Ultimate Guide to Reishi Mushrooms

Last Updated on January 16, 2023

What is Reishi Mushroom?

Almost no medicinal mushroom holds equal or greater prestige than the legendary Reishi Mushroom. It’s an emblematic species in the world of herbal medicine and has a growing body of scientific evidence backing its use.

In Chinese Folklore it is known as Lingzhi (the name Reishi actually originates from Japan) and has been used for centuries, mystified as “The Mushroom of Immortality”. While this title is a tad glorified, there’s likely a good basis for this esteem. After all, it’s best known to help prevent/regulate many different illnesses and diseases that could shorten one’s life. 

This includes supporting immune function and improving health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancers. Other potential uses include helping against depression/anxiety, improving sleep, and generally helping your body respond to stress. 

Scientific evidence and deep tradition both support the use of these mushrooms, but keeping a holistic understanding of our health are important. Medicines like Reishi should be employed with healthy lifestyles and diets for effective treatments of any illness. 

reishi mushroom

Taxonomic Clarification Of Reishi Mushrooms

Many of us learned Ganoderma lucidum as the scientific name for the powerful Reishi mushroom. You may have seen the name on commercial products, in scientific articles, and even told it by many well-informed mushroom enthusiasts. Long story short, this name has often been misapplied to a diverse set of closely related species. While they may look the same to the untrained eye, they actually have been shown to have unique medicinal properties. This includes the misapplication of the name Ganoderma lucidum to the Asian varieties used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. 

Ganoderma lucidum explained

Ganoderma lucidum is a mushroom originally described in Europe in 1881. It is a relative to the traditional Lingzhi mushrooms used in China. Due to the cryptic nature of these species, the name Ganoderma lucidum has been misapplied to not only the “Lingzhi” mushroom but to countless other similar-looking species.

Unfortunately for many researchers, foragers, medicine makers, and unaware mushroom enthusiasts, this causes confusion. Considering this is of particular importance because different species have distinct chemical profiles and medicinal properties. The local “Reishi” you’ve been harvesting in your backwoods, or purchasing in tinctures, may not have the same effects claimed in Traditional Chinese Medicine or that have been backed by science!

reishi mushroom

If it wasn’t confusing enough, researchers are still in “heated debate” on the name to use for the traditionally cultivated Lingzhi mushroom.  The names proposed for the traditional Lingzhi mushroom are either G. lingzhi or G. sichuanense (Yao 2020, Dai 2018), although many individuals continue using G. lucidum despite the distinctions made by taxonomic experts. 

In most cases, research conducted in China and Asia likely used raw materials of the true “Lingzhi” variety of Ganoderma. Outside of these regions scientists may have used the European, Ganoderma lucidum or another close relative. Unfortunately, these taxonomic distinctions really cause some issues when it comes to understanding the distinct medicinal properties between species.

While these mushrooms may have unique chemical profiles, they are closely related. All of these mushrooms belong to the Subgenus Ganoderma within the genus Ganoderma. They are also commonly referred to as the “Ganoderma lucidum complex” or “Laccate Ganoderma”. Since this is an area of developing research we will be using the name “Reishi ” ambiguously when referring to this group of species. 

While this information may seem shocking to some, this is very common in the taxonomy of mushroom-forming fungi. The European names of countless species have been misapplied across the world to their closely related counterparts due to the similarities in morphology and lack of research.  

Selected Species In The Ganoderma lucidum complex

  • Ganoderma tsugae
  • Ganoderma sessile
  • Ganoderma curtisii
  • Ganoderma oregonense
  • Ganoderma lucidum
  • Ganoderma polychromum
  • Ganoderma zonatum
  • Ganoderma resinaceum
  • Ganoderma tropicum

Natural History and Ecology of Reishi

Reishi mushrooms are a type of polypore or “shelf fungus” that grow from tree trunks and branches of hardwood trees. In some cases, some varieties of Reishi will occur on softwoods. While they often just rot dead wood and may occur on living trees with little problems, they are also often considered pathogenic and may harm trees. Large trees infected with Reishi near homes should be inspected by an arborist and considered for removal.

Ecologically, these mushrooms play important roles in the nutrient cycling process. This process involves the decomposition of complex organic materials such as wood, into simpler plant-available compounds. Through this process, soils become enriched with nutrients and organic matter, a central part of ecological succession. 

