![<img src='https://images.vital.ly/monographs/tr:w-800,c-at_max,dpr-2,q-100/reishi mushroom_vital_ly.png' /> Reishi mushroom](https://images.vital.ly/monographs/tr:w-800,c-at_max,dpr-2,q-100/reishi%20mushroom_vital_ly.png)
Reishi mushroom
Scientific names: Ganoderma lucidum
Family: Ganodermataceae
Alternate names: Basidiomycetes Mushroom, Champignon Basidiomycète, Champignon d'Immortalité, Champignon Reishi, Champignons Reishi, Ganoderma, Hongo Reishi, Ling Chih, Ling Zhi, Lingzh, Mannentake, Mushroom, Mushroom of Immortality, Mushroom of Spiritual Potency, Red Reishi, Reishi, Reishi Antler Mushroom, Reishi Rouge, Rei-Shi, Spirit Plant
Actions: Antibiotic, Anti-cancer, Antioxidant, Antiplatelet, Antiviral, Blood pressure-lowering, Glucose, Hepatic, Immunologic, Prostate
Background
Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) is a bitter-tasting fungus with no proven health benefits. It is thought to have some effects on the immune system.
Reishi mushroom is used for Alzheimer disease, cancer, diabetes, cold sores, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Reishi mushroom is used for Alzheimer disease, cancer, diabetes, cold sores, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Reishi mushroom extract is possibly safe when used for up to one year. Powdered whole reishi mushroom is possibly safe when used for up to 16 weeks. Reishi mushroom can cause dizziness, dry mouth, itching, nausea, stomach upset, and rash.
Bleeding disorders: High doses of reishi mushroom might increase the risk of bleeding in some people with certain bleeding disorders.
Surgery: High doses of reishi mushroom might increase the risk of bleeding in some people if used before or during surgery. Stop using reishi mushroom at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if reishi mushroom is safe to use when pregnant or breast feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Bleeding disorders: High doses of reishi mushroom might increase the risk of bleeding in some people with certain bleeding disorders.
Surgery: High doses of reishi mushroom might increase the risk of bleeding in some people if used before or during surgery. Stop using reishi mushroom at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Possibly ineffective Effectiveness definitions
- High levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood (hyperlipidemia). Taking reishi mushroom by mouth doesn't seem to lower cholesterol levels in people with diabetes or high cholesterol.
Dosing & administration
Reishi mushroom has most often been used by adults in doses of 1400-5400 mg by mouth daily, usually in divided doses. Reishi mushroom extracts have also been used in lower doses. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Reishi mushroom might lower blood sugar levels. Taking reishi mushroom along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Reishi mushroom might lower blood pressure. Taking reishi mushroom along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low. Monitor your blood pressure closely.
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Reishi mushroom might slow blood clotting. Taking reishi mushroom along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood pressure: Reishi mushroom might lower blood pressure. Taking it with other supplements that have the same effect might cause blood pressure to drop too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include andrographis, casein peptides, L-arginine, niacin, and stinging nettle.
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Reishi mushroom might lower blood sugar. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might lower blood sugar too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include aloe, bitter melon, cassia cinnamon, chromium, and prickly pear cactus.
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: Reishi mushroom might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include garlic, ginger, ginkgo, nattokinase, and Panax ginseng.
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Reishi mushroom might lower blood sugar. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might lower blood sugar too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include aloe, bitter melon, cassia cinnamon, chromium, and prickly pear cactus.
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: Reishi mushroom might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include garlic, ginger, ginkgo, nattokinase, and Panax ginseng.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
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Per 7.2 g:
- Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) ext. 353 mg
- Lentinula edodes ext. 375 mg
- Scutellaria baicalensis ext. 300 mg
- Perilla frutescens ext. 208 mg
- L-glutamine 3.5 g
- Choline bitartrate 1.5 g
- Retinol palmitate 1.4 mg equiv. vitamin A 750 μg RE
- Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) 12.5 μg equiv. vitamin D 500 IU
- Silybum marianum ext. 86 mg
- Zinc bisglycinate (Zinc amino acid chelate) 30 mg equiv. zinc 6 mg
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Per 5 mL:
- Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) ext. 285 mg
- Astragalus membranaceus ext. 720 mg
- Ligustrum lucidum ext. 425 mg
- Codonopsis pilosula ext. 285 mg
- Atractylodes macrocephala ext. 285 mg
- Eleutherococcus senticosus ext. 250 mg
- Schisandra chinensis ext. 175 mg
- Glycyrrhiza uralensis ext. 18.75 mg
- Ethanol
- Glycerol
- Mentha spicata (oil)
- Water
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Per capsule:
- Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) ext. 76.8 mg
- Cordyceps sinensis ext. 76.8 mg
- Grifola frondosa ext. 76.8 mg
- Lentinula edodes ext. 76.8 mg
- Trametes versicolor ext. 76.8 mg
- Polyporus umbellatus ext. 38.4 mg
- Tremella fuciformis ext. 38.4 mg
- Poria cocos ext. 38.4 mg
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Per tablet:
- Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) ext. 75 mg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 250 mg
- Andrographis paniculata ext. 214 mg
- Citrus bioflavonoids extract 50 mg
- Retinol acetate (Vitamin A) 142 μg equiv. vitamin A 400 IU equiv. vitamin A 120 μgRE
- Cholecalciferol 5 μg equiv. vitamin D3 200 IU
- Zinc amino acid chelate 50 mg equiv. zinc 10 mg
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This monograph was last reviewed on 08/03/2024 11:00:00 and last updated on 07/08/2022 09:47:56. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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