11 Reishi Benefits for Women (That Are Backed By Science)
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Time to read 8 min
Reishi , a rare edible mushroom with a long history of medicinal use, holds unique benefits for women's health. In ancient Chinese medicine, it was often used as a “shen tonic,” believed to balance Yin and Yang energy in the blood, earning it the title of a “soul balancing tonic.”
Modern research suggests that Reishi may offer additional wellness advantages tailored to women's needs. If you're exploring ways to support your health naturally, here's what you should know about Reishi benefits for women.
Jump to Reishi Benefits:
1. Reishi is a nutritional powerhouse. 2. Reishi may boost immunity. 3. It may provide neuroprotective effects. 4. It could help relieve stress. 5. It may support liver health. 6. It may have anti-inflammatory benefits. 7. Anticancer Benefits 8. It may soothe allergies. 9. It may lower bad cholesterol. 10. It could lower blood pressure. 11. It could help lower blood sugar, too. Conclusion Resources
Key Benefits
Research is still limited, but some of the primary benefits of Reishi may include:
Supplying fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants
Helping to manage stress and mood
Improving immune functions
Hempling to manage blood sugar and blood pressure
Below, we’ll dissect the research available and highlight 11 Reishi benefits you should know:
1. Reishi is a nutritional powerhouse.
According to one review regarding Reishi's nutritional composition, the mushroom contains polysaccharides, peptides, and triterpenoids, which may be the bioactive compounds behind many of Reishi's health benefits.
Additionally, they contain a selection of fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins that are essential to a balanced daily diet, making it a good nutritional supplement. Some compounds that you'll find in Reishi include:
B-complex vitamins
Vitamin D
Potassium
Rubidium
Cesium
Amino acids
Fiber
Copper
Selenium
Zinc
Iron
Manganese
Magnesium
The good news is you can get a hearty dose of most of these compounds whether you incorporate fresh Reishi into your diet or choose a high-quality supplement. Some people choose to do both to get the most out of their Reishi wellness routine.
2. Reishi may boost immunity.
It’s true that Reishi has many historic uses for cleansing the body and balancing blood energy. Even today, though, many Asian cultures use Reishi as an immune system stimulant for patients with certain immune-system disorders, like HIV or cancer.
Furthermore, a 2014 study highlighted Reishi as one of four functional mushrooms with prominent immune stimulating effects. This benefit is most often pinned on Reishi's beta-glucan content because the beneficial polysaccharides are known to potentially help prevent infection and stimulate crucial immune functions.
3. It may provide neuroprotective effects.
Some sources suggest that Reishi could help prevent neurodegeneration as we age, but more evidence is needed to understand how these benefits may be useful to adults with a healthy brain.
For now, most evidence points towards Reishi's potential benefits against neurodegenerative disorders, like dementia.
One study found that Reishi may provide some benefit against Alzheimer’s disease. Another study suggests that may even help to protect the brain from damage caused by seizures.
It’s unclear how to best use Reishi to reap these neuroprotective effects, but daily doses could be useful for general brain-boosting and wellness benefits.
4. It could help relieve stress.
Reishi is frequently labeled an adaptogen, or a substance that positively impacts the body's stress response. One study found that Resihi supplementation improved the pain and mood changes surrounding a condition caused by chronic exhaustion.
Other evidence suggests that Reishi, as well as other adaptogenic mushrooms, may also help to improve mood. In this survey of nutritional habits, those who regularly consumed mushrooms reported significantly lower rates of depression. Various smaller trials have verified similar results, claiming that consuming more mushrooms in general may help reduce both depression and anxiety.
Regular daily doses are the key to getting the most out of adaptogenic supplements. Start with a small dose of Reishi each day and increase until you notice optimal benefits.
5. It may support liver health.
One animal study found that Reishi mushroom spores may help boost the regeneration of liver cells, which can improve the liver’s ability to detoxify the body.
Liver function is crucial to digestion, but also to general health since it’s one of the primary ways that the body eliminates toxins that cause illness and inflammation.
To best support liver function using Reishi, consider incorporating Reishi into your regular diet.
6. It may have anti-inflammatory benefits.
Like many other mushrooms, Reishi is loaded with antioxidants that may help boost general wellness.
One way that antioxidants do this is by lowering the amount of free radicals in the body, which can help prevent oxidative stress that leads to inflammation. Inflammation has been linked to a range of chronic diseases, and is also one of the major factors behind brain fog, fatigue, and low-mood.
