Reishi Mushroom is a tonic herb par excellence which has been employed to build spiritual energy, modulate the immune function, while promoting health, longevity, and confidence. The Chinese name for Reishi is Ling Zhi, which basically means Spirit Herb. The classic Chinese Medical text called Shen Nong’s Classic of the Materia Medica claimed of reishi: “Long term consumption of Reishi mushroom will lighten the body and forestall ageing, extend one’s life, and make one an immortal.”

Reishi mushroom usually has a bitter earthbound flavor and this is typically due to its rich concentration of triterpenes and polysaccharides.

Triterpenes are a grouping of active natural compounds found in most plants. As with most beneficial substances in plants, it protects the plant from microbial infection. However in the human body triterpenes are believed to reinforce digestion, improve allergies, and fight soreness.

The triterpenes found in reishi mushroom are generally believed to play numerous vital roles for the well being of human body by being antifungal, antiseptic, and antiviral. These triterpenes also helps to improve elevated blood pressure and balance blood lipids. Some studies have also shown that these chemicals are involved in transmitting nerve impulses to the brain’s cortex and therefore can help in reinforcing all central nerve system functions. These chemicals are also thought to modulate the action of body hormones and maintains stability among various body systems.

A polysaccharide is basically a long chain sugar molecule, which is unique for two reasons. First off it is bitter in taste due to its long chain chemical structure, unlike the other sugars like fructose or sucrose, which are awfully sweet to the taste, have a very limited action in the body, and also have a very short chain chemical structure. These polysaccharides are also unique because they plug into receptor sites on immune cells and from there help the immune system to do its job more effectively and efficiently. Its vital to note that this isn't an immune stimulate or immune depressant effect but more so immuno-regulation or balancing.

What this implies is that these herbs don't simply stimulate or depress the immune system like many other immuno-influencing herbs. These herbs really balance and modulate the immune response, or in the other words these herbs can help the immunological system where it needs aiding. So if there's an area, which is under active, it can bring it back up to balance. If there's an area that is over active, it can essentially calm that back down to balance. This demonstrates that these herbs are extremely intelligent and worthy of the title adaptogens because they not only help us adjust to stress, but they also intelligently and gently attune to the current level of homeostasis in the body.

This is favorable and important for a profusion of reasons. One of them being the incontrovertible fact that pathogen and bacteria are intelligent organisms, which are continually developing and changing. So keeping this under consideration it might seem clever to consume things, which can keep our immune response powerful and balanced. Secondly, we are continually being exposed to stressors and poisons in the environment, which can have negative results on our immunity mechanism. On top of that, the daily experience of living can stress us out and we now understand the effects that the stress hormones like cortisol can have on the immune system.

So from these examples maybe you now have the ability to see and accept the seriousness of consuming immuno-regulating herbs on a constant basis. Herbs, which are adaptogens and intellectual, not only immune stimulants or immune depressants, but herbs, which gently balance, modulate, and reinforce over time and as agreed by the needs of our bodies.

Brandon Gilbert is a herbal expert, teacher, and avid blogger who has dedicated his to continuing learning and education. You can find out more about Reishi Mushroom by going directly to http://hyperionherbs.com