As the new year unfolds, many of us are focused on setting and achieving personal goals. In the quest for improved well-being, mushrooms – both culinary varieties and functional extracts – emerge as unsung heroes. Their unique properties and health benefits align seamlessly with the top five resolutions of 2024, as outlined in Forbes' "New Year’s Resolutions Statistics 2024" article.
According to the Forbes 2023 survey of 1000 Americans, the following resolutions were the top 5 most common responses:
Let's delve deeper into the science behind how mushrooms can support these aspirations.
Cordyceps, a mushroom revered in traditional medicine, has garnered attention in the fitness world. Studies reveal that the cordyceps mushroom makes for an ideal pre- and post-workout supplement: It enhances aerobic capacity, delays fatigue, and improves endurance by influencing the body’s exercise utilization of oxygen and energy production [1]. This is attributed to its ability to increase adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels, the primary energy currency of the cell, thus providing extra energy for longer, more intense workouts [2]. Moreover, as an adaptogen, a good quality cordyceps supplement can help the body manage and adapt to stress. These properties help promote better recovery post-exercise by balancing muscle inflammation and oxidative stress [3].
In the context of financial wellness, culinary mushrooms offer an economical and nutritious alternative to meat. Economically, they are less costly to produce and purchase, helping consumers save money without compromising nutritional value. Nutritionally, mushrooms are rich in proteins, vitamins (especially B vitamins), minerals (like selenium, potassium, and copper), and antioxidants [4]. This makes them a nutrient-dense food choice that provides essential nutrients without the high costs associated with meat. Incorporating mushrooms into your recipes can help stretch the food budget while contributing to a balanced diet.
For mental health, reishi mushrooms and lion's mane are particularly noteworthy. Reishi, often termed as the "mushroom of immortality," is known for its calming properties. It contains triterpenes, which have been shown to induce sedation and decrease anxiety [7]. Studies suggest that a quality Reishi supplement can improve sleep quality by modulating the sleep-wake cycle, which is crucial for mental health and daily functioning [8].
Lion's mane has unique neuroprotective properties. It contains compounds like hericenones and erinacines that stimulate the growth of brain cells and can potentially improve cognitive function [5]. This mushroom has been linked to enhancing memory and brain function, which is crucial in the fast-paced, stress-inducing modern lifestyle [6]. A good quality lion’s mane supplement can be the key to enhancing your mental clarity.
Mushrooms are a low-calorie, high-volume food, meaning they provide a lot of food with few calories, making them ideal for weight loss. Their high fiber content promotes satiety, reduces food intake, and aids in digestion. Some mushroom varieties, like Ganoderma lucidum (reishi), have been studied for their potential to manage obesity. These mushrooms contain bioactive compounds that can alter fat metabolism and regulate the expression of genes related to obesity [9].
As mentioned in section 4, Reishi can also improve sleep quality and promote a calm mood.
In terms of dietary improvements, mushrooms are an excellent source of several key nutrients. They are one of the few non-animal sources of vitamin D, essential for bone health and immune function [10]. They also contain B vitamins, vital for various metabolic processes, including energy production. Additionally, the antioxidants present in mushrooms, like ergothioneine and selenium, help combat oxidative stress and promote a healthy inflammation response, contributing to overall wellness and longevity [11].
In summary, mushrooms, in their various forms, stand as powerful allies in achieving the common New Year’s resolutions of 2024. They are not just a means to an end but a sustainable, health-promoting choice that benefits both personal well-being and financial health. Whether you’re looking to boost your fitness regime, manage finances wisely, support mental health, lose weight, or improve your diet, mushrooms offer a versatile and effective solution for your journey toward personal growth and wellness.
There is no denying it – mushroom extracts are garnering huge interest among pet parents and veterinarians. They are multi-benefit additions to dog and cat diets and supplement protocols. But, why are experienced veterinarians and pet carers turning to the reishi mushroom for dogs in particular?
When it comes to functional mushrooms for pets, the most popular one has been the turkey tail mushroom (Trametes versicolor). This interest has occurred in part because there are two compelling veterinary clinical studies that researched the impact of an extract from pure turkey tail mycelium on dog health.
However, there is another mushroom that rivals turkey tail in the clinical study department, but on the “human” side. This highly-studied mushroom is Ganoderma lucidum, a.k.a. Reishi. Reishi (Lingzhi in Traditional Chinese Medicine) is a wonderful mushroom to consider for your dog, and possibly your cat. We will get to the “possibly your cat” explanation later on in this blog.
Reishi, often referred to as the “mushroom of immortality,” has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to improve health and longevity for thousands of years. It is one of the most popular medicinal mushrooms in China, Japan, and Korea.
TCM practitioners have long prescribed reishi to influence the Heart, Lungs, Liver, and Kidney channels, balance Qi (the body’s life force), calm the mind, and relieve cough and asthma.
This mushroom was and is revered in China, in particular, because of its multi-faceted and storied health-supporting properties. So much so that it is common to see reishi represented in ancient and modern art, literature, and architecture.
Reishi contains over 400 different bioactive compounds. These include triterpenoids, polysaccharides (including beta-glucans), nucleosides, sterols, steroids, fatty acids, proteins, peptides, and trace elements (1).
Many of these bioactive compounds are secondary metabolites. Secondary metabolites are natural products synthesized by bacteria, fungi, and plants. They are not essential for growth (in contrast to primary metabolites like chitin and beta-glucans), and many of these secondary metabolites have been used in the creation of drugs.
An example of this is Taxol, an antitumor agent derived from plant secondary metabolites (2,3). These secondary metabolites send complex messages to the cells that are primed to receive these signals. It is somewhat like the alphabet where the more letters that are available, the more sentences can be written.
In Reishi's case, a triterpene called ganoderic acid is the secondary metabolite receiving the most attention and research. Some of the benefits of this reishi triterpene include antitumor, antimicrobial, anti-malaria, antihepatotoxic, and blood pressure reduction activity (4). There are many more triterpenes in reishi in addition to ganoderic acid. These triterpenes work on their own to provide specific benefits and act synergistically with the beta-glucans in the mushroom.
These triterpenes are also what give Reishi its distinctive bitter taste. Reishi is definitely the most bitter of the popular medicinal mushrooms. This bitterness is something to be aware of when considering using this mushroom in our pet protocols. It is a rare dog or cat that doesn’t shy away from a bitter taste. Bitter is often associated with something being poisonous, so animals instinctively shy away from bitter tastes (5). Later in this blog we will discuss some ways to “hide” the bitter taste so that reishi is more palatable for pets.
One of the more challenging aspects of working with mushrooms is the lack of actual clinical data or studies related to veterinary medicine. There are very few studies focusing on dogs and, as far as I know, none on cats. It is for this reason that we have to turn to human clinical studies, to in vitro (test tube or petri dish) and in vivo (lab animal, usually rat or mouse) studies. We can also consider the evidence from the abundance of anecdotal feedback from pet parents touting the benefits they are seeing when they add mushrooms to their pets' lives.
Here are some of the benefits that have compelled veterinarians and pet parents to begin using reishi mushrooms for dogs:
Let’s dive deeper into a few of these benefits...
Reishi has a beneficial effect on the nervous system and may be helpful for anxious pets, or during those stressful situations like thunderstorms or fireworks.
TCM practitioners have long utilized reishi to help alleviate insomnia and anxiety and as a support for meditation. Mouse studies have shown reduced sleep latency and prolonged sleep duration with Reishi (6).
This is one reason Dr. Rob Silver added reishi to Real Mushrooms’ “Relax” pet chews: for its potential to be an excellent calming agent for dogs and cats. It is also a wonderful synergistic mushroom to lion’s mane, which is also in the “Relax” chews.
Overall, Reishi exhibits broad neuroprotective effects. Reishi should be considered in case of animal neurodegenerative diseases and brain injury, Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, degenerative myelopathy, spinal cord injury, stroke, or epilepsy (7).
An exciting and promising use for reishi in veterinary medicine is in relation to allergies, asthma, and possibly mast cell cancer.
Dogs and cats with seasonal allergies may benefit from the immune-modulating and antihistamine activity of Reishi. Ganoderma (Reishi) helps to stabilize the mast cells to inhibit their release of histamine. Histamines are released by mast cells in reaction to allergens or pathogenic invaders. An overactive response—such as we find with allergies—can cause itching, runny nose, eye irritation, and redness of mucous membranes. In our pet population, this can look like excessive scratching/chewing, sneezing, wheezing, or runny discharge from the eyes or nose.
A 2010 study involving mice showed that the extract of G. lucidum can inhibit the release of histamine from mast cells in vitro, suggesting that G. lucidum extract has anti-allergic activity and could be effective against mast cell-mediated itch (8).
Martin Powell, a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner, biochemist, author, and mushroom expert, weighs in on administering reishi mushrooms for dogs with allergies:
“Ganoderma lucidum (reishi) as immunonutrition, with its unique array of compounds working in concert, could play a major role in current treatment practices for histamine-mediated allergic response. Ganoderma lucidum (reishi) is an effective agent to restore the normal balance between the TH1 and TH2 immune states in patients with histamine-mediated immune responses. Such an approach treats the underlying cause for the TH2 condition.” (9)
PubMed is an excellent free resource to explore clinical studies. When “Ganoderma and cancer” is entered into the PubMed search engine, 683 results are available. This is an indication of how much attention reishi is receiving when it comes to cancer research.
Reishi acts as a biological response modifier (BRM): it can modulate the immune response needed by the body. The mushroom’s compounds can stimulate both the innate and adaptive immune systems. Reishi interacts in a positive way with natural killer (NK) cells, neutrophils, and macrophages, and stimulates cytokine expression and secretion.
A good example of this BRM activity is in relation to cancer. In general, Reishi triterpenes could directly suppress the growth and invasive behavior of cancer cells, whereas reishi polysaccharides, such as beta-glucans, could synergistically modulate immune anti-cancer activity. The result is the activation of Natural Killer T cells and the production of anti-neoplastic cytokines (6).
Reishi may be a good mushroom to consider if you have opted to have chemotherapy or radiation treatment for your pet. Radiation and chemotherapy can kill stem cells for red and white blood cells in the bone marrow. This results in anemia and a deficit of the important white cells needed to maintain health and freedom from infections.
Reishi can support animals undergoing cancer treatment by helping to protect their stem cells from the toxicity of chemotherapy or radiation therapy. An interesting study induced immunosuppression in mice and then treated them with a water-soluble extract from reishi. The researchers found the reishi-treated mice had increased red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), NK T cells, splenic NK cells, and a number of bone marrow cells (10).
Additionally, reishi has the potential to enhance the effects of chemotherapy by increasing the dose of a chemotherapeutic agent that accumulates within a cell. A study using Ganoderic acid, the triterpene mentioned earlier, found it enhanced the accumulation of the chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin in tumor cells (10).
DO remember that these are all either human, in vitro or in vivo studies. There are currently no clinical studies of reishi in veterinary medicine. Regardless, if I had a dog or cat that was dealing with cancer, I would definitely consider adding reishi extract to the protocol along with turkey tail mushroom extract. This can be done by using these single mushrooms alone or by utilizing our 5 Defenders(™) mushroom extract complex for pets that contains reishi, turkey tail, shiitake, maitake, and chaga.
Unlike some of the other therapeutic mushrooms, reishi is not a culinary mushroom. It needs to be given as a supplement because it is too tough and leathery to be eaten as food.
It’s also important to remember that reishi is very bitter. The easiest way to administer the reishi is either in capsule form or as a pet chew. Dr. Rob Silver, Real Mushrooms Chief Veterinary Officer and product formulator, created 2 wonderful Real Mushrooms pet chews and both contain reishi! Our Relax chews for pets is calming and our Immune chews are for supporting the immune system.
There are some cats that will accept being given the reishi capsules, and quite a few enjoy the pet chews. However, do be aware that it could be difficult to get Reishi into a very finicky cat, because of its bitterness. Milder-tasting mushrooms like lions mane or cordyceps might be the better choice for the picky kitty.
Finally, do your homework when purchasing mushrooms in the supplement marketplace.
According to a 2017 study published in the journal Scientific Reports, 74% of Reishi products did not live up to the package claims.
Before purchasing mushroom supplements, or any supplement for that matter, it is highly recommended that you do some research. Know what to look for in a good quality mushroom supplement.
Here is some good information on what to look for in a reishi product: How to I.D. the Best Reishi Mushroom Supplement.
