Top 3 Ways Reishi Mushrooms Boost Your Immunity
The great Audre Lorde once said, "I have come to believe that caring for myself is not self-indulgent. Caring for myself is an act of survival." Wunderground takes self-care seriously and believes supporting your immune system is one of the best ways to care for yourself. Luckily, you can do this naturally in many ways—including one of our favorites: Reishi mushrooms.
Reishi mushrooms have been a focus of traditional Chinese medicine dating back two thousands years. Western science is discovering what the ancient healers already knew about this centuries-old tonic: Reishi comes packed with adaptogens and antioxidants that help keep your immune system in tip-top shape.
When science agrees with ancient medicine about the benefits of Reishi fungi…well, you have to check it out!
We've been using these adaptogenic mushrooms in our craft roasted, organic, good-for-you coffee. So we've gathered everything you need to know about the immune system-boosting Reishi mushroom and how its wunderful properties can help your health!
Here are the top 3 ways Reishi mushrooms boost your immunity:
Stress Less: Reishi Helps Your Immune System Cope
Stress is a tricky thing. It can sneak up on you when you least expect it, and it's usually not something you can shrug off. Even worse, if you're stressed, your immune system is probably taking a hit. Unfortunately, you're leaving yourself open to the dreaded cold, flu, or worse!
Several studies show stress as one of the primary causes of lowered immune systems—including a study by the renowned Suzanne C. Segerstrom and Gregory E. Miller. So how do Reishi mushrooms come in? They're adaptogens!
Merriam-Webster defines adaptogens as "a nontoxic substance and especially a plant (or fungi!) extract that is held to increase the body's ability to resist the damaging effects of stress and promote or restore normal physiological functioning."
In simple terms? Reishi mushrooms are a great ally in helping you fight the effects of stress, which keeps your immune system strong.
A Balancing Act: Banish Inflammation With Reishi
In an article by Harvard Medical School, they acknowledge "inflammation plays an important role in the development of many diseases." But what causes the inflammation in the first place? An immune system that's not functioning correctly.
Studies show that Reishi mushrooms contain triterpenoids, or "structural steroids," which include the ganoderic acids and support their anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, triterpenoids nourish your immune system and keep it balanced so that your body doesn't have an overactive or underactive response—a balancing act for the ages!
While you don't get to physically see Resihi working its magic, people that consume Reishi regularly notice its inflammation-banishing, immune-boosting effects with prolonged use. Talk about a win-win!
Skip The Sniffles: Reishi's Antiviral Benefits
Got the latest bug that's been floating around? We all know how miserable that can be. So instead of spending the entire day in the bathroom, give yourself a fighting chance with the antiviral properties of Reishi mushrooms.
Reishi mushrooms are naturally antiviral, having over 400 bioactive compounds, including triterpenoids, polysaccharides, nucleotides, sterols, steroids, fatty acids, and peptides. All these potent antivirals in Reishi mushrooms unite to fight any pesky germs you might have encountered.
Beyond being effective against colds and flu viruses, medical professionals boast Reishi's benefits for other severe viral infections such as herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), Epstein Barr virus (EBV), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), and even HIV! Remember, you should always consult and take the advice of your medical services provider's advice to ensure it is right for you.
Brewing Up a Cup of Immune Support:
Hocus Pocus from Wunderground
With all the advantages of Reishi mushrooms, it's no wonder they've been a staple in traditional medicine for centuries. Their adaptogenic and anti-inflammatory effects make them an excellent ally for your immune system. At the same time, their antiviral properties give them a powerful punch against viruses.
But like any good thing, it takes time to reap the benefits. So to get those benefits from Reishi, you have to blend them into your daily routine—and drinking them in your coffee is a simple and tasty way to do this!
Our Hocus Pocus coffee features a potent dose of Reishi (and Chaga!) that are not only good for your immune system—it also tastes delicious! Plus, all Wunderground coffee beans come from sustainable organic smallholder farms. Hocus Pocus specifically is a single origin from Honduras, roasted medium to bring notes of chocolate to a balanced cup. Tastes great, well sourced to help you feel and perform better.
Mush Love!
