Choosing the right reishi mushroom supplement can be overwhelming. One of the challenges is that there are over 80 different species of Ganoderma across the globe. With so many varieties to choose from, it can be a challenge to find a quality reishi mushroom that offers you biggest health benefits.

Reishi is a medicinal powerhouse, bursting with a gamut of curative compounds, including triterpenes, alkaloids, sterols, and various key polysaccharides. This medicinal mushroom is used for a wide range of health reasons, from boosting the immune system and supporting cardiovascular health to improving vitality and promoting longevity, and it has been sought out for thousands of years by emperors, Buddhists, sages, Taoists, monks, and of course, Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners.

So, how can the fantastic fungus stand up to these remarkable claims? When it comes to the absolute best, Ganoderma lucidum, it is all about quality control.

Quality Control

Over the last few years, mushroom have been receiving a lot more attention for the various medicinal effects. They are touted for their adaptogenic health benefits, but not all products are what they claim to be.

Unfortunately, when an ingredient becomes popular and well known, a slew of products with less-than-stellar quality show up on the market. Bad press comes when products are tested by third party companies and show that little or no active ingredients are present. No one wants to be paying for something that offers little more than packaging and marketing. That’s why it’s important to learn how to choose your quality reishi mushroom product.

Cultivation

It takes the right environment to yield the highest quality reishi. Anything less than the perfect conditions will result in an inferior product.

How reishi is cultivated and grown is vitally important for the output to be high quality. Fungi grafted onto wood logs, topped with nutrient-rich soil, and allowed to grow in a chemical-free environment allows for a clean and potent product.

Reishi requires time to develop its nutrient-rich qualities and benefits. Many producers harvest the mushroom when it is only between three to five months old. While that still might generate a decent yield, it is not nearly enough time to grow a premium product. It takes a full year for the reishi mushroom to properly develop. Manufacturers that fail to adhere to the strict harvesting guidelines risk an inferior supplement that won’t live up to its full potential.

Parts Used

There is some controversy regarding the best parts of a mushroom to use, but while mycelium (root-like structure) may be easier to grow in quantity and does contain the polysaccharides, it is missing many compounds found only in the fruiting body (cap and stem).

In the case of reishi mushroom, the ganoderic acids (for which reishi’s Latin name is derived) are found only in the fruiting body. It’s the ganoderic acids that have many of the health benefits for heart, liver, and kidneys. In addition, some of the polysaccharides found in a mycelium product are actually from the medium (e.g. rice) that the mycelium is grown in, not from the mushroom itself. Why would you want to pay extra for rice when it’s the mushroom that you want?

Extraction

When it comes to a superior supplement, proper extraction is vital. To get the most beneficial results, the reishi mushrooms must be boiled for several hours. Once the mushrooms have simmered, the liquid is left to condense and dry. After the drying process, the remaining powder is ready to be used in supplement form.

TCM’s Reishi

Traditional Chinese Medicine has always used the fruiting body, grown naturally, and water extracted. TCM practitioners primarily use reishi to help calm the nervous system, support a strong body (it is known as the “mushroom of immortality,” after all), and improve immune and lung function. While it probably won’t help you live forever, choosing a high-quality product can help you manage today’s stressful world with more resilience.

Hepatitis is an inflammatory (“itis”) disease of the liver (“hepa”) that is often caused by a family of viruses. There are many types of hepatitis, including A, B, C, D, E, and G, but the most common in Canada are the first three. If you want to successfully treat (or prevent) this disease, you’ll need to focus on supporting your liver and keeping your immune system strong.

Why is liver health so important?

Your liver has a huge responsibility. This vital organ is in charge of filtering your blood, removing toxins, regulating blood circulation, storing vitamins and minerals, helping with digestion…the list goes on and on. So, it goes without saying that it’s very important to keep your liver in tip-top shape.

Did you know that your liver can regenerate itself? Its true. But just because this remarkable organ has rejuvenating abilities doesn’t mean it’s impervious to disease. There are a wide variety of conditions that can cause serious liver problems, including cancer, cysts, fatty liver disease, jaundice, alcoholic liver disease, fibrosis—and hepatitis.

