Reishi Vs Chaga Mushroom: The Myths and the Benefits You Should Be Aware Of

There is a pretty much fair chance that you have already heard about the wonders mushrooms can do to your body. Taking mushroom supplements for immune boosting and other health benefits has become a common thing today. However, the world of mushroom is vast and mushrooms can be both poisonous and lifesavers. This can indicate the level of complexity related to choosing the perfect mushrooms to consume. To ease the burden, here we will talk about the two best medicinal mushrooms consumed all over the world with proven health benefits. Reishi vs Chaga mushroom powder – two most popular medicinal mushrooms in the fungi world.

Reishi Mushroom

Reishi Mushroom is one of the most popular medicinal mushrooms. The exceptional medicinal benefits of reishi mushrooms have been recognized by us since ancient times. For its supernatural medicinal benefits, it has earned the name ‘Mushroom of Immortality’ and “Spirit Plants.” Reishi mushrooms can be found in the wild on the dead or hard trees, such as oak or palm trees. Unlike other mushroom plants, reishi mushroom dies and grows back every year through its mycelium, which it establishes into the tree. No wonder why the Chinese Emperor Ti of the Chin Dynasty sent his large fleet of ships to bring him the Reishi Mushroom.

When I heard that in Chinese Materia Medica (Ancient Chinese Herbology Encyclopedia), reishi mushroom is more praised than the legendary Ginseng plant, I had no more ground to doubt the capability of reishi mushroom. Now let us see what health benefits reishi mushroom has to offer.

Reishi Mushroom Health Benefits

There are numerous benefits of the mushroom of immortality, including its extraordinary anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-oxidant properties. It has more than 400 bioactive compounds that deliver a lot of medicinal utilities. The health benefits of reishi mushroom powder are explained below:

1. Anti Inflammation Properties

Reishi mushroom has extraordinary anti-inflammatory properties. In some research studies, it has been found that taking reishi mushrooms helps reduce the inflammation process by altering the inflammation pathways in white blood cells.

2. Fights Cancer Cells

One of the main benefits that made reishi mushroom so popular is its cancer-fighting abilities. Reishi mushroom is full of antioxidant and other bioactive properties that help reduce the cancer cells in our body. In a study that involved the participation of over 4500 breast cancer and prostate cancer survivors, it has been found that 63% of those survivors actually consumed reishi mushrooms.

3. Immune Booster

Reishi mushroom is recognized as one of the most famous immune-boosting foods out there. Although there is no sufficient scientific data to prove its immune boosting capabilities, in a test tube study it was found that reishi mushroom can improve the DNA and the immune system of our body.

In another study, it was also found that taking reishi mushroom has a positive effect on lymphocyte function which fights infection and anxiety. However, more research and scientific data are needed to prove this claim.

4. Fights Anxiety & Depression

When it comes to reishi mushroom, its psychoactive effects on our brain are often overlooked for its other health benefits. Reishi Mushroom can help improve your cognitive function and fight off anxiety and depressions.

5. Anti Aging Properties

Reishi Mushroom is full of antioxidants which can help slow down our body’s aging process. Antioxidants are the molecules that can help reduce cell damage.

6. Reduces Clogged Arteries

Early research found that taking reishi mushrooms orally can help improve the cholesterol and blood sugar level in our body. Taking some specific reishi mushrooms like Ganopoly can help reduce the symptoms of clogged arteries and chest pain, making them beneficial for heart just like heart supplements.

Reishi Mushroom Dosage

The dosage amount of reishi mushroom depends on various factors, like the user’s age, medical history, and many other factors. There is no conclusive scientific evidence to determine the safe dosage of reishi mushroom. You should follow relevant product description or instruction or your doctor’s advice before trying this mushroom. Keep in mind that natural products are not inherently safe for consumption just because they are natural.

How to Prepare Reishi Mushroom?

