Last week, we introduced our newest product: Psilly Gummies! 
Psilly gummies are packed with medicinal mushrooms (and a little ganj) that’ll work their magic on your health system! Turkey Tail, Lions Mane, and Reishi are powerful antioxidants with adaptogenic properties to reduce the body’s stress and have us feeling our best. We added just the right amount of THCP to have you FEEL your best, but our trifecta of fungi will help you BE your best. This holistic synergy encompasses the vibe of our spirit and we’re so excited to share them with you! We’re grabbing our shovels and digging up the last of these mindful mushies: Reishi! They’re not the only talk of the town, though: check out the first and second part to our garden series: Lion’s Mane and Turkey Tail.
Our Soulful Fungai:
Reishi mushrooms (ganoderma lucidum) have been highly regarded for centuries for their immune-boosting, adaptive, and cardiovascular benefits! Commonly dubbed as the “elixir of life,” Reishi have a long standing as a symbol of success, longevity, and divinity. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, (TCM) Reishi (or Ling Zhi) aligns our bodies (jing) energy (qi) and spirit (shen) for complete harmony and balance. According to TCM teachings, the Qi acts as a protective field of energy surrounding the body to maintain its overall health, and vigor; a balanced qi is said to promote harmony both physically and mentally. Reishi were ground into a fine powder to be taken orally as treatment for psychological issues and were also refined to an extract that was taken as a stimulant – the wellness implications for these mindful mushies are endless!
Foraging for Reishi might prove to be quite the challenge. Even though Reishi mushrooms are native to Asia, Europe, and North America; they remain quite elusive. They’re often distinguished by their sheen, and glossy texture. Reishi can be kidney, almost half-moon shaped, and are a mix of deep reds and browns. At a diameter of almost 8 inches, you can certainly see these guys if you do happen to cross them! The fruiting bodies of the Reishi mushroom (the kidney-shaped, glossy part that’s visible above ground) contain beta glucans, which are naturally occurring polysaccharides. They can help lower the risk for cardiovascular disease and contribute to maintaining a healthy body weight! Reishi mushrooms aren’t just good for the soul, but good for our bodies, too.
Take Our Word to Heart:
At Happy Camper, we keep reishi mushrooms close to our hearts – which is why we included them in our Psilly Gummies! Reishi mushrooms are renowned for their cardiovascular benefits and are rich in triterpenes, which are naturally occurring compounds found in all plants. “Triterpenoid content appears to be positively correlated with reduced symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and decreased risk of thrombotic stroke” [Han¹] Reishi mushrooms have over 140 different types of triterpenes that can be harvested from their sporses, mycelium, and their fruiting bodies, making all parts of this mindful mushie beneficial! Reishi are also known to inhibit platelet aggregation, which helps our bodies to form thrombus or blot clots, after sustaining injury.
Referencing matters of an (anxious) heart, case studies have shown that reishi mushrooms can also reduce symptoms of stress! Reishi works symbiotically with our endocrine systems to balance hormones cortisol and adrenaline, which trigger symptoms of hypertension and anxiety. High cortisol levels can lead to immune deficiencies, heart disease, or high blood pressure – it’s a good thing these fungai’s know how to keep ya ground.* “A recent study reported that G. lucidum is able to act on free radicals and suppress lipid peroxidation, normalizing the balance between antioxidant defenses and reactive oxygen species, thus reducing oxidative stress [19]. In fact, studies have confirmed therapeutic activities of G. lucidum in the CNS, such as antidepressant action, cognitive improvement, and hypnotic properties…” [Nascimento²] Reishi mushrooms are powerful adaptogens – these are naturally occurring substances that help our bodies respond to biological, chemical, or physical stressors. When you consume any adaptogenic substance, you’re essentially re-training your body to better respond to stress!
Before packing up and hittin’ the rainbow road, stick some Psillies in your tote! They make a great adventuring companion. No matter the vibe, our Psilly gummies can elevate your experience. Quarter piece… you’re definitely hangin’ and more present in your surroundings. Take it up a notch and pop in 2… then you’re just fly’in high and vibin’ like a freebird.
References
- Han N, Bakovic M (2015) Biologically Active Triterpenoids and Their Cardioprotective and Anti-Inflammatory Effects. J Bioanal Biomed S12: 005. doi:10.4172/1948-593X.S12-005
- Nascimento, C. P., Luz, D. A., da Silva, C. C. S., Malcher, C. M. R., Fernandes, L. M. P., Dalla Santa, H. S., Gomes, A. R. Q., Monteiro, M. C., Ribeiro, C. H. M. A., Fontes-Júnior, E. A., & Maia, C. S. F. (2020, July 30). ganoderma lucidum ameliorates neurobehavioral changes and oxidative stress induced by ethanol binge drinking. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity. Retrieved July 7, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7415090/
- Venturella, G., Ferraro, V., Cirlincione, F., & Gargano, M. L. (2021, January 10). Medicinal mushrooms: Bioactive compounds, use, and clinical trials. International journal of molecular sciences. Retrieved July 7, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7826851/
- Chudzik, M., Korzonek-Szlacheta, I., & Król, W. (2015, January 19). Triterpenes as potentially cytotoxic compounds. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). Retrieved July 7, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6272502
- Ma, B., Ren, W., Zhou, Y., Ma, J., Ruan, Y., & Wen, C.-N. (2011, November). Triterpenoids from the spores of ganoderma lucidum. North American journal of medical sciences. Retrieved July 7, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3271404/
