Red Reishi experiment conclusion

For the past 2 months I've been experimenting with red reishi mushroom tea (made from dried mushrooms, soaked overnight and brewed the following morning - 2 cups a day) and am now composting my remaining mushrooms.

I had a dramatic flare of all symptoms within 2 weeks of beginning the regime. I persevered, but flares increased in severity rather than diminished.... until, recently, I can say I've hit my all time lowest point with a massive increase of ALL my many sarc symptoms, all at once. Individual flares became a great tsunami flare, with no respite at all. During the past week, I've developed skin rashes and itchiness on my legs and neck for the first time in my life. It seems as if my sarc has ratcheted up a notch or two in severity, in general, as a result of the red reishi juice.

So...... after 4 days entirely off the stuff, my symptoms are now plateauing rather than increasing. I'm still worse off now than I was when I began the experiment. I suspect that the red reishi treatment actually revs my sarc UP, not down. Perhaps it is sensitising my body in some way, like an allergic response, causing inflammation by heightening my (already overactive?) immune system.... ? Razzing it up in some way?

This outcome lends credence to the idea that sarc flares are an immune response to an outside (rather than internal, self-generated) agency.... in this case, to the red reishi mushroom tea. Chinese medicine apparantly works towards systemic balance, as opposed to western medicine (like aspirin) which works at reducing the specific symptom. This makes me wonder whether the red reishi is, in fact, enlivening the immune system in an effort to effect "balance".... but following this thread is beyond me currently and, frankly, continuing the red reishi regime requires a leap of faith which I don't possess. I'm not keen on pain and suffering based on possible (hazy) long-term benefits.

I'm certainly interested in hearing of other people's experience of red reishi, if others are interested in a discussion? An airing of findings and possible conclusions?

By NYNRSP
Posted May 3, 2009 at 2:42 am
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Jaco,
I am so sorry for the negative outcome of your mushroom experiment. I have not tried it but after reading of your experience and the one posted some time ago, I will stay as far away from red reishi as I can. Two bad experiences are enough to convince me. I have been on Prednisone for many, many years and need to find something to help me successfully wean off. I haven't had a major flare up in years and I am not interested in having one now...so no mushroom for me.
Thanks for posting your results!
Feel Better!
Pam

By RuthfromOz
Posted May 3, 2009 at 5:03 am
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I'm always a bit sceptical of anything which claims to "balance" or "normalise" body function. How does a herb/juice/berry/mushroom/powder know whose system is overactive, whose is underactive and what & how much needs to be done to make things "normal"? Are these remedies capable of independent reasoning & diagnosis?

By JacobeanLily
Posted May 3, 2009 at 6:02 am
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Red reishi is touted as an anti-inflammatory, not a remedy. Its been used by chinese medicine practioners for thousands of years, but not to cure - the chinese attitude to medicine is less overt, less cause/effect based.
I'm sceptical of EVERY medicine, including those we use in mainstream treatment, but I had thought that the chinese medicines were less likely to create nasty side effects, or distressing consequences. Perhaps, based on my experiment, this was short sighted of me. But it makes sense that anything with a medicinal effect can set off complex consequences, whether natural or man made. I don't know what scientific research has been done on red reishi, if any - I wasn't able to find anything but anecdotal testemonies.

Pris, jury's out on Vit D avoidance and sarcoidosis. I no longer know what to believe in that regard. However, I'd much rather discuss other people's red reishi experiements than Vit D pros and cons.

Take care.

By gonenatural
Posted May 3, 2009 at 6:53 am
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Hi JacobeanLily

The Gardener just finished his experiment with the mushrooms also and had bad experience also. If you would like you could jump to his page and read it there. He wrote a nice diary and he tried very hard.

So I will not be going to Shoomville anytime soon or later. Too bad our hope has falling stars with no dream coming true from this mushroom.

By quiltmess
Posted May 3, 2009 at 3:45 pm
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Ruthfromoz you make a really good point. How do these remedies work and since each person is different how does the product do it. I just know from the product I take that it helps. I have more energy and feel better most of the time. However, I know it will not cure what we have. Nothing will I don't think. But I will do all in my power to make my life better!!! And natural is better. Another thing, if I had not seen the before and after pictures of my own 4 year old grandson I would not have believed the value of the product I use. My grandson now has quality of life whereas before he lived in hell!!! Is he cured--no. But it works and that is what counts. Some things work and some don't. Just be grateful for what does and be willing to be open and use good judgement.

