Migraines are severe headaches, throbbing on one side of the head, sometimes on both sides of the head. The headaches are debilitating and affect the quality of life of those who suffer from it. In recent years there has been an increase in the number of adolescents who suffer from migraine. In recent years there has been an increase in cases of migraine especially among the ages group of 10 years to 30 years.
A research study published in the “International Journal of Pharmacy” in 2012 examined the effect of the Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidium) on migraine symptoms.
Reishi is a traditional medicine for treating migraines in East and Central Asia. A study examined the effect of Reishi on the frequency and duration of migraines. It is well known that the use of conventional drugs for treating migraines, which are administered at a frequency of three times a week or more, increase the risk for side effects especially in children and adolescents.
Between March to May 2012, 220 questionnaires were collected from international clinic patients in Karachi. Of those, 66 patients were found to suffer from chronic migraine.
According to the questionnaires, the most common causes of migraine were: stress / tension 50.90%, sensitivity to light (photosensitivity) 48.18% and loud noise 45.5%.
The patients were taking Reishi for a period of a month to a year. Following the use of Reishi 62 patients (93.99%) reported pain relief and reduction in seizure frequency, 54 patients (83.18%) reported of having no side effects after taking Reishi. The side effects that were reported were sensitivity of the gastrointestinal tract; symptoms that are also typical to those who suffer from chronic migraine.
The Reishi mushroom has balancing effects on the nervous system; it allows the body to better handle stress and tension and allows for a more restful sleep. Among people with migraine that was associated with stress and tension, Reishi had demonstrated efficacy in reducing relapses occurred, while balancing the nervous system and improving its adaptability to daily stress.
