Introduction
The Reishi mushroom, known as Ganoderma lucidum an oriental fungus, has a long history of use for longevity and promoting overall health in China, Japan, and other Asian countries. Hence, regarded as the “herbs of spiritual potency”. In this article, we are going to explore Reishi Mushroom Tea and its various health benefits.
In ancient Chinese culture, they were considered precious and rare food often reserved for emperors and rich Chinese societies. The first book “Classis of the Materia Medica” described the description of the herbs and their medicinal values. Reishi mushrooms were included in traditional herbal formulas and teas.
This mushroom is believed to have therapeutic properties such as enhancing vital energies, increasing memories, anti-aging effects, adaptogenic properties, strengthening cardiac function, tonifying effects. Nowadays, Reishi mushrooms are cultivated in various parts of the world and used in various forms: teas, powder forms, dietary supplements, etc. These are produced from the different parts of the Reishi including spores, fruit bodies, and mycelia.
Bioactive compounds present in Reishi
There are a variety of bioactive compounds such as terpenoids, steroids, phenols, and their derivatives, polysaccharides, and glycoproteins. Three major physiologically active constituents of Reishi are peptidoglycans, triterpenes, and polysaccharides.
1. Triterpenoids
Lucidumol, Ganoderic acids, ganoderiols have anticancer effects. It also has antidiabetic properties. Lecidinic acids A, D2, E2, and p have anti-inflammatory effects. They also have effects on microbial and antiviral activities.
2. Polysaccharides
Have anticancer, antidiabetic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects. They also play a major role in cardiovascular problems. Sterols such as ergosterol play an important role in provitamin D2.
3. Phenolic compounds
Such as saponins, and long-chain fatty acids that have antitumor, antimutagenic, Immuno-patenting, anti-cancer, and antioxidant activities.
4. Bioactive proteins
LZ-8, GLP possesses both antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties. Ganodermin has antifungal activities
5. Enzyme
The presence of enzymes such as metalloprotease helps to delay blood clotting time.
The Nutritional Profile of Reishi Mushroom
Constitute |
Value |
Wet weight (g/100g) |
Dry weight(g/100g) |
| Moisture | 47 | ||
| TS% | 53 | ||
| Energy | 238.98 | ||
| Water soluble protein% | 19.5 | 36.80 | |
| Total lipids% | 3.00 | 5.66 | |
| Total sugar% | 5.41 | 10.21 | |
| Cruse fibers% | 3.5 | ||
| polyphenols | 0.04 | 0.08 | |
| Minerals | mg/100g | ||
| Potassium | 432 | ||
| Phosphorus | 225 | ||
| Magnesium | 7.95 | ||
| Calcium | 1.88 | ||
| Iron | 2.22 | ||
| Zinc | 0.7 | ||
| Vitamin | mg/100g mushroom | ||
| Thiamine(B1) | 3.49 | ||
| Riboflavin( B2) | 17.10 | ||
| Ascorbic acid | 32.2 | ||
| Niacin(B3) | 61.9 |
The process of brewing the Reishi mushroom tea
In the traditional process, dried fruit bodies of reishi mushroom could boil for up to 2 hours, and then separate the mushroom pieces by straining. But nowadays mushroom powder is much easier for brewing this beneficial beverage. Due to the presence of bitter-flavored triterpene, sweetener could be added.
1. Reishi mushroom tea with milk
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of organic, Kosher, and non-GMO whole food powder with fruit bodies and mycelium for maximum benefits.
- ½ teaspoon raw cacao powder
- Jaggery powder or honey as desired
- 1 cup of low-fat skimmed milk or nut milk, oats milk
- Pinch of cinnamon
Procedure
- Add reishi mushroom powder to the warm boiled milk
- Then mix cacao powder with the steamed milk
- Add honey or jaggery powder.
- Whisk with milk frother
- Lastly, sprinkle it with cinnamon powder.
Reishi mushroom Tea in hot water
Simply boil the mushrooms in water and add honey or sugar for taste.
Health benefits of Reishi mushroom tea
1. Antimicrobial activity
Rich source of antimicrobial molecules mainly from the presence of polysaccharides acts against various viruses including Dengue virus( DENV) and Novel Coronavirus(SARS-CoV-2).
Research shows that extracts of Reishi mushroom have potential antiviral compounds against the virus target protein. It also protects from fungal, bacterial, and pathogenic infections.
2. Weight loss
Currently, obesity is a major threat to health problems and reduces life expectancy. Obesity is linked to diabetes type 2, hypertension, cancer, cardiovascular disorder, fatty liver disease, etc.
Recent studies indicate that gut microbiota is closely related to obesity and metabolic disorder. Due to high amounts of fiber, reishi mushroom acts as a fuller feeling which leads to avoiding junk food and taking a lot of time to digest the food completely. Also, polysaccharides help to regulate blood sugar levels and reduce the untimely craving. It is used as a prebiotic agent for gut dysbiosis and obesity-related metabolic disorders.
