In China and Japan, the medicinal mushroom called Reishi has been highly valued for thousands of years and is still considered a symbol of happiness and immortality. Whether it is for liver disease, allergies, inflammation, heart disease or cancer: there is hardly any other medicinal mushroom that can be used in such a variety of ways. But which active ingredients are responsible for this? What should you bear in mind when using it? How is Reishi tea prepared and how can an extract or syrup be made from Reishi? Follow us into the world of the legendary Reishi medicinal mushroom!

Reishi is one of the oldest medicines known to people

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is one of the most important medicinal mushrooms and one of the oldest medicines known to humanity. It is found worldwide and grows mainly on deciduous trees – its favorite tree is the oak.

In Chinese folk medicine it has been used for medicinal purposes as the magical “Ling Zhi” for about 4,000 years.

Unlike the shiitake or the oyster mushroom, which are both medicinal and edible mushrooms, the reishi is not an edible mushroom as such. It is a purely medicinal mushroom, its consistency is very hard and it also tastes bitter.

The fact that Reishi has nevertheless achieved so much popularity speaks for its extraordinary healing power.

It helps with these diseases

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Reishi is still used today to treat the following ailments:

1. Chronic hepatitis
2. Cancer
3. Weakened immune system
4. high blood pressure
5. heart disease
6. bronchitis
7. asthma
8. stomach ulcers
9. insomnia
10. kidney infections
11. joint inflammation

Reishi is also considered to be an extremely effective tonic that can help people suffering from a serious illness such as cancer to regain their strength. It is therefore no coincidence that Reishi is called the “mushroom of eternal life”.

Another very interesting effect concerns age spots , which according to folk medicine should slowly but surely disappear with regular consumption of the Reishi mushroom.

A medicinal mushroom that helps regulate the immune system and inhibits histamine and could therefore be integrated into a naturopathic concept for allergies and autoimmune diseases is the Chaga mushroom. In the previous link you can read all the details about its effects, possible uses (also for psoriasis ) and the preparation of the traditional Chaga tea.

Reishi – The most important active ingredients at a glance

The wide range of possible uses of Reishi are due to a whole range of active ingredients, with two groups of substances standing out in particular: specific polysaccharides and triterpenes from the large family of secondary plant substances.

1. Reishi contains more than 100 different highly effective polysaccharides, including the so-called sulfated polysaccharides, which are recommended as a preventative measure against flu and other viral diseases due to their good antiviral effect. This group of active ingredients even showed surprising results in HIV. The polysaccharides in Reishi stabilize the human immune system so well that numerous pathogens no longer stand a chance.
2. The triterpenes protect the Reishi itself from attack by microorganisms and have a strong antibacterial, calming and anti-inflammatory effect in the body. Around 140 highly active triterpenes have been found in Reishi, which counteract liver insufficiency, reduce the release of histamine (therefore protecting against allergies) and lower both high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. In addition, the triterpenes strengthen the cardiovascular system and prevent tumor formation.

And yet, as with all other natural medicines, the healing effect of Reishi is not due to individual active ingredients, but to the overall composition. In contrast, conventional medicine usually strives to isolate individual active ingredients and market them expensively in the form of a drug. In the case of Reishi, however, fortunately, more and more scientists are interested in researching the effects of the entire medicinal mushroom or Reishi extract, so that Reishi is now one of the best-researched medicinal mushrooms in the world and is listed in the PubMed study database with well over 1,000 studies.

Reishi activates the immune system

Many studies have already shown that Reishi activates the immune system. For example, Dr. Zhang and his colleagues from the Free University of Berlin isolated a proteoglycan (sugar-protein compound) called GLIS from Reishi and found in laboratory tests that GLIS increases the B lymphocytes (B cells) in the spleen by three to four times.

