Tag Archives: immunity

Six Amazing Health Benefits of Red Reishi

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For centuries, medical practitioners in East Asia have used reishi mushroom because of this its long list of therapeutic pluses. But only recently has awareness about this highly revered superfood reached the shores of the western world. So, why is red reishi gaining so much popularity around the globe? Today, we want to dive a little deeper into the amazing health benefits of this miraculous medicinal mushroom.

Increase calm and reduce anxiety

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), reishi is known as ling zhi, or the “herb of spiritual potency.” When a person feels anxious, depressed, manic, or agitated, or suffers from a mental illness, TCM practitioners may describe this as the spirit or “Shen” being out of balance.

Reishi is categorized in its materia medica of herbal medicines as an herb that helps “calm the Shen.” As such, it can help calm the nervous system during times of stress, without causing sleepiness. So, you can still go ahead with operating large machinery (e.g. driving) when you take reishi, unlike some sedative herbs. In fact, reishi mushrooms are also considered “Qi tonics,” loosely meaning they can improve energy.

Stress comes in a number of forms. It includes physical stressors like extremes in temperature, lack of nutrients, insufficient restorative sleep, infection, or disease. Stressors can also be mental and emotional ones like loss of a loved one, loneliness, fear, worry, anger, frustration, being overwhelmed, depression, and more. It is no wonder why this medical mushroom is the go-to tonic in TCM.

Boost the immune system

No matter the time of year, colds and flus are always a concern. One of the most beneficial effects of consuming reishi mushroom is its ability to support the immune system. The beta glucans, compounds found in this holistic herb, have been shown to promote a healthy immune response to fend off diseases and infections.

Fight off cancer

While so much surrounding the cause of cancer remains a mystery, fortunately, great strides have been made in treatment options, including reishi mushrooms. Studies have shown that including reishi mushroom supplementation renders conventional chemotherapy and radiation therapy treatments more effective at killing cancer cells. 3 Furthermore, the study groups who received reishi reported that their quality of life after these powerful conventional cancer treatments was higher than the control group who did not receive reishi during their treatments.

Further studies have shown promise with inhibiting the growth of cancer cell lines, potentially preventing cancer from developing. 2,6 Thus, reishi mushroom may be helpful as both a supportive therapy and also a preventative one for cancer.

Promote liver health

The liver plays a crucial role in eliminating toxins. So, if you want to ensure your liver is working in peak performance, consider giving reishi a try. Studies have demonstrated that triterpenes found in reishi has been shown to prevent free radical damage and support healthy liver function. 6

Keep allergies at bay

If you are looking for a more natural way to manage allergies, take reishi. Studies have revealed that the compounds found in Japanese red reishi are an effective treatment for allergies 5 and other respiratory ailments. Researchers also detected that the ganoderic acids found in this herb act as a natural antihistamine.

Reduce cardiovascular risks

Did you know that reishi mushrooms can help lower blood pressure? The ganoderic acid in reishi is responsible for a variety of heart health benefits, from decreasing high blood pressure 4 and reducing excessive cholesterol levels to lowering the risk of dangerous blood clotting. There is also evidence to suggest that this mushroom can improve blood flow and reduce plaque build-up on artery walls. 1

Choosing Reishi Supplements

When it comes to reishi mushrooms, the advantages of using this natural medicinal wonder are far too many to ignore. But it’s equally important to make sure you are getting a quality product with the medicinal compounds that your body can use.

  1. Firstly, if you are only getting the mycelium (root-like structure) found in some reishi supplements, you are missing out on the ganoderic acids and other useful compounds found in the fruiting body (cap and stem).
  2. Second, if you are getting a supplement that has only ground up the mushroom and is not an extraction, then you are unlikely to be able to absorb many of the important compounds, and those compounds are also not going to be in sufficient quantities to have true medicinal value.
  3. Third, a quality reishi mushroom is one that is grown cleanly in a high-nutrition foundation and allowed to sufficiently mature.

Summer Colds and Reishi

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No one wants to think about viruses and infections in the middle of summer, but you should. After all, the last thing anyone wants to do is to spend their vacation suffering indoors.

It might not be cold and flu season just yet, but it’s never too early (or too late for that matter) to start thinking about reducing the risk of getting sick. Without further ado, here are some healthy living tips that will help keep your body, mind, and spirit humming all year long.

Eat Healthy
Yes, we know. You’ve heard this one a million times before—so, what’s one more time. How well you eat has a huge impact on how your body can handle pathogens. You don’t need to get fancy here either. Stick with the basics. Consume natural (organic if you can) foods, make sure you get a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as good sources of protein and healthy fats.

Wash Your Hands Often
Hey, we’re humans—and as humans, we touch. It’s how we interact, learn, and communicate with the world around us. The problem, however, is that it is also how we come into contact with a host of nasty germs.

If you could manage to keep your hands away from your face, those germs you picked up from touching the elevator button, the change in your wallet, or handle of that door would not have entry to your body. Problem is that the average person touches his or her face about 16 times per hour. Your nose itches, you brush your hair out of your face, you rest your chin on your hand, or worse yet, you chew your nails. Germs, welcome to your body. It’s a hard habit to break, but do your best not to manhandle your face too much.