Aside from its role in nutrient cycling, Reishi mycelium and fruiting bodies are also important food/habitats for many species. Certain forms of insect detritivores consume mycelium and are regularly observed from trunks rotting with Ganoderma. Some insects also use the Ganoderma fruiting bodies as food or habitat for breeding. 

Reishi mycelium can live for years within a decomposing tree trunk but the fruiting bodies are short-lived. In temperate climates, they may have very pronounced seasons in which they fruit while in tropical climates they occur year-round. The fruiting bodies may only last 1-2 months before they begin to turn soft and decompose. This is in contrast to more distant relatives within the genus such as the “Artist Conk” or Ganoderma applanatum, these form long-lived fruiting bodies that grow for years. 

What Do Reishi Mushrooms Look Like?

They are usually red to brown and may be coated with their dusty brown spores. Brushing away this dust from its upper surface will reveal a unique and shiny surface, for which it’s given the common name “Varnished Conk”. The term “Laccate Ganoderma” is also commonly referenced in literature to refer to the ambiguous group of varnished conks. 

fresh reishi mushroom in hand
Fresh picked medicinal Ganoderma lucidum

Its shape can greatly vary on variety/environment but they are usually fan-shaped and can be as small as 5 cm or as large as 100 cm! Certain environmental conditions and genetic varieties will produce long stems.

The underside of the mushrooms is white when mature and eventually begins turning brown with age. Immature specimens have a white outer margin which is where new growth is occurring. Once this white outer margin is gone, the mushroom is mature, and the best point to harvest! 

Where Do Reishi Mushrooms Grow?

Reishi mushrooms occur around the world in both temperate and tropical climates. Their distribution is largely limited to forested ecosystems with medium to large trees. If you have forests near you, there is likely at least one variety of Reishi found there!

The traditional Lingzhi variety is only thought to occur in China and Eastern Asia. Genetic analysis of a wide variety of specimens suggests that the true European Ganoderma lucidum only occurs in Europe and small parts of Asia, although it may have escaped from cultivation in other parts of the world. 

Medicinal Properties Of Reishi

The acclaimed medicinal properties of Reishi mushrooms are vast. They’re most known for their ability to improve immune function and for their use in cancer treatments.  They also have strong anti-inflammatory effects, are high in antioxidants, and could help with various chronic diseases. This includes high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and even emotional disorders. 

Lastly, Reishi is revered as one of the most treasured adaptogenic herbs. Adaptogens are herbs that work to help regulate and manage various forms of stress in the body, including physical, emotional, and environmental stresses. They do this by helping regulate and balance your body’s natural stress response system.

Yet, as is the case with many traditional medicines, there is only limited scientific research showing the effectiveness of all the claims. While some studies have had mixed results, there is in general a promising outlook on some of the claims made about Reishi mushrooms. 

Lastly, the research on Reishi mushrooms is a bit confusing simply due to taxonomic errors made in the literature. These errors continue to be made in contemporary literature and are a major source of uncertainty in these studies. While we can assume that most studies done in China and East Asia were done with the Traditional Lingzhi varieties (even if the name Ganoderma lucidum is used), the source mushrooms used in many European and North American studies remain ambiguous unless otherwise mentioned. 

Active Compounds In Reishi Mushrooms

The mushrooms and mycelium of Reishi mushrooms are known to contain about 400 different bioactive compounds that include polysaccharides, triterpenoids, nucleotides, sterols, steroids, fatty acids, proteins, and other trace elements (Zeng, 2018). Amongst these, unique polysaccharides and triterpenoids from Reishi have been shown to be the most biologically active. 

Polysaccharides are one of the major components of Reishi mushrooms and form a large part of the fungal biomass. Over 200 different polysaccharides have been isolated from the mushrooms and mycelium, with many new novel ones still being discovered. In particular, a special type of polysaccharide known as beta-glucans has been shown to be the most promising in terms of medicinal properties.

Beta-glucans are found in all fungi as they form a major component of the cellular structures. These same types of polysaccharides are the main active ingredients in many medicinal mushrooms, albeit each species contains different forms of beta-glucans. In particular, these compounds have been shown to have antioxidant, antitumor, immuno-regulatory, anticancer, and hypoglycaemic activities.

