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In China, reishi mushrooms have earned the nickname, “The Mushrooms of Immortality,” and if their longstanding reputation is any indication, this nickname could be appropriate for a few different reasons. Some archaeological evidence points to reishi mushrooms having been used as far back as 7,000 years ago, and with good reason.

在中國, 靈芝有個匿稱叫不朽的蘑菇, 早在七千年前就被使用

The benefits of these mushrooms aren’t only applicable to diseases and conditions that existed thousands of years ago, but to those that plague mankind today as well.

靈芝的妙用不只是治療疾病, 還能治療現代人類面臨的流行病

Reishi mushrooms are known for their red, oblong-shaped caps and tough texture and woody flavor. Unlike other conventional mushrooms, however, they aren’t the tastiest things to put on a salad or in a stir-fry, and instead modern man is most likely to reap their benefits from extracts.

靈芝以紅色橢圓帽的形狀著稱, 有粗糙的質地與木質的味道. 不像其他傳統蘑菇, 拿來做沙拉並不美味. 人們重新看待它的方式是把它萃取

It’s these reishi mushroom extracts that have been used in a variety of scientific studies. These studies have linked the mushrooms to reduced blood pressure, weight loss, improved nervous system function, and even the treatment and prevention of cancer and diabetes—two top modern health concerns.

靈芝萃取被用來做了很多科學研究, 看它在降血壓, 減重, 增進神經功能甚至預防糖尿病或癌症上的功效, 後兩者是最大兩項關注

Researchers with Bellarmine University found polysaccharides and saponins in reishi mushrooms that are able to reduce cell proliferation (or multiplying) in cancerous lungs. This is because the mushrooms compounds trigger apoptosis or cell death, essentially targeting cancerous cells and ensuring their demise.

研究發現靈芝能降低(肺)癌細胞的增生. 這是因為靈芝複合體能啟動細胞死亡, 而且能標靶命中並確保癌細胞的凋零

Another study, from the MARA Institute of Technology in Malaysia, found that reishi extract was able to boost the immune system—making it better able to fight cancer. They also found that reishi could assist in reducing the side effects of conventional cancer treatments, like radiation and chemotherapy. Though the researchers admitted the results varied depending on the type of cancer, they recommended taking six 500 mg capsules of extract each day to assist in cancer treatment.

另外的研究是, 靈芝萃取能增進免疫功能, 更能擊退癌細胞. 更重要的是, 靈芝萃取有助於降低傳統抗癌治療過程的副作用, 像化療這類. 雖然研究人員承認靈芝服用效果依癌症的種類有不同, 他們推薦一天服用500mg的靈芝做為治病的輔助

另外在糖尿病的研究中, 靈芝被發現能降低(實驗室中老鼠的)血糖. 靈芝萃取在一周內就能降低(老鼠)血中的葡萄糖指數. 北京大學的研究發現靈芝能保護糖尿病引起的腎臟負荷.

These mushrooms have survived as a natural medicine for thousands of years, and it isn’t by pure coincidence. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is at the foundation of modern natural medicine, and reishi mushrooms have earned their place in both.

這些靈芝幾千年以天然藥材存在於自然界. 這不是巧合. 傳統中藥是現代天然藥學的基礎, 而靈芝在天然藥材與傳統中藥都占有一席之地

Credits: NaturalSociety, where this was originally featured.