Reishi: Benefits, Dosage, Safety, & Preparation – The Botanical Institute

Reishi is a traditional Chinese mushroom with adaptogenic properties that provides many benefits.

The purported health benefits of reishi include control of blood glucose levels, modulation of the immune system, liver support, bacteriostasis, and more.

In this article, we will look at the benefits of reishi, its safety, and its history.

Reishi, also known as the Mushroom of Immortality, is a fungus that grows out of decaying wood. It is considered to be one of the most beneficial herbal remedies in traditional Chinese medicine.

In China, this mushroom is called lingzhi.

It is a large, dark brownish-red mushroom with a glossy exterior and a woody texture. The exterior of the mushroom has a varnished sheen to it.

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Reishi has been used for thousands of years for its medicinal benefits.

According to TCM teachers, lingzhi acts to replenish Qi, ease the mind, and relieve cough and asthma, and it is recommended for dizziness, insomnia, palpitation, and shortness of breath (Wachtel-Galor, Yuen, & Buswell, 2011).

Today Reishi is commonly used to aid the immune system. New research also shows that this mushroom may have promising benefits for cancer patients, more on this below.

Considerable evidence supports the use of Reishi mushrooms for supporting the immune system.

Various in vitro (i.e. test tube) studies show that the phytochemicals within Reishi work to increase white blood cells, NK cells, and increase macrophage activity (Wachtel-Galor, Yuen, & Buswell, 2011).

In particular, reishi works to increase innate immune function.

Innate immunity, also known as natural immunity or non-specific immunity, is a series of defense mechanisms that respond quickly to various invading pathogenic microorganisms. They also play an important role in the initiation and effect processes of specific immunity.

Studies have found that a variety of innate immune cells such as natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells (DCs), and macrophages can regulate the innate immune response.

Enhancing the bodys non-specific immunity is of great significance to improve the overall immune function of the body.

Recent research shows that Reishi may have some promise in combatting cancer.

The initial research involving reishi and cancer was conducted in the 1980s in animal models. Reduction in cancer growth by 74%-95% was shown in a variety of different trials (Wachtel-Galor, Yuen, & Buswell, 2011).

While the initial animal studies looked very promising, human clinical trials havent been as clear-cut.

Two primary studies showed that reishi mushrooms helped to increase cellular immunity in 80% of the patients involved (Gao et al, 2003). In addition, quality of life scores were improved in around 65% of the patients involved.

Reishi is rich in powerful antioxidants, which have a variety of health benefits.

Antioxidants protect cells from oxidative damage, this helps to decrease the risk of mutations and carcinogenesis and also protect immune cells, allowing them to maintain immune surveillance and response.

Various test-tube studies have been conducted to show the effects of Reishi and its antioxidant properties. In particular, one study showed that reishi extract protects against oxidative damage induced by reactive oxygen species (Lee et al, 2001).

New animal research shows that reishi may be helpful in stabilizing blood sugar.

A trial conducted on mice showed that reishi extract help tolower the serum glucose levels in obese/diabetic mice, with effects seen after the first week of treatment (Seto et al, 2009).

As with all animal trials, this should be taken with a grain of salt. Further human clinical research is needed.

Safety Class: 1 (can be safely used when consumed properly)

Interaction Class: A (no clinically relevant reactions are expected)

Reishi mushrooms are generally well tolerated and safe to be taken by most people. Allergic reactions are rare but have been reported. There are no known contraindications or precautions to taking Reishi (Gardner & McGuffin, 2013).

There are no known cautions with taking reishi during pregnancy.

Tincture (1:5): 45 mL (80100 drops), three or four times per day.

Decoction: Add 12 oz. dried cut/sifted mushroom to 32 oz. water. Simmer slowly for 24 hours until reduced by one-half (16 oz.). Take up to three or four cups per day.

Capsules: Mycelial extracts. Take three 500 to 1000 mg tablets, three times per day.

Scientifically, Reishi is known as Ganoderma lucidum. The word lucidum is latin for shiny, which refers to the varnished appearance of the surface of the mushroom.

The Chinese name of this mushroom is Lingzhi, which translates as spirit plant.

Red reishi is relatively rare in the wild, and throughout the history of China, its use was restricted mostly to the emperor, his court, and the upper classes.

Reishi has been used in Chinese medicine for just over 2000 years.

Wild lingzhi is rare, and in the years before it was cultivated, only the nobility could afford it.

The sacred fungus was said to grow in the abodes of the immortals, on the three aisles of bliss off Chinas coast.

Its reputation as a cure-all, however, may have been enhanced more by its scarcity, and use by the rich and powerful members of Chinese society rather than by its genuine effects.

Nevertheless, theGanodermaspecies continue to be a popular traditional medicine in Asia and their use is growing throughout the world (Winston, 2019).

Reishi contains immunostimulating polysaccharides known as -glucans, bitter triterpenes such as ganoderic acid and ganoderenic acid, and a protein known as ling zhi-8 protein.

Adaptogen, immune stimulant

Reishi is a safe herb with promising adaptogenic and immune-supporting effects, as well as the ability to potentially stabilize blood sugar.

Consider using reishi and helping to naturally support your body.

As always, speak to your doctor before starting any herbal regimen or supplement plan that may interfere with medications you are taking for existing medical conditions.

Gardner, Z., McGuffin, M. (2013). The botanical safety handbook [2nd edition]. American Herbal Products Association

Gao Y. H, Sai X. H, Chen G. L, Ye J. X, Zhou S. F. (2003). A randomized, placebo-controlled, multi-center study of Ganoderma lucidum (W. Curt.: Fr.) Lloyd (Aphyllophoromycetideae) polysaccharides (Ganopoly) in patients with advanced lung cancer. Int J Med Mushrooms. 2003;5:36881.

Lee, J. M., Kwon, H., Jeong, H., Lee, J. W., Lee, S. Y., Baek, S. J., & Surh, Y. J. (2001). Inhibition of lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA damage by Ganoderma lucidum. Phytotherapy research : PTR, 15(3), 245249. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.830

Seto, S. W., Lam, T. Y., Tam, H. L., Au, A. L., Chan, S. W., Wu, J. H., Yu, P. H., Leung, G. P., Ngai, S. M., Yeung, J. H., Leung, P. S., Lee, S. M., & Kwan, Y. W. (2009). Novel hypoglycemic effects of Ganoderma lucidum water-extract in obese/diabetic (+db/+db) mice. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 16(5), 426436. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2008.10.004

Wachtel-Galor, S., Yuen, J., Buswell, J.A., et al. (2011) Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi or Reishi): A Medicinal Mushroom. In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, editors. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis. Chapter 9. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92757/

Winston, David. (2019). Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief (2nd ed.). Inner Traditions/Bear & Company.

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Reishi: Benefits, Dosage, Safety, & Preparation - The Botanical Institute