Reishi Mushroom Extract

Originally a staple in Eastern medicine, reishi has been used as a medicinal mushroom for over 2,000 years (1) to help balance the many systems of the body. Found mainly in Japanese, Korean and Chinese forests, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners use reishi mushroom to strengthen their patients’ Qi, meaning life force energy. This particular fungus is a nutritional powerhouse due to its high content of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and anti-stress properties. As an adaptogen, reishi helps reverse the harmful effects caused by stress, and instead helps the body adapt to the challenges presented. That’s right: this mushroom can help to not only balance your physical body, but it may also improve your emotional resiliency and well-being. Here’s how reishi mushroom can help you on your path to wellness: 1. Modulates the Immune System Due to its immune-boosting properties, such as polysaccharides, antioxidants, and beta-glucans, reishi can help ward off viruses, bacteria, and even cancer cells. It can also help regulate an overactive immune system for those suffering with autoimmune diseases, allergies and sensitivities to bring the system back into a state of harmony. 2. Helps reduce anxiety Reishi improves the functioning of the adrenal glands, which are responsible for releasing cortisol and other stress hormones. Improved adrenal health helps calm the mind, ease anxiety, and improve overall emotional well-being and resiliency. 3. Supports improved sleep When consumed regularly, reishi can help to support the body’s sleep cycles. By balancing stress hormones, the mushrooms help to produce a relaxing effect for the mind and body 4. Helps balance androgen hormones Excess androgens, which are male sex hormones, can contribute to low sex drive, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), and reproductive cancers. Reishi also helps support the liver, which aids in detoxification and metabolization of excess hormones. 5. May decrease signs of aging Reishi is chock-full of antioxidants, helping to combat damaging free radicals and protect the body against oxidative stress. Try our Balance to experience the healing compounds of this ancient mushroom.

Origins of the Reishi Mushroom Reishi Mushrooms – “The mushroom of immortality” – Also known as “ Lingzhi” in Chinese.  A powerful superfood in the family of medicinal mushrooms, Reishi mushrooms are well known for their various health benefits and ancient history spanning back in history over 2000 years ago. Traditionally used in Chinese medicine for its potent healing properties, Reishi mushrooms are found in wooded areas in Asia, Japan, Korean and China.  There are various types of Reishi mushrooms ( most commonly noted by the colour ), and generally, the kind you find in supplementation form found in red, green and black. Reishi mushrooms are grown above ground, commonly found on trees, and it is in the connective strands “ mycelium” where the nutrients are.   What does Reishi do? For many years, Reishi mushrooms have been found in powder form, tinctures, extracts and even teas.  With a wide range of nutrient benefits, Reishi mushrooms have taken on the role of an immune-boosting powerhouse for various health concerns and proven to be beneficial to bringing our body back to homeostasis. With its fantastic detoxification features, Reishi not only provides a rich source of anti-oxidant properties, but it also helps restore our liver and help regenerate new cells.   It has been shown to also lower the effects of cortisol ( our stress hormone ) and its impact on our body with its adaptogenic properties.  Often when our body is under stress and even inflammation, we will notice a depletion of energy stores, hormonal imbalances and even inflammation.  Reishi is excellent for helping bring balance to those hormones, produce a calming and sedative state in our body, therefore aiding in sleep problems as well as lowering blood pressure and high cholesterol levels thus also making it nourishing support to our heart. Benefits of the Reishi Mushroom Reishi has many different health benefits. However, the main advantage is its powerful effect on our immune system.    It helps to modify and regulate our immune system by increasing our immunity as well as lowering it when needed.  Reishi helps improve the “ overall”  general health of our immune system due to the polysaccharides and triterpenes that are found in them.  These constituents contribute to our bodies ability to turn off the allergic response – think histamine is, therefore, providing allergy relief of various forms. Researchers have found that not only does Reishi mushrooms improve our immunity, detoxify our liver and provide adaptogenic effects in our body, they are also highly anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory. With these powerhouse nutritional benefits, it is no wonder that Reishi is nicknamed “ the king of mushrooms” as the benefits and traditional history speaks for itself. Organika's Red Reshi captures the Traditional Chinese methods with the innovative quality and extraction process, enhancing the medicinal benefits and enhancing your health. -Chelan Wilkins, RHN- Busy mother of two, and Organika’s National Education Trainer.  

When it comes to making natural health products, sourcing is key. Organika works tirelessly to source raw materials with high quality standards from vendors that align with our values. Luckily, we didn’t have to look too far for a quality source for our newly-launched adaptogen line! Meet George, mushroom farmer. His farm is located right across the border from us in Sequim, Washington. We had the pleasure of chatting with George and finding out some behind the scenes info on where our adaptogenic mushrooms come from! A botanist specializing in mycology, George has been running his farm for 25 years. He expertly maintains the cultures and oversees the research and development of new cultivation techniques. George’s enthusiasm for mushrooms dates back from his childhood, making him a truly seasoned expert. “My interest in mushrooms started when I was taken out mushroom hunting as a kid. I became fascinated by all the different kinds and variety of shapes and colors. I started dabbling with growing mushrooms and had my first success with criminis, which were a hit with the family after being sautéed for sandwiches.” George’s know-how truly shines through in the quality of his work. He constantly refines cultivating and processing techniques, and puts great care into preserving clean, organic growth conditions: “We want to be as organic as possible, and so we have always used organic grain for growing mushrooms. To further ensure purity and quality, all of the mushroom powders we sell are produced only from mycelium and fruiting body cultivated at our certified organic facility in Washington.” Reishi mushroom As a perk of being a grower, George enjoys an unlimited personal supply of mushrooms. He uses these in teas, soups, and smoothies. He also feels rewarded by hearing the feedback from people about how much the mushrooms are helping them and the benefits they’ve received. Some mushrooms, such as reishi, chaga and lion’s mane, have adaptogenic properties, meaning they can help the body better adapt and cope with life’s stress. Try an adaptogen today to experience its benefits, and keep an eye out for more adaptogenic goodness from Organika!