Reishi mushrooms, also known as lingzhi – or by their scientific name, Ganoderma lucidum – have been used in traditional Asian medicine for more than 2,000 years. They are still very popular nowadays: for their beneficial effects on the immune system, as an excellent replacement for coffee, and for their proven support in fighting cancer.
This healing mushroom has been treasured in Chinese culture for its positive contribution to health and well-being and has been often depicted in many forms of Chinese art, from paintings to tapestry, porcelain, and other decorative objects.
In the 16th century, the Ming Dynasty medical expert, Li Shizhen, listed the mushroom in the Compendium of Materia Medica – mentioned by UNESCO as “the most complete and comprehensive medical book ever written in the history of traditional Chinese medicine”.
Reishi can grow in different forms and colours depending on the location and conditions – but the most common type is the well-known reddish-brown mushroom which grows only on specific trees. Fallen logs of maple trees and oaks seem to be among its favourite habitats.
Because farming them requires a complex and time-consuming process, until recently reishi had been harvested only in their natural habitat. It was only in the 1980s that it started to be cultivated in farms.
We encourage you to always consume mushrooms that grow in the purest places, such as the Reishi Powder from Vimergy, so that you can offer your body all the unspoilt benefits it needs.
There’s plenty of ways to use reishi. The Medical Medium Anthony William suggests adding reishi to smoothies, soups, broths, stir fries, sauces, dips, or desserts.
If you want to keep it simple, just add a 1/2 teaspoon of reishi powder to hot water to make a cup of instant tea! To this, you can add some of your favourite natural and healthy sweetener, such as raw honey or coconut sugar.
Or, you can always try something new! The reishi “cappuccino” recipe below will surely provide you the energy boost you need:
・1/2 teaspoon Vimergy Reishi Powder
・1 cup coconut milk
・Coconut sugar or raw honey to taste
Coffee vs. Reishi
So why should you choose reishi mushroom instead of coffee?
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms below, it might be a sign that coffee is causing you more harm than good! You can avoid all these and even bring more improvement to your health by using reishi:
Coffee
・You suffer from sleep disorders, such as insomnia.
Reishi
・It can help with anxiety, panic attacks, and insomnia.
Coffee
・You feel nervous, restless, and anxious. The feeling of extreme alertness is followed by fatigue.
Reishi
・It can help to calm the nervous system.
・Helps improve cognitive abilities such as memory, concentration, and focus.
Coffee
・Increased stomach acidity and discomfort.
Reishi
・It can help cleanse a fatty liver.
Coffee
・Nausea and headaches.
・High blood pressure and rapid heart rate.
Reishi
・Supports cardiovascular health and can help to prevent strokes and heart attacks.
Other advantages of reishi, as mentioned by the Medical Medium:
・Contains anti-inflammatory properties
・Supports weight loss.
・It can help combat allergies.
・It can help to fight diabetes by keeping blood sugar stable and balanced.
Besides this, laboratory research mentioned by the Cochrane Library shows that reishi mushrooms can help increase the responsiveness of cancer patients to chemotherapy.
Consuming reishi mushrooms is not known to cause any side-effects but it is advised to consult your doctor before taking any supplements.