Red Reishi - Celestial Herb
Red Reishi, botanical name - Ganoderma Lucidum, is also commonly known by
its Chinese name, "Ling Zhi". It has been known to the Asian world as the
"God's Herb" for over 2,000 years. Red Reishi has been revered as the King
of herbal medicine for thousands of years in Japan and China. Emperors and
royalties of both cultures constantly consumed Red Reishi tonic for vitality
and life longevity. It was recorded that Chinese emperors had been concocting
the elixir of life constantly, and Red Reishi was believed to be among one
of the main ingredients.
Being valued as a "celestial herb", effective against
illnesses, Red Reishi is mentioned in most of the Chinese medicinal classics,
such as Herbal Pharmacopoeia, compiled by the legendary herbalist Chinese
emperor, Shen Nong (Han Dynasty, 206 BC ~ 8 AD) and the Compendium of Materia
Medica written by the celebrated Chinese physician and naturalist Li Shi
Zhen (1518 ~ 1593). Medical uses of Red Reishi in ancient China included
the treatment of "a knotted and tight chest", the increase of "intellectual
capacity", the correction of "forgetfulness", the promotion of agility and
the lengthening of one's life span.
The late Mr. Hiroshi Hikino*, who was
recognized as the world's authority on the chemistry of Oriental medicinal
plants, had named Reishi as one of "the most important elixirs of life in
the Orient."
In modern times, reishi has been well researched in Asian universities.
Secrets of reishi are being uncovered and its applications have been tested
and correlated with the ancient findings. With persistent hard work, Japanese
scientists have been able to develop a cultivation method for the once rare
and wild grown Red Reishi, thus making it widely available to the general
public.
There are six kinds of reishi that have been studied to uncover
potential health benefits - red, black, blue, white, yellow and purple reishi.
Red Reishi has been proven to be the most effective in enhancing the immune
system and improving one's bodily functions and vital organs.
*former professor
of the Department of Agriculture of the University of Tohoku (Northeast).
Red Reishi - Active Ingredients
Red Reishi is primarily composed of complex
carbohydrates called water-soluble polysaccharides,
triterpeniods, proteins and amino acids.
Researchers have identified that water-soluble
polysaccharides are the most active
element found in Red Reishi that have anti-tumour,
immune modulating and blood
pressure lowering effects. Recent reishi studies
have used the amount of water-soluble
polysaccharide content in a reishi product to
evaluate its potency. The higher the amount
of water-soluble polysaccharide content the
product contains, the more potent it is.
Another major active constituent found
in Red Reishi are triterpeniods, called Ganoderic
acids. Preliminary studies indicated that
ganoderic acids help alleviate common
allergies by inhibiting histamine release,
improve oxygen utilization and improve liver
functions. Triterpeniods are bitter in taste
and the level of the triterpeniod content
contained in a product can be determined by
the bitterness.
Red Reishi's Medical Properties
Red Reishi has three major characteristics:
- Non toxic; no harmful side effects.
- Immune modulator - modulates or regulates and fine tune the immune system.
- Normalize and stabilize all internal organs.
Regular intake of Red Reishi can increase vitality, aid blood circulation, prevent blood clots, help prevent the growth of tumours, disperse stasis and accumulation, dispel inflammation and increase the body's ability to fight unwanted invaders.
Medical Use
Always consult your health care professional to advise you on dosages and any possible drug interactions. Traditional Chinese medicine has used Reishi in the treatment of viral infections such as hepatitis, chickenpox and herpes, as well as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and systemic lupus erythematosus. It has been used against tumours, hypertension, bronchitis, nephritis, gastric ulcers, insomnia, diabetes, certain neuromuscular disorders and diseases of the prostate. Modern Western medicine has also tried using Reishi as a possible treatment for HIV-related diseases.
©2007 Hirota Red Reishi Essence Granules. All rights reserved.