What is hepatitis?

While hepatitis is often caused by viral infections, excessive alcohol consumption, exposure to toxic chemicals, and autoimmune disorders can also lead to this disease. Regardless of the reason, hepatitis can cause serious liver damage, possibly resulting in fibrosis (scarring of the liver), cirrhosis (chronic liver failure), or liver cancer.

Hepatitis A and E are normally caused by consuming contaminated food or water. Hepatitis B, C, and D usually occur from sexual contact, infusions of tainted blood, and the sharing of hypodermic needles. Early signs of hepatitis include flulike symptoms and loss of appetite. As the disease progresses, a host of other symptoms may develop, such as fever, nausea, dark urine, extreme fatigue, vomiting, swollen joints, and jaundice.

How can I naturally treat hepatitis?

Hailed in Traditional Chinese Medicine as the “mushroom of immortality,” the Japanese red reishi mushroom packs a mighty punch when it comes to treating hepatitis. This fabulous fungi contains powerful antioxidant properties that have been proven to stimulate liver cell growth, enhance liver detoxification, help prevent cirrhosis, and boost overall liver functioning.

Reishi mushrooms are also beneficial in balancing the immune system. This is extremely helpful when it comes to boosting your body’s ability to fend off infections, bacteria, and viruses—viruses like those that cause hepatitis. In fact, research has shown that the polysaccharide fractions and tripertenes found in reishi help protect the liver from chronic hepatitis B.

If you want to help reduce the hepatitis viral load, Japanese red reishi is your answer to a happier, healthier liver.

If you are one of the millions of Canadians who have had a heart attack, you might be feeling overwhelmed trying to figure out what went wrong and how to prevent it from happening again.

Perhaps you’ve already made some life changes, but let’s cover the basics first because it’s important you are armed with some heart-health knowledge for lifestyle changes.

Stop smoking

If you’re a smoker, you’ve likely been told time and again to quit. While smoking is most often associated with cancer, it is also a serious risk factor for heart disease and strokes. “Light” or “mild” cigarettes are not better than regular ones because smokers then often take more longer, more frequent, or deeper puffs. Even occasional smoking can significantly up your risk factors for heart disease.

Yes, quitting can be very difficult, but in addition to medications, nicotine gum or skin patches, and pure willpower, there are several healthy alternative techniques to helping people kick the habit, including hypnosis, acupuncture, and meditation. If the first (or first few times) you don’t succeed in quitting, try and try again.

Don’t blame your genes

Heart disease can run in the family. But there is no need to panic (or throw in the towel). Cardiac illness is largely preventable, regardless of your family history.

The key to a healthy heart is managing the risk factors. Curbing your stress, regularly exercising, quitting smoking, cutting back on alcohol, and eating a healthy diet are just some of the many things you can do to nip hereditary hazards in the bud.

Cut down stress

Stress can increase your risk of heart disease. Chronic high levels of cortisol and adrenaline can constrict your arteries and increase blood pressure, potentially leading to angina (chest pain) or even a heart attack.

Practicing some regular de-stressing activities, such as yoga, meditation, or visualization techniques can help you better cope with stress. Prioritizing, asking for help, getting enough sleep, breath work, exercise, therapeutic treatments, and counselling are just some of the other stress-management supports you could employ.

Watch your weight

Being overweight can increase your chances of cardiovascular disease in a variety of ways. Those extra pounds can lead to high blood pressure and diabetes. What’s more, overweight people are more prone to lower levels of HDL or “good” cholesterol, which is widely accepted as a major risk factor.

Cutting back on processed foods, eating more fruits and vegetables, and exercising for at least 30 minutes three times a week will help you lose weight, as well as have a positive impact on your heart. If the usual healthy eating and exercising isn’t working, it may be worth talking to a health professional about potential underlying health conditions that may be impeding weight loss.

