Deemed The King of Mushrooms, reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum or lingzhi) is living up to its name. It’s been shown to have many benefits uncommon in other functional mushrooms, such as alleviating occasional stress. It’s only one of the several reasons that drinking reishi mushroom tea is beneficial for health maintenance.
But what really makes this mushroom special?
Perhaps, a journey back in history will tell us:
Ancient Chinese herbalists called reishi Lingzhi (灵芝) because it means “herb of spiritual potency.” It was revered by Chinese emperors because of its scarcity and reputation for being one of the most celebrated herbs in the Chinese “bible” of medicinal plants: Shennong Ben Cao Jing (a.k.a. Materia Medica). Of reishi, the author writes, “If eaten customarily, it makes your body light and young, lengthens your life, and turns you into one like the immortal who never dies.”
For thousands of years, reishi has been used as a functional and therapeutical solution throughout Asia for various problems such as:
Luckily, we can now enjoy these benefits more conveniently through Reishi Mushroom Powder which we can use to make our own reishi tea.
Recent studies (that we share below) have also discovered new benefits of reishi mushrooms, making reishi mushroom tea a must-try.
Skin aging and deterioration intrinsically occur when the production of certain hormones, like estradiol and testosterone, decreases.
Extrinsically, overexposure to solar radiation may lead to sun damage (1), causing premature aging.
These issues often lead to symptoms such as skin dryness, hyperpigmentation, collagen degradation, and wrinkle formation.
Because these issues can’t be avoided, cosmetic companies are in constant search of natural compounds and extracts that will help to delay the aging process.
Thanks to its antioxidant properties, the reishi mushroom recently found its way into the skincare industry as a functional cosmetic ingredient.
It can help reduce wrinkles and fine lines and neutralize free radicals in the body which damage healthy skin cells and create oxidative stress (2).
Reishi also contains beta-glucans—the long chains of sugar molecules that help to promote the skin’s ability to store water—keeping the skin hydrated from within.
The table below outlines the specific properties of reishi that make its tea great for the skin (3).
The Institute of Food Technologists describes functional foods (4) as those whose ingredients provide added benefits beyond their basic nutritional value.
Historically, people consumed the reishi mushroom because of its nutritional and medicinal benefits. This historical claim has led to a recent research project (5) in which reishi’s bioactive components, as well as its nutritional and therapeutic values, have been explored.
The study revealed that the reishi mushroom contains water-soluble proteins, dietary fiber, minerals (such as sulfur and phosphorus), and vitamins (including riboflavin and thiamin), all of which contribute to its nutritional benefits.
Additionally, reishi’s bioactive components, including alkaloids, polysaccharides like beta-glucans, polyphenols, terpenoids, sterols, and lactones, are known to help promote therapeutic effects like supporting cognitive functions and alleviating occasional stress.
Reishi has also been associated with numerous health benefits (6,11,12), including:
These benefits combined make the reishi mushroom a functional food with positive effects on the body.
It is unpleasant to eat the mushroom in its raw form because its texture is so tough and leathery. However, we can still enjoy all of its benefits by adding an extract of this mushroom to hot water to make a reishi tea.
But the quality of your mushroom extract matters. Note that one study found that 74% of reishi products are not authentic, and this calls for extreme keenness when making your purchase.
Fortunately, Real Mushrooms offers the highest-quality mushroom extracts produced in their purest form, without any fillers, carriers, or additives.
So for any purchase you make, you’re certain to receive all the benefits that reishi mushrooms have to offer.
"... I was blown away by how effective it is at reducing anxiety, racing night thoughts and insomnia." HikerMom13, Verified Real Mushroom's Reishi Mushroom Buyer
Collagen, the body’s most abundant protein, plays a critical role in the wound repair process. How fast a wound heals depends on the production, accumulation, and maturation of collagen in the wounded area.
Collagen’s accumulation significantly depends on the presence of hydroxyproline. A higher concentration of hydroxyproline means higher collagen production, leading to faster healing.
