Reishi mushroom extract, powder and capsules

Properties and ingredients of Reishi

Reishi, also known as Ganoderma lucidum or Ling Zhi, is a fascinating medicinal mushroom with a rich history in traditional Chinese medicine. The worship of this mushroom has a long tradition in Asia dating back some 4000 years, hence the nicknames “mushroom of immortality” or “mushroom of long life”.

In the last few decades reishi has become increasingly popular in Europe, especially with the boom in medicinal mushrooms in general. In nature it often grows on dead deciduous and coniferous trees such as oaks and pines and is usually cultivated on logs or compressed sawdust.

Reishi is rarely used as an edible mushroom because its hard texture and very bitter taste don’t make it very palatable. However, it contains many active ingredients that are potentially beneficial to health, such as polysaccharides and beta-glucans, and natural substances such as triterpenes and ganoderma acids.

The mushroom hosts also various amino acids, which are important for the optimal functioning and regeneration of the body. In addition, it’s a natural source of minerals such as germanium, selenium and manganese.

Reishi in research and practice

Reishi’s uses are many and varied, making it one of the most researched medicinal mushrooms. Its potential to boost the immune system, prevent fatigue, support the heart and circulation, and even protect against aging are just a few of the use cases of and areas of research being done on the mushroom.