Chinese Herbs - Reishi (Ganoderma Lucidum) to Boost Immune System and Prevent Cancer

The interest of the modern Western world on the wisdom of the ancient eastern Chinese herbal remedy as a complementary or alternative therapy is rising and gaining popularity because of its holistic approach, emphasis on quality of life and prevention of illness by strengthening and restoring the body's immune system.

Building a strong immune system is critical for the body to recognize and eliminate cancerous cells. Cancer is a disease resulting from uncontrolled defective cell division from damaged genes from any parts of the body. A weaker or impaired immunity will increase your susceptibility to various bacterial and virus infection, allergies, eczema, chronic fatigue, sickness and aging prematurely also.

Modern advanced technology and scientific research have helped to unlock the many preventive and healing secrets in Chinese herbs.

History of Ancient Herbal Remedy

Reishi (Ganoderma Lucidum) - is a mushroom commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine and traditional Japanese medicine. In Japan it is called Mannetake meaning 'thousand year mushroom'.

Its Chinese name is Lingzhi which means "herb of the spirit". It was a very rare and precious Chinese herb in ancient time and Emperors of the great Chinese dynasties and Japanese royalty drank teas and concoctions of Lingzhi for vitality and long life.

For over 2000 years Reishi mushroom has been the most cherished and sought after medicinal herb in Asia and rated as one of the superior herbs in the "Seng Nong's Herbal Classic", a 2000-year old medicinal Chinese book for:


its efficacy for multiple diseases
maintaining and restoring balance to the body's interdependent systems
safety in long-term consumption with no unfavorable side-effects
natural resistance of the body and longevity


The dried powder of reishi was popular as a cancer chemotherapy agent in ancient China. Research has shown that reishi clearly demonstrated anticancer activity with cancer cells and has possible therapeutic potential as a dietary supplement for an alternative therapy for breast and prostate cancer.

Medicinal mushrooms such as Ganoderma Lucidum (Reishi) and Cordyceps have well been documented in many recent scientific studies to be potent medicine to enhance and support the body's immune function from certain compounds in them such as polysaccharides which increase the activity of the body's natural killer cells(lymphocytes) that are vital to eliminate foreign cells(such as cancer cells).

Supporting research reports published in the Journal of Alternative Complement Med. 2003, Journal of Cancer Integrative Medicine 2004, International Journal of Oncology 2004, FASEB 2004 showed that reishi clearly:


demonstrates anticancer activity in experiments with cancer cells
protects the liver and improves liver functions
has possible therapeutic potential as a dietary supplement for an alternative therapy for breast and prostate cancer

Health Benefits of Reishi(Ganoderma Lucidum):


supports the body's own immune system by promoting the activity of antibodies
improves the body's resistance to stress and infections
balances stress response
reduces allergies
promotes healthy liver function
enhances the body's detoxifying process to off load toxins
inhibits invasiveness of breast and prostate cancer cells
supports a normal, restful sleep
enhances vitality and energy

Tips to select the Best Reishi


choose red reishi - it has the highest quality extract and has most scientific evaluations
choose those with cracked spores - which release the medicinal benefits and better absorbed by body
solid wood log cultivation - this determines the potency of the resulting fungus
look for Good Manufacturing Practice(GMP) standards - this ensures the stability of reishi active bio-components harvested
standardization of active constituents - the effectiveness of reishi lies in its polysaccharides and triterpenes contents

Many commercial preparations are available, such as extracts, dietary supplement, tinctures, dried fruiting bodies, teas and teabags, tonics and pills.

Elena Leong is a health enthusiast and adviser in holistic health, a certified Aromatherapist by International Federation of Aromatherapy UK(IFA) and the founder of http://www.1Menopause.com ? a website for women going through menopause. She has helped many to restore their health and vitality through holistic therapy and herbal nutrition supplement.

What is Ganoderma Lucidum and Can This Herb Help Boost Your Immune System?

Would it not be amazing to live your life in full health, not having to worry about issues like weight, blood pressure, stress and so on? Is there a way for healthy weight loss? Without even going through all the trouble, like weight watchers, spending hours upon hours in the gym buying those expensive programs. Only to discover that you keep paying for them each month but you have lost your motivation?

What if there are natural remedies to boost your immune system, to have way more energy? Ever asked yourself why the chemically created pills most of the time do not work or work in a way that you need another pill to reduce the effect of the first one? Not too long ago I discovered something that goes by the name of Ganoderma Lucidum or Reishi (in Japan, known to the Chinese as Lingzhi). After doing research on this red mushroom, I am glad I found this herb, which in fact is known in Asia as "The King of Herbs".

What is Ganoderma Lucidum?

Ganoderma Lucidum or Reishi (in Japan), known to the Chinese as Lingzhi and Yeongji in Korea, is a red mushroom. Also known as 'The Herb of spiritual potency' or the '10,000 year mushroom'. Because of it's health benefits and absence of side effects it is considered to be the ultimate herbal mushroom.

It is hard to grow them in another climate then the tropics and it also takes knowledge of how to harvest them and understanding the process of using this herb to its full capacity. The mushroom itself tastes very bitter, not a motivation for many people to go and try it, although this medicinal mushroom can have huge health benefits for the human body.

The herb helps your body to be in balance. It has a wonderful effect on your body's organ functions especially the liver and the lungs (helps people with asthma and respiratory system problems). Ganoderma protects body from diseases as well as disorders. This magical mushroom is effective for all age groups, no exception.

Research

Scientific research has shown that this bitter tasting mushroom has a high percentage of the following four components (which will boost the immune system):

-organic germanium (this increases oxygen absorption on a cell level)
-triterpenes (builder,makes the digestive system,liver and heart muscles stronger)
-polysaccharides (cleanser, which enhances your natural healing ability. Also improves the functioning of the pancreas)
-Adenosine (regulator, controls cholesterol, balances hormones and endocrine and pH of your blood)

Conclusion

Ganoderma Lucidum is probably the most magical herb known to mankind so far. The natural ingredients in the herb have astonished many researchers but also people who started using this herb (infused in arabica coffee beans powder ) Increased vitality, energy levels and a real boost for the immune system.

Even though it is bitter of taste, once infused, with for example gourmet coffee (arabica beans with hardly any caffein in it), it tastes wonderful and gives heavy coffee drinkers a very healthy alternative too.

Being a heavy coffee drinker, I discovered the many benefits of drinking coffee infused with the Ganoderma Lucidum herb compared to drinking 'unhealthy' regular coffee. I have created a website called The Healthy Coffee Club check it out and come on over to have a healthy cup of coffee and a nice chat! Live healthier!