What Is Reishi?

Reishi mushrooms are easily recognizable by their red-varnished, kidney-shaped cap. In most climates, reishi grow horizontally out of the base and stumps of deciduous trees, often with little or no stem. Reishi mushrooms have a strong but pleasant woodsy scent and gradually change from white to red as they mature.

How to Use Reishi (Common Uses)

Reishi can be taken internally as a tea, decoction, powder, capsules, or extract. Visit our herbal blog for more information on learning how to cook with reishi mushroom.

Medicinal Uses and Benefits of Reishi

Reishi, sometimes called the “Mushroom of Immortality”, is a powerful fungi that has been used for thousands of years and at one time was reserved only for the upper social classes. It works as a powerful immune system stimulant with anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. Additionally, it is anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, and anti-allergenic. These qualities make reishi an excellent aid in reducing allergic and histamine responses caused by allergens. Reishi also has an expectorant and detoxifying effect, making it especially helpful for allergens which are inhaled or consumed. Reishi acts as a tonic for the nervous system and is often used in combination with other herbs in situations of chronic immune system weakness, chemical toxicity, excess oxidative damage, and liver congestion. Traditional Chinese Medicine values reishi for its ability to increase “Qi” or life force.

Active Constituents in Reishi

Polysaccharides (beta D-glucans), nucleotides (adenosine), triterpenes, zinc, magnesium, iron, copper, calcium, germanium, oleic acid, proteins, choline, coumarin, sterols (ganodosterone), alkaloids.