Reishi

Why You Need It

• Stress & Sleep Support: Helps calm the nervous system, promoting deeper, more restorative rest.
• Immune Modulation: Doesn't just boost the immune system; it intelligently regulates it, which is helpful for overactive or underactive responses.
• Liver Protection: Contains compounds that support the body's natural detoxification pathways.

Deep Dive

Reishi's power lies in two unique groups of compounds: triterpenes (responsible for the bitter taste) and polysaccharides (specifically beta-glucans). Triterpenes are renowned for their calming effects on the nervous system and their ability to support healthy blood pressure and circulation. Meanwhile, the polysaccharides interact with immune cells, essentially training them to recognize threats better while preventing the inflammation associated with chronic stress. This dual-action makes Reishi a premier tonic for long-term vitality rather than a quick fix.

Natural Food Sources

Unlike spinach or oranges, Reishi is a functional mushroom. You won't find it pre-packaged at a standard grocer. It grows on decaying hardwood trees like oak or plum. For the average person, 'food sources' means incorporating Reishi preparations into your diet.

Edible Preparations:

• Reishi Tea/Decoction: Slicing the dried mushroom and simmering it for 2+ hours.
• Dual Extraction: Alcohol and water extracts used in tinctures (most effective for absorption).

Supplementation

If you cannot source the whole mushroom, extraction is key because the beneficial compounds are locked inside the tough chitin cell walls.

• Dosage: Look for extracts standardized to contain at least 30% polysaccharides or 10% triterpenes. A common daily dose is 1,000mg to 2,000mg of extract.
• Timing: Best taken in the evening to aid sleep, or split between morning and evening for stress management.