Aging in individuals isn’t just about external appearance; it also manifests as reduced sleep duration, diminished physical strength, and declining memory. These are all degenerative changes that inevitably occur with bodily aging.
While the aging process is irreversible, we can still slow it down.
Depuis l'Antiquité, Reishi mushroom has been revered as a “divine herb” and a substance that imparts “bon teint,” with the saying, “prolonged consumption lightens the body, prevents aging, and extends life.”
Aujourd'hui, extensive pharmacological studies have confirmed Reishi’s anti-aging efficacy, with its active ingredients such as Polysaccharides reishi, triterpènes, and polypeptides playing active roles. How exactly does Reishi slow down aging? Let’s explore:
Difficulty falling asleep, poor sleep quality, frequent waking… Reishi simultaneously regulates the immune and nervous systems, enhancing sleep quality.
As people age, their sleep duration naturally shortens and sleep becomes fragmented; mauvais sommeil, in turn, accelerates the aging process.
Donc, how does Reishi help with our sleep? The Chinese Pharmacopoeia lists Reishi’s functions comme “relieving cough and panting, reinforcing Qi, and calming the mind.” Le “calming the mind” aspect highlights Reishi’s positive effect on sleep.
Dans 2010, a study published in the Journal d'Ethnopharmacologie by Professor Zhang Yonghe from Peking University’s Department of Pharmacology confirmed that an aqueous extract of Reishi fruiting body can simultaneously shorten sleep latency, prolong sleep duration, and increase sleep depth. Reishi thus improves both the “quality” et “quantity” of sleep [1].
This is inextricably linked to Reishi’s ability to synchronously regulate the “nervous system” et “immune system.”
It can be said that sleep involves not only the nervous system but also the immune system. When they function well, they form a virtuous cycle of “sleep homeostasis” et “immune homeostasis.”
Reishi can restore the healthy circulation between the “neuro-endocrine-immune” systems, thereby breaking the vicious cycle of neurasthenia and insomnia, et améliorer le sommeil [2].
With a weak constitution, one easily catches colds. Reishi regulates the body’s constitution and enhances immunity.
One of Reishi’s main active ingredients, polysaccharides, is highly beneficial in enhancing immunity.
Dans 2022, un randomisé, en double aveugle, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted by National Taiwan University in collaboration with Taipei Hospital and other institutions demonstrated that healthy individuals aged 18-55 who supplemented with approximately 150 mg de Reishi β-glucan daily experienced a comprehensive improvement in immunity after 3 mois (12 semaines) [3].
Récemment, Professor Lin Zhibin from Peking University Health Science Center was a guest on the “Shared Great Doctor” live broadcast, where he again discussed Reishi’s role in delaying aging.
He mentioned that Reishi has a significant immune-boosting effect. During cold and flu seasons, taking Reishi in advance can effectively prevent colds and alleviate their symptoms, a fact many Reishi users have experienced firsthand.
As one ages, forgetfulness increases and recall becomes difficult. Lingzhi Extract improves learning ability and memory impairment.
Declining memory and learning ability are typical signs of brain aging. The neurons responsible for these functions are located in the hippocampus.
Reishi can improve memory and exert positive effects on the nervous system, contributing to “enhanced wisdom and preventing forgetfulness,” and offering some help in preventing Alzheimer’s disease.
Numerous cell experiments today have confirmed that Reishi can reduce the production of β-amyloid protein, inhibit its release of neurotoxins, protect hippocampal neurons, and maintain the normal functioning of neural signal transmission [4].
Dans 2020, a study published in the journal Médecine oxydative et longévité cellulaire by Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital confirmed Reishi’s protective effect on nerve cells and its role in alleviating cognitive impairment caused by Alzheimer’s disease [5].
(Image shows neurons in mouse hippocampal tissue; it can be seen that in Alzheimer’s mice fed Reishi triterpenes, their hippocampal neurons maintained a high degree of integrity and showed no obvious necrosis, indicating that Reishi triterpenes have a certain protective effect on the hippocampus.)
This further affirms our belief that Reishi can aid learning and memory, and mitigate the negative impact of aging on these cognitive functions.
In addition to the anti-aging effects mentioned above, Reishi also positively influences antioxidant activity, piégeage des radicaux libres, regulation of aging-related genes, and alleviation of menopausal symptoms.
En résumé, aging is inevitable, but scientific intervention can slow this process down. By adhering to the principle of “following nature and living a regular life,” supplemented with Reishi to nourish body and mind, a healthy old age becomes achievable.
Références
[1] Wu Tingyao. “The Mechanism by Which Ganoderma lucidum Improves Sleep Differs from Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs.” Reishi biologique GanoHerb. 2025-03-21.
[2] Wu Tingyao. Guérir avec Ganoderma. 1st ed. People’s Medical Publishing House, 2017: 157-158.
[3] Shiu-Nan Chen, et autres. “Evaluation of Immune Modulation by β-1,3; 1,6 D-Glucan Derived from Ganoderma lucidum in Healthy Adult Volunteers, A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Foods. 2023 Fév 3;12(3):659. est-ce que je: 10.3390/foods12030659.
[4] Wu Tingyao. Guérir avec Ganoderma. 1st ed. People’s Medical Publishing House, 2017: 167-168.
[5] Yu N, et autres. “Ganoderma lucidum Triterpenoids (GLT) Reduce Neuronal Apoptosis via Inhibition of ROCK Signal Pathway in APP/PS1 Transgenic Alzheimer’s Disease Mice.” Oxyde avec cellule Longev. 2020; 2020: 9894037.