Move your body

There’s no question, exercise is a health basic. The heart is a muscle, and just like any other muscle, the key to keeping it in shape is to use it well. Exercise can benefit the heart by helping to elevate HDL, lower blood pressure, boost mood, strengthen heart muscle, improve circulation, and even lower stress.

Note that if you’ve recently had a heart attack, it’s particularly important to get appropriate guidance to the type and intensity of exercise you do.

Add reishi to your routine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the heart organ is considered “king”—the most important organ in the body. Because heart disease is still one of the leading causes of death, with a life taken by heart disease every seven minutes in Canada, it’s clear that we need to take care of this king.

There are a few ways that Japanese red reishi can contribute to better heart health. First of all, reishi is an adaptogenic, meaning it can help the body adapt to stressors. In TCM, though this herb has many functions, ling zhi (reishi) is categorized as an herb to calm the mind. By helping to manage stress and support the body’s ability to adapt to changes in external and internal environment, reishi can support bringing the body back to homeostatic balance.

Reishi mushrooms also contain a number of beneficial compounds that are continually being researched. Its sterols and triterpenes (two groupings of its compounds) may have blood pressure-lowering effects. A small study also showed that it can increase HDL cholesterol (the good kind) in those with borderline high cholesterol (the bad kind).

Further studies are being evaluated, as some animal studies have shown reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) to have cardioprotective effects by reducing the expression of genes associated with heart failure and by protecting mitochondria (the power organelles of your cells—how you get energy to do anything) of damaged heart cells.

If you’re taking medication, it’s important to discuss the addition of supplements with your health care providers, and while supplements cannot and should not replace basic healthy living, Japanese red reishi has a long history of use for improved wellness, including supporting healthy hearts.

If you’re taking medication, it’s important to discuss the addition of supplements with your health care providers, and while supplements cannot and should not replace basic healthy living, Japanese red reishi has a long history of use for improved wellness, including supporting healthy hearts.

Are you watching the Olympics? I certainly am! My favourite winter sport is figure skating, and I remember vividly the Vancouver 2010 Olympics when I watched Joannie Rochette skate emotionally and beautifully in honour and remembrance of her mother who had just died of a heart attack.

February is Heart and Stroke Awareness month, and, as you know, your heart is kind of a big deal, so now is a great time to begin a new, heart-healthy lifestyle. Even if you don’t currently have any heart issues, heart health is important for everyone. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), we call the heart the “king organ.” To help protect your ticker, here are some heart health tips for February and beyond.

Is heart disease genetic?

Heart disease can run in the family. But there is no need to panic (or throw in the towel) if it runs in your family. Cardiac illness is largely preventable, regardless of family history. The key to a healthy heart is managing the risk factors. Curbing your stress, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, cutting back on alcohol, and eating a healthy diet are just some of the many things you can do to nip hereditary hazards in the bud.

Butt out

Smoking is not only a serious risk for heart disease, but also causes a host of major health issues, including stroke and numerous cancers. Even “light” or “mild” cigarettes or occasional smoking can significantly up your risk factors for heart disease. Yes, quitting can be very difficult, but in addition to medications, nicotine gum or skin patches, and pure willpower, there are several healthy alternative techniques to help people kick the habit, including hypnosis, acupuncture, and meditation.

Say goodbye to stress

Stress can increase your risk of heart disease. Chronic high levels of cortisol and adrenaline that result from ongoing stress can constrict your arteries and increase blood pressure, potentially leading to angina (chest pain) or even a heart attack. Practicing some de-stressing activities, such as yoga, meditation, or visualization techniques will help you better cope with stress. Plus, though this may be surprising to you, acupuncture can release feel-good hormones like endorphins, also retraining the body to find a more relaxed setpoint.

Drop those extra pounds

Being overweight can increase your chances of cardiovascular disease in a variety of ways. Those extra pounds can lead to high blood pressure and diabetes. What’s more, overweight people normally have lower levels of HDL or “good” cholesterol, which is widely accepted as a major risk factor. Cutting back on processed foods and sugar, eating more low glycemic vegetables, and exercising for at least 30 minutes three times a week will help lose weight, as well as have a positive impact on your heart.