B cells are white blood cells and are responsible for antibody production in the body. In another study, Dr. Bao from the Chinese Academy of Sciences came to the conclusion that the polysaccharides in Reishi not only increase the number of B cells, but also the number of T cells. T cells are constantly on the lookout for degenerated cells (cancer cells) or cells that are infected by viruses, which they then eliminate.

This activation of the immune system not only prevents diseases, but also supports the body’s self-healing powers in existing diseases (e.g. cancer, and many other chronic diseases).

Reishi has a twofold effect on the immune system and therefore also helps with autoimmune diseases. If the immune system overreacts or reacts incorrectly, Reishi dampens this reaction and reduces it to a healthy level.

The Malaysian researcher Dr. Teow Sun Soo recommends taking 1500 to 3000 mg of Reishi extract three times a day to strengthen and activate the immune system . After two weeks, the dose can be reduced to 1000 to 1500 mg per day.

Another medicinal mushroom that strengthens the immune system but can also counteract depression, dementia and diabetes is lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus). We describe the powerful mushroom and its effects under the previous link.

Reishi in Cancer Therapy

Numerous scientific studies have shown that Reishi is effective against various types of cancer. For example, Japanese researchers led by Dr. Liu from Kyushu University in Fukuoka found that Reishi extract inhibits the growth of prostate cancer cells.

Dr. Gao from Massey University in New Zealand treated 34 patients with various advanced tumors with 1800 mg of Reishi extract daily and concluded that this significantly increased the patients’ immune system.

This led to the inhibition of tumor growth. Due to these positive results, Reishi has long been officially used in Japan as an adjunct to cancer therapy.

The tumor-inhibiting properties are attributed to the interaction between the immune-stimulating polysaccharides, the triterpenes that are toxic to tumor cells, and other cancer-inhibiting substances typical of Reishi.

In addition, the medicinal mushroom is able to alleviate the side effects of radiation and chemotherapy and improve the general well-being of cancer patients, as it stimulates the appetite, relieves pain, promotes sleep and has an overall strengthening effect.

Reishi and Vitamin C: Combination Therapy Against Cancer

Dr. Fukumi Morishige of the Linus Pauling Institute of Science and Medicine in California has been researching the effects of Reishi for decades.

He has now treated more than 300 cancer patients with a high dose of Reishi extract (2 to 10 g daily). Most of these patients had already been classified as hopeless cases by the doctors.

The first side effect was diarrhea. However, a solution was quickly found: when the Reishi extract was combined with vitamin C (6 to 12 g daily), no diarrhea occurred. This combination therapy also reduced susceptibility to infection and normalized antibody production.

Dr. Morishige has treated a 50-year-old woman with breast cancer, for example, after metastases were found in her lungs following breast surgery. The patient took 6 g of Reishi extract daily for six months – and the lung cancer disappeared! This is just one of many successful cures, as Dr. Morishige has been able to help numerous cancer patients who had already given up on the disease with Reishi therapy.

This therapy has proven particularly successful in the follow-up treatment (e.g. after surgery or chemotherapy) of lung cancer, brain tumors, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer and kidney cancer in order to prevent possible relapses.

Dr. Morishige is firmly convinced that Reishi is not only ideal for treating cancer, but is also the best method for preventing cancer. Around 20 percent of all cancers are caused by inflammation – and Reishi has an anti-inflammatory effect.

Reishi for arthritis, neurodermatitis and allergies

Reishi has a generally positive effect on inflammation in the body, thanks to the triterpenes. Interestingly, these work in a similar way to the anti-inflammatory cortisone and reduce the release of histamine.

But unlike cortisone, therapies with Reishi are free of side effects!

In practice, Reishi has shown good effects on joint inflammation (e.g. arthritis) and also on inflammatory processes of the skin (e.g. neurodermatitis). It relieves the redness, swelling and itching associated with the diseases.

Reishi protects and detoxifies the liver

In TCM, Reishi is considered the best liver remedy of all and is recommended for the treatment of numerous liver diseases. The natural ingredients help to strengthen liver functions and also to detoxify the liver and protect against liver diseases.