Triterpenes are the water-insoluble part of the mushrooms and possess many unique properties. Most notably they are known to help with various forms of cancer. Triterpenes are considered particularly bitter, which may be a good indicator of the triterpene content of a fruiting body.

Research Highlights

Improving Immune Function

  • Researchers in Colombia performed a double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical study to observe the immunomodulatory activity of children aged 3 to 5. It showed that β-glucans from G. lucidum increase the frequency of immune system cells in the peripheral blood. These are cells important for defense against infectious threats in asymptomatic children. (Urrego, 2018)
  • Reishi may help modulate white blood cells under conditions of intense physical activity and hypoxia. (Zhang, 2009)

Helping In Cancer Treatment

  • Reishi may help patients with colorectal cancer by increasing the number of white blood cells. (Chen, 2006)
  • Both water-soluble and water-insoluble components of Reishi mushrooms have been shown to help inhibit and regulate the growth of cancer cells from various cell lines in culture. (Chung, 2001)
  • Various triterpenes from Ganoderma were shown to have cytotoxic effects on Meth-A and LLC tumor cell lines. (Min, 2000)
  • Two species of Ganoderma, G. sinense and G. lucidum, were shown to have antitumoral proliferation effects. While their biochemical composition greatly differs they both were effective via the apoptosis pathway and the cell cycle arrest effect. (Liu, 2009)
  • Extracts from Reishi mushroom spores were shown to induce apoptosis of breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. They did this by activating caspase-3 and caspase-9 proteases. (Jiao, 2020)
  • Water-soluble polysaccharides isolated from Ganoderma sp. were shown to inhibit tumor growth and prolong survival of mice with lung cancer. (Hsu, 2020)

Could Help With Depression

  • Ethanol extracts of Reishi mushrooms showed antidepressant-like activity in Mice. (Muhammad, 2017)
  • Water-soluble extracts of Ganoderma mycellium showed antidepressant-like effects in Rats. (Matsuzake, 2013)
  • Ganoderma spore oil was shown to have antidepressant effects on depressant model mice after 2 weeks of ingestion. (Deng, 2017)
  • Double-blind randomized placebo trials conducted on women diagnosed with chronic rheumatic disorder showed improved levels of happiness and satisfaction with reduced depression after consuming Ganoderma capsules for 6 weeks. (Pazzi, 2020)

May Help Reduce Fatigue

  • Spores of Ganoderma improve cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer patients undergoing endocrine therapy. (Zhao, 2021)
  • Ganoderma combined with the “essence of chicken” (as a functional food) can increase exercise preformance and improve recovery-related fatigue. (Chen, 2018)
  • Polysaccharides from Ganoderma were shown to have anti-hypoxia and anti-fatigue effects in mice by decreasing blood lactic acid, blood urea nitrogen, and increasing the liver and muscle glycogen contents. (Luo, 2014)
  • Ganoderma polysaccharide extracts were shown to help reduce fatigue in patients suffering from neurasthenia (Tang, 2005

May Improve Heart Health

  • A twelve-week study with twenty-six participants showed Ganoderma may increase levels of “good” cholesterol and decrease triglycerides. (Chu, 2012)
  • Hot water extracts of Ganoderma were shown to have antioxidative effects against ethanol-induced heart toxicity in mice. (Wong, 2005)

Could Help With Diabetes

  • Proteoglycans from Ganoderma were shown to have anti-diabetic properties when given to diabetic mice. It enhanced insulin secretion and decreased hepatic glucose output, along with an increase of adipose and skeletal muscle glucose disposal in the late stage of diabetes. (Pan, 2013) 
  • Ganoderma polysaccharides showed hypoglycemic effects in type  2 diabetic mice after 7 days. (Xiao, 2012)

Other Medicinal Properties

  • Ganoderma and its extracts contain high quantities of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. (Ferreira, 2015
  • Ganoderma was shown to help improve learning and memory in mice. (Want, 2004Khatian, 2019)
  • Ganoderma has prebiotic properties and may help treat obesity. (Delzenne, 2015)
  • Ganoderma has been shown to have good potential as an anti-inflammatory supplement. (Wu, 2019)
  • Ganoderma species may help promote sleep quality and length. (Cui, 2012Yao, 2021

History Of Reishi Mushroom

Like many medicinal mushrooms, the traditional use of Reishi mushrooms is most known in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Evidence from various archeological sites in China suggests that Ganoderma species may have been used for over 5000 years. The earliest written records of its use date back to 100 B.C from the Shennong Materia Medica, one of the most ancient medical texts regarding TCM. 

