Reishi and other mushrooms have a long history of use in Asian cultures as both a food and medicine. While touted for a number of benefits, they have been most prized for enhancing immunity, longevity and overall health. Clinical research indicates using reishi medicinally might offer a number of health benefits, but not enough evidence exists to officially recommend it for any one condition. Consult with a practitioner experienced in using alternative medicine before self-treating with reishi or any other natural supplement, particularly for serious conditions like cancer.
Beneficial Components
Reishi mushrooms contain a wide range of vitamins, minerals and other components. The Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, or MSKCC, notes its benefits appear to stem from the chemical substances beta-glucan and triterpenes.
Immune System Function
Research indicates reishi does possess the ability to promote a healthy immune system. The MSKCC notes studies have shown reishi stimulates the production of certain immune system cells, making it a potentially useful treatment for any condition with a weakened immune function, such as cancer, HIV and allergies.
Both the MSKCC and WholehealthMD.com, a doctor-created website, note several studies in which reishi exhibited positive effects against cancer. In one study, end-stage cancer patients who took 1,800 mg of reishi extract three times a day for 12 weeks showed an increase in immune function compared with the group that did not. Studies of human cancer cells in the laboratory showed reishi slowed the division of several types of cancer cells, including breast, lung, liver, prostate, bladder and cervical cancer. Animal studies demonstrated reishi might also reduce nausea caused by chemotherapy. The need exists for more in-depth research before recommending reishi for cancer treatment.
Other Possible Benefits
Reishi and other mushrooms have a long history of use for treating liver problems, and the University of Maryland Medical Center notes research has shown it reduced levels of the hepatitis B virus, but more research is needed.
Reishi has also demonstrated the ability to lower both blood pressure and cholesterol, making it a potentially useful treatment for preventing heart disease. It has also been shown to prevent changes in testosterone that lead to benign prostatic hyperplasia, or enlarged prostate.
Side Effects
Just like pharmaceutical medications, natural supplements can cause unwanted side effects. Possible negative reactions to reishi include upset stomach, vomiting, itching and dryness in the nose, throat and mouth.
Contraindications
Because of some of the effects of reishi, taking it with certain medications can cause negative interactions. Do not use reishi without professional guidance if you take medications for blood-clotting disorders, high blood pressure or if you take immunosuppressants for any condition. Reishi might also interact with certain types of chemotherapy drugs, decreasing their effectiveness. It might also interfere with the metabolization of certain drugs.
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