3. Reishi mushroom on cardiovascular risk factor
Commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine like powder form mixed with tea, coffee helps in cardiovascular health.
It produces antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiatherogenic, immune protective beneficial effects.
The presence of heteropolysaccharides and glycoproteins have hypoglycemic effects which is one of the major risk factors of cardiovascular health.
Recent research shows it has protective capabilities against ROS and RNS known as “oxidative stress” which leads to “Atherosclerosis”, one of the main causes of heart problems. Reishi has chelating and scavenging abilities( removal of harmful ROS). It is also able to reduce cholesterol and increase the level of HDL. Reishi mushroom can reduce the circular RNA circfoxo3 which is responsible for the pathogenesis of heart failure
4. Anti-Inflammatory Effects
The secretion of the bioactive molecule triterpene reduces the antiinflammatory mediator. It has polysaccharides and peptides that have beneficial effects against the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and atrial fibrillation thus it is heart heart-friendly supplement.
5. Sleep disorder
Reishi mushroom has good anti-insomnia effects through complex central peripheral and multilevel interaction networks. It has 34 sedative-hypnotic compounds that regulate cell apoptosis through core target genes thus it has the potential to reduce insomnia-related disorders.
6. Reduce fatigue
Generally, fatigue is an outcome of hormonal imbalance, infection, immune system problems, and stress. It has the ability to boost the immune system and fight with free radical damage.
7. Anti-cancer effects
Research studies indicate that the presence of polysaccharides and triterpenes has chemopreventive and tumoricidal effects. It also has inhibitory effects on angiogenesis and metastasis and is highly suppressive to tumor cell proliferation while enhancing the host’s immune response.
8. Viral and Bacterial infection
Some triterpenes have inhibitory effects against HIV. It also inhibits bacterial and viral multiplication without damaging the normal cell. Combination therapy( antibiotic or antiviral) would be more safe and cost-effective with respect to the cytotoxicity of antibacterial and antiviral drugs thus reducing the side effects.
9. Effects on liver and gastric disorder
It has potential protective effects on liver injury due to its radical scavenging properties against both superoxide and hydroxyl radicals. Reishi mushrooms decrease the hepatic hydroxyproline and improve liver histology. Gastric ulcers were also reduced through the mushroom extract which restored mucus and prostaglandin levels.
10. Diabetes Mellitus
It has been proved that it has hypoglycemic effects which significantly decrease the plasma glucose concentration and HbA1c glycosylated hemoglobin increase plasma insulin, decreases hepatic glycogen content, and modulates the activity of glucose metabolizing enzymes in the liver.
11. Effects on kidney
It reduced kidney inflammation, fibrosis, and proteinuria.
Side effects of Reishi mushroom tea and precaution
- The most common side effects of Reishi mushroom are dry mouth, dizziness, bleeding, diarrhea, liver injury, skin rashes, upset stomach, bloody stool etc.
- Taking powder form for more than one month could be injurious to the liver.
- Those who are suffering from bleeding disorders should not take reishi mushrooms.
- Pregnant and lactating women and people with low blood pressure should not take this.
- Before taking this supplement, individuals should take proper intervention from a medical practitioner.
Q&A
1. What is reishi mushroom tea good for?
Reishi mushroom tea enhances immunity, supports metabolism, and prevents obesity. and induce quality sleep.
2. Can we drink reishi mushroom tea everyday?
Yes, we can take the “ super adaptogen” reishi mushroom tea every day with the desired quantity to get its full range of quantity. Generally twice a day, specifically 2 hours before going to bed to “sleep-promoting factor” make an effective relaxation for good sleep. In the morning, it boosts digestive procedures to prevent cravings and obesity.
3. What are the side effects of reishi mushroom tea?
Excessive use of reishi mushrooms is damaging in many aspects. It can cause an allergic reaction. Continuous use of this may cause trouble for stomach upset, dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, itching, and rash.
4. When should I drink reishi mushroom tea?
The best time for taking reishi mushroom tea is after dinner time. Bioactive compounds present in this mushroom bring relaxing, soothing effects on nerves for better sleep.
Summary
Reishi mushroom is composed of carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals. It also contains a wide range of bioactive molecules. Though scientific research is ongoing, Reishi mushrooms are believed to have several potential health benefits are follows
- Enhance immune system
- Improve sleep disorder
- Aid digestive system
- Anticarcinogenic
- Immunomodulator
- Antiallergic
- Prevent viral infection as well as reduce symptomatic uneasiness
- Antihypertensive
- Antimutagenic
- Antitumor
- Antioxidant
- Antifertility activities in men
- Protect from viral and bacterial infection
- Prevent metabolic disorder with diabetes mellitus type 2
- Help in weight loss
- Antistress
- Anti Fatigue
- Hepatoprotective
With its growing popularity, this unique Asian herbal remedy has a long and impressive range of applications for various health disorders.