What is a Reishi Mushroom?
Reishi mushrooms are a fungus that grows mainly on trees. It can be identified by its rainbow-shaped exterior, light edges and darker center near the stem. This mushroom grows best in hot and humid climates. For years, reishi has been an essential component in eastern medical practices. Functional mushrooms like reishi are loaded with a number of vital nutrients that can be difficult to get anywhere else. Their high concentration makes them a great adaptogen option.
Benefits of Reishi Mushrooms
Reishi mushrooms are loaded with an abundance of benefits, including:
- Immunity boost
Consuming reishi mushrooms on a daily basis can help increase your white blood cell count. White blood cells fight off infection in the body naturally, when you are sick, you will heal faster if your white blood cells are boosted.
- Antioxidants
Antioxidants are naturally found in foods and our bodies. They help keep dangerous free radicals at bay. Free radicals are responsible for mutating healthy cells.
- Help fight depression
One researcher found that after eight weeks of dosing reishi mushrooms, they had improved well being and reduced levels of anxiety.
One of the speculated benefits is that reishi helps you sleep. So, do they?
Do Reishi Mushrooms Help You Sleep?
Not in the same way as melatonin does, but reishi mushrooms can indeed help you sleep better. Melatonin makes you drowsy and encourages your body to sleep. On the other hand, reishi mushrooms support stress relief and calmness in the body. You may find that it’s easier to fall asleep faster without a racing mind. You will be able to enjoy a much more restful night’s sleep and wake up refreshed the morning after. So, while reishi mushrooms may not directly help you sleep, they help manage underlying reasons that you would find it hard to fall and stay asleep. But, you can absolutely consume reishi day or night and be able to carry on with your day as normal.
Where to Find Reishi Mushrooms
Reishi mushrooms can be found naturally in humid climates in east Asia. In western countries, it can be difficult to find and get your hands on the fresh fungus. Not to mention, reishi mushrooms tend to be bitter and tougher to chew. Instead, many times, reishi mushrooms are ground up into powders and consumed via capsule or the powder is mixed into different dishes.
Looking to get your hands on some reishi? Find it included in every single one of the rekemend blends. Take two capsules daily and start enjoying the benefits!