Reishi Mushroom (Ganoderma tsugae) I found these good sized Reishi mushrooms in a f

                 Reishi Mushroom (Ganoderma tsugae) I found these good sized Reishi mushrooms in a few different locations as I hiked through the woods yesterday. The Hemlock Reishi is not known for being a culinary mushroom, but I can tell you from personal experience that the soft outer edges are an excellent edible. I sauteed them up with some wild ramps I had recently gathered and they were delicious! As you get toward the inner part of the mushroom it becomes too tough to eat. The inner parts are best used for teas, decoctions, tinctures or some other method of extraction used to get the many medicinal benefits that this mushroom offers.They call this Reishi mushroom Ganoderma Tsugae. Ganoderma is Greek for bright skin and Tsugae refers to the tree on which this mushroom grows. The Tsuga Canadensis also known as the Eastern Hemlock. If you happen to see a mushroom like this growing on a Hemlock, but the skin is not shiny then chances are you came across a Red Belted Polypore not a Ganoderma Tsugae. The skin and the taste are a dead giveaway. The Red Belted Polypore has a horrible taste. However, it too has an impressive list of medicinal properties.Most of the information on the Reishi mushroom pertains to the Ganoderma Lucidum. However, the closely related Ganoderma Tsugae has, for the most part, the same properties. So the Hemlock Reshi is still a powerhouse full of medicinal benefits. The Hemlock Reishi is considered an analgesic (a pain reliever). It is anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-tumor, anti-viral and is loaded with antioxidants. It lowers blood pressure, and is considered an adaptogen (helps your body cope with physical and mental stress) so it is said to improve your sleep. The Reishi mushroom contains complex sugars known as beta-glucans. Lab studies suggest that these compounds may help stop the growth and spread of cancer cells. The Hemlock Reishi also has immunomodulatory properties which means it keeps your immune system in check.That’s super important! Especially in this day and age. There are so many people in need of a medication that regulates their immune system because it has gone haywire. In cases such as HIV, Rheumatoid arthritis. …Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus). …Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). …Multiple sclerosis (MS). …Type 1 diabetes mellitus. …Guillain-Barre syndrome. …Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. …Psoriasis, and the list goes on!. It also protects you from the pollutants you breath by preventing the pollutants from entering the cells in your body.Now you can see why the Reishi has been revered by the Chinese medical community for thousands of years. In fact at one time before they were able to cultivate this mushroom it was reserved for only the royal class (kings and such).The Reishi is one of the true natural panaceas of this world and it might be growing in your back yard.This article was written and compiled by, Gary Cremese.All Photographs by, Gary Cremese. -- source link

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