Return of the Immortality Herb, Reishi Mushroom Benefits: How to Brew Reishi Tea for Immunity

Hello.

It's the most likely candidate for the fabled herb of eternal youth that Emperor Qin Shi Huang searched for thousands of years ago. A being so revered for its mysterious appearance and potent life force that it was called the 'mushroom of the immortals.' 

That is the Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum; known as 'Yeongji' in Korea). Today, we will delve deep into the incredible benefits of this mushroom, which goes beyond being a simple fungus to awaken our body's defense system and govern the very foundation of our health, focusing on how to brew 'Reishi water' to fully capture its power.

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Awaken your body's defenses with the mushroom gifted by the gods,

What amazing gifts does the Reishi mushroom offer our body?

The benefits of Reishi have been proven through numerous studies in both the East and West. It demonstrates an exceptional ability to manage our body's army, the 'immune system.'

[Summary of Benefits]

• Modulates the immune system and strengthens the body's defenses
• Supports anti-cancer action (helps prevent cancer and inhibit metastasis)
• Improves blood circulation and prevents adult diseases
• Calms the nerves and alleviates insomnia

1. Immune-Modulating Function
The core of Reishi's benefits lies in Beta-glucan (β-glucan). This compound activates our body's immune cells (such as NK cells, T-cells, and macrophages) to heighten our defense against external enemies (viruses, bacteria). Importantly, Reishi doesn't just over-stimulate the immune system; it is distinguished by its ability to 'modulate'—boosting a weakened immune system while calming an overactive one.

2. Anti-cancer Support
This is why Reishi is known as an 'anti-cancer mushroom.' Numerous studies suggest that the beta-glucan and triterpenoid compounds in Reishi can help inhibit the development and proliferation of cancer cells and prevent them from spreading (metastasis). Of course, Reishi cannot replace modern medical cancer treatments, but it is recognized for its value as an adjunctive therapy to bolster a weakened immune system and reduce side effects during treatment.

3. Improving Blood Circulation and Preventing Adult Diseases
Reishi purifies the blood by lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels and preventing the formation of blood clots. This greatly helps in preventing and managing cardiovascular diseases like hypertension and arteriosclerosis.

4. Calming Nerves and Relieving Insomnia
Reishi calms a nervous system agitated by stress and improves blood flow to the brain, relaxing both mind and body. For this reason, it has been treasured since ancient times for treating insomnia and neurasthenia.

Precautions for Reishi Intake (Are there any side effects?)

Even the best herbs should be consumed while monitoring your body's condition.

[Summary of Precautions]

• May slow blood clotting; use with caution before/after surgery or with related medications.
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult a professional before consumption.
• Rarely, initial use may cause dizziness or skin rashes depending on one's constitution.

As Reishi promotes blood circulation, you should avoid it or consult a professional if you are taking anticoagulants or are scheduled for major surgery. Also, when you first start taking it, your body may experience mild adjustment reactions, so it's best to start with a weaker brew and gradually increase the concentration.

How should you brew Reishi as a 'water' or tea? (How to Brew)

The active components of Reishi are locked within tough cell walls, so they must be extracted by boiling for a sufficient amount of time.

• Golden Recipe for Brewing Reishi Water (Tea) for Immunity
  1. Ingredients: 50g of dried Reishi mushroom (about the size of an adult's palm), 2 liters of water, 5-7 jujubes and 2-3 slices of licorice root (optional: to neutralize bitterness and enhance medicinal properties).
     
     
  2. Preparation: As Reishi is hard, it's better to cut it into small pieces with scissors or a knife rather than putting it in whole. Lightly rinse off any dust from the surface under running water.
     
     
  3. First Decoction: Place the prepared Reishi, water, and any additional ingredients in a glass or ceramic pot. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once it boils, reduce the heat to the lowest setting and simmer for 1-2 hours until the water volume is reduced by about half.
     
     
  4. Second Decoction & Mixing: Pour out the first decoction into a separate container. Add another 1.5-2 liters of water to the remaining solids and decoct once more using the same method. Mix the first and second decoctions together to create a uniformly concentrated and potent Reishi water.
     
     
  5. Storage and Consumption: Let the finished Reishi water cool, then store it in a glass bottle in the refrigerator. Drink about one paper cup's worth (approx. 150ml), warmed up, 2-3 times a day.

In Conclusion

Today, we've explored the profound benefits of the Reishi mushroom, a symbol of eternal youth and a booster of our body's defenses. The time spent carefully decocting a piece of Reishi, cultivated by nature over decades, will be a precious time not just for health management, but for connecting with the foundation of your own body.

If you're worried about recurring fatigue and a weakened immune system, why not start building a strong shield for your body with a cup of Reishi water today?

[References]

• Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Republic of Korea, Herbal Medicine Information, 'Ganoderma'
• Wachtel-Galor, S., et al. (2011). Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi or Reishi): A Medicinal Mushroom. In Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition.
• National Cancer Institute (NCI), Reishi Mushroom (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version.

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