The Largest Herb In The World

So in this article we're going to learn about Reishi Mushroom, which is probably the biggest herb on the planet. And why I say that, why I make that claim, is this herb is the most scientifically analyzed of any herb ever known, ever studied. On top of that, it's one of the most revered, if not the most revered, herb of all of traditional China. And of course that herb is none other than reishi mushroom. Again, it's one of my favourite herbs and an herb that I have worked with a lot during the last eight or so years. It is one herb that I have gotten a lot of truly solid feedback about and I've heard just plenty of great success stories.

So the ancient Chinese text called the Shen Nong, which originates from a really, truly long time ago…essentially 500CE. It essentially stated that reishi is helpful for enhancing imperative energy, accelerating thinking faculty, and stopping forgetfulness. That's can refresh the body and mind, delay aging, and enable one to live a long life. It tonifies the spleen, augmenting knowledge, improving memory so that you will not forget, long-term consumption will lighten the body and you'll never become old. It lengthens ears, it has spiritual powers and develops spirits so that you become a spirit being like the immortals. And that's nothing I made up, that is a direct quote from the Herbal Classic, which is the oldest traditional Chinese text.

So reishi’s standing as the mushroom of immortality basically reached one of the oldest Chinese emperors who was Emperor T, and this emperor was meant to have set up a complete fleet of ships of 300 men and 300 girls and he told them to sail to the east where they believed reishi was growing, and then they were supposed to bring that back. So fundamentally, as the tale goes, this ship fundamentally got lost at sea, and then they were castaway and washed ashore in Japan, and according to the tale, that's basically how Japan was started.

So again, solely to sum up, according to this lore of mythology, Japan was discovered and colonised because the emperor sent 300 men and 300 ladies in a fleet of ships out to find reishi mushroom. So just that tiny tale alone is fairly mad. So as I discussed earlier, in Chinese art, reishi is pretty ubiquitous and pretty far-ranging as a symbol of good health and long life.

We can find depictions and images of reishi found on doors, door lentils, archways and railings throughout the Prohibited Town and the Summer Palace in traditional China. In diverse times in Chinese history, the emperor’s official scepter included a carving of reishi mushroom. Which folks really accept that they have footage of the original scepter, and they believe that this was actually a real reishi mushroom. So to the general population, to the overall public, the image of reishi seems to be more of a good luck charm or like an amulet, or a symbol that is believed to have sort of wondrous powers. And then in assorted pen and ink drawing, tapestries, and paintings, subjects would often wear jewellery or jade pieces made in the image of reishi mushroom. And kwan yen, who is the ancient Chinese god of healing and mercy, is sometimes depicted essentially holding a reishi mushroom. So hopefully all of those examples I have given you have given a good idea, a good illustration and demonstration of how revered and how enchanting reishi was believed to be in ancient times. Again, if you need to go more in depth than that, check out the audio course that is on this site too. You can go more full on into that.

Brandon Gilbert is an Herbal teacher, and positive blogger who has dedicated his to continuing learning and education. You can find out more about reishi mushroom heading off to https://hyperionherbs.com .