If you don’t know yet, let me tell you that you are not going to like the taste of reishi mushroom. It has a strong, bitter taste. To prepare reishi mushroom you have to boil 1 liter of water first. Then add 1 tablespoon of reishi mushroom extract powder or reishi mushroom to the water and simmer it for about 2 hours. This mushroom has a pungent and bitter flavor, so you may want to add honey or sugar or any sweeteners of your like.

Side Effects of Reishi Mushroom

Taking dietary reishi mushroom supplement is considered safe. However, consuming reishi mushroom in powder form is often associated with the liver problem. There are no side effects of reishi mushroom supplements in general. Nonetheless, some users have reported mouth dryness, itchiness, and nosebleed. It can trigger allergies if you breathe in reishi spores.

Chaga Mushroom

Do you know that Tsar Vladimir Monomakh, the ruler of Russia in the 12th century used Chaga mushroom to cure his lip cancer? Isn’t it fascinating? Chaga mushroom is unique among all the fungal plants out there. It has so many health benefits that it is called the king of all mushrooms. Chaga mushroom contains a good amount of betulinic acid, one of the most effective antioxidants.

Chaga mushrooms can be found in the wild on the trees looking like a dark spot or burnt wood. They are rare to spot since they initially grow inside the tree, creating a symbiotic relationship with the tree. They can take a long period of time to grow outside the tree. Chaga mushrooms can be large as a coconut.

Chaga Mushroom Health Benefits

In comparison to reishi vs chaga mushrooms, the Chaga mushroom is considered the king of the mushroom world. The health benefits of Chaga mushroom are described below:

1. Fights and Prevents Cancer Cells

Chaga mushroom is well known for its cancer-fighting capabilities. Test tube study and several animal studies have confirmed its miracle capabilities of fighting off cancer cells. A test tube study has also proven that consuming Chaga extracts regularly can help stop the growth of cancer cells in the human liver. It is believed that the abundance of antioxidants makes Chaga mushroom so potent against cancer cells.

2.Immune Booster

Chaga mushroom is one of the super immune boosting foods you can get on the market. It is considered the prince of the mushroom world for its extraordinary immune boosting capabilities. It can relieve you from flu, cold, and other regular diseases.

3. Anti Aging Agent

The visible signs of aging, such as sagging skin, wrinkles, and grey hair are caused by oxidative stress. Various types of pollution, exposure to sunlight, and other types of cell damages accelerate this aging process. The antioxidant and anti-fungal properties of Chaga mushroom help slow down this aging process. You can try Chaga mushroom tea to enjoy these health benefits.

4. Lower Blood Sugar & Lower Cholesterol Level

Regular consumption of Chaga mushroom extracts has proven to be helpful in maintaining low blood sugar and cholesterol level. In an animal study involving mice with high cholesterol levels, Chaga mushroom extracts have proven to reduce bad LDL cholesterols.

How to Prepare Chaga Mushroom?

You can prepare Chaga mushroom for consumption in two ways, as a tea or as a latte.

a) Preparation As a Tea:
Boil 1 liter of water first. Then take a handful of Chaga mushroom extracts into the water and simmer it for 15-20 minutes. Your Chaga tea is ready to be enjoyed with subtle vanilla and maple notes.

b) Preparation As a Latte:
To enjoy Chaga mushroom as a latte, first make 1 cup of Chaga mushroom tea according to the above-mentioned way. Then bring the tea to a boil with a few pieces of clove, 1 cinnamon stick, fresh ginger root, and black peppercorns. Simmer it for 5 minutes and add ½ cup of milk. Your spicy Chaga mushroom extracts latte is ready to enjoy.

Side Effects of Chaga Mushroom

Chaga mushroom is considered safe for regular consumption. However, it has a protein substance that prevents blood from clotting. If you are a diabetic patient or pregnant you should not consume Chaga mushroom extracts without consulting your doctor.

Both Reishi and Chaga mushroom powder is super beneficial to health. Both of them are able to help boost your immune system. However, reishi mushroom has a bitter taste than Chaga mushroom extracts. So if you don’t have the strong stomach to consume it Chaga mushroom would be a safer option for you. Otherwise, you can select either of them or both together for optimum health benefits.