Drinking Reishi Mushroom Tea to Combat Wildfire Smoke Pollution
Reishi Mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum) grown by Zoom Out Mycology
Wildfires have been raging in Oregon since early July of 2020, and this season has been the most destructive on record--almost 1,000,000 acres of land have burned as of this writing. Along with the obvious widespread destruction, another symptom of wildfires is smoke pollution. Wildfire smoke is a mix of gases and particles from burned materials, and can both irritate the respiratory system, worsen chronic lung conditions, and cause general inflammation. People with preexisting conditions such as asthma and allergies are more likely to become sick from wildfire smoke and those in exposure areas should watch for signs of sickness like coughing or headaches.
Fine particulate matter has the greatest risk to human health; because it is so small, the body does not eliminate it the same way It eliminates larger particles that are inhaled. When inhaled, it can get buried deep within lungs or even enter the bloodstream. Particulate matter exposure has been linked to respiratory irritation, aggravated asthma, premature death in people with heart or lung disease, and heart attacks.
Reishi mushrooms have been used for their medicinal properties for hundreds of years. The evidence for the healing effects of Reishi were originally anecdotal, but an increasing number of studies have shown that Reishi contains compounds that target inflammation and lung conditions. When ingested, the active ingredient in Reishi, ganoderic acid, activates immune response cells like B cells and T lymphocytes. In turn, these cells produce cytokines, which trigger an immune response in the body (Bhardwaj et al, 2014). If you’re in a wildfire smoke zone and looking for a holistic approach to safeguarding your immune system and lung function, consuming Reishi mushrooms and drinking Reishi tea can be a great option.
Additional tips for wildfire smoke detoxification from the Compounding Pharmacy of Beverly Hills include:
staying hydrated
drinking many hot liquids (mushroom tea is our favorite hot beverage)
use a saline nasal spray
thorough rinse with a neti pot
breathe in steam (can use essential oils such as peppermint, thyme, cedar etc.)
consume lots of ginger (natural detoxifier)
increase vitamin C intake (for the antioxidant benefits)
Zoom Out Mycology sells two types of Reishi mushroom tea: Reishi Red and Reishi Rose. Check them out at our online store!
Sources:
State of Oregon Fires and Hotspots Dashboard
Center for Disease Control
“Suppression of Inflammatory and Allergic Responses by Pharmacologically Potent Fungus Ganoderma lucidum.” Bhardwaj et al, 2014
BC Centre for Disease Control
US Environmental Protection Agency
UtahAir
