Reishi mushroom
Ganoderma lucidum, G. lingzhiRare in the wild, it once reached only palaces; almost all reishi sold today is grown on sawdust or logs.
What is Reishi mushroom?
Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) is a plant of the Ganodermataceae family. Traditions that use it: Asia and Siberia. Part used: fruiting body and spores.
What is Reishi mushroom used for?
Traditional use: For two thousand years, as lingzhi, it has been the “mushroom of immortality”, a symbol of long life in imperial art and temples. Scientific evidence: limited. A Cochrane review (2016) found no evidence to support reishi as a cancer treatment on its own; low-quality data suggest it may slightly improve tumour response and immune markers when combined with chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Is Reishi mushroom safe?
Safety label: caution. It can cause dry mouth, stomach upset and rash. Serious liver injury has been reported with powdered products. Not for people on blood thinners, with bleeding disorders or before surgery. People being treated for cancer should not use it without asking their doctor.
Traditional use
For two thousand years, as lingzhi, it has been the “mushroom of immortality”, a symbol of long life in imperial art and temples. Taoist texts call it the food of the immortals.
Known as reishi in Japan and yeongji in Korea; the tea and powder are taken for fatigue and immunity.
In nature
Mix-up risk
European Ganoderma lucidum and Asian lingzhi (G. lingzhi) are genetically different species; product labels are not always accurate.
Preparation
Hard and woody, so it is sliced and simmered for an hour or more; today it is mostly taken as powder or extract capsules.
What science says
A Cochrane review (2016) found no evidence to support reishi as a cancer treatment on its own; low-quality data suggest it may slightly improve tumour response and immune markers when combined with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Small studies on cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure have shown no clear effect.
Safety
It can cause dry mouth, stomach upset and rash. Serious liver injury has been reported with powdered products. Not for people on blood thinners, with bleeding disorders or before surgery. People being treated for cancer should not use it without asking their doctor.
Drug interactions
| Medicine or substance | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Blood thinners and antiplatelets | May slow clotting; bleeding risk may rise. |
| Blood pressure and diabetes medicines | May lower blood pressure and blood sugar; effects can add up. |
| Immunosuppressants | Its immune-stimulating effect may weaken the drug. |
This list is not complete. If you take regular medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor before trying Reishi mushroom.
Read more
Similar plants
Sources
- ResearchJin ve ark., Cochrane 2016: Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom) for cancer treatment
- ResearchHepatotoxicity due to a formulation of Ganoderma lucidum (J Hepatol 2004)
- ResearchNCI PDQ: Medicinal Mushrooms
- Botanical recordKew Plants of the World Online: Ganoderma lucidum
- Titles of research sources are summarised in Turkish on the Turkish page; links open the original English publications.
Written by Edanaz Tınmazlar · Last reviewed: · Türkçe