Reishi
Ganoderma lucidum
Once reserved for emperors, now grown for everyone.
Reishi was rare enough in the wild that it was historically reserved for Chinese royalty — today it's cultivated widely, but its reputation hasn't changed.
Known as Lingzhi in China, meaning roughly 'herb of spiritual potency,' reishi has appeared in Chinese art and materia medica for over 2,000 years. The fruiting body is the traditional medicinal part.
It's native to Asia, Europe, and North America, growing on hardwood trees, though most commercial reishi today is cultivated rather than wild-harvested.
The 'mushroom of immortality,' taken for calm.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, reishi is traditionally used to support calm, restful sleep, and immune wellness as part of a daily practice.
This reflects a long-standing traditional role, not a claim about individual results.
How it has been, and is, prepared.
Traditional: Dried fruiting body prepared as a decoction or tea.
Modern: Powder, capsules, or tinctures made from the fruiting body.
Dosing varies widely by preparation, concentration, and individual factors. This page does not recommend a dose — follow product labeling and a healthcare provider's guidance.
Read this before you begin.
Reishi may cause mild digestive upset or dry mouth in some individuals. It may also affect blood pressure or interact with blood-thinning medication.
If you are pregnant or nursing, or take blood pressure or blood-thinning medication, consult a healthcare provider before use.
This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Common questions on reishi.
Is reishi psychoactive?
No.
What's the difference between reishi and lion's mane?
Both are functional mushrooms, but they're traditionally associated with different roles — reishi with calm and immune wellness, lion's mane with cognitive clarity.
Is reishi the same as the mushroom sold as food?
No — reishi is valued for its traditional medicinal use rather than as a culinary mushroom, and has a notably bitter, woody taste.