What is Reishi Mushroom Extract?
The reishi mushroom has been in use for centuries in Japan and China for its numerous health benefits, including its ability to promote longevity. Reishi mushroom gets its scientific name lucidum from the Latin word lucidus, which means “shiny.” This is because the surface of the fungus is very smooth and easily reflects light, giving it a shiny appearance (x).
Reishi mushroom extract is usually made by distilling the mushroom in alcohol several times to extract the most beneficial compounds. It can then be processed into tablets or dried and packed as reishi mushroom powder.
What Do Reishi Mushrooms Look Like?
The Reishi mushroom is characterized as a polypore, which means that it forms fruiting bodies and has pores on its underside. These are either white or brown, depending on the age of the mushroom.
It has a kidney-shaped top with a red varnish and a shiny surface. It is usually flat and soft when freshly picked. Unlike other fungi, reishi does not have any gills on its underside.
Varieties of Reishi Mushroom
For decades, common belief held reishi mushroom grew in two forms — large cap with no stalk and small cap with long stalk. However, a recent discovery indicates that the mushrooms with larger caps are a completely different species of mushroom.
Reishi mushroom types vary depending on their characteristics, which are influenced by the conditions they grow in. For instance, low levels of carbon dioxide and high levels of oxygen will result in mushrooms with relatively short stems. Temperature and humidity also plays a crucial role in the appearance of a fungus. Those that grow in hot areas such as parts of Japan are usually reddish in color as opposed to the black ones that grow in cooler areas.
Cultural History
The reishi mushroom is called Lingzhi in Mandarin, which loosely translates to “a medical source of spiritual strength and immortality.” People traditionally ate it to bring success, a long life and divine powers. Traditional Chinese Medicine recommends reishi to treat depression, insomnia, flu, asthma and dizziness (x).
Reishi Mushroom Extract Benefits
Digestive Support
Reishi mushrooms may also have probiotic properties, which means that it feeds essential bacteria in your gut that aid in digestion (x). This promotes a healthy gastrointestinal tract.
Reishi fungi also play a significant role in reducing and easing inflammation and ulcers in the digestive system, especially in the colon (x).
Heart-Healthy
Research suggests that reishi mushrooms benefit your heart by lowering blood pressure, especially in severe cases. They may also lower bad (LDL) cholesterol levels. One study conducted over a period of 12 weeks showed that the fungus could potentially increase the levels of good (HDL) cholesterol in addition to lowering levels of bad cholesterol (x).
Immune Support
Reishi has been a well-known immune booster for thousands of years. It works by improving the function of white blood cells while also reducing any inflammation pathways that could prevent your immune system from working effectively (x, x).
Other studies show that it helps increase the production of lymphocytes, cells that fight infection and kill disease (x).
May Kill Cancer Cells
Reishi could prove a key tool in the fight against cancer. Early research suggests that it contains cancer-fighting compounds and can lead to the death of cancer cells, especially breast cancer cells (x). However, more studies and research are needed to establish that reishi can effectively kill cancer cells and improve survival rates.
Supports Mental Wellness
Reishi may also help reduce fatigue and symptoms of depression, especially in people diagnosed with related conditions such as neurasthenia, a condition that causes fatigue, pain and vertigo (x, x).
In studies, participants with chronic health conditions reported that after taking reishi mushroom, they experienced less anxiety and depression and even slept better (x).
Cooking With Reishi Mushroom
Reishi has a naturally bitter taste. In recipes, it’s usually diced and then boiled, or dried to make a thick, dark and tart drink.
It may taste too bitter to act as a stand-alone ingredient, but many recipes mix it with vegetables and other ingredients to lessen the bitterness.
Reishi Mushroom Side Effects
Reishi mushroom and reishi mushroom supplements are safe to take as long as you stick to the recommended dosage. However, some mild effects may occur in some people after continuous reishi mushroom supplementation exceeding one month. They include:
- Dryness in the mouth and throat
- Stomach upset
- Bloody nose
- Indigestion
- Itchiness
- Blood in the stool
Don’t take reishi mushroom supplements if you’re allergic to mushrooms. Talk to your doctor before taking reishi mushroom supplements if you are nursing or pregnant, have diabetes, or if you have a history of liver or kidney problems.
Reishi Mushroom Precautions
Blood pressure – Because reishi mushroom lowers blood pressure, don’t take it if you already have low blood pressure.
Surgery – Reishi mushrooms may increase bleeding, so don’t take it at least two weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Bleeding disorders – If you have a blood condition such as thrombocytopenia, then you should not take the reishi mushroom; it could worsen your condition.
Reishi Mushroom Extract Dosage
You can find reishi mushroom in pills, capsules, and as an ingredient in supplement complexes for overall health.
You can also take reishi mushroom extract powder, which contains a high concentration of beneficial compounds. If you choose the powder, take 1,000 mg once or twice daily, or as directed by your doctor. You can mix the powder into coffee, juice, a smoothie, or the drink of your choice.
The Bottom Line
Prized for its health benefits and spiritual properties for centuries in Chinese and Japanese medicine, reishi mushroom can help keep you healthy in several ways. It supports your immune system, improves digestive and heart health, boosts your mood and more. Ancient folk tradition and modern scientific studies agree: reishi packs a mean health punch.
By: Valentine Kagwiria