At the very least, if you want to stay cold and flu-free year-round, do yourself one simple favour by keeping your hands clean.

Sleep Well
Missing out on the occasional good night’s sleep isn’t going to do much harm, but making it a habit sure will. Yes, summer months mean longer days for many of us who are wanting to take full advantage of the sun, the festivals, the barbeques, and the outdoor activities. But irregular sleep patterns wreak havoc on your immune system, opening doors to infection and sickness.

Getting seven to eight hours of good quality downtime helps the body restore itself and stave off harmful bacteria and viruses.

Think Positive
Did you know there is direct correlation between your health and how you think? The mind-body connection is well established, making it an important part of your overall well-being. Practicing yoga, meditation, and visual techniques are all great ways to refocus your mind and release stress.

Take Japanese Red Reishi
Japanese red reishi isn’t known as “The Great Protector” for nothing. This marvelous mushroom has been used for thousands of years for its virus busting abilities. It has powerful adaptogenic and immune-boosting properties that regulate your body’s antibody production, helping protect you from harmful bacteria and viruses the full year round.

Viruses and bacteria don’t take a summer vacation, so taking just one capsule daily of Mikei Japanese red reishi helps keep the immune system supported. Because, as you know, summer colds suck.

7 Ways to Reduce Antibiotic Use

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Antibiotics are vital medications. They have performed wonders in treating bacterial infections, preventing the spread of disease, and minimizing the complications of illness. But overuse and misuse of these drugs have led to antibiotic resistance—a serious global health problem that is degrading the effectiveness of these medications.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has created a global action plan to address the growing issue of antibiotic resistance, and as part of this initiative, has dedicated a week in November to World Antibiotics Awareness Week. No matter what the date is today, limiting antibiotic use to maintain their effectiveness is something to keep in mind year-round!

​Preventing infectious diseases

Of course, no one wants to get sick in the first place. In order to limit your use of antibiotics, the “ounce of prevention” adage really does hold true. With some healthy proactive habits, you can help keep bacteria and viruses at bay. And, while you are still likely to get sick on occasion, the fewer, the better.

Since bacteria and viruses can easily be spread from one person to another—especially during the cold and flu season—follow these steps to help you stave off illness.

First, let’s cover the stuff you’ve probably been told a hundred times over, but it’s still important to re-iterate.

​Sing Happy Birthday.

What?! Yes, twice while washing your hands. Doing so will mean that you’ll wash your hands long enough (at least 20 seconds) to remove germs. Washing your hands is the single most important thing you can do to prevent catching and spreading infection.

Don’t pick your nose. Made you read this one too, didn’t I? Also, avoid touching your face, in general. Most of us touch our faces several times a day. Unfortunately, that is how bacteria can spread throughout your body. If your hands are carrying pathogens, they can enter your body through contact with your eyes, nose, and mouth. So, whenever possible, avoid direct contact with your face.

​Be dense.

Well, not you, but make sure your food is nutrient-dense. It cannot be overstated that eating healthy is key to good health and a strong immune system. Make your plate colourful by including vegetables that are green, orange, red, and yellow. This is one way to ensure you are getting plenty of antioxidants through the plant phytonutrients (i.e. nutrients from plants). Some white or beige foods are also healthy, like cauliflower, daikon radish, and mushrooms.

​Saw logs.

What I mean is, get plenty of sleep. When you are at rest, your body can do its repair. Have you noticed that you’re more likely to get sick when you’re short on sleep? It’s not a coincidence.

​Be like a good restaurant that wants to avoid getting sued.

The first rule in the restaurant business is (or at least should be), “don’t make your customers sick” Cook, prepare, and store your food properly. Food can be a major source of dangerous microorganisms. Once they get into your system, they can multiply and cause illness. To prevent illness, properly clean your food preparation areas, wash your hands before and after you handle food, and store food at appropriate temperatures.

​Japanese red reishi mushroom to support a healthy immune system

Now on to the piece you may not have known but will be glad to find out.

Reishi mushroom is known the world over for its power to support the immune system, amongst other things. Hailed as “The King of Mushrooms,” this miracle fungus has been used in Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years—and for a host of great reasons.

While it is classified in the Chinese herbal materia medica as calming the nervous system (which it can) to address insomnia, anxiety, fatigue, and poor memory, it is also used to treat lung weakness and low energy. As such, it can be used as a remedy for Lung energy weakness, including symptoms of coughing and wheezing. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Lung energy weakness can result in poorly regulated immune function, meaning you might get sick often or struggle with an immune system disorder.

Reishi mushrooms have more recently been studied for their antimicrobial activity. Without going into the biochemical details, reishi mushrooms—when you include the fruiting bodies (the cap and stem, not just the mycelium root-like structure)—contain a wide array of compounds like terpenes, terpenoids, and quinones that have natural antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-parasitic effects. The polysaccharides in both the fruiting body and the mycelium also provide immune system support.

That combination of supporting a healthy body and immune system along with fighting off infection makes Japanese red reishi a powerful ally to take through the cold and flu season so that you can reduce the chance that you’ll need to take antibiotics. Just make sure you get the whole mushroom, fruiting body included.