Did you know that two-thirds of UK adults suffer from disrupted sleep and nearly a quarter manage no more than 5 hours each night? According to the latest figures, there has also been a sharp rise in anxiety-related insomnia, as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic and living in lockdown. Along with severe fatigue and poor mental health, a lack of sleep can also contribute to several health conditions including obesity, heart disease and diabetes. But what can be done about it?
While some turn to sleeping pills, others try meditation. There’s no right or wrong answer - it’s about what works best for you. But if you’re keen to take a natural approach to treating insomnia, you may be interested to hear the benefits of Reishi mushroom for sleep.
Reishi is a fascinating fungus that grows at the base of deciduous trees in hot and humid environments. Known for its sleep boosting abilities, it’s been a staple in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine for centuries and used primarily as a treatment for insomnia.
This type of medicinal mushroom is an adaptogen, which means it has the ability to help the human body cope better with mental and physical stresses. It is believed to promote better quality sleep by reducing feelings of stress and having a calming effect on the central nervous system. Additionally, Reishi is a rich source of antioxidants, which help to improve the balance of our biological systems and reduce fatigue.
Studies have shown that taking Reishi mushroom supplements has the greatest impact on non-REM sleep (light sleep). This is a necessary phase to achieving natural REM (deep) sleep and waking up feeling rejuvenating.
We recommend taking our 100% pure and natural Reishi mushroom powder in the evening before you go to bed. Drinking a traditional Reishi mushroom tea will regulate your natural cycles and help you relax into a deeper state of rest and recovery. Additionally, Reishi mushroom extract may benefit your yoga practise by inducing feelings of calmness and helping you finding a state of balance.
While you might be most interested in Reishi mushroom for sleep benefits, there are several other ways the medicinal mushroom can improve your overall health too.
In Ancient texts, Reishi is revered as an elixir of immortality. It is also considered a source of luck and a symbol of healing in Chinese culture. Thanks to its polysaccharides, beta-glucans and rich antioxidant content, Reishi mushroom powder may help to:
More reading: Antioxidant Power and DNA Repair Effects of Reishi Medicinal Mushroom & Immune Modulation From Five Major Mushrooms
Several studies have examined Reishi mushroom as a cancer treatment. One small study in the Journal of Oncology found that tumours shrunk in 3 cancer patients taking Reishi mushroom supplements. It is thought that the beta-glucans in Reishi mushrooms prevent new blood vessel growth and, therefore, prevent new cancer cells from developing.
Reishi mushroom has also been studied as an aid in the prevention of breast and prostate cancer. In Asia, it is used as an alternative treatment for cancer and is often prescribed in addition to chemotherapy.
You may be surprised to hear that Reishi mushroom is commonly used as an ingredient in skincare products. The medicinal mushroom is thought to be deeply hydrating and detoxifying, thanks to its long chains of antioxidant glucose molecules. In addition to boosting the skin's moisture content, it may also help to tackle redness, fine lines and wrinkles.
Sun damage is an external stress that affects the skin and can lead to cell damage, brown spots and other signs of ageing. As an adaptogen, Reishi reacts to this stress by replenishing the body’s natural ceramides to create a protective barrier on the skin.
When it comes to buying Reishi mushrooms online, it’s important to do your research. Knowledge is power in the world of health supplements and will help ensure you buy a 100% natural and authentic product. Our advice is to avoid cheap wholesalers and instead look for a brand with credibility.
Mountainlife is a family-run business with customers' needs at heart. We currently offer 2 different types of Reishi mushroom supplements; a Reishi mushroom powder and a high strength Reishi extract powder.
Our Reishi mushrooms are di tao sourced from the Wuyi Mountains in China. They are then ground down to produce a fine micro-powder, rich in polysaccharides, beta-glucans and a wide range of vitamins and minerals. The powder is 100% Reishi mushroom only (no fillers or binders) and of Chinese Medicinal Quality.
For even greater polysaccharide and beta-glucan content, you’ll want to try our high strength Reishi mushroom extract. The fruiting body of the Reishi mushroom is dual extracted using a Traditional Chinese method. This controls the temperature (to maintain all of the goodness inside) and creates a fine micro-powder containing at least 30% polysaccharides and 20% beta-glucans. Again, it’s a 100% natural Reishi mushroom powder, free from binders, fillers and other nasties.
Traditionally, Reishi mushrooms are steeped in hot water and enjoyed as a tea. You can do the same with Mountainlife Reishi Mushroom Powder. Simply add ½ tsp (2g) to hot water (not boiling) and drink up!
The taste of Reishi can be quite bitter and woody so you might prefer to add it to a superfood smoothie or even coffee. Just remember that if your coffee contains caffeine, the Reishi mushroom for sleep benefits won’t be anywhere near as effective!
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading about Reishi mushroom for sleep improvements and the many other health benefits of this potent medicinal mushroom.
Browse our site and you'll see we offer a full range of medicinal mushroom powders, high strength extracts and mushroom complex supplements. Check out our other blog posts to find out more about the health-boosting mushroom offerings from Mountainlife.
Comments will be approved before showing up.
Did you know that an estimated 500 million people meditate worldwide?
For thousands of years, meditation served as a means to find inner peace and interconnection between the mind, body and spirit. During Shamanic rituals in Siberia, meditation is closely linked to spirituality, enlightenment and opening the mind to greater possibilities.
Most people avoid cold showers like the plague, so the thought of cold water swimming might seem like a baffling idea. But did you know there are several physical and mental health benefits of cold water swimming?