Do reach out to the Real Mushrooms Pet team if you have any questions about buying and using an extract of reishi mushroom for dogs:
1) Zhou, L.-W. et al. 2015. ‘Global diversity of the Ganoderma lucidum complex (Ganodermataceae, polyporales) inferred from morphology and multilocus phylogeny’, Phytochemistry, 114, pp. 7–15. doi: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2014.09.023.
2) S. Sanchez, A.L. Demain. 2014. Secondary Metabolite - an overview.
3) https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/secondary-metabolite
4) https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=99724
5) https://academic.oup.com/emph/article/9/1/431/6395358
6) Xia Feng, Yan Wang. April 30, 2019. Anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive and sedative-hypnotic activities of lucidone D extracted from Ganoderma lucidum. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31078150/
7) Xiangyu Cui, Yonghe Zhang. 2019. Neuropharmacological Effect and Clinical Applications of Ganoderma (Lingzhi). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31777017/
8) Inhibitory Effects of the Methanol Extract of Ganoderma lucidum on Mosquito Allergy–Induced Itch-Associated Responses in Mice111123 Tsugunobu Andoh , Qun Zhang , Takumi Yamamoto , Manabu Tayama , Masao Hattori , Ken Tanaka ,and Yasushi Kuraishi. DOI: 10.1254/jphs.10180fp
9) https://www.mycologyresearch.com/articles/view/28?utm_campaign=PNL%2020%20%28T8qGiB%29&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Practitioner%3A%20Newsletter%20Sequence&_kx=bL9S6QskVAqy0hm7niluqiuPq-JYxdvNxQCw9GnYr4k%3D.L3MBgQ
10) Sanem Bulam, N Şule Üstün, Aysun Peksen. April, 2019. Health Benefits of Ganoderma lucidum as a Medicinal Mushroom. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335032099_Health_Benefits_of_Ganoderma_lucidum_as_a_Medicinal_Mushroom
11) Evaluation on quality consistency of Ganoderma lucidum dietary supplements collected in the United States https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-06336-3 Ding-Tao Wu, Yong Deng, Ling-Xiao Chen, Jing Zhao, Anton Bzhelyansky & Shao-Ping
Reishi, also known as the "mushroom of immortality" or "herb of spiritual potency," is a functional mushroom revered for its scarcity and unique health benefits. In nature, there are no toxic reishi mushroom lookalikes, but on the market, there are indeed supplements that can be confused as being made from real reishi when they’re not.
Unfortunately, a recent study conducted by the US Pharmacopeia (USP) and Nature found that only 26% of reishi mushroom supplements on the market today contain the bioactive components unique to reishi [1]. This means it's easy to inadvertently purchase low-quality reishi mushroom supplements.
Reishi mushrooms are expensive to cultivate. Therefore, many manufacturers use reishi mycelium (the root structure of mushrooms), or other types of mushrooms altogether, in their reishi supplement lookalikes.
Today, we want to help you identify authentic reishi mushroom products from diluted or fake lookalikes.
Reishi mushrooms have numerous health benefits. They can
Reishi is the “King of Mushrooms” because of its wide applications in health maintenance and its complex of unique biocompounds. Key to reishi’s power as a natural health booster is its beta-glucans and triterpenes. These compounds become key indicators of the quality of the supplement you are considering buying, as we will discuss below.
The following list of 4 characteristics will help you identify a true, quality reishi supplement from weak or fake lookalikes.
Although reishi mushrooms have a subtly sweet aroma reminiscent of cocoa, they have a strong earthy, bitter taste.
The bitter taste is a quality indicator that signifies the availability of beneficial terpinoids called triterpenes. Therefore, you can leverage this to tell whether your supplements are authentic.
Triterpenes, specifically ganoderic acids, are behind the bitter flavor of reishi. Reishi is the only source of ganoderic acids. These acids have a molecular structure similar to steroid hormones [2].
The absence of the bitter flavor in your supplements means you’ll miss out on the following benefits offered by triterpenoids:
When purchasing reishi mushroom supplements, whether in powder or extract form, check the product label for an analysis of the amount of triterpenoids in the product.
Expert Tip: The potency of reishi mushroom supplements is partly based on the level of triterpenoids, which you can determine simply by tasting. The more bitter your reishi extract, the higher the quality and levels of beneficial triterpinoids.
Beta-d-glucans are the primary source of health benefits in functional mushrooms. They are long chains of sugar molecules that compose the cell walls of mushrooms, and they activate innate and adaptive immunity.
Beta-d-glucans are at the top of the list of active beneficial compounds in mushroom extracts, as they help to support immune defense.
The product label must indicate the percentage of beta-d-glucans. This data is necessary because the levels of beta-d-glucans in mushroom products suggest its potency.
If a reishi mushroom extract lacks beta-d-glucans, you can best believe that it also lacks other compounds, such as amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, which are typically not measured.
At Real Mushrooms, we offer high-quality mushroom extracts from 100% pure organic mushrooms produced without any grain, fillers, or additives. Our reishi mushroom supplements provide you with all the benefits of the “mushroom of immortality” and have the individual beta-d-glucan content indicated on the product labels.
The following table highlights all our reishi mushroom supplements and reishi mushroom blends, the percentage of beta-d-glucans in each, and the amounts of other beneficial active compounds.
Unlike most supplement manufacturers, we boldly list the active compounds and ingredients in our mushroom extract products.
Extracts made from the mushroom (fruiting body) as opposed to the mycelium (root structure) will have high levels of beta-d-glucans.
Mycelium-based supplements have very high levels of alpha-glucans (filler starches like glycogen cellulose) and low levels of beta-d-glucans.
Therefore, you need to ensure the product indicates that the reishi mushroom (fruiting body) is used and not mycelium if you want to enjoy all the health benefits of this fungus.
Since 1976 the American Food and Drug Administration has a regulation regarding mycelium products:
Mycelium-based products are reishi mushroom lookalikes with misleading marketing. Always look at the product ingredient label and make sure that it is explicit about whether the extract contains reishi mushrooms (sometimes labeled as “fruiting body”) or reishi mycelium.
Unbeknownst to many supplement consumers, polysaccharide content is not an indicator of quality in mushroom extracts. In fact, it can indicate a poor-quality mushroom product.
Polysaccharides can include both alpha-glucans and beta-glucans. Beta-glucans are the desirable health-supporting polysaccharides in mushrooms. Whereas, alpha-glucans are polysaccharides that derive from starches.
It’s not uncommon to find supplements boasting high polysaccharide content. However, in truth, they feature low beta-d-glucans and high levels of alpha-glucans.
Such supplements are posing as reishi mushrooms, but they are just myceliated grain pumped with useless starches. Fillers from myceliated grain dilute the active compounds in your mushroom product.
So, what should be measured instead of total polysaccharide content? The beta-d-glucan percentage because it shows the amount of beneficial fungal compounds in the extracts.
Buyer Tip: Many reishi mushroom lookalikes say “mushroom extract” or “mushroom supplement” on the label. However, they will actually only contain mycelium grown on grain and no mushrooms at all. These products will often boast a high polysaccharide content without indicating true beta-glucan content. So, make sure the beta-glucan and triterpenoid levels are listed on the product label.
A third party should evaluate reishi mushroom supplements for authenticity, sourcing, and potency. These evaluations determine whether the supplements are extracted from high-quality, health-promoting reishi mushrooms in their purest form.
Third-party labs need to ascertain the potency based on the levels of beta-d-glucans in the product and the ingredients used (true reishi instead other types of mushrooms).
For instance, Real Mushrooms’ Organic Reishi 415 Mushroom Capsules were evaluated by ConsumerLab alongside 6 other reishi supplements. Believe it or not, Real Mushrooms’ Reishi extract came in first place thanks to the high amounts of beta-d-glucan and ganoderic acid concentration, high purity levels, and exclusive mushroom (fruiting body) content.
In addition, our supplements:
It’s time to end your search for the best reishi mushroom product. Real Mushrooms has exactly what you need to help you support your immune system, longevity, sleep, and state of mind: Organic Reishi Mushroom Capsules and the 100% Organic Reishi Mushroom Powder.
Like many of our other clients, you’ll love our supplements for their wholesome benefits that are obtained from 100% real mushrooms sourced from organic farms in China. This means the foundation of our supplements is as sustainable as nature intended.
“I started using reishi as a form of health maintenance ... I have been using Real Mushrooms’ reishi for 5 years now. Real Mushrooms reishi is what I buy because I feel theirs is the most potent.” - Paul
“I take the reishi capsules every evening, a couple of hours before going to bed. I have found that it helps me wind down and makes it easier to fall and stay asleep.” - Jon
Not only can you trust Real Mushrooms reishi products for your own health, but your pets’ health also!
Learn More About the Benefits & Uses of Reishi:
What would we do without our furry friends?
Those gentle snuggles after a stressful Monday and giant welcome-back hugs at the airport make life all the better.
Simply put, pets are family. This is why we’re always looking to keep them healthy, and mushroom extracts are a versatile way to do that.
Unfortunately, not all mushroom supplements work. Some contain diluting fillers that limit their bioactive compounds and functional benefits.
To help you pick the best mushroom supplement for your pets, we’ve gathered information about three types of mushroom extracts: Turkey Tail, Reishi, and Lion’s Mane. As we go over their features, you’ll learn:
But first, let’s look at the different types of mushroom supplements and their uses.
There are various options for mushroom supplements with different bioactive compounds and benefits.
However, all medicinal mushrooms contain beta-glucans that can stimulate your pet’s immune system.
The following table highlights three mushroom supplements and the various needs they support:
Let's delve into these mushroom supplements and their features.
Lion’s Mane Extract from Real Mushrooms is produced using hot water to break down the fibrous cell walls to release this mushroom's bioactive molecules
This method is called hot water extraction and results in concentrated levels of beta-glucans which have important immune system benefits. Beta-glucans help train your pet's immune system to be vigilant and to defend against possible challenges to it, among other benefits.
To get an idea of how pet owners have been using Lion’s Mane for their furry loved ones, read their reviews and latest prices:
Reishi Capsules from Real Mushrooms are produced using hot water and alcohol. The hot water extracts the water-soluble compounds of Reishi mushrooms while the alcohol pulls out the water-insoluble components.
This procedure leads to a wholesome supplement with various bio-actives, from immune-boosting beta-glucans to triterpenes that promote a healthy inflammation response in your furry one.
For instance, Reishi Capsules have triterpenes (defensive compounds) such as ganoderic acids, which are non-water soluble and best extracted using alcohol.
The Reishi Mushroom Capsules give you additional active ingredients, but if you want to learn more, read their reviews and latest prices.
Similar to Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail Extract by Real Mushrooms is also produced by hot water extraction.
This process keeps beta-glucan levels high (at over 30%). Turkey tail is the subject of more scientific studies than any other functional mushroom. Time and again it has shown its effectiveness in supporting the immune system, even among animals.
You’ll get more beta-glucans with Turkey Tail Extract, but if you want to learn more, check out the reviews and latest prices.
Mushroom supplements such as Lion’s Mane Extract can enhance your pet’s gut health. They contain oligosaccharides, which are natural carbohydrates that act as prebiotics (food for the good bacteria in your pet’s gut).
One study confirmed this fact when it concluded that feeding oligosaccharides to companion animals improved their microbial ecology and stool quality (1).
There are also human clinical studies showing Lion’s Mane can be highly beneficial in relation to gastrointestinal issues, and ulcers (2,3,4).
Mushroom supplements such as Turkey Tail Extract support your pet’s immune system by boosting the production of cytokine and T cells (one of the primary lymphocyte cells that form the immune response).
These supplements contain polysaccharide-Krestin (PSK), a compound that one study found to support T cell production.
Holistic vets like Dr. Rob Silver DVM, and Dr. Donna Kelleher DVM recommend Lion’s Mane extract for slowing the progress of neuro-degenerative ailments in dogs and cats such as Degenerative Myelopathy (a.k.a. Dog Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (a.k.a. Dog dementia).
Using Lion’s Mane extract as a natural solution for pet neurological support is based on human and animal studies that have demonstrated the positive effects of this mushroom on protecting cognitive function, stimulating nerve growth, and even helping regenerate damaged nerves (5,6,7,8,9).
Giving your dog or cat a Lion’s Mane supplement is also a good preventative step for protecting their cognition and brain health as they age. Reishi is also useful as a stellar source of antioxidants for keeping neurons healthy as pets age.
