The reishi mushroom is a popular mushroom used in Eastern medicine. Among Chinese herbs, medicinal mushrooms have long been used during cancer treatment. Lingzhi (Reishi or Mannentake in Japanese) and Yunzhi (commonly known as turkey tail) are common medicinal mushrooms that are easily available in Asian countries. They are believed to have medicinal properties to treat cancer or alleviate cancer-related symptoms.
Both fungi belong to the Polyporaceae family and have similar characteristics according to traditional Chinese medicine theory, including taste and nature. Despite its popular use in cancer patients, there are limited reports on the clinical outcomes of its herbal and drug interactions during cancer treatment. The reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) is a bitter-tasting mushroom with no proven health benefits. It is thought to have some effects on the immune system.
When beta-glucans bind to proteins, they form polysaccharide peptides like those found in Reishi mushrooms. It is possible that medicinal potency is related to the degree of molecular complexity. Obtaining Reishi mushroom from uncertain sources involves the risk of exposure to pesticides, heavy metals and other toxins, which can cause harmful health effects. There is interest in using reishi mushroom for other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say if it might be useful.
Several studies have indicated that the molecules found in the reishi mushroom can lower blood sugar in animals (28, 2) In addition to its effects on the immune system and quality of life, the reishi mushroom has been studied for its potential to improve other aspects of health. Research on this aspect of the health benefits of Reishi mushrooms is varied, but it shows some promising effects. If you want to eat stronger and shorter mushrooms, combining your mushrooms with citrus fruits could be a fun experiment. A 12-week study involving 26 people showed that reishi mushrooms can increase “good HDL cholesterol” and lower triglycerides (2).
Reishi owns and runs his own medicinal mushroom business in his yurt on Orcas Island, called Earth & Spirit Botanicals). When the time comes for Reishi mushrooms to reproduce, basidium releases spores into the air so that they can spread to new areas. Fully grown Reishi mushrooms provide the greatest health benefits, which means waiting about nine months to harvest the fruiting bodies that grow on wood. These products may taste good, but they can't match the power of Reishi mushroom supplementation at therapeutic or supportive levels.
Unlike some foods or supplements, the dosage of reishi mushroom can vary considerably depending on the type used (1). Reishi is also passionate about using herbal and mushroom medicines in a way that respects and reciprocates with the Earth and the indigenous communities that administer them).
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