Reishi: Effects & Use

"Mushroom of immortality" – that is what the ancient Chinese scriptures called it, and for a long time reishi was so precious that it was reserved for the rulers. The glossy, woody tree mushroom with the epithet Lingzhi thus stands in a tradition of over two thousand years – and is today one of the best-known medicinal mushrooms in the world.

In short: reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is a woody tree mushroom that has been used for over 2,000 years in traditional Chinese use as a "calm" mushroom – classically in the evening as a decoction, today as an extract, powder, capsule or tea. Of interest above all are the bitter triterpenes (ganoderic acids) and the beta-glucans; a good extract states both values transparently. In the case of blood thinners, consult a doctor.

The most important points in brief

• What: Ganoderma lucidum, a woody tree mushroom with a glossy, reddish-brown surface.
• Tradition: for over 2,000 years a firm part of traditional Chinese use, revered there as "Lingzhi".
• Interesting constituents: triterpenes (including ganoderic acids) and beta-glucans – the typical bitter substance and the quality feature of reishi respectively.
• Forms: extract, powder, capsules and classically as tea/decoction; a high, standardised content of triterpenes and beta-glucans is advisable.
• Safety: when taking blood thinners and other medication, clarify the use with a doctor.

What is reishi – and why is it so bitter?

Ganoderma lucidum is a tree mushroom that grows in nature on hardwoods. Unlike a classic culinary mushroom, it is hard, woody and, when dried, almost inedible – traditionally it is not used as a vegetable but as a decoction, tea or powdered extract. Its glossy, lacquer-like surface gave it the German name "Glänzender Lackporling" (glossy lacquer bracket).

Reishi is rich in two particularly interesting groups of substances. On the one hand there are the triterpenes – among them the ganoderic acids, which give the mushroom its typical bitter taste and are almost unique in this diversity. This bitterness is not a flaw but a sensory quality signal: it indicates that the extract is rich in triterpenes. On the other hand, reishi contains beta-glucans, those long-chain cell-wall polysaccharides that are considered a quality marker of many medicinal mushrooms. A good reishi extract states both values transparently.

Why people have valued reishi for millennia

In traditional Chinese use, reishi occupies a special position. Ancient scriptures count it among the foremost natural remedies and associate it with balance, calm and a long life. It was – and is – gladly drunk in the evening as a decoction and is considered in tradition a "calm" mushroom, in contrast to more "activating" representatives such as cordyceps.

Today people reach for reishi for various reasons: some as part of an evening relaxation routine, others in connection with well-being and a conscious way of life, still others in the context of immune balance. All of this describes contexts of use and not established effects.

What research is investigating

Reishi is one of the longest and most broadly researched medicinal mushrooms. Research is particularly interested in its two main groups of substances. Beta-glucans from mushrooms are generally an established topic in immunology, because they are recognised by the immune system as cell-wall structures foreign to the body – exactly how reishi glucans act here is investigated in laboratory and animal models. The triterpenes, in turn, are in focus because they exhibit an unusual chemical diversity; scientists investigate which processes in the body they interact with.

Honestly classified: a large part of this work comes from cell and animal studies, and studies in humans have so far been limited in number and scope. The direction of research is established and active, but robust, established statements on concrete health effects in humans cannot be derived from the current state of knowledge. This is why we deliberately describe reishi neutrally. Basics are provided by Adaptogens – what is that? and Medicinal mushrooms at a glance.

Use, dosage and timing

Reishi is usually used as an extract (capsules or powder), as pure mushroom powder or classically as a tea. Because of its traditional classification as a "calm" mushroom, many prefer to take it in the evening. Since reishi contains no stimulating caffeine, from this point of view there is nothing against use before going to bed – individual preferences decide.

Stick to the dosage information of the manufacturer. How to recognise a good medicinal mushroom is put into context in the overview Medicinal mushrooms: reishi, cordyceps & Lion's Mane; fitting basics are also provided by Lab-tested – what does that mean?.

How to recognise good reishi

The market for reishi is large, and the quality varies considerably. Three points help you distinguish a high-quality product from a weak one. First, the degree of extraction: a "dual extract" (water and alcohol extraction) captures both the water-soluble beta-glucans and the alcohol-soluble triterpenes – this is particularly sensible with reishi, because its interesting substances dissolve differently. Second, the standardisation: reputable providers state the beta-glucan content (not just the collective figure "polysaccharides") and often also the triterpene proportion. Third, the transparency: origin, the processed part of the mushroom and an independent certificate of analysis with contaminant control are a good sign. Incidentally, the bitter taste is an indication of a genuine, triterpene-rich extract.

Honestly classified: what is established and what is not

Well established is the botanical and cultural-historical side: reishi is a tree mushroom rich in triterpenes and beta-glucans with a tradition of use in East Asia going back over two thousand years. Actively researched, but open are the concrete effects in humans – a large part of the data comes from laboratory and animal models. Not proven and therefore not claimed are concrete health effects. Reishi is thus a fascinating, well-characterised mushroom with a long tradition, but not a remedy with established health effects – and that is exactly how we classify it.

Safety: important note in the case of blood thinners

Reishi may be discussed in interaction with blood-thinning medication (anticoagulants). If you take anticoagulant medication, are facing an operation or use blood-pressure-affecting medication, be sure to clarify the use of reishi with a doctor beforehand. The same applies during pregnancy and breastfeeding as well as with existing conditions. With a known mushroom allergy, caution is advised. Food supplements do not replace a balanced diet. In case of persistent complaints, please consult a doctor.

Suitable products and further guides

You will find reishi at Scheunengut as a lab-tested extract and powder in the category Reishi. You can discover further medicinal mushrooms in the collection Medicinal mushrooms; anyone who would like to shape the evening consciously will also find suitable products under Sleep & inner calm. If the evening and calm interest you, the guides Sleeping better naturally, Valerian: effect & use, Stress & inner calm and Cordyceps: energy & sport help.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Why does genuine reishi taste so bitter?

The bitterness comes from the triterpenes, in particular the ganoderic acids. It is not a flaw but a sensory quality signal: a distinctly bitter extract is as a rule rich in triterpenes. Taste-neutral capsules bypass the taste, whereas a triterpene-rich extract powder remains typically bitter.

Do you take reishi in the morning or evening?

In tradition, reishi is considered a "calm" mushroom, which is why many prefer to take it in the evening. Since it contains no stimulating caffeine, from this point of view there is nothing against use before going to bed. There is no fixed rule – individual preferences and the manufacturer's information decide.

How do you recognise a good reishi extract?

By three points: a sensible degree of extraction (ideal is a dual extract of water and alcohol extraction, which captures beta-glucans and triterpenes), a clear standardisation with a stated beta-glucan and, if possible, triterpene content instead of just "polysaccharides", and transparency about origin, the part of the mushroom and an independent certificate of analysis.

Can reishi be combined with medication?

Reishi may be discussed in connection with blood-thinning medication (anticoagulants). Anyone taking anticoagulant or blood-pressure-affecting medication, facing an operation, pregnant or breastfeeding should clarify the use with a doctor beforehand. With a mushroom allergy, caution is advised.