The best mushroom supplements feature various bio-actives with different benefits, but they also share some features and advantages—for instance, they use the mushroom itself, not mycelium or fillers, and they have high beta-d-glucans content.
Here’s a deeper look at these features and their advantages.
For these fungal organisms, the mushroom, sometimes referred to as the fruiting body, is just one stage in its life cycle. It’s what you see growing above the ground and what you are buying in the supermarket. However, many so-called mushroom supplements sold in North America do not have mushrooms in them at all!
Instead, these companies use the root system of the mushroom, which is called the mycelium. Why? Because it is far more economical to produce mycelium than to grow mushrooms in full.
Mycelium for supplements is typically grown in a grain-based substrate (the medium the mycelium grows on). When harvesting the mycelium, the grain is not separated from the mycelium 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 low concentrations of beneficial compounds from fungi, and high concentrations of starch.
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.
Top mushroom supplements are processed without mycelium, chemical additives or preservatives. They use only the mushroom.
Here’s an example of a label from Real Mushrooms that clearly indicates the product is made of 100% mushrooms, not mycelium, and with no added fillers or starches of any kind (green arrow).
These are common polysaccharides (carbohydrate arrangements) found within the cell walls of mushrooms and in supplements.
Beta-d-glucans serve your pet by turning the immune system up or down (immunomodulation) among other benefits, but this effect isn’t consistent across all mushroom species and supplements.
Immunomodulation depends on factors such as:
Expert Tip: Check the label on your mushroom supplement before purchasing to ensure you’re getting the highest quality. The best manufacturers document the levels of bio-actives present in their products.
The most common talking points on mushroom supplements for pets among users were regarding:
"My dog has been taking Turkey Tail for three weeks and I see a dramatic improvement in her energy level." Ellie, Turkey Tail Reviewer
"My dog is almost 17 and I am excited to find a supplement that has taken years off his age." Stacy, Lion’s Mane Reviewer
"My senior foster is very unsettled at certain times of the day. These chews help her relax and settle down." Beth H, Mushroom Relax Pet Chews Reviewer
Yes, you can. In essence, mushroom supplements are functional foods and work best when combined with a balanced diet.
This timeline is variable, but mushroom supplements like Reishi and Lion’s Mane can take effect after 2–3 weeks of daily use.
Most mushroom extracts can be taken once a day and still be effective. Check the labelling on your supplement to confirm the recommended dosage.
Some of the functional mushrooms are too tough to be edible (i.e. reishi and turkey tail). Also, mushroom supplements are made with an extraction process that makes the natural compounds within mushroom more accessible to your pet’s body. Otherwise, these valuable compounds would remain trapped behind chitin fungal walls—the same tough substance that makes up crustacean shells—and undigested.
So there you have it—three needs uncovered by three types of mushroom supplements: Lion’s Mane, Reishi, and Turkey Tail.
Whichever option you choose, consider the following:
At Real Mushrooms, our goal is simple: to offer high-quality supplements from actual mushrooms. This stems from the industry problem of diluted supplements.
A recent study of mushroom supplements found that 74% of Reishi products are inauthentic. Most contain diluting fillers such as grain and mycelium.
Dilution causes higher concentrations of alpha glucans and lower levels of crucial beta-glucans. As such, these supplements offer little value to your pets.
Real Mushrooms supplements are made solely from mushrooms (the fruiting body). This reality is why we list the scientifically verified ingredients and active compounds on our products. unlike most companies.
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
Shockingly, the reishi mushroom supplement market is filled with fake product. Yes, you read that right. We’re talking about products that are labelled 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 mycelium-based supplements often end up containing undesirable starch filler.
Our Real Mushrooms 100% certified organic reishi mushroom supplement 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 medicinal mushroom supplement industry. The market is dominated by products that make you think they contain mushrooms, but actually contain little to none at all.
Most of these supplements are made using the root system of the mushroom, which is called the mycelium. This network of roots contains very little of the active compounds when compared to the 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 in a grain-based substrate (the medium the mycelium 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 reishi’s beneficial compounds.
At Real Mushrooms, we strive to create the highest-quality supplements that contain only the mushroom and zero mycelium or grain fillers. That way, people using our products will truly experience the reishi mushroom benefits they hope for.
Ideally, the reishi supplement you are considering buying should be made of the mushroom instead of the mycelium. However, ensuring you get the best reishi mushroom supplement also means knowing the origin and purity of the 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 the mushroom 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 its 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 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 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 mushroom. Because reishi contains beneficial 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 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.
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 for maximum benefit and is guaranteed to contain no fillers, starch, or myceliated grains. This product has been tested by third-party labs and confirmed to contain the valuable beta-glucans and triterpenes Reishi is loaded with. The powdered form 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 into 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 life. 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:
Despite their sterling reputation as a potent medicinal mushroom, reishi mushrooms have far less prestige in the culinary world. They are rarely used as the star ingredient in dishes because reishi’s flavor is commonly described as an “earthy bitterness,” while the texture is chewy and rubbery. Overall, not exactly pleasing to the palette, so it’s no surprise that it isn’t stocked at your local grocery store. Not to worry, reishi mushroom powder to the rescue!
While some Chinese cuisine has managed to utilize the actual mushroom to some degree, it’s far more convenient (and tasty!) to use our reishi powder extract to boost delicious recipes.
Here are some convenient recipes from our collection that show off our Reishi 415 Organic Reishi Mushroom Powder.
Click the title of any of the recipes for the ingredients and instructions.
Imagine that when bedtime rolls around you experience no “tired & wired” or restlessness. You fall asleep easily and even get the good stuff- the deep REM sleep, where true healing lies, all without sleep aids. No sedating “drugs.” Our delicious golden milk recipe for nighttime uses reishi mushroom powder to help you nod off and get the restful sleep you need, while also supporting your immune system.
Reishi’s natural bitterness needs to find some balance somewhere. This bitterness plays perfectly with the sweetness of cacao in this delectable dessert recipe. The taste of reishi mushroom powder is very reminiscent of a highly concentrated dark chocolate, so including it in chocolate treats is a natural pairing.
Coconut fans are already familiar with the delicious Bounty chocolate bars. This recipe will help you make a healthier version that provides all the immune-boosting benefits of our reishi mushroom powder. A perfect snack to take with you on a hike!
Chia seeds are a nutritional superstar in their own right, and this recipe for a delicious pudding pairs them with both reishi and cordyceps extract powder for an amazing, nutritional dessert or snack. Flavored with raw cocoa and your choice of vanilla or peppermint extract, this pudding is not to be missed.
To help kick-start your immune system to support a healthy inflammation response, this elixir features our reishi mushroom powder along with a host of other beneficial ingredients. It’s an especially potent drink for the colder winter months.
If you want to keep it simple, you can add a ½ tsp of our Reishi 415 Organic Reishi Mushroom Powder to your favorite morning coffee or tea and adjust as needed.
The method you use to get your reishi mushroom benefits is totally up to you, but you may want to peruse our DIY mushroom coffee recipes for inspiration!
Read one of our other articles about reishi mushroom to learn about its incredibly diverse applications for health and wellness:
Documented references to reishi’s reputation as a health booster date back as far as 2,400 years, and depictions of it frequently appear in ancient Chinese and Japanese artwork. However, the mushroom has likely been in use as a medicinal herb for over 4,000 years across the Eastern hemisphere, including both Korean and Indian cultures (1). Read on to learn about reishi mushroom history and why it came to be so revered in Asian culture.
Ancient Chinese herbalists called reishi Lingzhi (灵芝) because it means “herb of spiritual potency.” Emperor Yan, the first (and most legendary) in the line of ancient China’s rulers, is the founding father of the farming practices and tools that became the foundation of China’s agriculture. He is also the attributed author of the “bible” of medicinal plants: Shennong Ben Cao Jing (a.k.a. Materia Medica). Of reishi, he wrote, “If eaten customarily, it makes your body light and young, lengthens your life, and turns you into one like the immortal who never dies.”
Traditional Chinese Medicine physicians adopted the phrase “the mushroom of immortality” to describe the all-encompassing health support that they deemed reishi could provide (2). Reishi was revered for its medicinal properties in ancient China, yet it was relatively rare in nature, so for a long time, it was reserved exclusively for nobility.
Since reishi was and still is considered one of the most prized medicinal herbs in Chinese medicine, it has often been depicted alongside other powerful symbols in art. For example, in a 16th-century silk painting by Qiu Yang, reishi is presented as a gift to the most worshipped goddess in Chinese mythology, Queen Mother of the West. Another example is the wall painting ChaoYuanTu from the Ming dynasty. In it there are maids holding reishi as gifts to the emperors.
Many Chinese folk tales, myths, and poems also feature reishi. For example, the myth of Magu tells of a beautiful folk woman who lived on Guyu Mountain and practiced Taoism. Magu used the water from the 13 springs on the mountain to brew reishi wine. After 13 years, the wine matured and Magu became immortal (5). Magu features in both Chinese and Korean literature. She is typically portrayed as having healing powers and as having gifted the world with the healing herbs of cannabis and reishi.
Cultural reishi mushroom history is filled with the wonder this unique mushroom evoked in people. Thematically, reishi consitently appeared as a transformative, healing, and even divine medicinal herb.
Ancient Chinese texts discuss the six colors of reishi with the most common and well-known being the red variety; other colors include blue, yellow, black, white, and purple.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners prescribe Lingzhi to influence the heart, lungs, liver, and kidney channels, to balance Qi (the body’s life force), calm the mind, and relieve cough and asthma.
As we discuss in our article, The Benefits of Red Reishi and the 5 Other Color Types, mushroom expert Zhi-Bin Lin notes that modern pharmacological studies show reishi’s potential for supporting cardiovascular health. He goes on to suggest that these benefits could possibly relate to the “heart-boosting” effects recorded in Traditional Chinese Medicine texts (3).
Reishi mushrooms are included in China’s State Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China (2000) and are touted to balance Qi, ease the mind, and support respiratory health (4).
Reishi remains a cornerstone of natural medicine in Eastern cultures. With globalization and the growing number of people looking for natural solutions to support their health, scientists are now investigating the validity of the health claims surrounding this traditional herbal remedy.
Read one of our other articles about reishi mushroom to learn about its incredibly diverse applications for health and wellness:
References1. Wasser, Solomon P., 2005. Reishi or Ling Zhi (Ganoderma lucidum). Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. DOI: 10.1081/E-EDS-120022119. 16. Kanmatsuse, K., Kajiwara, N., Hayashi, K., Shimogaichi, S., Fukinbara, I., Ishikawa, H., & Tamura, T. (1985). Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan, 105(10), 942–947. https://doi.org/10.1248/yakushi1947.105.10_942
2. Loyd, A. L. et al. (2018) ‘Identifying the “mushroom of immortality”: assessing the ganoderma species composition in commercial reishi products’, Frontiers in Microbiology, 9, p. 1557. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01557.
3. Wachtel-Galor S, Yuen J, Buswell JA, et al. 2011. Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi or Reishi): A medicinal mushroom. In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, editors. Herbal medicine: Biomolecular and clinical aspects. 2nd edition. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; Chapter 9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92757/
4. Lin, Z. (2009). Lingzhi: From mystery to science.
5. Du, Q., Cao, Y., Liu, C. (2021). Lingzhi, An Overview. In: Liu, C. (eds) The Lingzhi Mushroom Genome. Compendium of Plant Genomes. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-75710-6_1
Dogs are omnivores, meaning they can eat both plants and animals. This is why it is common for commercial dog food to contain not only meat, but also grains and vegetables. However, mushrooms are technically not vegetables (nor plants for that matter). Mushrooms belong to their own kingdom called “Fungi”. We don’t find mushrooms as ingredients in pet food, so you may be wondering: can dogs eat mushrooms safely?
The answer to that question is a qualified “Yes,” depending on the type of mushroom. Mushrooms that are edible or medicinal for humans are also safe for dogs to eat. However, there are some species of mushrooms that are not safe for dogs to eat because they are poisonous or toxic.
The mushrooms that are safe for our dog and cat friends to consume are also highly BENEFICIAL for their health. However, it is important to only feed them mushrooms you buy at the store.
This article explains which types of mushrooms are safe for dogs and cats to consume and which are definitely NOT safe. Also, you will learn which mushrooms you should consider giving to your pet as a supplement. Supplementing your dog’s diet with mushroom extracts can promote their wellness and longevity, and can help a pet who has specific health concerns.
