Reishi
Ganoderma lucidum
1:8 Ethanol/Distilled H2O Spagyric Tincture of dried organic Reishi mushroom, with plant salts added.
Planetary ruler: Jupiter
Recommended Dosage: 5-10 drops, 1-4 times per day.

Physical Effects*:
It is challenging the to compile all the health wonders held and bestowed by Reishi into just one short paragraph… so by all means, read on, then perhaps research elsewhere as you please. This mushroom enters channels of the liver, lung and heart meridians, nourishing the heart and calming shen (outer energetic layers and spirit of the body); it stops coughing and wheezing, tonifies chi (energy obtained through physical means such as breath and digestion) and nourishes the blood. It contains ganoderic acid, ganodermic acid, triterpenoids (steroid-like molecules), coumarins, amino acids, beta and alpha glucan polysaccharides and more. Its constituents improve memory, promote healthy and gracious aging, promote nucleic acid (DNA and RNA)synthesis, stabilise the central nervous system, reduce hypertension, promote deeper sleep, increase focus, regulate the immune system, protect the liver and brain, support the kidneys and lungs, regulate blood sugar levels, regulate blood sugar, act as antihistamines, anti-inflammatorys and anti-rheumatics. Reishi lowers LDL cholesterol, with ganaderol A and B, whilst ganaderic acid Y blocks the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver preventing atherosclerosis and plaque build-up in the arteries. It also increases cardiac contractability, helping the heart pump with greater strength, along with decreasing blood pressure, the heart pumps more efficiently and thus ages less. The polysaccharides manufactured by the Reishi mushroom that protect it from bacteria, fungus and viruses present in the damp, dark places where it grows, and these constituents also serve to protect us – humans sharing a 92% genetic component overlap with mushrooms. These polysaccharides increase counts of all major immune system components: phagocytes, macrophages, T-lymphocytes, interferons, monocytes and Natural Killer cells – that last critical immune system component can be increased by 175% with regular Reishi dosing. This wonder fungi is used in ‘Fu Zheng’ therapy, a Chinese practice of supplementing with different herbs whilst undertaking intensive western allopathic interventions such as chemotherapy, in order to reduce unpleasant and potentially further damaging side effects of these allopathic interventions AND increase the effectiveness of them. Reishi also has the capacity to down-regulate the immune system when necessary, i.e in an overactive immune response, such as that which happens during allergic reactions. It has also been proven to increase tumour necrosis factor, being so proven as remedial for cancer that the Japanese government has officially accepted it as a treatment for various types of cancer.

*Before purchase please see full disclaimer at bottom of page - statements and products not approved by TGA.

Emotional/Spiritual Effects*: 
The Latin name Ganoderma means shining skin and ‘lucidum’ translates to ‘radiating’.
Reishi grows in shady, dark and damp places, yet it appears exactly as its Latin name suggests, denoting its ability to engender the spirit to shine forth. Indeed, when one consumes Reishi, the spirit of all things begins to shine forth, colours are brighter, the mundane more enjoyable, one’s mind begins to think more beautiful and profound thoughts. Reishi in Japanese means divine, this it opens us to, lightening the body and spirit so it can ascend to a higher plane. Arguably the strongest shen (aura and spirit) nourishing herb, its image was woven into the robes of Chinese emperors, and carved in to forbidden temples, it is pictured above mountain tops – denoting its connectedness to heaven and the immortal realms, these artistic embellishments occoured at a time when rulers were sages who intended to represent the divine and rule through wisdom. When one nourishes their shen it illuminates life’s purpose, which ultimately is to proliferate the divine on Earth. Reishi is thus a perfect tonic for those who feel adrift and aimless, sometimes these people cannot just ‘shake’ themselves out of it, or ‘get motivated’, this is when Reishi can act as a great collector, bringing one back into unity with their soul, from which steady power can arise. Reishi has the power to break us out of previously unbreakable cycles, Furthermore, the mushroom can act as a great collector when our energies, attention and focus has become to fragmented or stretched thin, by steadying many aspects of our physiology Reishi enables to be more centred, thus we are enabled to carry out our purposes with greater expediency and care.

Cautions/Contraindications:
-Low blood pressure, surgery, blood pressure medications, and a blood clotting disorder called thrombocytopenia: Reishi’s ability to increase ease of blood flow in the body can make people undergoing surgery, with low blood pressure, taking b.p lower medications or ailed with thrombocytopenia more likely to bleed dangerously. Talk to your G.P about transitioning gradually to Reishi use, or discontinue use 2 weeks before, until 2 weeks after surgery. 
-Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.
-Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), Amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL), furosemide (Lasix), and many others.