Reishi is even a recommended accompanying measure in the treatment of existing liver diseases (hepatitis A, B and C).

Reishi has proven to be particularly helpful in cases where the liver was not yet too badly damaged. For example, in a Chinese study, 355 hepatitis B patients were treated with the so-called Wulingdan pill, which is sometimes made from the fruiting body of Reishi: around 92 percent of the subjects saw their previously poor liver values ​​improve considerably.

Reishi helps HIV-infected people

Like many chronic liver inflammations, AIDS is also caused by a virus. There are increasing numbers of clinical reports that show that immune-stimulating polysaccharides seem to have a positive effect on HIV-infected people.

According to a study published in the North American Journal of Medical Sciences , the antiviral triterpenes of the Reishi medicinal mushroom are able to significantly inhibit HIV protease (an enzyme necessary for the virus to multiply) and thus prevent or delay the onset of the disease.

The so-called protease inhibitors (HIV drugs) are also based on this principle, but – unlike Reishi – they are associated with numerous side effects (e.g. digestive disorders or nausea) that lead to a reduction in the quality of life.

Furthermore, Reishi is also said to be effective against other viruses such as glandular fever (EBV) or flu viruses. It does this not only causally (fighting viruses), but – as already mentioned – also preventively and purely symptomatically by helping against tiredness and sleep disorders – both symptoms that accompany a viral disease.

Reishi calms the nerves and promotes sleep

There are many people in Asia who regularly drink Reishi tea, so it has long been known that Reishi makes you relaxed and sleepy. Prof. Shojiro Inoue from the Tokyo Medical Dental University investigated these reports and was able to prove that Reishi tea does indeed have a sleep-inducing effect.

This is attributed to the fact that the medicinal mushroom has a sedative (calming) effect on the brain cells and calms the central nervous system. The professor also found that this effect only occurs with a small dosage – as in the case of Reishi tea. High doses of Reishi extract, however, have not proven to be helpful in treating sleep disorders.

The positive thing about Reishi tea is that – unlike sleeping pills – it has neither a hypnotic nor a narcotic effect and is not addictive even with long-term use.

Reishi tea – Preparation

According to the Hungarian-German mycologist (mushroom expert) Jan Ivan Lelley, professor at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University Bonn , preparing a Reishi tea is the easiest way to use the medicinal mushroom for targeted self-medication.

1. For one cup of tea you need 1 heaped teaspoon of mushroom powder or 1 tablespoon of grated mushrooms.
2. Pour boiling water over the medicinal mushrooms.
3. Then cover the container and let the tea brew for 15 minutes.
4. After you have poured the liquid through a sieve, the tea is ready to drink.

Tips: Since Reishi tea tastes bitter, honey can be used to sweeten it. The tea can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be drunk both cold and warm.

Reishi strengthens the heart, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels

Researchers have found in several studies that the medicinal mushroom increases blood circulation and reduces the oxygen consumption of the heart muscle. Apparently, it is the triterpenes in Reishi that can also naturally lower blood pressure and prevent heart attacks.

In a clinical study at a university hospital in Tokyo, 53 patients with high blood pressure were treated with Reishi extract for six months, after which almost 50 percent of the subjects were able to sustainably reduce their blood pressure.

In another study, the effect of Reishi on cholesterol levels and the cardiovascular system was investigated in seven Chinese hospitals. In 70 percent of the patients, the bad LDL cholesterol was reduced after taking Reishi for several months.

Reishi relieves chronic respiratory diseases

In the 1970s, a large study was carried out in various Chinese hospitals, in which around 2,000 patients with chronic bronchitis took part. The test subjects were given Reishi extract tablets. Within two weeks, up to 91 percent of the patients experienced a significant improvement in their condition.