Maybe you’ve been asking yourself, “Can my dogs eat mushrooms they encounter on hikes or in my back yard?” Your four-legged friend may be very curious about those wonderfully unusual and sometimes-smelly fungal organisms (mushrooms) she sees on her walks.
Have you ever noticed that certain mushrooms in the wild have been gnawed on by some creature or other and wondered if your dog can safely nibble on these?
Wild mushrooms can be safe to eat, or could be poisonous, and many times it takes an expert in mushroom identification to separate the safe from the toxic mushrooms.
My advice, as a veterinarian who has tried to treat many wild mushroom poisonings over my 30 years in clinical practice, is that it is not safe for your dog to eat ANY wild mushrooms. For this reason, it is better to err on the side of safety than to find out that the mushroom your dog ate was not safe, and eating it may have cost its life or the health of its liver.
There are safe wild mushrooms, but unless you are an expert on identification, again, I recommend avoiding them. Even experts in mushroom identification can make errors and find themselves in the emergency room with a liver that has been destroyed by mushroom toxins.
Ultimately, the best way to prevent your dog from eating mushrooms in the wild is to keep a close eye on them (sometimes the impossible dream when you are on a hike!), and to steer them away from mushrooms growing wild.
If you do see your dog eating a mushroom, stop them immediately. Assess how much they may have ingested, and collect the remaining mushrooms for identification. It will important to have the mushroom for identification in case it is toxic, so an antidote to that toxic mushroom species, if available, can be used for your dog in the veterinary emergency room.
If your dog does eat mushrooms that are toxic, they may not show signs of it for hours, long after the mushroom toxicity has already started, and possibly too late to induce vomiting or use any antidote, if available.
Inducing vomiting in your pet immediately upon finding it eating an unknown mushroom may help expel the toxic mushrooms from their digestive system. But, if you are on a hike, you may not be carrying any hydrogen peroxide, which you could give to your dog to induce vomiting. A teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide administered into the back of your dog’s mouth will foam and induce it to vomit. If it doesn’t work the first time, try again with a larger volume.
The most common first sign of mushroom toxicity is vomiting. If your dog is lucky, it will vomit the entire mushroom before it gets into their system. However, it is more common for a dog to vomit due to the mushroom toxins already impacting their system. Following the vomiting, diarrhea is possible, as is loss of appetite, and lethargy, in the short term, and it is possible that the mushroom toxins will make your dog’s liver fail, and death may result.
If you suspect mushroom toxicity in your pet following a hike, get them to an animal emergency room as soon as you can, and bring some of the mushrooms with you, if possible. If you can induce vomiting immediately, as described above, be sure to do that.
At the animal ER they will provide supportive therapy, with IV fluids and anti-nausea drugs to help control the symptoms. In Europe where people love to hunt wild mushrooms, they keep their ERs stocked with the injectable antidote to mushroom toxicity from the Amanita species. Silymarin is the name of the Amanita poisoning antidote. Milk thistle seed is the main ingredient in Silymarin. However, you may not be so lucky in the US or Canada. But, you can give your dog silymarin capsules orally if they will hold them down, and that can substantially help the liver overcome this mushroom toxicity. There are other treatments as well, which are beyond the scope of this article.
Dogs can safely eat any culinary mushroom that is also safe for you to eat. In general, it is recommended for both humans and their pets to cook mushrooms first before eating them. This is due in part to the high fiber and indigestible fiber found in raw mushrooms, and cooking improves their digestibility.
The types of mushrooms that are edible and also beneficial for your pet’s health are many. Here are three culinary mushrooms that also have health benefits for your dog:
Mushroom extracts increase the digestibility and absorption of the important healthy molecules found in mushrooms. The fresh mushroom is first dried, and then the dried mushroom is subjected to a hot water extraction process that breaks down the fiber and releases all the health-supporting “goodies” that the mushroom contains.
Some mushrooms have a large component of fat soluble medicinal molecules like terpenes, and for those mushrooms (Reishi is one example), a dual extraction process involves using both hot water extraction and extraction using ethanol will include these fat soluble molecules in the final mushroom extract.
It is safe for dogs and cats to ingest these mushroom extracts at amounts that have been found to be healthy for people in experimental studies.
If you want to include mushrooms in your dog’s food, consider one or more of these three options:
There are many benefits to the use of medicinal mushrooms in all animals, two-legged and four. Mushrooms have been in use by people for thousands of years, and have helped many achieve a higher plane of health. Some of the benefits have been documented in controlled research studies, but many more applications for health can be found in the historical body of knowledge documented in many herbal medicine texts.
The most common uses for mushrooms leverage the potency and benefits of the beta-glucan molecules that are characteristic of all fungal organisms, and also found in seaweed. For the fungi and seaweed, the beta-glucans are structural components that lend strength to their cell wall. When mammals such as dogs, cats, horses and humans consume mushrooms, they receive a dose of beta-glucans that give their immune systems quite a bit of benefit.
Besides immune system support, some of the historical uses of mushrooms for health and wellness are:
Additional uses of mushrooms are due in part to the other unique active molecules they contain.
Mushroom supplements are a multi-benefit add-on to create a better bowl of pet food. They will help your furry friends live a long life full of vitality and support their recovery from health challenges that may come up.
In the next section, you will find more details about a variety of functional mushrooms and how they can support your dog’s health when given as an extract.
The 5 mushrooms that can have the most benefit for your pet include:
There are a few other species of mushroom that have good applications for pets, but these 5 above really are the most important to know about. The first two, Reishi and Turkey Tail, have the largest body of research, but the other three also have good amounts of studies supporting their value and mechanisms of action.
Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) has the highest beta-glucan content of any medicinal mushroom. It also contains triterpenes and other like molecules that help to create its beneficial effects. Turkey Tail can help your dog with any immune system issue, including improving protective response to vaccinations, recurrent infections, and immune-mediated disease, as well as addressing the many factors that lead to malignant cell growth in pets.
Turkey Tail mushroom is a very helpful adjunct to cancer treatments for dogs. It also helps healthy dogs maintain a strong immune system.Learn more about the health benefits of Turkey Tail by reading our article, Turkey Tail Mushroom Benefits & Usage: A Complete Guide.
Real Mushrooms discloses the beta-glucan content in all its mushroom extract products. Given that its Turkey Tail extract powder contains >30% beta-glucans, there are 300 mg of beta-glucans in each 1g (1/2 tsp) of Real Mushrooms Turkey Tail powder. Use the following guidelines to determine how much of the product to give based on your dog’s health needs and weight:
Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus), other than being a rather tasty edible mushroom, has special compounds in addition to its beta-glucan content that provide support for nervous system health. Researchers have discovered that these compounds, called hericenones and erinacines, can help maintain healthy cognition in animals as they age by protecting brain cells and providing nerve growth support (5,6).
For our pets, Lion’s Mane can help with their brain function when they get older and develop a bit of senility or dementia. It can also help following closed head trauma, especially when combined with CBD and/or CBG.
Learn more about the health benefits of Lion’s Mane in our article, Lion’s Mane Mushroom Benefits: A Complete Supplement Guide.
Dosing of Lion’s Mane extract for your dog should be based on the mushroom powder’s content of beta-glucans. That information can be found on every package of Lion’s Mane powder extract from Real Mushrooms. If you are not using a Real Mushrooms product, then look for the beta-glucan content on the label of the product you are using, and use the guidelines below in determining the amount to give your own pet.
Real Mushrooms’ Lion’s Mane powder contains >25% beta-glucans, which means there are 250 mg of beta-glucans in every 1 gram (1/2 tsp) of powder.
The highest dosing tier for your dog should be 25 mg/kg of beta-glucans per day. In that case, a single gram of Lion’s Mane powder (1/2 tsp) would be sufficient for each 10 kg (22 LBS) of body weight of your pet, administered daily.
Reishi, or Ganoderma lingzhi, is called the “Mushroom of Immortality.” Its use predates written history by thousands of years, and modern uses based on scientific studies have greatly expanded its applications for people and for their pets. Traditionally, Reishi was used to enhance focus during meditation, and for longevity. It was prized among the Chinese emperor and high-ranking individuals in his court for these properties.
Reishi is an adaptogen, which is a type of nutraceutical that supports the adrenal glands in their management of stress. It has anti-histaminic properties, which when combined with its immune modulating properties makes it a good candidate as an ingredient in a formula for allergies for dogs and cats.
Its strong beta-glucan content, along with its associated triterpenes and other active molecules, allows it to address a number of health conditions in pets. It can help resolve acute and chronic infections in dogs, can complement pet cancer therapies, and its calming properties also makes it ideal as a sleep aid and to help anxious pets relax.
Learn more about the health benefits of Reishi by reading our article, Reishi Mushroom Benefits & Usage: A Complete Guide.
Dose Reishi for pets just as you would Turkey Tail, Lion’s Mane and the rest: by using the measured beta-glucan content to dose your dog or cat by weight. Just like its Lion’s Mane product, Real Mushrooms’ Reishi extract powder has >15% beta-glucans, or 150 mg for each gram of powdered extract.
Administer 1.5 grams (3/4 tsp) of Real Mushrooms Reishi powder to your pet for every 10 kg (22 LBS) of its weight, daily.
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is an unusual fungus - however, it’s not technically a mushroom. It grows primarily on birch trees in Siberia, eastern Europe, Scandinavia, and northern Canada. Chaga is a hardened mass of mycelium (fungal “root” structures) and wood lignins. It develops into a hard “canker” as it feeds on its host tree (in other words, it’s a tree parasite). The bioactive molecules that the Chaga absorbs from the birch tree as it grows is what gives it medicinal properties.
Modern uses of Chaga for supporting human health that have been backed by scientific research include:
Few studies have been published in dogs or cats to date, but as with most of our mushrooms, what works for people can usually work to some extent in our pets.
Most pet parents I speak with think of Chaga for serious problems like cancer, but it can also help with digestive and immune issues.
Learn more about the health benefits of Chaga by reading our article, Chaga Mushroom Benefits: A Science, Health, & Supplement Guide.
Administration of the Real Mushrooms Chaga powder either in bulk or provided in capsules is based on potency. Chaga, being made up mostly of mycelium, will typically have a much lower content of beta-glucans than mushrooms. However, the other “power” molecule in this unusual type of mushroom, betulinic acid, is derived directly from the birch tree and has potent immune system-supporting power.
One study used a beta-glucan dose of 6 mg/kg of Chaga extract in laboratory animals with experimentally induced cancer (7). Using that as guidance, a 25 pound dog would receive 68 mg of beta-glucans from Chaga which is the equivalent of 8.5 grams (about 4 tsp) of the bulk powder daily.
Chaga, unlike other mushrooms, is high in oxalates. These can be found in other foods such as rhubarb, and spinach and can, in very large quantities lead to kidney stones. If your dog or cat has a history of bladder or kidney stones, then it is wise not to use this species of fungus.
The Shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) is one of the most widely cultivated edible mushrooms in the world. It’s very tasty! Originally from Japan, where it grows on the evergreen Japanese Shia oak tree, it is now cultivated globally. Other than its fantastic taste, the Shiitake mushroom is one of the most widely studied as well, with thousands of high-quality controlled studies of its multiple potent constituents and their benefit to living beings.
For instance, one well-documented human study demonstrated that the daily consumption of Shiitake mushrooms in healthy adults, produced enhanced immunity based on cellular and antibody immunity (8).
Shiitake mushrooms are a good source of ergothioneine, a uniquely powerful antioxidant found in mushrooms. Ergothioneine helps protect cell DNA from the damage that oxidative stress can cause, keeping the body more resilient to the effects of environmental stressors and aging. Like many medicinal mushrooms, Shiitake is an adaptogen, in that it supports the adrenal glands and helps the body to adapt to stressors, both acute and chronic.
Learn more about the health benefits of shiitake and ergothioneine in our article, Ergothioneine Supplement Guide: Facts, Benefits, and Usage.
Administration of Shiitake extracts to pets is optimal when given according to the beta-glucan content of the mushroom’s extract. You can find Shiitake extract in addition to Reishi, Maitake, Chaga, and Turkey Tail oyster extract in the Real Mushrooms 5 Defenders powder. This product has >20% beta-glucans, or 200 mg for each gram of powdered extract.
