Reishi (varnished tinder fungus)

The scientific name for reishi mushroom is Ganoderma lucidum. It is also called varnished tinder fungus. The Koreans and Chinese call this type of mushroom ling zhi, the Vietnamese - ling zi, and the Japanese - Mannentake and reisi. On the territory of Russia, preparations from reishi can also be found under the names of linchi and linzhi.

Mushroom caps are ovoid or kidney-shaped and red-violet in color. Outside, they are shiny and smooth, with wavy uneven skin, on which you can see multiple growth rings with different shades. The legs of Reishi are lateral and long, fairly dense, cylindrical in shape.

The pulp of the mushroom is very dense, one might say woody. It has no taste and smell, and the color of the flesh is ocher.

The mushroom is very popular in China, where it grows. Traditional medicine of this country has been using such a mushroom since ancient times, calling it the "mushroom of immortality." Reishi is also highly valued in Japan. On the territory of Russia, this mushroom is found in the southern regions (subtropics) and is sometimes grown in summer cottages.

The fungus is a saprophyte and grows on weakened trees, as well as on dying and already dead hardwoods (much less often on conifers). Reishi grows at the base of trees and can sometimes be seen in the soil (when it grows on roots buried in the ground).

It is quite difficult to find reishi in nature, since the spores of the fungus do not germinate on all trees and only under special conditions.Reishi has been cultivated since 1972 in Japan.

• Reishi has been used in Asian countries for over 2000 years.
• This is the only type of tinder fungus that has a leg.
• The beneficial properties of Reishi are now being actively studied by scientists.
• Useful substances contained in Reishi and causing its therapeutic effect are destroyed during heat treatment.
• The fungus is non-toxic, therefore it is successfully used both in the prevention of diseases and for the purpose of general improvement.

Reishi contains many useful substances, including:

• proteins and amino acids;
• carbohydrates, including mushroom polysaccharides;
• fats;
• enzymes;
• triterpenes;
• alkaloids;
• saponins;
• flavonoids;
• antibiotics;
• inorganic substances;
• carotenoids;
• steroids;
• vitamins E, D and group B.

This mushroom has the following properties:

• Maintain youth and prolong life.
• Calm the nervous system.
• Provide antioxidant, anti-allergic and immunomodulatory effects.
• Give the body the ability to resist allergies, tumors, inflammation, viruses and bacteria.
• Beneficial effect on the heart and blood vessels - expand the coronary vessels, resist coronary artery disease and heart attack, treat tachycardia, arrhythmia, hypertension.
• Thin the blood and reduce the rate of its clotting. Prevent thrombophlebitis.
• Help with gastritis and peptic ulcer.
• Contribute to the cure of diseases of the respiratory system, thyroid gland, arthritis and other pathologies.
• Improve liver function.
• Lower blood glucose levels.
• Contribute to the restoration of vision and prevent cataracts.
• Accelerate recovery in the period after chemotherapy.

You can learn more about reishi mushrooms and their beneficial properties from the following video.

The use of Reishi is prohibited when:

• anemia
• Hemophilia
• Uterine, hemorrhoidal, gastric and other bleeding
• Low blood clotting
• Children under 5 years old
• breastfeeding
• Pregnancy

The use of this mushroom is not compatible with the use of painkillers, anticoagulants, aspirin, antibiotics, amphetamines, as well as drugs that lower blood sugar and blood pressure. Reishi should be discontinued at least 14 days before surgery and tooth extraction.

Infrequent use of reishi in cooking is due to the toughness of the fungus and the presence of a bitter taste. However, you can add this type of mushroom to different dishes.

Reishi is sold in pharmacies in the form of dried mushroom powder, tinctures, capsules, and suppositories.

Indications for the use of Reishi are:

• Malignant tumors of the esophagus, bones, liver, pancreas, kidneys, brain and other organs.
• Respiratory diseases (including bronchial asthma).
• Diabetes.
• Multiple sclerosis.
• Jades.
• Allergies.
• Epilepsy.
• Mental illnesses.
• Liver diseases.
• Gastric ulcer.
• Haemorrhoids.
• Gastritis.
• Arthritis.
• Heart rhythm disturbances.

Reishi can be used at home to:

It is obtained from the dried mushroom. Take this powder should be 1/2 teaspoon on an empty stomach in the morning. For the prevention of diseases in which the use of reishi is effective, take the powder for a month.

To prepare it, you need a glass of olive or linseed oil and one and a half tablespoons of dried, crushed reishi. After mixing the oil and mushrooms, the container is closed and sent to a dark place for 14 days. It is not necessary to filter the remedy.Take it depending on the disease (the extract is effective for atherosclerosis, hypertension, allergies, mental and other problems) twice a day from 1 to 3 teaspoons per dose. Drink this oil should be 3-4 months.

One or two tablespoons of chopped dried mushroom should be poured into a thermos and pour a liter of boiling water, leaving it overnight. The product is not filtered, but is shaken before use and drunk with sediment. You need to drink such an infusion in half a glass or a whole glass up to five times a day before meals (for half an hour). It takes 3-6 months to be treated with this infusion. It is recommended to take vitamin C at the same time.

Crushed dried reishi in the amount of 3 tablespoons is poured into 500 ml of wine (cahors is perfect). A sealed container with mushroom and wine is infused for 14 days in a cool place and not filtered. Take the finished tincture twice or thrice a day from one to three teaspoons per reception. You need to drink such a remedy for three to four months. This tincture helps to get rid of cardiovascular, allergic, mental and other diseases. It is recommended in the initial stages of the tumor process.

Mix three tablespoons of ground dried reishi with 500 ml of vodka. After closing the container, keep it in a dark place for two weeks and do not strain. The dosage of this tincture is one to three teaspoons, depending on the problem. Take it twice a day half an hour before meals. For a therapeutic effect, the tincture should be used for 3-4 months (with cancer more), and for prevention, one month of admission is enough.The tincture shows effectiveness in allergies, bronchial asthma, mental and other diseases, including tumors.

For those who want to lose weight, especially valuable properties of reishi are appetite suppression, normalization of liver function, acceleration of metabolism and stimulation of fat breakdown. For the purpose of losing weight, an aqueous infusion of the fungus is used, which is consumed three times a day for two months. Vodka tincture is also effective.

• Available in sachets with powder inside.
• Produced in China.
• This powder dissolves easily in water.
• It differs in brown color (the shade can be both light and dark).
• The main purpose of taking such an extract is to affect cancer of the gastrointestinal tract, brain, sarcoma, prostate cancer, brain and other forms, as well as metastases.
• The extract also strengthens the heart and supports blood vessels, which is important in the presence of cancer.
• Its main substances are polysaccharides, ganodosterone, oleic acid, triterpenoids and the LZ-8 polypeptide.
• The extract has anti-sclerotic and anti-allergic effects.
• It also reduces blood pressure, reduces clotting, reduces soreness, soothes, improves the condition of the liver and promotes sputum discharge.
• In addition to cancer and benign tumors, indications for the use of this extract are heart pathologies, circulatory disorders, chronic bronchitis and hepatitis, diabetes, neurological disorders and other problems.

The fungus is cultivated for medical purposes, since biologically active substances are obtained from the fruiting bodies. Their cultivation is carried out according to two technologies - intensive, as well as extensive.More rarely, medicines are obtained from vegetative reishi mycelium grown by submerged cultivation.