Results from a recent study (7) indicated that reishi mushroom aids in activating the concentration of hydroxyproline and hexosamine. Both hydroxyproline and hexosamine give strength to repaired tissues and in turn help to activate the wound healing process.
Another study (8) reported similar results, attributing reishi’s role in activating wound healing to its high polysaccharide content.
Natural polysaccharides have previously been linked to faster wound healing as they help to facilitate the activation of the immune system. It’s believed that this process results from polysaccharides’ ability to help activate macrophages, one of the major inflammatory cells in the body which cleans up the wound site after injury (9).
Poor diet, hormonal changes and medical conditions can all contribute to hair loss.
Male pattern baldness, for instance, is one of the major reasons for hair loss in men. It occurs when testosterone is converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by the enzyme 5α-reductase. DHT then sticks to the hair follicles in your head and kills them through a process called miniaturization.
Fortunately, reishi mushrooms have recently been found to have several health benefits for our hair.
Men with male pattern baldness have scalps that are sensitive to DHT. Luckily, it’s possible to inhibit DHT production and reduce hair loss.
A recent study (10) suggests that the reishi mushroom is a great inhibitor of 5α-reductase, which helps to lower the amount of DHT produced in the body. This, in turn, reduces DHT levels on the scalp, protecting the hair follicles from miniaturization.
Reishi mushrooms are also rich in antioxidants, which may help shield the scalp from toxins and damage from free radicals. Less damage results in a healthier scalp and a conducive environment for the regeneration of hair follicles, bringing forth thicker, stronger hair.
Reishi mushrooms are well known as antioxidant powerhouses that support a healthy inflammation response.
They help to improve blood circulation, allowing the smooth flow of nutrients and oxygen into the scalp. This promotes the growth of healthy hair and reduces the chances of scalp conditions, such as dandruff and psoriasis.
Reishi mushrooms help to retain your hair’s sheen and vibrant hue for longer, preventing premature or age-related graying (5).
Also, as a strong antioxidant, reishi helps to lower normal oxidative stress, allowing your hair to remain strong and retain its color.
You can drink your mushroom tea at any time throughout the day. But for maximum results, ensure you take it consistently.
We recommend adding a half teaspoon of Organic Reishi Mushroom Powder to your tea twice a day—one in the morning and a second cup in the evening.
Because the reishi mushroom can improve your digestive health, it’s a great supplement to start the day with.
It may also promote relaxation, thanks to its mood-lifting properties, making it the perfect addition to your evening routine as you wind down after a long day. Many people take reishi before bed and report having an easier time falling asleep.
Many companies in the functional mushroom industry claim to sell products that are extracted from pure mushrooms. But this is not always the case.
These products often use mycelium, the mushroom’s root system, which contains fewer health and nutritional benefits than the mushroom itself.
That’s why it’s important to purchase your mushroom supplements from a trusted source that uses the highest-quality, health-promoting mushrooms extracted in their purest form.
At Real Mushrooms, we live up to our name, producing mushroom extracts from real mushrooms directly sourced from organic farms in China, the birthplace of mushroom cultivation. It’s one of the few places in the world where you can extract mushrooms in their purest form.
"I am impressed after switching from other brands that I found were mycelium and fillers. The difference has been quantifiable." Patrick
Our Reishi Mushroom extracts have no added starch, mycelium, or grain of any kind and are vegan-friendly, non-GMO, and gluten-free.
Order today to enjoy all the benefits that reishi mushroom tea brings.
Remember to check out our other organic mushroom extracts capsules from mushrooms like chaga, turkey tail, cordyceps, and lion’s mane, which provide these and more benefits.
Reishi Mushroom Powder Recipes: 5 Delicious Drinks and Snacks
Reishi Mushroom Benefits & Usage: A Comprehensive Guide
The Benefits of Red Reishi and the 5 Other Color Types
Reishi Mushroom History: Cultural Uses & Reverence
How to I.D. the Best Reishi Mushroom Supplement
.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.