Administer about 1 gram (1/2 tsp) of Real Mushrooms 5 Defenders powder to your pet for every 10 kg (22 LBS) of its weight, daily.
Mushroom extracts are usually provided in a dosage form such as capsules or powder. Some pets don’t care what you put in their food that is good for them, but other pets are really suspicious. For this reason Real Mushrooms will be launching a line specifically for pets, formulated by myself, an integrative veterinarian with 30 years of experience as a practicing veterinarian in Boulder, CO, and a recognized expert in herbal medicine for pets, which includes the use of mushrooms, and nutraceuticals (also known as “supplements”)
Mushroom extracts are best given to pets based on the concentration of the active constituents in the product. The common denominator active ingredient for mushrooms are the beta-glucans. All mushrooms have beta-glucans, and dosing should be based on the beta-glucan content of the mushroom product you are using and your dog's weight. This is the most effective way to give to your pet, as there are so many sizes of pets, from Chihuahuas to Giant Mastiffs, that using weight as a guide is a “no-brainer”.
The most potent extracts of mushrooms in products are the hot water extracts. For some mushrooms, like Reishi, also combining that with a dual extraction method is optimal. Dual extraction involves using hot water and alcohol will remove all the water soluble and fat soluble ingredients of reishi into the extract.
If a “mushroom” extract comes from mycelium grown on grain (MOG), then it won’t be as potent. Worse still, 30-60% of what you will be giving your dog will be grain carbohydrates, which, if your dog is on a grain-free diet, or being treated for cancer is inappropriate to feed. Also, myceliated grain has only a fraction of the potency as the active ingredients found in the mushroom (fruiting bodies).
If you would like to try mushrooms for your pet, you could go ahead and try any one of the single mushroom extracts from Real Mushrooms that I have described above. The use of a single mushroom allows you to escalate that dose to fairly significant levels for that single species of mushroom. Each mushroom species contributes its specific blend of active beta-glucans, triterpenes, and other active molecules to your pet.
However, providing a multiple mushroom blend can introduce a variety of healing molecules that wouldn’t naturally be combined if you were using single medicinal mushrooms. When combined into a multiple mushroom blend, there is a synergy among the multiple mushrooms ingredients so that the sum of the parts is greater than any one of its parts individually.
For Real Mushrooms that combination product is called 5 Defenders. It contains 5 potent mushroom species: Reishi, Maitake, Shiitake, Turkey Tail and Chaga. It’s a simple way to begin providing your pet with excellent mushrooms for its health. As you become more familiar with how your pet responds to this mushroom blend, you could consider adding a single mushroom to the mix. The addition of a single-mushroom powder product such as Reishi, Chaga, or Turkey Tail can be beneficial if you are looking at your pet’s cancer problem, for instance.
RESOURCESThe storied reishi mushroom benefits for the mind and body were first discovered in Asia and its medicinal use can be traced back thousands of years. Among the wide variety of fungi used in traditional and herbal medicine, the reishi mushroom has one of the most varied and long-ranging histories. Excitingly, modern science confirms that the reverence for this fungus and its healing properties is well-founded.
In this guide, we will explore the origins and history of reishi mushrooms and how they came to be so revered. We’ll then look to the present and discover the many benefits modern science is suggesting that Reishi can provide to our bodies.
Finally, we’ll learn about how Real Mushrooms uses reishi to provide high-quality supplements that you can add to your daily health routine.
Reishi is a type of polypore: a woody type of mushroom that grows from trees and whose underside is smooth and composed of thousands of tiny pores, rather than gills. Polypores are also called bracket mushrooms or shelf mushrooms because of the way they sprout horizontally from trees.
It may surprise you to know that the term “reishi mushroom” doesn’t actually refer to one specific type of fungi. Reishi (also known as Lingzhi in China and Korea and “mannetake” in Japan) is simply the common name for the scientific genus of mushroom, Ganoderma.
The Ganoderma genus of mushrooms is found all over the world, and from the study of the mushrooms’ various properties, estimates suggest there could be as many as 2,000 separate species (1). The world’s most common reishi species is Ganoderma lucidum —lucidum is Latin for “shiny,” which refers to the varnished appearance of the mushroom’s surface. The most commonly used Ganoderma species in mushroom supplements are also Ganoderma lucidum (3).
Documented references to reishi’s reputation as a health booster date back as far as 2,400 years, and depictions of it frequently appear in ancient Chinese and Japanese artwork. However, the mushroom has likely been in use as a medicinal herb for over 4,000 years across the Eastern hemisphere, including both Korean and Indian cultures (15).
Ancient Chinese herbalists called reishi Lingzhi (灵芝) because it means “herb of spiritual potency.” Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners prescribe Lingzhi to influence the heart, lungs, liver, and kidney channels, to balance Qi (the body’s life force), calm the mind, and relieve cough and asthma. These practitioners called reishi “the mushroom of immortality” to describe the all-encompassing health support that this mushroom reishi could provide (2).
Learn more about the cultural history of reishi mushroom benefits in our articles:
Using modern research techniques, scientists have determined that reishi mushroom benefits for supporting longevity and wellness are indeed abundant. This fungus contains over 400 different bioactive compounds including triterpenoids, polysaccharides, nucleotides, sterols, steroids, fatty acids, proteins, peptides, and trace elements (3).they contain hundreds of bioactive compounds, mainly in the form of polysaccharides and triterpenes, that assist the body in numerous ways (2).
The bioactive compounds in the reishi mushroom provide support to bodily systems that help them function at their best on a cellular level. It is one of the world’s most popular adaptogens because it helps the body and mind adapt fluidly to health stressors and maintain allostasis. Allostatis is the process of maintaining homeostasis through the adaptive change of the body’s internal environment to meet existing and anticipated demands (38).
While this fungus may not be able to grant “immortality” as believed in ancient times, modern research undertaken by scientists has confirmed a myriad of reishi mushroom benefits that can help contribute to a long and healthy life.
Our stress response is characterized by the release of stress hormones such as cortisol from the adrenal cortex and the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, epinephrine (also called adrenaline), and norepinephrine from the adrenal medulla. Reishi’s polypeptides may help to regulate these responses and support the body’s natural process of bringing stress hormones back to normal, appropriate levels.
Forgetfulness, insomnia and palpitations are symptoms associated with significant stress; these symptoms are how reishi was and is used in TCM (33). Although there are no direct randomized control trials highlighting reishi’s impact on the hypothalamic- pituitary- adrenal axis, there are studies showing benefits to other systems involved in stress response. Neurasthenia refers to a former medical diagnosis consisting of physical and mental fatigue paired with poor memory and sleep difficulties (34). This diagnosis has been dropped from Western medicine but these symptoms are still relevant in many traditional medical systems in Asia (35).
When used together with lifestyle changes including nutrition, exercise, and behavior-based stress management, like mindfulness or meditation, reishi has the potential to support whole-body health. Reishi mushroom benefits for supporting general relaxation are also being investigated. Recent research shows that reishi has a calming quality that can help support a positive mood (7,38).
While reishi mushroom can benefit the mind to help alleviate occasional stress, similarly it can also be used as a supplement to support restful sleep. A study in rats found that reishi reduced sleep latency, which is the time it takes to fall asleep, and increased sleeping time (8). Researchers suspect reishi mushrooms impact sleep through the microbiome and serotonin connection (29). These rodent studies suggest that reishi may have GABA receptor activity, GABA is the neurotransmitter targeted in sleep medications (36).
Its general calming effects mentioned above can help you get to sleep by soothing everyday worry and racing thoughts. This is how reishi was used traditionally when referencing “calming the mind” (33). Promoting quality sleep should be prioritized, as sleep can affect many aspects of health (14). In a cold and flu study, reishi extracts paired with another herbal extract decreased sleep disturbances, a common symptom in individuals who are feeling sick (30).
Reishi may help support lung and respiratory health. In a mouse study, reishi supported a healthy inflammation response, reducing the sensitivity of the airways (28). If this effect translates to humans, reishi may support free and easy breathing. Reishi was traditionally used in Chinese medicine for bronchitis, a chronic lung condition impacting breathing (6).
Initial research suggests that reishi may maintain blood sugar levels already within a healthy range, which is promising news for those concerned with glucose control. Multiple animal studies have found that mice and rats treated with various extracts of reishi were better able to maintain healthy blood sugar levels (9). While there is more research to be done, reishi’s potential as a beneficial supplement for supporting balanced blood sugar is promising and warrants further investigation.
Reishi appears to have immune-modulating properties. Initial studies conducted in vitro as well as in animals have been promising for supporting reishi’s use as an immune-system booster. One study found that reishi beta-glucans increased the activity of immune cells, including natural killer cells and T cells, in rats (22). A systematic review of five well-designed studies in humans yielded similar results, finding that reishi significantly increased levels of T cells, while slightly raising levels of leukocytes (another type of white blood cell) (23). The researchers concluded that reishi stimulates host immunity, is well-tolerated, and has no observed toxic effects.
Studies have also shown that reishi can modulate and enhance immune cells like natural killer cells in those with a chronic disease (20, 31).
In one cell study, reishi was shown to work synergistically with cisplatin (a chemotherapy drug) by having anti-tumor effects on ovarian cancer cells and by enhancing the sensitivity of cancer cells to cisplatin (24).
Scientists attribute the reishi mushroom benefits of immune system support and modulation to its stores of beta-glucans. Beta-glucans are special polysaccharides that stimulate immune system function (27). Importantly, beta-glucans are found in the highest concentrations in the mushrooms (fruiting bodies), which is what Real Mushrooms’ products are made from — not the mycelium, which is what is typically used in other so-called mushroom supplements.
Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH), structural bladder abnormalities, and other pelvic conditions can increase Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS). LUTS is defined as any obstructive or voiding symptoms such as: hesitancy, straining, incomplete bladder feeling, frequency, urgency, and dribbling. Doctors and clinics use a questionnaire called the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). This verified tool is not used for diagnostics but for treatment efficacy. In a human clinical trial, low dose reishi supplementation improved IPSS scores in men with LUTS (21). In a different study, out of 19 mushrooms tested, reishi had the most 5-alpha reductase inhibitory activity, making this a theoretical mechanism of action relevant in prostate and urinary conditions (19).
These reishi mushroom benefits can sound almost too good to be true; however, the effects of reishi on the body are not to be underestimated. 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. Willard calls it “the Merlin of the herbal world” and dives into why he has given it this auspicious title in the video below:
At Real Mushrooms, we are committed to providing you with a 100% certified organic, high-quality supplement that provides the maximum potential health benefits for your lifestyle.
Unfortunately, the market is filled with products that contain reishi mycelium (the root structure) instead of the mushroom itself. These products also end up containing the grain the mycelium is grown on. This results in a product with unnecessary filler and a low concentration of health-supporting compounds.
Alarmingly, there are countless reishi supplements that contain no traces of reishi at all!
Learn how to identify the best possible reishi supplement for your money. This will ensure you actually get a safe, potent, and authentic reishi product for your health.
Read our guide to learn how to pick an ideal reishi product: How to I.D. the Best Reishi Mushroom Supplement.
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 for maximum benefit and is guaranteed to contain no fillers, starch, or myceliated grains. This product has been tested by third-party labs and confirmed to contain the valuable beta-glucans and triterpenes Reishi is loaded with.
We’ve assembled some delicious recipes that use reishi mushroom powder.
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 into 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.
As with any dietary supplement, reishi mushroom use does have potential side effects. Luckily, reported cases of side effects are few and far between and generally very mild. While its use is common and generally safe, it's important to always speak with a health care provider before using reishi mushrooms. It is imperative to know that when evaluating scientific data on reishi supplement safety, most case reports and safety issues don’t specify the source. In two case studies reporting harmful side effects of reishi supplementation, there were a few unknowns such as: source, interaction with other herbs or pharmaceuticals, and pre-existing health concerns (25, 26). That is why it is important to source high-quality reishi supplements made from real mushrooms that come with a certificate of analysis, a health product regulation number, and an adverse effects reporting system.
Potential side effects include mouth dryness, upset stomach/diarrhea, rash, and headache. While these are uncommon, anyone experiencing side effects should discontinue use immediately and consult a physician.
Pregnant women should avoid taking reishi supplements. Reishi supplements have not been studied extensively in clinical trials involving pregnant women, leaving experts to suggest avoidance for safety reasons (10). In a meta-analysis using high doses of reishi or turkey tail in 23 trials with over 4200 patients, seven trials showed that adverse events decreased with the adjunct use of these mushrooms (32).
