samedi 18 mai 2013

Basic Facts On Ganoderma Lucidum Coffee

By Kathryn Neal


Ganoderma lucidum coffee is prepared from the red mushroom. This mushroom is called Lingzhi in China or Reishi in Japan. It was a commonly used herb in Chinese traditional medicine as a dietary supplement. The drink (mainly known by its Japanese name) has gained a lot of popularity in Asia and is also receiving a very good reception in many places across the world. The main constituents of the mushroom are polysaccharides, sterols, lipids, alkaloids, glucosides, proteinase and ascorbic acid among others.

There are a number of types of the mushroom that have been identified. They include the yellow, black, blue, red, white, purple and yellow types. Red Reishi is the most widely used due to its high potency as regards medical benefits. The use of Reishi was limited in the past by the difficulties of cultivation and the rarity of this mushroom species. New methods were unveiled in the 1970s and the beverage made a comeback.

It is believed that Reishi has many medical benefits. Persons that have used it for long say that it has effects for both acute and chronic conditions. For instance, the mushroom strengthens the immune system and helps the body fight off infections. A boost in the immunity comes about due to increased production of some protective chemicals. The most important of these are interleukin 1 and 2.

Other than fighting infections, interleukins also play a role in the control of cancers. They prevent the growth of cancerous cells which effectively leads to tumour shrinkage and alleviation of symptoms. Breast cancer is an example of tumours that could potentially benefit if the results of animal studies are anything to go by. The coffee is also said to reduce detoxification levels which also improves immunity.

Although most studies are yet to be concluded, the future is promising. Red Reishi is referred to as an adaptogen. In other words, it helps the body to adjust and to mobilize its defence mechanisms when under attack by disease. Other potential benefits include help with weight loss, lowering of cholesterol, improvement of memory, relief of stress, control of allergies, increase of stamina and reversal of aging among others.

There are a number of side effects seen with ordinary coffee but not with Reishi. Ordinary coffee, for instance, decreases the amount of vital alkaline minerals found in the body. These include potassium, calcium and magnesium. The amount of water soluble vitamin B is also greatly reduced. The result of all these is increased acidity in the body. The ordinary drink also impacts negatively on adrenal glands and energy stores.

The safety of the drug is not well known. However, its consumption is associated with a number of side effects that include dryness of throat, dry nose and nausea. It may interact with drugs such as blood thinners and drugs used for chemotherapy. Excessive consumption may also lead to increased levels of caffeine in the body which are in turn associated with increased heart rate, stomach upset, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.

The evidence that is supporting the use of ganoderma lucidum coffee for treatment of medical conditions is still not strong enough. More research is required if the coffee is to be used in place of the conventional therapies. If one feels that they need to take the beverage alongside other treatment modalities, there is need to consult a physician.




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