Reishi mushroom, also known as red reishi or lingzhi, is a fungus with a long history of use in traditional medicine in Asia. It is well known for its calming effects, often used to treat anxiety and insomnia. Reishi also has a wide range of health benefits, including improving kidney function, boosting the immune system, and fighting cancer, which is why it is often used as a health supplement, especially for cancer patients.
The benefits of reishi mushroom
In traditional Chinese medicine, reishi has a number of benefit the heart, lungs, and liver, helping with digestive issues, asthma, cough, and insomnia. Reishi strengthens the immune system, and for cancer patients, it can help reduce tumour size and relieve discomfort caused by chemotherapy.
Reishi is also a powerful antioxidant, which helps fight aging. For men, it improves kidney function and sexual health. For the general public, reishi boosts immunity, enhances sleep quality, and reduces fatigue.
It helps manage blood pressure and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, it assists in lowering cholesterol levels, improving heart health.
Cooking tips for reishi mushroom
Reishi is often used in soups or herbal teas, with its slightly bitter, cooling taste pairing well with many ingredients to enhance the nutritional value. Here are a few common ways to cook reishi.
- Reishi soup – It is suggested to slice reishi into thin pieces. It is usually to cook for at least 1 hour but no longer than 2 hours to avoid making the soup overly rich and thick.
- Reishi tea – It is suggested to boil thin slices of reishi to make a simple tea. This is great for supplement use, helping to relieve stress and improve sleep.
- Stir-fry – It is good to cut reishi into thin slices or strips and stir-fry with other ingredients. The bitterness will be balanced by the flavours of the other ingredients, so you can enjoy the taste while getting reishi’s health benefits.
How to reduce reishi’s bitterness
Reishi’s bitterness mainly comes from its outer skin. To reduce bitterness, it is suggested to gently peel off the outer layer using a small knife, being careful not to damage the texture of the mushroom. Once it is peeled, the inside is softer and has a sweeter taste.
Reishi cooking time
In traditional medicine, reishi is known for its calming properties. However, cooking it for too long (more than 2 hours) can make soups overly nourishing, which might not be suitable for everyone. It is good to keep an eye on cooking time to avoid any unwanted effects.
Reishi is a powerful supplement for antioxidant support, immune enhancement, and better sleep. However, like any food, moderation and finding the right balance for your body are key to achieving the best health results. In addition to being used in medicinal soups or gourmet dishes, we can also benefit from reishi’s nutrients through reishi-based supplements available in the market.
While reishi offers many health benefits, it may not be suitable for everyone. If you have any medical conditions, are taking medication or want to take it daily, it is highly suggested to consult your doctor before using reishi to ensure it is right for you.
