The Food of Emperors

During the last few years, we have become aware of a number of plants that, if cultivated in the correct conditions, and then concentrated in a standardised way, can have remarkable therapeutic effects. In some cases the plants have effects at least as powerful as drugs, with far fewer side effects or in some cases none at all.

In the past, the use of plants and herbs for control of disease was part of folklore, with observed beneficial effects being passed on from one generation to the next. Herbalists at this time had no scientific training. Then came the "scientists". These people analysed the herbs, and extracted single chemicals, or drugs, that were then researched and shown to have certain beneficial effects, some of them quite powerful. These chemicals pushed the herbs into the background, partly because the herbalists were not biochemists and could not explain in precise chemical terms the actions of the plants.

The drug producers ruled, producing their single chemical "cures", almost always accompanied by side effects, sometimes severe, sometimes fatal.

Now there is a new group of more advanced scientists. They understand the actions of individual chemicals, but they also understand the interactions with metabolic routes in the body, and the principle of “synergy” where various substances acting together greatly enhance the whole effect, but can also protect against the imbalances that cause some of the severe side effects of “conventional” drugs. They deal with numerous chemicals acting together – not just one at a time.

The real professionals are now studying plants; let us now deal with one of these plants.

The Reishi Mushroom

The Reishi mushroom, as with all plants and herbs, has a complex chemical structure that has been extensively analysed.

The main chemical groups identified are:

Polysaccharides

There are many of these, including beta-D-glucan, which help maintain bodily defence mechanisms, particularly within individual cells. They enhance the immune system in general, and have anti-allergic, antiviral and anti-tumour activities. They can have potent anti-inflammatory effects.

Triterpenoids

These substances can lower blood pressure by having ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitor effects similar to ACE inhibitor drugs. They also reduce blood triglycerides. They can also reduce histamine production, thus reducing allergic reactions, and can help protect the liver against toxins.

Nucleotides

This group includes adenosine and various alkaloids. The effects of these are important in energy production and heart condition, inhibition of platelet aggregation and blood clotting.

Organic Germanium

Has been found to have extremely high energy production capability, because of its ability to donate oxygen. (The active form is germanium sesquioxide, with six atoms of oxygen per molecule.) The energy produced can be used by the body for many different functions, helping general energy levels, immune function, tissue regeneration etc. It therefore has an adaptogenic effect. The germanium content of Reishi is considerably higher than that in ginseng.

LZ-8

This protein significantly reduces the production of the type of antibodies that cause excessive allergic reactions. It does not, however, entirely shut it down. It therefore has an immune-modulating effect, damping down excessive reactions to potential allergens. It is therefore helpful against auto-immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

Beneficial Effects

Because of the complexity of its chemistry, this plant can have beneficial effects against a wide range of physical problems. It is a powerful adaptogenic plant, having the same functions in this respect as the ginsengs and Rhodiola. Another important effect is as an immune modulator; it strengthens immune function but also damps down excessive reactions.

Because of these activities, Reishi can help in a number of health concerns:

Fatigue

including probably chronic fatigue syndrome. Chronic fatigue syndrome is partially caused by poor immune function, allowing viruses to be active. Reishi helps the immune system and also helps energy levels in general.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic

Reishi can have powerful anti-inflammatory effects, particularly in problems affecting the respiratory system such as asthma and bronchitis.

Auto-immune problems

Reishi can be very effective against auto-immune problems such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, where its anti-inflammatory effects work well with its immune modulating properties.

Cardiovascular system

Reishi can have beneficial effects on the entire cardiovascular system, reducing high blood pressure, increasing low blood pressure, helping heart conditions and improving circulation. It can help against strokes.

Liver and gastro-intestinal disorders

Reishi helps liver regeneration, guards against liver toxicity, and helps the digestive system in general, also helping against problems such as irritable bowel syndrome and “Leaky Gut” syndrome.

Reproductive system

Reishi can improve reproductive system dysfunction, both male and female.

Nervous system disorders

As with all adaptogenic plants, Reishi has a calming effect on the nervous system, and helps the adrenal glands to function, helping them to produce both anti-stress and anti-inflammatory hormones.

A detailed list of health concerns that this mushroom can help would probably be as follows:

¨    Irritability

¨    Depression

¨    Alzheimer's disease

¨    Chronic fatigue syndrome

¨    Altitude sickness

¨    Lack of concentration

¨    Rheumatoid arthritis

¨    High blood pressure

¨    Low blood pressure

¨    Irritable bowel syndrome

¨    Crohn's disease and colitis

¨    Angina

¨    Poor circulation in extremities

¨    Effects of stroke

¨    Poor digestion

¨    All problems caused by allergies

Note

There is another mushroom, shiitake, that many argue is as beneficial as reishi. As far as we can tell from all the information we can get, this is probably so.

The two mushrooms are similar in chemical makeup, but have slight differences that make them perform differently from each other for any particular health problem.

They should therefore work extremely well together, having strengths and weaknesses that blend well together as an efficient team.

Dosage

For best results, a total of 1500-3000mg of extract is recommended.

To buy any of these products, click this link: www.NationalNutrition.co.uk