Everything you need to know about the Reishi mushroom that helps lower blood pressure
Ganoderma Lucidum is among the foods that lower blood pressure, also known as Lingzhi or Reishi mushroom, it is a tannin rich, coriaceous mushroom that grows on decaying wood, mainly oak or chestnut, and has been used all over the world for centuries. This mushroom has effects that help boost the immune system and control blood pressure levels.
A study on the mushroom resulted in 18 cases of high blood pressure being cured with Ganoderma Lucidum extract, with a success rate of up to 88.9%. The reishi mushroom’s ability to lower blood pressure was also confirmed by a later study, which used Ganoderma Lucidum to cure 30 cases of high blood pressure with a success rate of 88.3%.
Furthermore, Ganoderma Lucidum has been observed to extend and stabilize the effect of a blood pressure reduction. Research supports many uses of this mushroom, which is often even used by mountaineers to treat altitude sickness, thanks to its ability to favor oxygenation.
It is estimated to contain over 200 active ingredients. Among these are beta-glucans, which increase the sensation of satiety, favor gut flora and lower blood sugar and cholesterol, as well as triterpenes, which mitigate allergic reactions, improve cell metabolism and favor hepatic function. The mushroom has anti-allergic and immunostimulant properties, as well as an antidepressant and relaxant effect.
These properties are due to the action of a variety of substances found in the mushroom, namely cytotoxic triterpenoids (eg. ganoderic acids), polysaccharides and their protein complexes, and especially the high concentration of germanium, an important element with an antitumor effect, which improves oxygenation of the blood. As well as lowering blood pressure, Reishi also helps lower cholesterol levels, improves circulatory function, stabilizes red blood cell membranes, lowers blood glucose levels and improves pancreatic function. It also lowers the likelihood of blood clot formation and prevents thrombi, decreasing the probability of myocardial infarction and stroke, it reduces blood pressure levels and slows down the aging process, maintaining the skin looking young and healthy, thanks to its antioxidants. Ganoderma alleviates the side effects of anti-hypertensive drugs, reduces anxiety, helps cure hepatic lesions and is used as a natural remedy for migraines, nephritis, rheumatism, insomnia, acne, ulcers and more. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and favors the physical and mental wellbeing of pregnant women, all while helping to prevent Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Looking for other food that lowers blood pressure? Discover the benefits of egg whites for blood pressure reduction, the effects of cinnamon on blood sugar and blood pressure, gazpacho and many more.
The scientific articles below:
- Ganoderma lucidum mushroom for the treatment of cardiovascular risk factors (Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Feb 17;2:CD007259) http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD007259.pub2/full
- Anti-angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) proteins from mycelia of Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst. (BMC Complement Altern Med. 2013 Oct 4;13:256) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3852974/
- Study of potential cardioprotective effects of Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi): results of a controlled human intervention trial (Br J Nutr. 2012 Apr;107(7):1017-27)
http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayFulltext?type=6&fid=8525285&jid=BJN&volumeId=107&issueId=07&aid=8525284&bodyId=&membershipNumber=&societyETOCSession=&fulltextType=RA&fileId=S0007114511003795 - Effect of Ganoderma lucidum spores intervention on glucose and lipid metabolism gene expression profiles in type 2 diabetic rats (Lipids Health Dis. 2015 May 22;14:49)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4443549/