Reishi
The Latin name for Reishi is Ganoderma lucidum—also called “Shining Ganoderma.” Well known and used in Chinese medicine as “Linzhi” since the first millennium BC, this mushroom boasts an impressive collection of medicinal compounds, delighting therapists and scientists alike. Unfortunately, it won’t delight chefs, as our Ganoderma is tough and bitter, making it impossible to cook.
History
Reishi, known in China since antiquity as the “mushroom of immortality,” has been intensely studied by the scientific community for several decades and includes no fewer than 3,300 scientific articles listed on the PUBMED indexing site. Several hundred potentially medicinal compounds constituting this mushroom have been isolated and studied, such as certain types of beta-glucans, sterols, and triterpenes. More than 100 varieties of triterpenes are produced in this mushroom, half of which are found only in Reishi, such as ganoderic acid.
These compounds are believed to have beneficial effects on the immune system [1, 2], modulating inflammation [3, 4, 5, 6], on the circulatory system [7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12], on sleep [13, 14, 15], stress [16, 17], brain health [18, 19, 20], ,hormonal regulation [21, 22, 23, 24, 25], liver health [26] and gut health [27] among others.
Despite empirical knowledge gained over millennia about this mushroom, science is still trying to understand the subtle mechanisms of its compounds on the body through studies on animal models and in vitro.
Many clinical studies are still needed to finally reach definitive conclusions.
Known Medicinal Compounds
- Polysaccharides : bêta-(1,3-1,6)glucanes
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Triterpenes: ganoderic acids, ganolucidic acids, lucidumol B, lucidone A
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Sterols: ergosterol (provitamin D2)
Taste Experience
None, sorry—this mushroom is not edible as a culinary ingredient.
However, its extracts are often consumed as teas or coffees.
Functional and Medicinal Aspects
There is much to say about this mushroom!
Reishi is recognized for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and adaptogenic properties. It is used in traditional medicine to support the immune system, manage stress, improve sleep, and as a complementary approach for cardiovascular health, blood sugar regulation, and even as a potential adjunct in cancer therapy. Its bioactive compounds, especially triterpenes and polysaccharides, are the focus of much of this research.
Some scientific papers will come soon in this page.
For those interested in further research, here is a direct link to PubMed listing all known scientific articles to date:
ganoderma lucidum – Search Results – PubMed (nih.gov)
Disclaimer:
It is important to note that studies on the therapeutic properties of these mushrooms are still ongoing.
The information on our website does not replace professional medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease.
Please consult a doctor before using reishi for medicinal purposes. Results may vary between individuals.