One of the reishi mushroom benefits is its immune system modulating effects. As such, possible side effects from reishi mushrooms can sometimes occur as the immune system shifts or can result from the awakening of a dormant immune system response. These side effects are harmless except in the unlike and rare case of a true allergic response. Allergic reactions seen in anaphylaxis have signs and symptoms such as: shortness of breath, facial swelling (eyes, lips), hives or other rashes, nausea, vomiting, sweating, fast pulse, and low blood pressure.
Reishi mushroom has the potential to interact with anti-platelet (above 3 grams per day), anti-diabetic and anti-hypertension medications (16, 17). Those with known clotting disorders or planned surgeries should speak with their health care provider before starting or continuing reishi supplementation. Reishi mushrooms can enhance the immune system, so for those on immunosuppressants, this becomes relevant (18).
Reishi mushrooms are potent medicinal mushrooms that have the potential to support a wide range of health concerns including alleviating occasional stress, supporting restful sleep and a calm mind, supporting lung and respiratory health, supporting balanced blood sugar, supporting the immune system, and supporting a healthy heart and circulation. Modern science is demonstrating how effective reishi mushrooms can be as a supplement to enhance health.
When incorporated as a powder or encapsulated supplement to your daily routine, you can reap the benefits of this amazing mushroom so long as you choose an organic, high-purity, mushroom-based reishi extract, such as those that Real Mushrooms produces.
1. Jargalmaa, S. et al. 2017 ‘Taxonomic evaluation of selected Ganoderma species and database sequence validation’, PeerJ, 5, p. e3596. doi: 10.7717/peerj.3596.
2. Loyd, A. L. et al. (2018) ‘Identifying the “mushroom of immortality”: assessing the ganoderma species composition in commercial reishi products’, Frontiers in Microbiology, 9, p. 1557. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01557.
3. Zhou, L.-W. et al. 2015. ‘Global diversity of the Ganoderma lucidum complex (Ganodermataceae, polyporales) inferred from morphology and multilocus phylogeny’, Phytochemistry, 114, pp. 7–15. doi: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2014.09.023.
4, Dinsh Babu, P. and R.S. Subhasree. 2008. The sacred mushroom “Reishi”- A review. American-Eurasian Journal of Botany, 1(3):107-110. http://www.idosi.org/aejb/1(3)08/8.pdf
5. Wachtel-Galor S, Yuen J, Buswell JA, et al. 2011. Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi or Reishi): A medicinal mushroom. In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, editors. Herbal medicine: Biomolecular and clinical aspects. 2nd edition. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; Chapter 9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92757/
6. Lin, Z. (2009). Lingzhi: From mystery to science.
7. Cui X, Zhang Y. 2019. ‘Neuropharmacological effect and clinical applications of Ganoderma (Lingzhi)’, Advances in Experimental Biology, 1182, p. 143-157. doi: 10.1007/978-981-32-9421-9_5.
8. Chu Q-P, Wang L-E, Cui X-Y, et al. ‘Extract of Ganoderma lucidum potentiates pentobarbital-induced sleep via a GABAergic mechanism’, Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior, 86, pp. 693-8. doi: 10.1016./j.pbb.2007.02.015.
9. Wińska, K. et al. 2019.‘Mushrooms of the genus ganoderma used to treat diabetes and insulin resistance’, Molecules, 24(22), p. 4075. doi: 10.3390/molecules24224075.
10. Reishi Mushroom: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Dosage, and Warning (webmd.com)
11. Is Dual Extraction Necessary for Mushrooms? (realmushrooms.com)
12. https://www.mychineserecipes.com/Reishi-mushroom-taste-reviews-and-cooking-guide/
13. Autoimmune Diseases. May 2018. MedlinePlus. <https://medlineplus.gov/autoimmunediseases.html>
14. Consequences of Insufficient Sleep. “Division of Sleep Services at Harvard Medical School.” <http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/matters/consequences>
15. Wasser, Solomon P., 2005. Reishi or Ling Zhi (Ganoderma lucidum). Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. DOI: 10.1081/E-EDS-120022119.
16. Kanmatsuse, K., Kajiwara, N., Hayashi, K., Shimogaichi, S., Fukinbara, I., Ishikawa, H., & Tamura, T. (1985). Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan, 105(10), 942–947. https://doi.org/10.1248/yakushi1947.105.10_942
17. Klupp, N. L., Chang, D., Hawke, F., Kiat, H., Cao, H., Grant, S. J., & Bensoussan, A. (2015). Ganoderma lucidum mushroom for the treatment of cardiovascular risk factors. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2015(2), CD007259. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD007259.pub2
18. Gao, Y., Zhou, S., Jiang, W., Huang, M., & Dai, X. (2003). Effects of ganopoly (a Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide extract) on the immune functions in advanced-stage cancer patients. Immunological investigations, 32(3), 201–215. https://doi.org/10.1081/imm-120022979
19. Fujita, R., Liu, J., Shimizu, K., Konishi, F., Noda, K., Kumamoto, S., Ueda, C., Tajiri, H., Kaneko, S., Suimi, Y., & Kondo, R. (2005). Anti-androgenic activities of Ganoderma lucidum. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 102(1), 107–112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2005.05.041
20. Gao, Y., Zhou, S., Jiang, W., Huang, M., & Dai, X. (2003). Effects of ganopoly (a Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide extract) on the immune functions in advanced-stage cancer patients. Immunological investigations, 32(3), 201–215. https://doi.org/10.1081/imm-120022979
21. Noguchi, M., Kakuma, T., Tomiyasu, K., Yamada, A., Itoh, K., Konishi, F., Kumamoto, S., Shimizu, K., Kondo, R., & Matsuoka, K. (2008). Randomized clinical trial of an ethanol extract of Ganoderma lucidum in men with lower urinary tract symptoms. Asian journal of andrology, 10(5), 777–785. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-7262.2008.00361.x
22. Wang, C., Shi, S., Chen, Q., Lin, S., Wang, R., Wang, S., & Chen, C. (2018). Antitumor and Immunomodulatory Activities of Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharides in Glioma-Bearing Rats. Integrative cancer therapies, 17(3), 674–683. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735418762537
23. Jin, X., Ruiz Beguerie, J., Sze, D. M., & Chan, G. C. (2012). Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom) for cancer treatment. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, (6), CD007731. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD007731.pub2
24. Zhao, S., Ye, G., Fu, G., Cheng, J. X., Yang, B. B., & Peng, C. (2011). Ganoderma lucidum exerts anti-tumor effects on ovarian cancer cells and enhances their sensitivity to cisplatin. International journal of oncology, 38(5), 1319–1327. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2011.965
25. Yuen, M. F., Ip, P., Ng, W. K., & Lai, C. L. (2004). Hepatotoxicity due to a formulation of Ganoderma lucidum (lingzhi). Journal of hepatology, 41(4), 686–687. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2004.06.016
26. Wanmuang, H., Leopairut, J., Kositchaiwat, C., Wananukul, W., & Bunyaratvej, S. (2007). Fatal fulminant hepatitis associated with Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi) mushroom powder. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet, 90(1), 179–181.
27. https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/reishi-mushroom
28. Liu, Y. H., Tsai, C. F., Kao, M. C., Lai, Y. L., & Tsai, J. J. (2003). Effectiveness of Dp2 nasal therapy for Dp2- induced airway inflammation in mice: using oral Ganoderma lucidum as an immunomodulator. Journal of microbiology, immunology, and infection = Wei mian yu gan ran za zhi, 36(4), 236–242.
29. Yao, C., Wang, Z., Jiang, H., Yan, R., Huang, Q., Wang, Y., Xie, H., Zou, Y., Yu, Y., & Lv, L. (2021). Ganoderma lucidum promotes sleep through a gut microbiota-dependent and serotonin-involved pathway in mice. Scientific reports, 11(1), 13660. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-92913-6
30. Gracián-Alcaide, C., Maldonado-Lobón, J. A., Ortiz-Tikkakoski, E., Gómez-Vilchez, A., Fonollá, J., López-Larramendi, J. L., ... & Blanco-Rojo, R. (2020). Effects of a Combination of Elderberry and Reishi Extracts on the Duration and Severity of Respiratory Tract Infections in Elderly Subjects: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Applied Sciences, 10(22), 8259.
31. Del Cornò, M., Gessani, S., & Conti, L. (2020). Shaping the Innate Immune Response by Dietary Glucans: Any Role in the Control of Cancer?. Cancers, 12(1), 155. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12010155
32. Zhong, L., Yan, P., Lam, W. C., Yao, L., & Bian, Z. (2019). Coriolus Versicolor and Ganoderma Lucidum Related Natural Products as an Adjunct Therapy for Cancers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Frontiers in pharmacology, 10, 703. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2019.00703
33. Bensky, C., & Clavey, S. (2004). Stoger. Chinese Herbal Medicine. Materia Medica. 3rd Edition. Seattle: Eastland Press.Chicago
34.Schwartz P. Y. (2002). Why is neurasthenia important in Asian cultures?. The Western journal of medicine, 176(4), 257–258.
35. Tang, W., Gao, Y., Chen, G., Gao, H., Dai, X., Ye, J., Chan, E., Huang, M., & Zhou, S. (2005). A randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study of a Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide extract in neurasthenia. Journal of medicinal food, 8(1), 53–58. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2005.8.53
36. Chu, Q. P., Wang, L. E., Cui, X. Y., Fu, H. Z., Lin, Z. B., Lin, S. Q., & Zhang, Y. H. (2007). Extract of Ganoderma lucidum potentiates pentobarbital-induced sleep via a GABAergic mechanism. Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior, 86(4), 693–698. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbb.2007.02.015
37. Zsoldos, E., Ebmeier, K.P. (2016). Chapter 38 - Aging and Psychological Stress, Editor(s): George Fink, Stress: Concepts, Cognition, Emotion, and Behavior, Academic Press, 311-323, ISBN 9780128009512, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-800951-2.00039-X.
38. Zhao, S., Rong, C., Gao, Y. et al. Antidepressant-like effect of Ganoderma lucidum spore polysaccharide-peptide mediated by upregulation of prefrontal cortex brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 105, 8675–8688 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-021-11634-y
Spring is the ultimate time for targeted detoxification. A spring cleanse in 2022 may be more necessary than other years due to the pandemic and its impact on health routines and an increase in stress.
The word detoxification means to remove a harmful substance. These harmful substances can come from our environment (think diet, chemicals, pollution) or from internal processes in our body (bacterial by-products from poor or incomplete digestion). There are popular detox or cleanses out there that involve celery or juice fasting, and restricting calories. But these trends can sometimes leave some people confused and worse off than before.
A common thread of all these detox programs is they eliminate processed foods. There are some benefits to fasting, but consistent under-eating may decrease the number of minerals, amino acids, and co-factors you actually need for proper detoxification. Fasting as a dietary habit may actually impact thyroid, insulin, and cortisol function as well.
Firstly, think of detox as a daily or long-term strategy rather than a miserable two weeks of using laxative teas. However, a short, focused set of strategies can help kickstart healthier habits throughout the year.
The following article will outline 9 focus areas to understand and incorporate into your spring cleanse protocol so that you can achieve functional and healthful detoxification. You will also learn which mushroom extracts you can incorporate to support each of these 9 detox focus areas.
A) Spring Cleanse Your 6 Detox Organs
B) Spring Cleanse Your Nutrition
The major detoxification organs in your body, also known as your emunctories, are your liver, kidney, colon, lymphatic, and skin. Environmental and internal toxins, along with stress, can decrease the function of your main detox organs. We guide you through the function of each of your emunctories, how you can support them, and what mushroom extracts can be used to enhance their performance.
The liver functions in distinct phases to detoxify harmful substances from your body.
Phase 1 is all about converting toxins using the family of enzymes known as the P-450 system via three reactions: oxidation. reduction and hydrolysis.
Phase 1 changes the toxins into something more usable for phase 2. This second phase innately creates a lot of free radicals as it’s dealing with harmful, reactive molecules. Therefore, having a diet and lifestyle that encourages ample antioxidants that will neutralize free radicals is what the body needs.
Healthy mushrooms are a source of ergothioneine and glutathione, two key antioxidants that can aid with oxidative stress in the body. In fact, healthy mushrooms are the top dietary source of ergothioneine out of any food (1).
