Introduction
Anyone who takes time to do some independent research, or is in the care of a wise and compassionate doctor, will discover there are many natural medicines that have been used historically to successfully prevent and cure disease throughout the world. Many have been prescribed to alleviate spiritual, psycho-noetical (heart-mind) and physical suffering for hundreds, and sometimes thousands of years. In fact, perhaps longer, but we have no written records or artifacts to document this.
Today we will take a look at the medicinal mushroom, Lingzhi (Chinese) or Reishi (Japanese), known as the ‘Mushroom of Immortality’ or the ‘Elixir of Life’.
Lingzhi is written as a combination of the Chinese characters for ‘spiritual potency’ and ‘essence of immortality’. In addition to its physical benefits, this medicinal mushroom has a long history of being ingested to foster spiritual growth and development. It has been used by sages, saints, internal arts masters, healers and martial artists in order to heighten mental focus, increase will power, maintain emotional balance, and increase vitality, stamina and strength.
Shen Nong, a famous herbalist of the Shu Dynasty, stated some 2,400 years ago: “If eaten customarily, it makes your body light and young, lengthens your life, and turns you into one like the immortal who never dies.”
Preventive Health
Multiple sources can be accessed providing information on the preventive health benefits of Lingzhi (Reishi) Mushrooms from the modern scientific standpoint. We have chosen to include the following to be found on Dr. Axe’s website:
“Over the past several decades, dozens of different studies conducted in Japan, China, the U.S. and the U.K. have demonstrated that reishi mushrooms are capable of offering protection against numerous diseases or illnesses, including:
- inflammation
- fatigue (including chronic fatigue syndrome)
- frequent infections (urinary tract, bronchitis, respiratory infections, etc.)
- liver disease
- food allergies and asthma
- digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome
- tumor growth and cancer
- skin disorders
- autoimmune disorders
- diabetes
- viruses, including the flu, HIV/AIDS or hepatitis
- heart disease, hypertension, high blood pressure and high cholesterol
- sleep disorders and insomnia
- anxiety and depression”
Curative Health
In traditional East Asian medicines, Lingzhi (Reishi) Mushrooms are prescribed to address acute and chronic manifestations of the diseases and disorders listed above.
Safety of Lingzhi (Reishi) Mushrooms
These medicinal mushrooms are safe and well-tolerated by most people. They have been used for thousands of years with few side effects ever recorded.
Dr. Axe mentions: “On occasion, some mild digestive upset and skin rashes may occur, but these side effects seem to go away and are typically only a threat in sensitive people with impaired immune systems.”
Some Counter-Indications
- Lingzhi (Reishi) mushrooms stimulate the immune system and should never be taken by those who are on immunosuppressant drugs.
- Those taking pharmaceutical medicines should consult their prescriber(s) before using to avoid possible adverse interactions.
- Pregnant and nursing mothers should consult their primary care provider before using.
Spiritual, Energetic and Physical Potency
Quality of seed; cultivation site (environing air, water and soil qi); sowing, harvesting, storage and distribution methods all impact the quality of the medicinal mushroom. The quality of the human beings involved in the entire process from farm to table also significantly influence quality. These factors hold true for all natural and alchemical medicines, as well as for the food you eat.
The factors enumerated above also indicate why so many pharmaceutical medicines, foods grown ‘conventionally’, synthetic-chemical-laden processed foods, and meats produced by cruel animal husbandry practices have so many toxic side effects.
Conclusion
It becomes all the more important for a health-conscious individual to prioritize maintaining and sustaining one’s health when social and environmental conditions provide significant stressors to his or her spiritual, mental-emotional and physical health and well-being. We are living in such a time.
Lingzhi (Reishi) mushrooms provide multiple preventive and curative medical benefits. They are safe, effective and have few, if any, side effects.
If you are suffering from a serious acute or chronic illness, are taking potent pharmaceutical medicines, or are pregnant or nursing, you will want to consult your primary healthcare provider before adding these medicinal mushrooms to your health maintenance practices.
You are invited to contact me for an exploratory chat/discovery call to see how the Heilpraxis Contrada’s multimodal offerings can assist you in improving your health; increasing your vitality, stamina and strength; and elevating your quality of life.
To your spiritual, mental, psychic and physical health,
Joseph Michael Contrada
- Heilpraktiker (Lic. German Medical and Psychotherapy Provider) specializing in Nutrition, Herbalism, Western Alchemical Medicine, Anthroposophic Medicine, Ayurveda, and Chinese Medicine
- Spiritual Healer and Energy Therapist
- Qi Gong, Nei Gong and Shen Gong Instructor
- Indian Yogas Instructor
- Christian Minister
- Social and Environmental Educator and Healer
Copyright © 2020-1 Heilpraxis Contrada | Naturheilpraxis Contrada, Joseph Michael Contrada, Owner and Heilpraktiker. All rights reserved.
Re(sources):
“Maximizing the Effects of Lingzhi”
https://www.euyansang.com/en_US/maximising-the-effects-of-lingzhi/eysherbslingzhi2.html
“The Power of Medicinal Mushrooms”
https://www.euyansang.com/en_US/maximising-the-effects-of-lingzhi/eysherbslingzhi2.html
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, “Reishi Mushroom”
https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/reishi-mushroom
Dr. Axe, “Reishi Mushroom: Fight Cancer, Boost Immunity & Improve Liver Detox”
https://draxe.com/nutrition/reishi-mushroom/