Take Japanese red reishi

What’s red like a heart, shaped somewhat like a heart, and is good for the heart? Japanese red reishi mushroom! Because of its wide range of medicinal effects, it is known as the “king of herbs” by many practitioners of Chinese medicine.

This miraculous mushroom has been proven to improve blood flow to the heart, lower blood pressure, and reduce cholesterol. It has cardioprotective and antioxidant activity, reducing the damage done to the cells of the blood vessel lining.

Furthermore, if you’re struggling with chronic stress that’s likely to negatively impact your heart, reishi may be for you. Japanese red reishi mushrooms are well-known as excellent adapatogens—by definition, helping the body adapt to stressors.

Take steps today toward protecting your heart

Did you know that every seven minutes, heart disease takes the life of another Canadian?

You don’t want to be another tragic statistic. Make those healthy changes today and celebrate your strong, healthy heart.

Have you been diagnosed with hypertension? If you are struggling with high blood pressure, you might be apprehensive about taking medication* to lower the numbers. After all, many prescriptions come with a long list side effects—including dizziness, insomnia, constipation, diarrhea, and headaches, to name a few. If your blood pressure is mildly to moderately high—more than 120/80, but less than 140/90—your doctor may be recommending lifestyle changes before starting medications.

Why every Canadian needs to be concerned about hypertension

 “What’s the big deal?” you might ask. High blood pressure—also called hypertension—is a common medical concern. According to the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation, about 6 million Canadians have high blood pressure, but about 1 in 6 Canadians don’t even know it. A sometimes silent issue, left untreated, hypertension can lead to a host of chronic diseases, including coronary artery disease, dementia, and heart and kidney failure. It is a big deal.

Here are some ways, both common and less known, to lower your blood pressure naturally.

Lose weight   

Rising scales and rising blood pressure seem to go hand in hand. Being overweight or obese comes with a host of health issues, including hypertension.

One of the most effective ways to curb high blood pressure is shed those extra kilograms. Even a small amount of weight loss can make a huge difference when it comes to controlling hypertension. You’ll sleep better, feel better, and best of all, lower your blood pressure without turning to prescriptions too!

Exercise regularly  

Living a sedentary lifestyle is a major contributor to hypertension. If you have elevated blood pressure, regular physical activities can bring the numbers down to more manageable level.

There is a wide variety of low impact cardiovascular and strength training exercises that can have a major impact on lowering blood pressure, such as walking, dancing, cycling, swimming, and yoga. If you have been inactive for awhile, start slowly and gradually build up your intensity and duration of activity. You may find it helpful for both injury-prevention and motivation to seek the help of a trainer, especially if you have a history of injury and/or pain.

Limit alcohol    

While the occasional drink won’t likely cause hypertension, excess alcohol consumption can increase blood pressure. Even drinking moderate amounts of alcohol can elevate levels.

Eat a healthy diet    

Healthy eating is instrumental if you have hypertension. Make sure to add a lot of fruits, vegetables, and, fibre to your diet. Cutting back on salt is also a common recommendation, as many studies have linked hypertension to excessive salt intake and many processed foods are salt-laden. Not everyone, however, is sensitive to salt, and some argue that sea salt—with its array of minerals—actually lowers high blood pressure. Still, limiting your consumption of processed foods is a good idea for a variety of reasons. With some smart food choices, you’ll not only lower your blood pressure, but also feel better and have more energy to do the things you love.

Get some sun love  

You may think it’s the feel-good sensation you get from soaking up some rays—and that might be true—but sunlight also converts the nitrate that’s stored in your skin into nitric oxide, a compound that dilates your blood vessels. This dilation results in lowered blood pressure. Make sure, of course, to also protect your skin and eyes.

Make connections   

Giving and receiving hugs, massages, or other forms of “sensitive warm touch” helps release a hormone called oxytocin which lowers the stress response, calms the nervous system, and ultimately helps lower elevated blood pressure.

