s known as a natural antihistamine, helping to tone down the body's inflammation response, as well as being antiviral, signaling the body to kick it up a notch when exposed to illness. Immunomodulators are an overall solid option for most people because of their unique ability to provide custom immune support based on individual needs. I use reishi daily to help my cortisol levels stay within a healthy range, but when sickness or allergies strike, I take it as I would any other tincture for an acute condition; frequently and up the dosage. I get hit with debilitating allergies a couple times a month; sneezing, puffy, sniffly, wheezy symptoms can really take it out of you and it makes sense when you consider that your body is being deprived of adequate amounts of oxygen. I’m still trying to figure out a protocol for myself and my personal allergy situation, but this last time, I decided to be very proactive and at the first sign of an allergy attack (which usually then becomes an all-day fight for breath through the fog and then inevitably becomes a cold), I took reishi and goldenrod together consistently and about every 30 minutes. My allergies subsided within a couple hours and I could continue life as normal. I write this not as a definitive answer but more to show you that you can figure things out with herbs! You can experiment and stack herbs and figure out what works best for you without fear. Maybe reishi and goldenrod will cut it for your allergies too. Or maybe you need turmeric and nettle…whatever it is, I hope you’ll give yourself freedom to explore and experiment with the wide array of remedies at your fingertips.
Anti-cancer Potential: Studies suggest that Reishi extracts can inhibit the growth of various cancer cells. It may also enhance the efficacy of conventional cancer treatments and reduce their side effects.
Cardiovascular Health: Reishi may help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, potentially reducing the risk of heart disease.
Neuroprotective Effects: Reishi may offer protection against neurodegenerative diseases by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain. Some research suggests it may even improve cognitive function and memory.

How to Incorporate Reishi into Your Wellness Routine

Reishi is available in various forms, here are some ideas:

Reishi makes a delicious addition to soups and broths. Just add a few slices of dried reishi to the pot and simmer away. I put reishi in my homemade bone broth - it really levels up the flavor and nutritional value.
Tincture form is my ultimate favorite way to consume reishi. Make sure that when you buy a tincture, it is at least double extracted. You can find your own triple extracted Reishi tincture in our shop.
Reishi can be added to tea blends as well! It has a mild, earthy flavor that can enhance a variety of profiles.

*It's important to note that most of the beneficial properties of Reishi are tied up in its high polysaccharide content. Polysaccharides are extracted via heat so make sure your products have been properly extracted using heat or do the extraction yourself by putting them in heated products (aka, broths and hot infusions). Don’t bother with most powders or throwing them in smoothies and shakes - it really won’t be of much benefit to you!

Important Considerations

While Reishi is generally beneficial for most people, we always recommend that you use discernment and consult with a trusted healthcare professional if you have any concerns or preexisting conditions.

Stay tuned for the next installment of "The Mighty Four," where we'll explore the cognitive-enhancing benefits of Lion's Mane mushroom!

Unlocking the Power of the Mighty Four: Reishi Mushroom