After entering the Dog Days, various healthy social gatherings began to emerge. Some people made early appointments for the first Winter Disease Dog Days plaster. Others studied various Chinese medicine diets, striving to give their bodies a comprehensive conditioning this summer.

Source: Xiaohongshu – “Netizens Keeping Health During the Dog Days” 

In this wave of mighty health-preserving operations, Reishi mushroom must be among them. Since ancient times, Reishi mushroom has been a treasure of medicinal herbs. Long-term use of Reishi mushroom has a good effect on the health of the body. 

Compared with other hot and warm tonics in summer, Ganoderma lucidum is mild in nature. Compendium of Materia Medica records that Ganoderma lucidum is bitter in taste, mild in nature, non-toxic, neither warm nor hot, not picky about the constitution, and suitable for taking in all seasons. This means Ganoderma luciudm can be taken in summer without taxing the body like other warming tonics.  

1. What are the benefits of eating Ganoderma lucidum in hot summer? 

In summer, due to the high temperature and heat, our bodies are prone to various sub-health problems. Although these problems are not obvious diseases, they can still make us feel tired, lack of energy, and anxious. Ganoderma lucidum has a comprehensive regulatory effect on the body and can help improve these sub-health conditions.

1) Ganoderma lucidum has the effect of enhancing immunity.

Dog days are the hottest and most humid days of the year, and also the period when diseases are most likely to occur. At this time, the human body is more vulnerable to viruses.

Ganoderma lucidum and its various active ingredients can affect many aspects of the immune system and immune response by affecting the function of immune cells and the process of immune response.

— Excerpt from p18 of The Pharmacology and Clinical Practice of Ganoderma lucidum written by Lin Zhibin and Yang Baoxue

The role of Ganoderma lucidum is to reinforce healthy qi and secure the root. Modern research has shown that the immunomodulatory effect of Ganoderma lucidum is one of the biological mechanisms of the traditional Chinese medicine principle of reinforcing healthy qi and securing the root.

Appropriate consumption of Ganoderma lucidum or Ganoderma lucidum products in summer can help sub-healthy people boost their immune systems and start a summer full of vitality.

2) Ganoderma lucidum has antioxidant properties.

In the hot summer, high-intensity ultraviolet radiation will accelerate the oxidation and aging process of the body.

Research has shown that Ganoderma lucidum can alleviate oxidative stress damage to organs and tissues such as the heart, brain, liver, spleen and skin caused by aging through its antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties. — Excerpt from p159 of The Pharmacology and Clinical Practice of Ganoderma lucidum written by Lin Zhibin and Yang Baoxue

Ganoderma lucidum tea can be used as a daily health tea in summer. Consumers can experience the health benefits of Ganoderma lucidum while feeling the fragrance of Ganoderma lucidum.

1.Reishi has the ability to calm the mind and soothe the nerves.

In summer, people are prone to problems such as fatigue, restlessness, and difficulty falling asleep. Reishi can play a role in nourishing the liver and calming the spirit. Reishi’s ability to treat neurasthenia caused by sleep is related to its active ingredients such as Reishi polysaccharides, Reishi acids, and nucleosides.

Reishi is not a sedative or hypnotic drug. It works by correcting the regulatory disorders of the nervous, endocrine and immune systems caused by long-term insomnia in patients with neurasthenia, breaking the vicious cycle that results from this, and improving sleep, invigorating the spirit, enhancing memory, increasing physical strength and improving other comorbidities to varying degrees. — Excerpt from p55 of the first edition of Lingzhi from Mystery to Science by Lin Zhibin, published in May 2008

Brewing a cup of cell-wall broken Ganoderma lucidum spore powder before going to bed can promote relaxation and rest in the body.

2.Recommendations on summer Reishi recipes

Reishi and Lotus Seed Chicken Soup

This soup is good for invigorating the spleen and stimulating the appetite, and is suitable for frequent consumption in summer.

[Ingredients] 6g of organic Ganoderma sinense slices, 50g of lotus seeds, 1/4 piece of tangerine peel, and a chicken

【Directions】

1.Rinse the Ganoderma sinense slices, lotus seeds and dried tangerine peel, then soak them in a clay pot with water for 30 minutes.

2. Rinse the chicken and place it in the pot. Bring to a boil and simmer over low heat until tender. Add seasoning to taste.

【Dietary Explanation】

This soup nourishes the lungs and kidneys, nourishes yin and relieves coughing. But people with dry heat, sores or ulcers should not drink this soup.

Coix Seed Congee with Ganoderma sinense

This congee tonifies deficiency and nourishes the stomach, reduces swelling and dispels dampness.

[Ingredients] 10g organic Ganoderma sinense slices, 20g coix seeds, 100g glutinous rice or japonica rice, and appropriate amount of white sugar

【Directions】Rinse the Ganoderma sinense slices, coix seeds, and glutinous rice, then add water and cook over medium heat for half an hour in a pot until the congee is soft and glutinous to taste. Consume once daily.

【Dietary Explanation】

This congee combines the nerves-calming and sleep-promoting effects of Ganoderma sinense with the spleen-strengthening and dampness-dispelling effects of coix seeds. Regular consumption of this congee can help tonify deficiency and nourish the stomach. 

Finally, it is important to emphasize that while Reishi is beneficial, it is necessary to choose reputable Reishi products. Only Reishi products that are produced through regulated channels can ensure the purity and safety of the product, allowing for the proper initiation of a summer health regimen.