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Reishi Spore (Ganoderma Lucidum)

  • Mushroom for Allergies
  • Mushroom for Sleep and Calm

Mushrooms are all around us, they are the true communicators in nature. Medicinal mushrooms have been used globally for thousands of years for their health benefits and can provide the missing link to support our health and well-being. Each medicinal mushroom has its own unique set of compounds to support health, let’s learn more about reishi spore:

Meet the Mushroom

Reishi spores are produced as the reishi mushroom completes its life cycle. The spores contain the highest concentration of active triterpenes, unique to the reishi mushroom. At the end of Reishi mushrooms growth cycle, it produces spores which are tiny seeds that serve as the reproduction of the fungi. It releases these spores over the course of a few minutes, quickly covering the whole micro-environment.

History

Ancient texts and folklore often refer to the Reishi mushroom as the ‘Mushroom of Immortality’, underscoring its revered status. In traditional Chinese medicine, its name is often associated with healing, longevity, and immortality. Its use in China dates back over 2,000 years, with ancient Chinese texts, such as the “Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing,” calling it a top-tier herb, reflecting its importance in traditional medicine.

Benefits: Why you should use it?

  • Immunity: Reishi mushrooms are known for their potential to enhance the immune system. They contain beta-glucans, a type of polysaccharide that has been shown to activate white blood cells, making them stronger and more efficient fighters against diseases (1).
  • Allergies: Reishi is rich in triterpenes which have strong anti-inflammatory properties (2), combined with immunomodulatory action, this makes it an excellent choice for allergies and other inflammatory conditions. Research has verified that reishi spore powder has multiple functions such as blocking histamine release and inhibiting an overstimulated immune system and has an effect on regulating immunity. 
  • Sleep: Reishi spore’s triterpenes have a sedative action, it has traditionally been valued in cases of insomnia. 
  • Inflammation: Studies have found the triterpenes in reishi spore suppressed the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandins.

Key Actives

  • Triterpenes: Reishi spores contain 200% more triterpenes than the fruiting body. Triterpenoids have been reported to be hepatoprotective, anti-histaminic, and be valuable for cardiovascular health amongst other actions (3).
  • Polysaccharides: Studies have highlighted their ability to modulate immune function. 

Product Info

Our Organic Reishi Spore comes from the Longquan district of China, the natural home of reishi. Spores are difficult to digest because of their hard coating which is made of chitin. We use a cold-press technique, rolling the spores up to 30 times–compared to the standard 9 times–to fully release their triterpenes, and maintain the highest levels of nutrients and increase bioavailability. 

It has a minimum of 8% triterpenes, which is double that of our Pure Grade Reishi. 

How to use

Capsules: Adults take 2 capsules, 1-3 times a day with or without food or try adding the powder from the capsules into a smoothie. 

Powder: Take 1g 1-4 times a day. Reishi spore has a rich, bitter flavour, you can make a tea/coffee alternative using the powder, or add it to your hot chocolate or smoothies.

FAQs

When is the best time to take it? : Reishi spore can be taken at any time of day, though it may be more beneficial taken later in the day to support relaxation and calm the nervous system before bed. Regular consumption of reishi spore can help you take advantage of its health benefits.

Are there any side effects? : Risk of side effects is reportedly low, but it can interact with certain medications including anticoagulants and blood pressure medication. Reishi can also lower blood pressure, so is best avoided in people with low blood pressure.

Are there any interactions? : We would advise anyone on any medication, or those who are pregnant/breastfeeding to check with their healthcare practitioner.

Do you test the product? : Yes, it is third party tested, COA are available on request.

Why do you source from China? : The use of medicinal mushrooms was a cornerstone in Traditional Chinese Medicine and this practice dates back thousands of years. No country has more extensive knowledge than China in the growing and extraction of mushrooms. China is also home to some of the vastest and most pristine forests in the world, which provide the ideal environment for mushrooms to grow. It is universally agreed, through ongoing DNA analysis, that China continue to grow the best quality mushrooms in the world.

What is the difference between reishi and reishi spore? : They have very similar benefits, but reishi spores have much more concentrated amounts of a compound called triterpenes, which are responsible for reishi’s anti-inflammatory and antihistamine benefits. There is around 200% more triterpenes in Reishi Spore, making it the perfect choice for allergy and hay fever sufferers. 

Combine with

Reishi spore can be taken on its own or combined with other supplements and functional foods for synergistic effects. Combine with turmeric for anti-inflammatory support, or local honey for hay fever support.

Fungi fact

Reishi spores are made of chitin which is one of the hardest naturally occurring substances on Earth.

 

 

References:

1: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4684115/

2: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34411377/

3: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3236089/