We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Home

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Reishi Mushroom?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 5,937
Share

A reishi mushroom is a type of bracket fungus native to Asia, where it has been utilized in traditional medicine for thousands of years, once as a highly prized treatment reserved for high ranking government officials and the royal family, due to the rarity of wild reishi mushrooms. Like other bracket fungi, reishi mushrooms grow on the trunks of trees, developing shelf-like fruiting bodies. Classically, the top of mushroom is red in color, although it may be red, brown, black, cream, or yellow as well, and the bottom is creamy to white, depending on the age of the mushroom and its growing conditions.

Also known as Ganoderma lucidum, ling zhi, red mushroom, or the mushroom of immortality, the reishi mushroom has been the subject of some limited scientific studies to explore its potential applications, and to tease out the bioactive substances present in the mushroom. One of the big issues with studying natural compounds utilized in traditional medical treatment is that it can be difficult to identify which constituents are actually having a healing effect, and what kind of dosages would be most appropriate, and this has been the case with the reishi mushroom.

Theoretically, the mushrooms have an immune boosting property, which has been supported in some studies. They may be taken by cancer patients, AIDS patients, and other people with compromised immune systems to help fight disease. These mushrooms also appear to have compounds which prevent tumors from spreading, and they have been linked with lowered blood pressure and improved liver function. Some cancer patients also claim that the mushrooms are very effective for nausea management.

However, a reishi mushroom preparation can be dangerous for people taking immunosuppressant drugs, such as people preparing for organ transplant, and they also have compounds which can interfere with some pharmaceuticals. The mushrooms have been shown to interact negatively with some drugs in laboratory environments, and since it is impossible to test for a negative reaction to every single imaginable drug, additional cases of adverse reactions may be uncovered in the future.

As with all medical treatments, people who are considering the use of a reishi mushroom regimen should consult their doctors to talk about their treatment options, and they should take the mushrooms under the supervision of a doctor. It is also important to obtain them from a reliable source. Patients may experience side effects like nausea, vomiting, and dry mouth as a result of taking reishi mushrooms, and as always, extremely adverse side effects should be reported to a doctor.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-reishi-mushroom.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.