The Queen of Mushrooms • Three Treasure Herb
A revered functional mushroom in Traditional Chinese Medicine, known for longevity, vitality, and spiritual balance.
Often classified as a “Three Treasure” herb, Reishi helps harmonize Jing (life force), Qi (energy), and Shen (spirit).
Historical records from the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.–8 A.D.) categorize Reishi as a “Superior” herb—the highest rank given to healing substances in ancient Chinese pharmacopeia.
Latin: Ganoderma lucidum — “shiny skin, brilliant.”
Reishi contains a range of bioactive molecules that contribute to its therapeutic potential:
Known for immune modulation and longevity support.
Offer anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antioxidant properties.
Support various biological functions.
Especially rich in lysine and leucine.
A 2009 study highlighted Reishi polysaccharides for their lifespan-extending properties. These compounds were linked to enhanced immune function and inhibition of abnormal blood vessel formation, a factor in preventing tumor growth.
Reishi mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum) are one of the most valued functional mushrooms in traditional and modern wellness. Known for their immune boosting, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, Reishi mushroom extract supports overall health, energy, and longevity.
Supports white blood cell activity, helping your body fight illness and stay resilient year-round.
Rich in antioxidants that neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress for healthier aging.
Natural compounds in Reishi help ease inflammation, support joint health, and reduce chronic risks.
Research suggests Reishi may help inhibit tumor growth and improve immune response as complementary support.
An adaptogen that calms the nervous system, promotes deeper sleep, and reduces tiredness over time.
Contributes to blood sugar balance, improved circulation, liver detox, and cardiovascular health.
Reishi's capacity to strengthen the immune system* is its most well-known advantage. Polysaccharides in Reishi have been demonstrated to have the ability to influence the immune system in studies.[1] White blood cells' inflammatory pathways are even altered*. [2]
Reishi also increased the activity of white blood cells in one trial of athletes under stressful conditions*. [3]
Reishi water extracts have been demonstrated to protect against oxidative stress and dramatically lengthen lifespan in modern clinical animal tests (particularly on nematodes).*[4]
Because of its capacity to promote peace, relaxation, and, more importantly, sleep*, Reishi is also known as the "Spirit mushroom."
In mice and rats, reishi extracts enhanced total sleep time and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep time. [4]
Reishi mushrooms grow on hardwood logs in deciduous woods all over the world in nature. It may be found throughout the summer and fall, but fruiting is most prevalent in the late summer and fall.
The Reishi fruiting body develops considerably more slowly than other mushrooms, and it also takes much longer to decompose, often lingering on trees all winter.
Reishi, thankfully, can be grown naturally in greenhouses using hardwood logs to replicate the natural growth process. Using these natural methods, it takes 9 months to produce a complete Reishi mushroom.
The fruiting body of Reishi is not the only part of the plant that is useful. Triterpene levels are high in the spores themselves.
Every day, billions of these spores are produced by reishi mushrooms, which may be collected individually before the fruiting body is removed.
To make the triterpenes bioavailable, the spores must first be "cracked" open. This is commonly accomplished by subjecting the spores to an ultra-fine milling process.
Reishi is often cultivated in greenhouses outside. Due to the abundance of fresh air, it is able to produce big flat fruiting bodies known as "conks."
Reishi can also be cultivated in a specialized mushroom grow bags that limit the quantity of fresh air available. In this situation, Reishi produces "antlers," which are lengthy finger-like projections.
Antlers may be pretty stunning!
Reishi fruiting bodies include both antlers and conks, and both contain the beneficial beta-glucans and triterpenes that give this fungus its superpowers.