This monumental text lists 365 different medicinal herbs with the most esteemed being those with medicinal properties and no known toxic effects. Amongst these, six different types of Reishi mushrooms (red, yellow, blue, white, purple, and black “Lingzhi”, although the true taxonomic identity of these is unclear) are mentioned. Although each is attributed with unique properties and descriptions, all six kinds are said to help facilitate health, well-being, and longevity when applied in the long term. Since the release of this text, Reishi mushrooms are mentioned repeatedly in Chinese medical texts. 

According to TCM, Lingzhi has a neutral temperature, a sweet/bitter taste, and helps stimulate the heart, liver, and lungs. According to some it also helps support the kidneys and spleen. It is said to replenish Qi energy and nourish the blood. Also, it helps calm the mind, stop coughs, reduce dyspnoea, and strengthen the kidney essence. 

While Reishi has very clear uses and applications in TCM, it was also highly regarded for mysticism and magical properties. Various historic texts refer to Reishi mushrooms as “Gods-Food” and link their consumption to immortality and even resurrection.  It is mentioned repeatedly in poetry and art, often held with great symbolism. 

In the 1930s, Chinese scholars were the first to begin studying Reishi mushrooms with modern scientific technology. In the 1950s, Reishi was first artificially cultivated at the Institute of Microbiology Chinese Academy of Sciences. Today Reishi mushrooms are not only used in traditional practice but many Reishi-based drugs have been authorized by the State Food and Drug Administration of China for clinical use. 

Consuming Reishi Mushrooms

Reishi can be consumed in a variety of forms which may vary in effectiveness. How effective it is in treating or preventing illness will greatly depend on the potency of the product, how/when it’s consumed, and other lifestyle factors. 

In general, Reishi mushrooms and products derived from it should be consumed regularly over long periods of time. This can be time periods ranging from several weeks or years, depending on why you chose to consume Reishi. Taking single doses of Reishi may bring some health benefits, but they will be limited when compared to consuming over longer time periods. For maximum effect, Reishi can be taken twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. 

Choosing Quality Reishi Products

When it comes to herbal medicine, there are always varying degrees in the quality of products. This is largely due to either the quality of the raw materials or the post-processing of the raw materials. As previously mentioned, taxonomic errors made within this group of mushrooms can affect the types of active compounds present. For this reason, it is recommended to take precautions when choosing a Reishi product, especially if it is being used to treat a serious or chronic illness.

Tips To Choosing Your Reishi Products 

  • If choosing an extract or another refined product, consider finding producers who offer laboratory analysis. These will show exactly what active compounds are present and in what quantity. 
  • Unless otherwise noted, ask the provider if they can confirm exactly what variety is being used. Your best bet will be finding a producer who can confirm they are using a “Lingzhi” variety originating from China. Wild harvested mushrooms in particular could be from a wide variety of species, even if it is labeled Ganoderma lucidum. 
  • While it is often great to support local and small-scale producers, consider consulting them to learn more about where they source their materials and the processes they conduct to refine their products. 
  • For the best Reishi supplements check out our guides:

Mycelium vs Fruiting Bodies

Consuming the whole fruiting body is the general consensus to achieve the most health benefits from the mushroom. There is controversy in the medicinal mushroom community about the medicinal properties of mycelium and mycelium-based products. Many argue that only mushrooms themselves are effective medicines. The truth is that many studies have been conducted on mycelium and they have been shown to contain many of the same medicinal components. 

Mycelium products are most often made from “colonized grain”. This is mycelium that has been grown on edible grains such as rice, wheat, or millet. In some cases, specialized strains with more bioactive mycelium are used. Proper colonization of the grains is necessary to ensure that a large percentage of the grain’s biomass has been converted into mycelium. Alternatively, mycelium is also cultivated within bioreactors in liquid mediums that allow for the production of pure high-potency mycelium. 

