Shockingly, the reishi mushroom supplement market is filled with fake products. Yes, you read that right. We’re talking about products that are labeled as reishi but contain completely different (and cheaper) mushrooms.
The market is also filled with products that don’t contain reishi mushroom but rather the “root system” called mycelium. This results in supplements with lower potency. Additionally, these supplements often end up containing undesirable starch filler.
Our Real Mushrooms 100% certified organic reishi mushroom powder supplements will provide you with the maximum potential health benefits. Below, you’ll find out how we’ve done that. You’ll also learn what to look for when shopping for the best reishi mushroom supplement for your money.
Real Mushrooms was founded in part due to a significant problem we discovered in the functional reishi mushroom supplement industry. The market is dominated by products that make you think they contain reishi mushrooms, but actually contain little to none at all.
Most of these supplements are made using the root system of the reishi mushroom, which is called the mycelium. This network of roots contains very little of the active compounds when compared to the reishi mushroom (fruiting body). However, mycelium is inexpensive to grow for the production of supplements.
The fruiting body is what you would typically think of when you hear the word “mushroom.” It’s what you see growing above the ground. We provide a detailed breakdown of the key differences between the mushroom (fruiting body) and the mycelium (vegetative body) in our article Medicinal Mushroom Benefits: Mycelium vs Fruiting Body.
Also, large commercial growers typically grow the mycelium on a grain-based substrate (the medium it grows on). When harvesting the mycelium, the grain is not separated from the mushroom and goes straight into the final product.
This grain is just filler and provides no health benefits. Between the grain-based filler and the lack of mushrooms, many supplements contain very few beneficial compounds of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide extract.
At Real Mushrooms, we strive to create the highest-quality supplements that contain only the reishi mushroom and zero mycelium or grain fillers. That way, people using our products will truly experience the overall health benefits of taking reishi mushrooms they hope for.
Ideally, the reishi supplement you are considering buying should be made of reishi mushrooms instead of mycelium. However, ensuring you get the best reishi mushroom supplement also means knowing the origin and purity of the reishi mushroom itself. If the product label indicates that it uses USDA Organic Certified mushrooms, then you can rest easy that you’re getting a product free of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or other potential contaminants.
In the video below, Real Mushrooms’ founder and Chief Funguy, Skye Chilton, shows and tells about our organic reishi farm at peak picking time.
A new study entitled “Evaluation on quality consistency of Ganoderma lucidum dietary supplements collected in the United States” was recently published by Nature, which releases the most prestigious scientific journals. The study was performed in partnership with the US Pharmacopeia (USP), which sets standards for pharmaceuticals, food ingredients, and dietary supplement ingredients.
In the study, they tested 19 different reishi mushroom supplements sold in the United States and compared the bioactive components found in each product to those that exist in the reishi mushroom itself. The study’s results indicated that only 5 of the 19 samples (26%) actually contained what the reishi product label claimed.
USP concluded by saying, “The quality consistency of Ganoderma lucidum dietary supplements in the U.S. market was poor, which should be carefully investigated.”
That is quite the statement.
Since day one, Real Mushrooms has been telling people about the difference in supplement product quality on the market and how many products aren’t made from mushrooms and contain high amounts of grain filler. This is reassuring for us as it confirms what we already know.
Ideally, you would buy a reishi supplement that has been evaluated by a third-party lab for authenticity to confirm that the product actually contains reishi. Not only that, but the lab should also confirm the potency (based on the concentration of beta-glucans in the product), and ingredients (mushrooms and/or mycelium content).
ConsumerLab conducted its own research into reishi mushroom supplements and concluded that Real Mushrooms’ Reishi 415 product was their choice among the 7 popular reishi supplements they tested. Their recommendation was based on the purity, beta-glucan concentration, and exclusive fruiting-body content of the Real Mushrooms reishi product.
There are two methods of extracting the active compounds in mushrooms for supplements: hot water extraction and alcohol extraction.
Hot water extraction is done by heating the reishi mushroom in water to extract any water-soluble compounds, such as polysaccharides and beta-glucans. The liquid can either be taken directly or evaporated to leave behind a reishi powder containing only the beneficial compounds.
Alcohol extraction follows a similar process but uses alcohol instead of water to remove any non-water-soluble compounds such as triterpenes.
Which extraction method is best–hot water or alcohol—depends on the reishi mushroom. Because reishi contains compounds that are both water-soluble and insoluble, Real Mushrooms uses double (a.k.a. dual) extraction to create our potent reishi mushroom extract.
The reishi mushrooms are run through both processes, and the resulting liquids are combined and evaporated to make one final extract powder that provides maximum potency and health benefits. This dual extraction method ensures that we capture all the key compounds, from polysaccharides to triterpenes, which are crucial for overall health and well-being. The extract also retains the natural antioxidants found in reishi, which may further enhance its health benefits.
Real Mushrooms offers two products derived from organic reishi mushrooms. Both of these are excellent and convenient ways to add reishi’s potent benefits to your daily routine:
Our 100% certified organic reishi extract is available in powdered form for a variety of uses. It is created with the dual extraction method tested by third-party labs and confirmed to contain the valuable beta-glucans and triterpenes Reishi is loaded with. The reishi mushroom powder form has mait and is guaranteed to contain no fillers, starch, or myceliated grains. This product has many uses in recipes and is a great way to add reishi to your diet.
Recommended dosage: Adults, take ½ to 1 gram per day.
Our capsules provide all the benefits of our Organic Reishi Mushroom Powder, with the added convenience of being in encapsulated form. If you’re looking for the health benefits of reishi without having to think about how to add it to a recipe, this is a great option for you.
Recommended dosage: Adults, take 2 capsules per day.
We’re confident in the efficacy and safety of our products. However, you should consult with a physician before starting any new supplement routine to make sure it’s the right option for you.
Many of Real Mushrooms’ customers have shared how taking our reishi supplements regularly enhances their health and their lives. Below are just a few of their hundreds of testimonials.
Keep reading to also learn why one of North America’s leading clinical herbalists recommends reishi as one of the best natural supplements you can rely on for comprehensive health support.
“After 4 or 5 weeks we noticed that we both felt more ambitious and alert. We have also been sleeping better, which may account for the above vitality. Our goal of a hardy immune system is getting a real boost from reishi.” - Ric
“I don't need caffeine anymore. As a health care worker it gives me a boost of energy and clarity both physically and mentally. No crashing effect. No fillers which is excellent. Just pure and real. No side effects.” - Mu
“It helps with digestive issues and helps me to sleep. Overall improves my health and energy.” - Leilani
“It really helps! I take it every day before bed.” - Ruth
“Real Mushrooms’ reishi are the real deal with no mycelium or substance it’s grown on. I will continue to take these regularly.” - Lisa
Clinical Herbalist Dr. Terry Willard states that he has recommended Reishi the most to patients in his decades-long practice because of its sheer versatility and capacity to enhance our physical, emotional, and even spiritual health.
Dr. Willard calls it “the Merlin of the herbal world” and dives into why he has given it this auspicious title in the video below:
Read one of our other articles about reishi mushroom to learn about its incredibly diverse applications for health and wellness:
.Disclaimer: The information or products mentioned in this article are provided as information resources only, and are not to be used or relied on to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This information does not create any patient-doctor relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment. The information is intended for health care professionals only. The statements made in this article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Any products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information in this article is intended for educational purposes. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by licensed medical physicians. Please consult your doctor or health practitioner for any medical advice.