Another positive effect of the therapy was that the appetite of the often emaciated study participants was increased. If there are chronic respiratory diseases with reduced oxygen supply, which leads to fatigue, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, for example, Reishi is particularly helpful because it increases the oxygen saturation of the blood. This was also proven by the following studies.

Reishi is effective against altitude sickness

Chinese researchers have conducted two studies with people suffering from altitude sickness, which occurs at altitudes between 2,500 and 5,500 meters and leads to a lack of oxygen, which can lead to edema in the lungs and other body tissues (e.g. the brain) . Symptoms of altitude sickness include headaches, palpitations, dizziness and vomiting.

However, if measures are taken to increase the oxygen saturation of the blood – e.g. taking the Reishi mushroom – the symptoms of altitude sickness disappear.

This is because an increase in the oxygen saturation of the blood benefits all those who smoke, suffer from circulatory disorders, have a heart defect or have increased oxygen consumption due to physical exertion at work or during sport.

In the first study, over 200 Chinese soldiers received a Reishi preparation three times a day, and 97 percent of the subjects no longer suffered from altitude sickness. Almost 1,000 Chinese mountain troops took part in the second study.

While 83 percent of the Reishi group no longer had headaches and 96 percent no longer felt nauseous, 80 percent of the subjects in the control group continued to suffer from altitude sickness.

Reishi – Application Forms and Dosage

Reishi can be taken in different ways, including syrups, soups, powder, capsules, tea, injections and tinctures. In TCM, the usual daily dose is between 1500 mg and 9000 mg of mushroom powder.

To maintain health, 1500 mg to 5000 mg of mushroom powder is recommended daily; in cases of serious illnesses such as cancer, the dose should be higher.

Reishi tincture

Another form of the extract is the tincture. The usual dosage of a tincture is 10-20 ml (2-4 teaspoons) three times a day. It is very easy to prepare a Reishi tincture yourself:

Ingredients:

1. 450 g Reishi powder
2. 1.8 liters of water
3. 0.5 l alcohol (e.g. vodka – approx. 40% by volume)

Preparation:

1. Mix the reishi powder with the water in a pot and bring the mixture to a boil.
2. Cover the pot with a lid and let the mixture simmer for half an hour.
3. Let the liquid cool and pour it into a glass container.
4. Now you can add the alcohol and close the container.
5. Let the tincture steep in a warm place for 2 weeks.
6. Filter the tincture through a clean linen cloth and fill it into sealable dark glass bottles.

For the treatment to be successful, it is very important that both the application form and the dosage are discussed individually with an experienced doctor or alternative practitioner and adapted to the rest of the therapy. Many Chinese and Japanese healers swear by Reishi combination therapies.

Reishi – combination therapies often work even better

Aristotle already recognized that the whole is more than the sum of its parts. As you already know, the combination of Reishi and vitamin C has proven to be effective. However, you should ensure that you consume natural vitamin C, which is present in considerable quantities in sea buckthorn, rose hips or acerola cherries, for example. The vitamin C ensures that the absorption of the active ingredients in Reishi is improved and the immune system is additionally supported.

In addition, several studies have shown that the combination of reishi and green tea prevents cancer cells from growing. Dr. Jia-Shi Zhu from the Pharmanex Research Institute in Utah and his research team found that the ingredients of the two components create a synergistic effect, which means that reishi and green tea reinforce each other’s effects when taken at the same time.

Furthermore, Dr. Thyagarajan from the Methodist Research Institute in Indianapolis found in his research that reishi and green tea prevent breast cancer cells from penetrating neighboring tissue, i.e. from forming metastases.

Last but not least, Reishi is often administered together with other medicinal mushrooms, as in many cases the combination seems to make more sense than an isolated single dose.

For example, Hericium is often used successfully together with Reishi to treat chronic pain, while Reishi and Cordyceps are particularly suitable for combating burnout symptoms and general weakness, treating chronic lung diseases or increasing performance.

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