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Reishi Mushrooms (Red)
Review all forms of Reishi Mushrooms below.
Pin Yin Name
- Ling Zhi
Other Names
- Ganoderma lucidum
- Red Reishi Mushroom
- Reishi Antler Mushroom
- Hongo Reishi
- You Ji Hong Ling Zhi Fen
- Reishi
- Black Reishi
- Red Reishi
Properties
- Immune Function
- Sweet
- Heart
- Lung
- Nourish Blood
Active Constituents in Reishi Mushrooms
Medicinal mushrooms in general have a plethora of health benefits and are often used in home remedies and alternative medicine. Reishi mushrooms are some of the most potent medicinal mushrooms on the market. The reishi mushroom's active constituents include:
- Sterols
- Ergosterol
- Fumaric acid
- Aminoglucose
- Alkaloids
- Enzymes
- Coumarin
- Mannitol
- Polysaccharide
- Triterpenoids (sometimes called ganoderic acids)
Cautions & Drug Interactions
- Do not use if pregnant or breast feeding.
- Do not use if you are currently taking diabetes medications.
How to Use Bulk Herbs (Powder, Cut, Capsules, Liquid, or Concentrated Form)
The following forms are the best ways to use reishi mushrooms. Click the icons to learn more about each form.
With so many different ways to use bulk herbs, it is easy to get confused. In order to understand how to use the different parts of the plant, please see our informational chart below. We also have several helpful pages if you need additional information. Check out our How to Use Bulk Herbs page to see how to use herbs correctly.
| Parts of Plants | Tincture | Decoction | Syrup/Gargle | Topical/Facial | Tea/Infusion | Cooking/Soups |
| Hard/Dried Berries | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Powder first. | ✓ | |
| Soft Fruit | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Leaves | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Roots/Tubers | ✓ | ✓ | Decoct first. | Powder first. | ✓ | |
| Bark | ✓ | ✓ | Decoct first. | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Stems | ✓ | ✓ | Decoct first. | Powder first. | ✓ | |
| Mushrooms/Fungus | ✓ | ✓ | Decoct first. | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Flowers | ✓ | Make tea first. | Powder first. | ✓ |
As a side comment on how to use Red Reishi Mushrooms, many are adding the powdered mushroom to Hot Cocoa drink. (No marshmallows). The taste of Red Reishi mushrooms is bitter, due to the triterpenes found in the mushroom. I tried it, and I have to admit, I would add the reishi mushroom powder to my drink again.
References
- Hobbs, Christopher. Medicinal Mushrooms: The History, Chemistry, Pharmacology and Folk Uses for Modern times. Capitola, CA: Botanica, 1987. Print.
- Jin, X., Ruiz Beguerie, J., Sze, D., & Chan, G. (1996). "Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom) for cancer treatment." Cochrane Database Of Systematic Reviews. doi:10.1002/14651858.cd007731.pub2
- "Ling Zhi." Traditional Chinese Medicine Wiki, 2015. Retrieved from <http://old.tcmwiki.com/wiki/ling-zhi>.
- "Reishi mushroom." Susan G. Komen® Foundation. Retrieved from <http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/ReishiMushroom.html>.
- Renter, Elizabeth. "Reishi Mushrooms an Ancient Medicine for Modern Diseases." Natural Society, 18 Jan. 2014. Retrieved from <http://naturalsociety.com/reishi-mushrooms-ancient-medicine-modern-diseases/>.
- "What is Reishi?" Guide to Reishi Mushrooms, 2015. Retrieved from <http://www.reishi.com/what-is-reishi.htm>.