Did you know that having a dog as part of your family can make you less likely to end up with heart disease? Dog owners tend to have lower blood pressure than those without dogs. This is because they may walk more and have more interaction with others during those walks. Cats and other animals can also help prevent their humans from struggling with hypertension because petting or cuddling another living being is soothing and they are less likely to feel lonely.

Volunteering is another way to make connections and lower blood pressure. A study on older adults, found that those who spent 200 hours or more per year volunteering reduced their risk of hypertension by about 40 percent.

Lower blood pressure naturally with Japanese red reishi mushrooms

Did you know that red reishi mushrooms is one of the oldest remedies for treating hypertension? Studies have suggested that ganoderic acid—one of the active ingredients found in this medicinal mushroom—can decrease high blood pressure, lower excessive cholesterol levels, and prevent dangerous blood clotting. Researchers have also discovered that reishi mushrooms regulate blood flow and oxygen uptake.

In addition, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has long used reishi mushrooms, called ling zhi, to calm the nervous system, and this is an excellent way to keep the blood pressure from shooting upward.

Healthy lifestyle choices and the right herbs play a vital role in preventing and treating high blood pressure. Along with the help of Japanese red reishi, you can successfully lower your blood pressure, and prevent hypertension, naturally.

* Note that you should not stop taking your blood pressure medications unless instructed to do so by your physician or other qualified healthcare professional.

Think you’ve got a grueling work schedule? Well, allow us to introduce you to the hardest working organ in the body—your liver. Believe it or not, the liver is in charge of literally hundreds of different daily functions, like regulating fat stores, supporting digestion of fats, neutralizing and eliminating toxins, metabolizing hormones, storing vitamins and minerals, contributing to immunity health, and regenerating its own damaged tissue. Now that’s a workload!

With so much on your liver’s to-do list, you want to make sure it’s strong and healthy. Otherwise, you can be opening the door to a host of health issues that can affect digestion, bones, skin, and joints, not to mention cause urinary, circulatory, respiratory, and immune system disorders.

Factors That Affect Proper Liver Functioning?

As tough as your liver might be, it is not indestructible. Harmful lifestyle choices like excess alcohol and processed food consumption can jeopardize even the healthiest liver. Other factors like obesity and environmental toxins can also put added stress on your liver, resulting in perhaps unrepairable damage. Over time, chronic liver abuse can lead to major problems, including liver infections, cirrhosis, enlarged liver, and liver cancer.

Whether it be from taking in toxins from the environment, eating a detrimental diet, or suffering from sickness, a healthy liver is crucial when it comes to maintaining your overall health. And the road to a healthy, happy liver begins with a great cleansing plan.

Red Reishi Mushrooms and Detoxifying Your Liver

Revered for thousands of years in Asia, Japanese red reishi is no stranger when it comes to detoxifying the liver. In addition to boosting energy and lowering stress, this mighty mushroom delivers a powerful punch of antioxidants that not only improves the immune system, but also supports proper liver functioning.

Mounting scientific evidence has demonstrated, again and again, the awesome liver cleansing and supporting abilities of red reishi. This fantastic fungus has been shown to filter toxins and protect your liver against free radicals, cirrhosis, and fibrosis. Reishi can also help counteract hardening of the arteries—a serious condition called arteriosclerosis that can lead to a diseased liver.

And if that wasn’t remarkable enough, the polysaccharide fractions and tripertenes from reishi also help fend off infections—bacteria, fungus, and viruses like hepatitis that can damage the liver.

Reading through the research on reishi mushrooms and how it supports healthy liver function is like reading about a superhero, but in this case, it’s true. Reishi has been found to have antioxidant activity, modulate hepatic Phase I and II enzymes (related to liver detoxification), have antiviral activity, balance immune response, modulate the production of nitric oxide (involved in increasing blood circulation amongst other things), inhibit b-glucuronidase (involved in liver detoxification), and maintain hepatocellular calcium homeostasis (again for liver detoxification).

So, be kind to your liver—don’t stress it out too much with poor choices of food and drink and toxic burdens. But also consider supporting your superhero liver with Japanese red reishi mushrooms.