Mushrooms also have compounds called beta-glucans that have been studied for their antioxidant properties. Studies on Chaga have also shown it to have substantial antioxidant properties (2).
Some mushrooms that may help support the liver, specifically, are reishi and shiitake. In fact, the triterpenes in reishi have been found to modulate processes related to liver function. There are in-vitro, animal, and human studies that demonstrate the possible hepatoprotective properties of Reishi (2). More research is needed to determine how molecules in mushrooms support the liver.
Other required co-factors for phase 1 of liver detox include: vitamins B, E, and C. Healthy mushrooms contain B vitamins, a small amount of vitamin C, selenium, zinc, vitamin D, and choline, all important nutrients for our body’s detoxification processes.
Phase 2 liver detox is all about conjugation, meaning it takes toxins that have been processed in phase 1 and adds different compounds to make it easier to excrete through your stool (via bile) or urine.
Co-factors required for phase 2 include cruciferous vegetables, citrus foods, resveratrol-rich foods, amino acids, vitamin B12, glutathione, sulfur, and minerals. Healthy mushrooms are a food rich in amino acids and are especially handy if you are vegan or vegetarian. They also contain important minerals like phosphorus, sodium, and calcium.
Bitter herbs and foods are important for the adequate release of bile. The liver releases bile and toxins that are stored in bile for elimination via the stool (and other emunctories when needed). Reishi is a bitter-tasting healthy mushroom that can interact with the bitter receptors in your body which support digestive function, vessel function, and possibly detoxification.
Your spring cleanse will best support your liver’s detoxification processes if it includes cruciferous vegetables, citrus, resveratrol-rich foods (such as grapes, cranberries, and peanuts). Use a reishi mushroom supplement to support healthy liver function and a chaga supplement to add a powerful antioxidant punch to your diet.
Kidneys flush water-soluble toxins detoxed from the liver out of the body while keeping important electrolytes and minerals. Kidneys remove extra acid produced by reactions and metabolism in the body, thereby keeping our acid-base balance in check. When the bowels are not moving well, and/or the liver is taxed, toxins spill into the blood to be cleared by the kidneys.
High blood pressure, puffiness or water retention, and low energy could be signs of decreased kidney function.
Although there is no single physiological detox action you can do to support the kidneys, it is important to support a healthy lifestyle with foundational strategies like stress management, water and electrolyte intake, decreasing toxins, and avoiding substances that increase blood pressure and stress on the kidneys, such as excess sodium and caffeine. Healthy mushrooms contain minerals that can support the body’s electrolyte needs, such as potassium and magnesium.
Interconnected with the kidneys are the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are responsible for the release of stress hormones such as cortisol, adrenaline, and noradrenaline. The adrenal glands are a key indicator of one’s level of vitality and stress management - two important things to consider when thinking about detoxification.
Many of the healthy mushrooms are classified as adaptogens meaning they can help the body develop resilience to stress through their unique compounds. Reishi is particularly good at helping to calm and balance the body.
Your spring cleanse will best support your kidney function if you increase your water and electrolyte intake, reduce sodium and caffeine intake, and manage your stress levels. Consider taking a supplement of reishi, touted as the most versatile functional mushroom, to help balance and calm your body and make it resilient to stresses.
Bowel movements and healthy poops are a top priority when looking to start a detoxification journey. Having a bowel movement at least once and up to 3 times per day is considered healthy.
We need daily elimination to remove the conjugated toxins released into the stool. There are many factors that can impede proper bowel function including spinal misalignments, poor thyroid function, poor nutrients/vitamin or mineral status, stress (holding on), microbiome alterations or dysbiosis, dehydration, and poor diet.
High fiber diets provide bulk for the stool and can act as a binding agent along the way. Healthy mushrooms have around 1 gram of fiber per 1 cup (approximately 70 grams of raw mushrooms). Also, exercise can improve the function and structure of our gut health.
Increased gut wall permeability, and food sensitivities or intolerances can increase gut inflammation which may contribute to constipation and a dysfunctional bowel. Oxidative stress and antioxidant depletion may enhance gut wall permeability. Therefore, antioxidants are necessary to support healthy mucosal barrier function. (3,4,5). Healthy mushrooms that are loaded with antioxidants, such as Chaga, may be of interest here for antioxidant supportive effects (2). Chaga also stimulates bile flow, which is important for fat digestion.
Your spring cleanse can best support your colon and gut health by including foods high in fiber and antioxidants. Consider adding a Chaga supplement for an antioxidant boost and support for healthy digestion.
If toxins and elimination wastes aren’t removed through the liver, gut, and kidneys then these will back up into the skin or lymph. Skin is not an efficient “detoxer” — pores get congested, and skin manifestations occur.
It is healthy to support the skin on a regular basis via sweating. Sweating is easier in the summer but harder in the winter to achieve. Sweating can excrete certain heavy metals and lipid-soluble waste products. Sweat is also very healing for the skin, as it has inherent antimicrobial properties.
Skin brushing can support both the skin via exfoliation and the lymphatic systems via increased lymph drainage. Sauna, exercise, healthy skin products, hydrotherapy, and massage are all efficient means to support this organ of elimination.
Tremella mushroom and Chaga extract powders can be used internally and topically to support healthy skin. Explore our article on mushrooms and skincare for ways to use various mushroom extracts to benefit your body’s largest organ.
To support your skin health during your spring cleanse, sweating and exfoliating are recommended. Now would be a good time to visit a hammam or sauna and to receive a full-body salt scrub. Exercise regularly, stay well hydrated and consider taking a tremella supplement or Chaga supplement to support healthy skin rejuvenation.
The lymphatic system is made up of lymph fluid, lymph nodes, vessels, and other key organs like the spleen, thymus, GALT, tonsils, and adenoids. This system becomes important for health maintenance because of the connections it has with many systems of the body: circulatory, immune, and endocrine, for example.
This system is crucial in helping the body defend against infection (by producing and delivering key immune cells, known as lymphocytes) and in transporting and removing waste products from the body’s different organs, tissues and cells.
When lymphatic fluid has proper flow, the wastes and toxins can make their way into the blood and to other emunctories. Unlike the heart, the lymphatic system needs help from muscles or some form of movement to propel the lymph fluid through the body. Exercise, lymphatic massage, electrolytes, rebounding, vibration, hydrotherapy, and sweating can help support the lymphatic system.
Adaptogenic mushrooms, such as cordyceps, reishi, or lion’s mane, are a great coffee replacement to sustain healthy energy levels so you can keep moving your body and keep your lymphatic system happy and healthy. Also, one of the mushroom’s main mechanisms of action takes place in the lymphatic tissue in our digestive system. To learn more about this check out our beta-d-glucan article.
The lymphatic system also helps our brains detoxify during deep sleep when toxins and wastes are removed from our central nervous system. This is known as the glymphatic system. Proper melatonin secretion is needed for this to work. Sleep is a time for deep healing, as our sleep-wake cycle hormones and nervous system tone act as conductors for our hormone and immune systems. Reishi has been used traditionally to aid in sleep support.
Exercising your muscles will help to keep your lymphatic system flowing well as you undertake your spring cleanse. Rebounding on a mini-trampoline is a good exercise for promoting the circulation of lymphatic fluid, but brisk walking and other forms of activity will do the same. Consider getting a massage that focuses on lymphatic drainage. Also, consider using a reishi supplement to promote restful sleep so that you can properly detoxify your central nervous system.
Our lungs expel waste products in the form of volatiles and gases daily. Our lungs also ensure the rich oxygenation that our cells and mitochondria require for optimal detoxification.
Traditionally, cordyceps mushrooms were used for tonifying the lungs in Chinese medicine. Cordyceps also has some evidence suggesting it may impact athletic performance, depending on someone’s existing lung function (6).
Our lungs are also a key organ for stress management, as breath awareness and breathing exercises provide a direct gateway to our autonomic nervous system — the original biofeedback.
To support your lung health during your spring cleanse, consider taking a cordyceps mushroom supplement. Now is also a time to incorporate mindful breathwork into your daily routine if you haven’t already. While it likely goes without saying, eliminating smoking of any kind and minimizing exposure to air pollution are essential for optimal lung health.
A spring cleanse is an opportunity to address health concerns that may be caused by or exacerbated by what you eat. One of the problems that can occur from an improper diet is toxemia.
Toxemia, also known as metabolic endotoxemia, is an immune response that becomes a driver of persistent, smoldering inflammatory processes due to endotoxins, the most common being lipopolysaccharides (LPS).
An increase in LPS (and other endotoxins) results in increases in inflammation. Inflammation is a risk factor for pain, decreased mental clarity, and low energy.
As bacteria in our gut die, they create LPS which is part of the outside wall structure of gram-negative bacteria. These LPS particles create inflammation by getting through tight junctions in your gut (i.e. gut wall permeability — think little holes in your intestinal lining which are very thin in width). Around 65-75% of bacteria in our guts are gram-negative.
Nutrition and lifestyle are two big factors that can lead to toxemia. If you are eating foods that don’t agree with your body then your body doesn’t digest them properly and over time, can lead to toxemia. If digestion and absorption are weak, then toxemia is more likely to occur because of the partially digested foods which then feed the inflammatory bacteria referred to above.
Toxemia can lead to long-term inflammation and dysbiosis which is not conducive to creating optimal health.
In order to avoid toxemia, eliminate foods from your diet that you can’t digest properly or that cause inflammation in your body.
This is unique to every individual but the major foods to consider removing to see if they have this negative effect on you include dairy, processed sugar, refined foods, and gluten for some.
Enhancing stomach acid production through bitter foods (artichokes, dandelion, bitter greens), activating the parasympathetic nervous system (stress reduction), and using mushroom extracts like Chaga to support gut health are recommended.
Oxidative damage happens anytime there is an imbalance between the number of free radicals and antioxidants in the body. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that accumulate in the body from major reactions (e.g. liver detox, exercise, sun exposure). When there aren’t enough antioxidants to counteract their numbers, an excess of free radicals can lead to damage of fatty tissue, DNA, and proteins in your body.
Oxidative damage will more commonly occur when the body is taxed from environmental toxins, stress, indigestion, other detrimental effects on the body’s natural state of functioning.
A common symptom of oxidative damage is excessive inflammation. Excessive inflammation can look like: joint pain, heaviness, brain fog, skin issues, low energy, low sex drive, poor sleep, and much more.
Your spring cleanse is an opportune time to address excess inflammation and oxidative damage in the body. The main takeaways are to eat a diet rich in colors, flavonoids, and antioxidants (such as those found in an ergothioneine supplement).
To decrease unnecessary oxidative stress, also focus on regulating your circadian rhythm, staying hydrated, and getting restful sleep. Decreasing oxidative stress requires limiting the number of toxins and chemicals you are exposed to through your food, toiletries, environment, and from overworking the body (chronic stress). Optimize your rest with the tips found in our sleep article, and you will help support the resilience of your internal systems.
If you want a simple, earthy, and very effective elixir for supporting your detoxification organs through the spring and into the rest of the year, mushroom tea is good as it gets!
If you choose to give your body a break from stimulants like caffeine during your spring cleanse, this tea will be a useful body-boosting, brain-waking replacement.
Renown medicinal herbalist, Lee Carroll, has shared with us his recipe for mushroom tea:
For breakfast I drink a blend of Reishi, Chaga, Turkey tail, and Tremella powder in hot water (about 1 tsp of powder extract each). No cream, milk or sugar. I like to drink it strong so I don’t add much water, about 3 ounces. Tremella gives it a smooth edge. I love the taste and love the medicinal conversation we have together as I savor the earthy richness and depth. The Tremella gives my aging brain a noticeable cognitive boost. It’s my Coffee substitute. If you put the words My and Coffee together, you get Myco-ffee!
This robust recipe is an ideal and comprehensive nutritional boost for your spring cleanse. It contains B vitamins, sulfur compounds, amino acids, healthy fats, is fiber-rich, and contains immunomodulating polysaccharides from mushrooms.
Makes 4 servings
Best served in big bowls. Plates also work.
As referenced in this guide, eating many green vegetables, including leafy greens, bitter greens, and cruciferous veggies, is ideal for supporting your organs of detoxification during your spring cleanse. This recipe is a delicious way to prepare your greens and packs a punch of B vitamins, healthy fats, antioxidants, and the skin-rejuvenating power of tremella extract.
