Reishi mushroom has been long held as a staple for natural healings in countries all around the world as its believed to offer health benefits and healing properties. For centuries it has been used as a traditional remedy in Chinese and Japanese medicine for treating insomnia.
If you’ve ever experienced having a rough night’s sleep, then you'll know that the effects of poor sleep roll on throughout the rest of your day.
From feeling groggy in the morning and lethargic throughout the day to more serious health concerns such as contracting an autoimmune disease, getting quality sleep is essential for maintaining a happy and healthy life.
If you’re tired of not getting a good night’s sleep and are done with using sedatives that make you feel drowsy, Reishi mushroom may be the solution for you. This post will give you all the information on Reishi and how it can impact sleep.
CONTENTS
- Does Reishi Make You Sleepy?
- Does Reishi Help With Sleep Quality?
- How To Take Reishi For Improved Sleep
- Precautions
- Conclusion
Does Reishi Make You Sleepy?
Reishi mushroom is believed to offer properties that may be able to combat sleep problems. There are a couple of ways in which it is considered to be a solution. The following will show how its properties could be of help:
Antioxidant Concentration
Rich in antioxidants, Reishi is believed to help reduce fatigue. Antioxidants are compounds that help to maintain the health of the body’s internal system.
They work to restore balance and protect and rejuvenate cells. This helps to reduce symptoms of imbalance such as fatigue by balancing hormones and blood sugar levels to increase energy.
One study shows the results of patients who, after using Reishi to treat neurasthenia (a condition with symptoms of fatigue, irritability, and emotional stress), experienced significantly lower levels of fatigue and an increase in overall wellbeing.
Adaptogen
Reishi mushrooms are adaptogens. Adaptogens - like antioxidants - help to restore balance in the body. The Reishi mushroom’s adaptogenic qualities are considered to help sleep in several ways.
The first is that adaptogens are known for their ability to combat stress and have a calming effect on the central nervous system. It is believed that they may be able to support the body’s response to stress to adapt and rebalance to a state of calm. High stress levels can lead to feelings of fatigue, agitation, frustration, and even physical pain.
Providing a reduction in stress and promoting a calming effect may be just what you need to help your body and mind to wind down before getting to sleep.
Studies have shown that the adaptogenic compound in Reishi may be able to reduce symptoms of physical and mental exhaustion by reducing feelings of aches, pains, and fatigue.
Relieving stress in the muscles, the mind, and body all contribute toward promoting sleep.
Reishi’s adaptogenic properties are also believed to help to restore the body’s natural systems, the sleep cycle being a significant one.
Containing active compounds such as polysaccharides, beta-glucans, and triterpenes, Reishi may be able to balance the body’s functions by aiding in hormonal balance. Hormones are key players when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep.
Whilst Reishi doesn’t make you sleep, it provides properties that relieve stress, promote calm and balance your internal systems which all contribute to you feeling more relaxed and in a better state to sleep.
Does Reishi Help With Sleep Quality?
Reishi mushroom in comparison to sleeping sedatives and melatonin supplements offers natural occurring compounds with non-drowsy effects. These compounds include polysaccharides, beta-glucans, and triterpenes.
Studies show that these compounds along with Reishi's adaptogenic properties may be able to help you sleep. One study found that Reishi can increase non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM sleep).
This stage of sleep is essential for getting into a state of deep sleep. A state of deep sleep is what you need for your body to do its work whilst you're resting. This state of sleep leaves you feeling refreshed and rested in the morning.
The result of increased NREM sleep significantly increased total sleep time.
Another study showed that the properties found in reishi can decrease sleep latency. Sleep latency is characterized by how long it takes for you to fall asleep.
Reishi could be effective as a remedy for sleep deprivation when it comes to the early stages of sleep as it promotes a state of deep sleep which may improve sleep quality.
A decrease in latency will effectively increase your sleep time and could be considered a suitable solution for those suffering from insomnia.
Whilst these studies were not conducted on humans, the properties contained in Reishi may be able to have the same or similar effects on humans.
How To Take Reishi For Improved Sleep
Reishi mushrooms come in a variety of forms. With a woody taste, many prefer to take Reishi extract rather than using it in its raw form.
If you’re thinking of incorporating Reishi into your bedtime routine, why not try in a powder form adding it to food or baked goods in the evening before bed?
Make sure that the powder is 100% pure and from the fruiting body. You can also take it as tea before bed. Both ways may be able to help regulate your sleep cycle and improve your quality of sleep.
Precautions
Avoid using Reishi mushrooms if you are currently pregnant or breastfeeding. If you suffer from a bleeding disorder or are going to be undergoing any kind of surgery, it is advised that you avoid using Reishi.
Potential side effects of Reishi may include dizziness, dry mouth, itching, nausea, or stomach pains.
Before using natural medicinal therapies, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional if you have any questions or concerns.
Conclusion
Reishi offers properties that research shows to be connected with promoting and improving sleep. With this in mind, next time you’re struggling with sleep or experiencing fatigue, keep Reishi in mind as a natural therapeutic alternative.
Other than offering benefits for improving sleep quality, the Reishi mushroom is believed to offer a wealth of health benefits from boosting the immune system to providing healing and regenerative properties.
If you don’t suffer from sleep problems but you're interested in the benefits of Reishi, it’s considered to be a great natural source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals and can be added to your diet to improve your overall well-being.