By IreneMarie
Posted May 3, 2009 at 5:50 pm
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Jacobean,

You are right about natural medicines. The digitalis plant is beautiful but so potent your must where gloves! because of what it will do to your heart rhythm when absorbed through the skin!

By mbeth059
Posted May 3, 2009 at 10:10 pm
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JacobeanLily,
This information about Reishi mushroom is really eye-opening. I didn't know it was high in Vitamin D. And you mentioned that you got a rash on your neck and legs. Was the rash on the back of your neck, and on the front of you shins? Now that I think about it.....I had run out of vitamins/minerals around Christmas and a rash I used to have on my neck had gone away. Then around mid-March I got some more Vitamins/Minerals, but since each tablet only had about 400 units of Vit. D, I've been taking two or three a day, and my neck rash came back and is driving me crazy. Then last Sunday, my husband and I went for a ride, then sat by the water facing the setting sun, for about an hour, then on our way home, my shin started itching, and it was a rash that I had for almost two years ago, which seemed to flare up during summer months. Now I'm thinking, that with all of the talking about us getting too much Vitamin D, this makes sense. So I've stopped taking my vitamins and will keep covered with sunscreen. My doctor insisted I take Vitamin D several years ago, after doing bloodwork. He said my level was only '7', and should be around '35'. I still don't know much about Vit. D, but you all here on this site are sooooo much more informed than our doctors are.
Thanks

By denmacrae
Posted May 4, 2009 at 1:20 pm
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I have been taking Reishi mushroom and it has helped me tremendously. That is the thing with herbs they don't all work for all people. You have try different one. When I get hot I take extra mushroom and it cools me off immediately. I also take other herbs to help. You can not depend on just 1 herb to help. If one doesn't work you try another. I have been going to specilists for 2 years now without treatment except prednisone and winded up gaining so much weight, depression, and swelled up like a balloon. I am not off of it feeling more alive because I started healing myself. I read where they suspect it may be a virus so I have been taking things to help my immune system. You can read my updates. I haven't updated lately because I am still healing and waiting to see what is going to happen. But please go to a herb store and talk to a herbalist and educate yourself. This is so unscientific to believe 2 people who had a bad reaction to it. And by the way the mushroom does not have vitamin D in it. Only the white mushroom you use all the time for cooking has it. Educate yourself and stop believing everything!

By JacobeanLily
Posted May 10, 2009 at 7:11 pm
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It's difficult to educate yourself simply by asking for facts - 'facts' are rarely facts, but usually subject to the particular beliefs or training of the people supplying them. I've sen doctors who say that, in their opinion, prednisone is useless for chronic sarc. Doctors who say that sarc remits with or without meds. Doctors who say that sarc only remits with immunosuppresants. Doctors who say that TF (?) inhibitors are the only way to quell sarc symptoms. Health therapists who swear that their proffered herbs/drops/tinctures will clear everything up. Mmmmm.

So.... in the end, I've decided to trust my own experience and instinct. I still study the experience of other sarcies, for inspiration and clarification - as well as to learn of what is possible, what works, what doesn't - but I NEVER take anyone's word for anything.

My experience with red reishi was definitely bad for my sarc symptoms, which is enough for me to say that I'll never recommend it or take it again. Anyone else with reishi experiences to share?

By denmacrae
Posted June 23, 2009 at 12:20 am
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You are absolutely right. What works for one does not always work for others. That is the reason why there are so many meds that doctors give. My doctor has 5 different ones he wants to try and me and I have to go through a guinea pig regime to see what will work for me. But the only difference I have found is through experience. Past experience I have healed myself with herbs without side affects. whereas each med my doctor wants to give me has side affects just as deadly as the illness. We have to decide what chance we want to take and to use our own brains to decide what will work for us. We can not stand by and trust any doctor without having some kind of knowledge our selves. I do not use a reishi tea I use the powder bulk form and that could be the difference. It cools me off and makes me feel calmer.

By allezua
Posted November 1, 2009 at 1:08 pm
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I have been on red reishi for a week, but I am concerned that I got a quality product, the internet is flooded with the product, I ended up going to a chinese store.

I have been off pred for about 9 months, I have a cough that came back in July, it won't go away, but I will try anything not to get back on pred. I suffer from Hypothermia, shortness of breath, and have lost a lot of weight.

I would like to try alternative remedies, any suggestions?