Reishi Products – Methods, Dosage, Benefits

  • Fresh or Dehydrated Fruiting Bodies – Reishi is a tough and woody mushroom. It cannot be cooked up like the edible mushrooms you may be more familiar with. In most cases, fruiting bodies should be cooked in simmering water for at least 20 minutes, although three to four hours is most recommended. This will make a tea that can be consumed immediately or kept in the fridge for 1-2 weeks. Pulverizing, grinding, or cutting the mushrooms into small pieces will further improve the extraction process and reduce cooking times. A single dose is about 25-50 grams of thoroughly extracted mushrooms.

Keep in mind that decoctions in water will only extract the water-soluble compounds. While these are still medicinal and effective for various health problems, Reishi has many non-water soluble compounds that are best extracted with alcohol. This will be discussed in the tincture section below.

  • Dried Powder-  Powdered Reishi can be boiled in water like mentioned above or used for the making of tinctures. If your powder is an “Activated Powder” this means it can be consumed directly in smoothies or other food items without cooking. Activated powders are generally made from mushrooms that have been heated or processed in a way to make the medicinal compounds bioavailable. A single dose is usually 15-30 grams of activated powders.
  • Extracts – Extracts are refined products that have been isolated from the rest of the fungal biomass. These are much more potent and can be consumed in much lower quantities. There are 2 main types of extracts on the market; Tinctures and Powdered Extracts.

1. Tinctures – Tinctures are liquid extracts usually administered by droppers. They contain both water-soluble and water-insoluble components. These are made by mixing a potent water-based decoction and an alcohol-based infusion. Water Soluble components are made by boiling the raw materials for several hours and reducing it to make a potent “tea”. The alcohol-soluble component is made by soaking the raw materials in high percentage of alcohol (75% or more) for several months. 

These two solutions are then mixed to make what is called a “Double Extraction Tincture”. Around 10ml or 1-2 dropperfuls is a typical dose, but you should consult the producer to know the proper dosage. 

2. Powdered Extracts – Powdered extracts are some of the most potent forms of medicinal mushroom products. They are particularly useful for mixing into any food item or supplement blend. A normal dose is about 3-4 grams of the extract. Extremely potent extracts may only require 1-2 teaspoons per dose.


  • Capsules/Tablets – Capsules and Tablets are usually made with powdered extracts but may just contain activated powders. These are convenient as they are already dosed and can be easily added into an already established regiment. One to two capsules/tablets is the most common dose for most products.
  • Tea, Coffee, and Other Food Products – Foods can often be the best and easiest way to consume medicinal mushrooms. After all, if you’re already consuming coffee every morning, why not spike it with a supplemental dose of Reishi? Consult packaging for dose. 

Trying Reishi For Yourself

One of the greatest things about Reishi mushrooms is that they are extremely safe to consume. There is little to no risk taken when consuming Reishi mushrooms. If you have a serious or chronic illness, Reishi may be a good supplement to your already established treatments but it’s always good to consult your doctor if you have any doubts. Like previously mentioned, using Reishi alone will rarely cure or prevent serious illnesses. Reishi should be used as a supplement to a holistic treatment that often includes changes in diet, habits, and daily lifestyles. 

Author

  • Timothee Mendez Reneau is an Environmental Science and Mycology Researcher, Author, and Contributor. He graduated from Humboldt State University Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Environmental Science with a focus on Ecological Restoration. A passionate fungi enthusiast, he was the Former President of the Mycology Club at Humboldt State University - a mecca location for mushroom foraging.

World Mushroom Society is a collective of fungi enthusiasts and health advocates, sharing information, research, studies, and identifying top producers of high quality medicinal mushroom supplements.

DISCLAIMER

DISCLAIMER
The information on this website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information found here is not meant as a substitute for, or alternative to, information from your doctor for ongoing medical treatment you currently receive. If unsure, please consult with your doctor before using medicinal mushrooms. Any content related to cancer should not be considered as prescriptive medical advice and should not be a substitute for any cancer treatment, unless advised by your doctor first. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by TGA and FDA-approved research. If you are pregnant or on prescription drugs that thin the blood, consult with your medical professional before using medicinal mushrooms.
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