To reap the potential anti-inflammatory effects of Reishi, you need to incorporate a regular daily dose in order to allow for systemic benefits to take place.
7. Anticancer Benefits
Various studies have investigated Reishi's potential anticancer benefits, and many people swear by the benefits of using Reishi alongside common cancer therapies. In fact, one study suggests that Reishi could inhibit some of the negative side effects associated with chemotherapy.
More evidence is needed to understand exactly how this may work, but one study did find that Reishi may shrink tumors. Another study suggests that Reishi contains a number of beneficial terpenes that may inhibit the growth of cancerous tumors altogether.
Make sure you talk to your doctor before you use Reishi if you are already undergoing other cancer therapies.
8. It may soothe allergies.
According to one study, Reishi may have antihistamine effects . This study found that it may help to increase oxygen flow in the body to relieve systemic allergies.
To reap these benefits, many people incorporate small daily doses of Reishi, increasing the dose slowly over time until symptoms are relieved.
9. It may lower bad cholesterol.
Some evidence suggests that Reishi's beta glucans and terpene content may both work hand in hand to help lower bad cholesterol, though more evidence is needed to confirm these effects.
To best reap these benefits, you should consider making Reishi a regular part of your daily diet.
10. It could lower blood pressure.
One animal study from 2014 reports that Reishi could help to lower blood pressure, which could make it beneficial for those who have high blood pressure.
Just keep in mind that it may be unsafe to take Reishi alongside other blood sugar-lowering medications because it could cause the blood sugar to drop too low, so always discuss Reishi supplementation with your doctor first.
11. It could help lower blood sugar, too.
Some evidence suggests that Reishi may help to bring down blood sugar levels, meaning it could work as a part of a healthy nutritional routine for those with diabetes. One small, double-blind, placebo controlled study found that Reishi may help to lower blood sugar, which may pose some benefits for those with type 2 diabetes.
Another study found that these effects may also help to reduce kidney stress in subjects with type 2 diabetes. Kidney stress is one of the most common complications related to diabetes.
Keep in mind that it may be unsafe to combine Reishi with other medications that are used to lower blood pressure. Always talk to your doctor before using Reishi if you take blood sugar-altering medications.
Conclusion
Much of the research on Reishi’s benefits comes from animal studies, which may not fully translate to human applications. More evidence is needed to confirm its efficacy for specific health concerns.
However, anecdotal evidence and historical use suggest Reishi may support both the body and mind, making it particularly appealing for women's overall wellness.
To safely and effectively enjoy Reishi’s benefits, prioritize high-quality supplements from trusted manufacturers. Choose products that provide lab reports to ensure they are free from contaminants. To explore how Reishi can support your health, consider diving deeper into its potential advantages.
You may want to read:
FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Reishi Mushrooms
Is reishi good for women?
Yes, reishi mushrooms are considered beneficial for women. They are often praised for their adaptogenic properties, which can help manage stress and support overall wellness. Additionally, reishi is thought to aid hormonal balance and improve energy levels, making it a popular choice among women seeking natural health supplements.
2. What does reishi do for hormones?
Reishi mushrooms may help regulate hormones by supporting the adrenal glands and reducing stress levels. As an adaptogen, reishi works to balance the body's stress response, which can indirectly impact hormone production. This can be especially beneficial for women dealing with hormonal imbalances or menopausal symptoms.
3. How does reishi make you feel?
Reishi mushrooms are known for their calming effects. Many people report feeling more relaxed and less anxious after taking reishi. It may also improve sleep quality and boost overall mood, thanks to its potential to lower stress and support the nervous system.
4. What are the downsides of reishi?
While generally safe for most people, reishi mushrooms can cause side effects in some cases. Common downsides include digestive issues, dry mouth, or an allergic reaction. Long-term use or consuming high doses of reishi may also lead to headaches, dizziness, or nausea.
5. Who should avoid reishi?
Certain individuals should avoid reishi mushrooms, including:
-Pregnant or breastfeeding women (consult a doctor first).
-People with low blood pressure, as reishi may lower blood pressure further.
-Those with bleeding disorders or scheduled for surgery, as reishi might affect blood clotting.
-Anyone allergic to mushrooms or specific components of reishi.
6. Is reishi hard on the liver?
Reishi is generally considered safe for the liver in moderate amounts. However, there have been rare reports of liver toxicity in individuals taking very high doses of reishi or using it over extended periods. If you have liver conditions or concerns, it’s best to consult a healthcare provider before adding reishi to your regimen.
Resources
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