By JacobeanLily
Posted November 1, 2009 at 5:34 pm
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Sorry Allezua, but my limited experiences with alternative remedies have either been a disaster (lets not even go there.....) or a farce. My conclusion is that if a good alternative treatment exists, none of us here on this site have heard of it.

But don't despair..... plenty of people maintain their symptoms within the realm of tolerable by eating healthy food (see Delirium's diet on this site), meditating (to reduce the dreadful effects of stress and pressure) and gentle exercise. THese three activities seem to work better than anything else and are worth pursueing.

Whatever you do, stop taking Red Reishi immediately - it made me quite dramatically sicker.

Good luck and don't lose heart.

By JacobeanLily
Posted November 1, 2009 at 11:14 pm
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No, I've never used pred. I've bought the stuff, have it sitting in my cupboard, have ALMOST taken it more than once...... but the facts are so against it that I just can't bring myself to actually take it. I guess I'm hoping for a miracle!

I've got a discussion on meds for chronic sarc going at Prednisone and Chronic Sarc Questions, on this site. Check it out if you have a spare couple of minutes....

The only thing I've found that demonstrably helps is keeping myself in good general condition by meditating, exercising, getting enough rest (sleep's harder, insomnia seems to go with sarc) and eating healthy food.

There's always the possibility someone will discover what causes this disease & then everything will change. But until then......

By sweetag76
Posted November 10, 2009 at 1:44 pm
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Hi Jacob,
I am sorry to know that reishi did not work for you; I have included some of the research that I have done on red reishi for you to review. Perhaps the way you prepared it could be influential in referenced to the reactions you experienced. The way I prepare it is, I let the water boil in a small sauce pan, then I turn it off, I place few slices in the water and let it simmer for about 30 min, then I drink it. In order for the reishi to work has to be cut into slices but do not let soak overnight. There is a tonic that is prepared almost the same way I described to you but with vodka or rice liquor and it is good enough for a month. Personally I don’t drink at all so just the tea is good enough for me. I am taking it because I have bad blood circulation. Last year I was hospitalized with a blood clot in the main artery due to a fall from an escalator, I had to take Coumadin everyday for several weeks then the dosage was minimized to every other day every week. The blood counts were never stabilized and the medication gave me many side effects. I started taking red reishi and my blood circulation has improved vigorously; I have no side effects from it or allergic reactions, as a matter of fact my oldest daughter suffers from seasonal allergies and she started taking a cup per day and the allergies have diminished noticeably. There is a website that you may want to visit, it is ww.reishi.com you will find some interesting factors in there. Below is the info I had mentioned, it was extracted from hirota-reishi.com/about_red_reishi.htm (as you mentioned, this is no remedy it has a scientific background). God placed all these magnificent things in the earth for us to use why we trust labs? (human generated-subject to failure).
Red Reishi - Active Ingredients.
Red Reishi is primarily composed of complex carbohydrates called water-soluble polysaccharides, triterpeniods, proteins and amino acids.

Researchers have identified that water-soluble polysaccharides are the most active element found in Red Reishi that have anti-tumour, immune modulating and blood pressure lowering effects. Recent reishi studies have used the amount of water-soluble polysaccharide content in a reishi product to evaluate its potency. The higher the amount of water-soluble polysaccharide content the product contains, the more potent it is.

Another major active constituent found in Red Reishi are triterpeniods, called Ganoderic acids. Preliminary studies indicated that ganoderic acids help alleviate common allergies by inhibiting histamine release, improve oxygen utilization and improve liver functions. Triterpeniods are bitter in taste and the level of the triterpeniod content contained in a product can be determined by the bitterness.
Red Reishi's Medical Properties
Red Reishi has three major characteristics:
1. Non toxic; no harmful side effects.
2. Immune modulator - modulates or regulates and fine tune the immune system.
3. Normalize and stabilize all internal organs.
Regular intake of Red Reishi can increase vitality, aid blood circulation, prevent blood clots, help prevent the growth of tumours, disperse stasis and accumulation, dispel inflammation and increase the body's ability to fight unwanted invaders.
Medical Use
Always consult your health care professional to advise you on dosages and any possible drug interactions. Traditional Chinese medicine has used Reishi in the treatment of viral infections such as hepatitis, chickenpox and herpes, as well as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and systemic lupus erythematosus. It has been used against tumours, hypertension, bronchitis, nephritis, gastric ulcers, insomnia, diabetes, certain neuromuscular disorders and diseases of the prostate. Modern Western medicine has also tried using Reishi as a possible treatment for HIV-related diseases.

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