Click the button below to sock up on the mushroom supplements to support your spring cleanse:
For millennia Reishi mushrooms have been treasured by Eastern medicine practitioners. These powerful fungi boast a host of therapeutic properties and can be used to support the processes of the immune system, help the body’s organs and cells adapt to stresses, and promote calm and balance.1
In China and Korea, Reishi are known as Lingzhi, which means “herb of spiritual potency,” while in Japan they are called Reishi or mannetake.1 These mushrooms became revered in Eastern medicine for their innumerable health-promoting and nutritional benefits.
The earliest known writing on Reishi is found in the Shennong Material Medica (Herbal Pharmacopoeia) which has been credited to Shennong, the god of agriculture.
The true author is unknown, but it is believed that Shennong recorded the medicinal benefits of 365 different herbs, then classified them by medicinal value. In his Material Medica, Shennong classifies the Reishi mushroom as one of the most superior medicinal plants of all. This surpasses even ginseng in his rankings based on overall medicinal value and safety.
The “Mushroom of Immortality,” as it’s known in Traditional Chinese Medicine, was so revered for its impact on health and longevity that it has been heavily depicted in art beginning with the Yuan Dynasty (1280-1386 AD).1
Western use of Reishi mushrooms for medicinal purposes has only recently been adopted, but its popularity continues to grow at a rapid pace as people look for alternatives to allopathic treatments.
An increasing number of peer-reviewed studies show strong evidence supporting the use of Reishi to help the body adapt to a number of stressors. As a result, many people are now eager to incorporate this adaptogenic mushroom into their lifestyles.
In this article, we explore the history of the Reishi and the benefits of adding them to your diet as a supplement. We’ll also look at practical, easy (and delicious) ways to use these fungi in your daily life so you can reap the benefits.
Reishi, or Lingzhi, appears in historical texts from China and other Asian cultures dating back over 2,000 years, but they have been in use medicinally for at least 4,000 years. There is also evidence of their use in ancient India during the same time period.1
Reishi came to be revered in Chinese culture because of its many benefits.2 Reishi mushroom side effects are few, so their regular consumption was encouraged by medical practitioners as being safe and effective.2
Contributing further to its prized status, the mushroom was typically difficult to find in the wild. Reishi mushrooms were only found growing in certain remote mountainous areas in China, making them difficult to harvest. As a result, there was not enough supply for large-scale medicinal use and application to the general population.2
This scarcity, together with its healing properties, made the Reishi highly valued by many Chinese emperors and the wealthy elite. These same wealthy elite were the only ones who could afford its high cost.4 It wasn’t until the 1970s that certain enterprises began commercially cultivating Reishi in an effort to keep up with increasing demand in both Asia and around the globe.4
Over the centuries, Reishi has been regularly depicted in Chinese art and is associated with Taoism. It was also commonly carried by the wealthy as a talisman to ward off evil spirits and bad omens. Vividly written descriptions of its powerful benefits and “immortal” qualities are common in ancient medical texts and religious scripts.
Wang Chong of the Eastern Han Dynasty wrote that, “including it [Reishi] in the diet can result in longevity as it is god’s food.”2 Reishi is also described as the “Medicine of Kings.”3
Its ongoing use as a spiritual tool and functional medicinal herb caused it to become widely used in art and cultural practices throughout China. These fungi can be found depicted in books and emblazoned on household decorations, furniture, carpets, jewelry, women’s hair combs, and even perfume bottles.1
With its legendary status well established, these trends in Chinese culture and art continue today.
Reishi contains over 400 different bioactive compounds including triterpenoids, polysaccharides, nucleotides, sterols, steroids, fatty acids, proteins, peptides and trace elements.3
The bioactive compounds in Reishi mushrooms work on a cellular level, providing support to bodily systems that help them function optimally. Mushroom proteins contain all the essential amino acids your body needs to stay healthy. The low total fat content and high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids are considered significant contributors to Reishi's health value.4
The effect of these compounds on the body and specific illnesses has been studied and documented in both Eastern and Western medicine. In the book, Lingzhi: From Mystery to Science, mushroom expert Zhi-Bin Lin indicates that modern pharmacological studies show Reishi’s effectiveness in treating a variety of conditions.
He suggests that these could possibly relate to the “heart-boosting” and “chest cough relieving” effects recorded in Traditional Chinese Medicine texts.2
Further to this, Reishi mushrooms are a part of the State Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China (2000) and it is indicated to, “balance Qi, ease the mind and relieve cough and asthma, and [Reishi] is recommended for dizziness, insomnia, palpitation, and shortness of breath.”4
While these uses are common and generally safe, it's important to always speak with a health care provider before using Reishi mushrooms.
There are over 2,000 different species of Reishi mushrooms, but ancient Chinese texts discuss the six colors of reishi. Known as the “6 Zhī (芝)” where “zhī” commonly meant mushroom or fungi. However, in Daoism "zhī "referrs to special plant, animal, or mineral substances said to promote longevity. The most common and well-known color is the red variety which is still known in Chinese as Língzhī (灵芝). The other colors are blue, yellow, black, white and purple.
Each type of reishi was described to grow near some of the famous mountains in China. Red reishi around Mt. Huo, black reishi around Mt. Heng, blue reishi around Mt. Tai, white reishi around Mt. Hua, and yellow reishi around Mt. Song.2 This has long been debunked as reishi grows wild all over China and around the world.
The reported benefits from these six mythical Reishi mushroom colors are wide-ranging and worth exploring in more detail.3
Since there was no genetic identification thousands of years ago, the existence of many of these species is debated. In the 1990’s, Chinese mycologist Zhao Ji-Ding and others classified the “6 Zhī” as described in the Materia Medica. Their results concluded that the “6 Zhi” are not all Lingzhi (or of the Ganoderma species).
So if these mythical reishi weren’t all true reishi, what species were they?
Red reishi is the best known of all Reishi fungi. The most popular species is Ganoderma lingzhi (or lucidum), in addition to varieties native to North America like Ganoderma tsugae and Ganoderma oreganese.
The red Reishi is known to support the healthy function of internal organs like the liver, lungs, and heart. Of all the varieties, red is traditionally considered to be superior to other colors because of its high polysaccharide content, such as beta-glucans.3 It also has very high antioxidant content, and thus supports cellular health and functional inflammatory responses.11
The red variety is also the most common. Global demand for red Reishi is higher due to its prestige, superior health benefits, and nutritional profile. Commercialized agriculture in China, Japan, and other Asian nations focuses on this fungi because of these key factors.
Due to its superior complex of beneficial, bio-available medicinal compounds, red Reishi (Ganoderma lingzhi) is the variety we use in our Reishi 415 extract powder.
As you can tell by the name, this is not a Ganoderma species but it grows in tropical regions and has very similar physical characteristics to Ganoderma. So, it’s not surprising that this was considered to be Reishi. There are traditional uses by indigenous communities and in China they refer to it as “Jiǎzī.”
For example, Indigenous tribes in Malaysia fashion fungal necklaces from the mushrooms (fruiting bodies) for their infants. They say it helps to soothe them in a way similar to amber necklaces popular in the West.
It has a very limited body of research but shows a similar antioxidant capacity to most medicinal mushrooms.7 The black Reishi has been used in interesting folk practices throughout Asia.
Some speculate that black Reishi could also have been Polyporus melanopus, which is white when young but gradually turns brown with a brown-to-black stem.
Today, when mentioning black Reishi one would more likely think of Ganoderma sinense.
Not always purple in appearance, purple Reishi is thought to be Ganoderma sinense or what many would refer to today as black Reishi (Zǐzhī 紫芝). This variety is cultivated in China and is wild-harvested throughout Asia. Similar in genetic composition to the red Reishi, it is sought after for its more delicate taste and immune-system supporting benefits.8
Many Chinese herbalists will carry these fungi as they are known for supporting healthy lung function.
In 2010, Ganoderma sinense tablets were approved by the Chinese State Food and Drug Administration as a relief for the side effects from chemotherapy.10
Many mushroom foragers will know that Laetiporus sulphureus, a.k.a “chicken of the woods”, is not a Ganoderma species, but it sure looks like it. Chicken of the woods is primarily native to Europe and North America, not Asia, and is a bracket fungus with a similar appearance to Reishi. The lighter color and younger growth areas are commonly eaten and reported to taste like chicken, hence its name. This species can grow up to 100 pounds.
Though chicken of the woods does have some research and will contain similar compounds to other polypores like Reishi, it is not typically known as a functional mushroom.
Today, Ganoderma curtisii is known as Yellow Reishi. Ganoderma curtisii is native to North America and typically found along the eastern US coast growing on decaying stumps and roots. However, it grows well in temperate climates and has been found as far south as Mexico. With a biochemical profile very similar to red Reishi, it has many of the same health-promoting benefits as the more common red variety.
Blue Reishi, or sometimes called green Reishi, is more well-known as Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) or Yunzhi (雲芝) in Chinese. As you can see, this is not a Ganoderma species but has similar visual characteristics. The multi-colored pattern on Turkey Tail mushrooms is described as looking like the feathers of a peacock. This miracle mushroom grows all over the world and is one of the most popular functional mushrooms.
Turkey Tail is very well known in Asia since two effective cancer-fighting drugs have been developed from it: Polysaccharide K (PSK) in Japan and Polysaccharide Peptide (PSP) in China. It is also loaded with prebiotics, which helps maintain a healthy gut balance and helps reduce indigestion.
Turkey Tail benefits aren’t just for humans either. Veterinarians have found that Turkey Tail supplements can help promote healthy cellular responses in cats and dogs suffering from malignant cell growth. The beta-glucans in Turkey Tail mushrooms also help to balance the immune responses in dogs with auto-immune disorders.8 When considering your pet’s health, don’t overlook the potential of these powerful fungi.
More commonly known as Agarikon, white Reishi’s medicinal use can be traced as far back as Ancient Greece where it was used as a treatment for tuberculosis and smallpox. The Greek physician Dioscorides even nicknamed it “elixirum ad longam vitam”, or the elixir of long life.
Today, Agarikon is most commonly found in old-growth forests in the Pacific Northwest. This has led to it being extremely rare, resulting in limited research on the specific use cases and best practices for application. Despite this scarcity, recent studies have shown it to possess antimicrobial properties.9
Additional research into its powerful and numerous benefits is only just getting started. However, deforestation is leading to fewer and fewer areas for this fungi to grow naturally, and growers have had difficulty cultivating it in artificial settings.
It is important to remember that when these different species of fungi were named Reishi, there were no species identification methods in place other than physical characteristics (does it look like a Reishi?). As we can see, only 2 of the 6 colors are true Reishi. However, the majority of these species are polypore fungi and look quite similar, so it's not surprising that thousands of years ago they were classified together.
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The Reishi mushroom is a hard, dense polypore, so you might not necessarily eat it as food. However, once it is processed into a powdered extract, it can be used in recipes or taken in capsule format.
Reishi is known for having a bitter taste that comes from the beneficial triterpenes. This bitterness is also a quality indicator. If you find yourself using a Reishi powder that does not have a strong bitter flavor, you know you have a supplement with inferior potency (or one without authentic Reishi in it at all).
On our website, we feature a collection of whole-foods-based recipes that incorporate mushrooms into everything from your morning coffee to smoothie bowls and desserts. Take a look at our Reishi Bounty Bars or Medicinal Chocolate Bark to satisfy your sweet tooth. Both recipes incorporate our Reishi 415 powder to give these treats an extra health-boosting kick.
Reishi mushroom tea is a popular alternative to coffee and can be made easily by mixing Reishi mushroom powder with your favorite brewed tea, or by purchasing the tea separately.
We’ve also put together two Vegan Golden Milk recipes. These recipes take advantage of the calming effects of Reishi and the cognitive health benefits of Lion’s Mane mushrooms to help you improve your sleep and reduce your reliance on stimulants to get you moving in the morning.
As with all supplements, you should discuss their use with your healthcare provider before starting any new protocol. It’s important to determine if there is a risk of any side effects or interactions with other medications you’re taking.
In general, Reishi is a very safe medicinal plant with few side effects or risks. However, if you are taking anticoagulants, antiplatelet drugs, or high blood pressure medication — or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding — be sure to talk to your doctor before supplementing with Reishi.
Visit our website to learn more about our line of high-quality, real mushroom extract supplements that you can use to enhance your health and wellness. We offer highly-concentrated Reishi mushroom extract from our organically-grown red Reishi in both powder and capsule form, so you can find what works best for you.
