Reishi Mushroom: Medicinal Properties

The reishi mushroom has been growing in popularity among health-conscious eaters. Traditional Chinese medicine has used this exotic fungus for centuries. Its culinary applications and supplement forms are becoming more widespread.

What Are Reishi Mushrooms?

Reishi mushrooms are fungi also known as Ganoderma lucidum and lingzhi. For over two millennia, the reishi mushroom has been valued for its medicinal properties in the Far East. Reishi mushrooms grow on dead or dying trees.

Fresh reishi mushrooms are dark reddish-brown in color, but the color lightens toward the edge of the cap. They have kidney- or fan-shaped caps with a glossy, varnished-looking surface. White pores cover the underside of the cap. When dried, their color changes to reddish gray or yellowish brown, and the texture becomes hard and brittle.

You might be able to find fresh reishi mushrooms at local health food stores or Asian markets, but it will be much easier to find them in dried form. If you cannot find them at a store, you can buy dried reishi online from various vendors.

What Do Reishi Mushrooms Taste Like?

Although reishi mushrooms are edible, they have an earthy, bitter taste and tough, woody texture. Some people liken the taste of reishi mushrooms to strong tea or coffee.They can be difficult to chew, so most people do not consume fresh reishi.

Reishi mushrooms are often dried and ground into powder form before being used as an ingredient in tea or other food and drinks. Many people find that adding reishi powder to smoothies or protein shakes helps cut through the bitterness of the mushroom and make it more palatable.

How to Cook with Reishi Mushrooms.

Reishi mushrooms are not like other types of mushrooms, such as button or cremini mushrooms, that you can toss into a recipe. The tough woody texture of reishi mushrooms makes them difficult to eat raw or even cooked. Instead, they are more often dried and used as an ingredient in teas, soups, stews, and stir-fries.

To make reishi mushroom tea, first break up any large mushrooms into smaller pieces with your fingers or a spoon. Place 1 tablespoon of the broken pieces into a cup or teapot, then add 8 ounces of boiling water. Allow the mixture to steep for 15 minutes before straining out the solids. Sweeten if desired with honey or your favorite natural sweetener before drinking.

How to Store Dried Reishi Mushrooms

Storing dried reishi mushrooms is easy and straightforward. The key is to keep them in an airtight container away from sunlight, moisture, and extreme temperatures. For best results, store the mushrooms in a dark, dry place, such as a pantry or cupboard. Consume them within a year of purchase.

Reishi Mushroom Benefits

Reishi mushrooms are an excellent choice for anyone looking to boost their health and wellbeing. Practitioners have used reishi mushrooms for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine because they help boost the immune system, reduce stress, decrease inflammation, and provide anti-tumor effects.

Reishi mushrooms have a special effect on the immune system and can increase resilience. The polysaccharides found in reishi mushrooms may stimulate the production of natural killer cells, which help fight off viruses and other pathogens.

Reishi mushrooms may also be beneficial for reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. The polysaccharides and glycopeptides in these mushrooms show antioxidant, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities.

Regarding nutrition, reishi mushrooms have protein, fiber, and significant amounts of phosphorus, copper, magnesium, iron, B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin E.

Reishi Mushrooms Vs. Lion's Mane Mushrooms

When it comes to medicinal mushrooms, two of the most popular types are reishi and lion's mane. Reishi mushrooms possess a range of potential health benefits, including boosting immunity, anti-inflammatory effects, and reducing stress levels. And reishi mushrooms may be beneficial for those suffering from cancer due to their antioxidant and anti-tumor properties.

Lion's mane mushrooms (Hericium erinaceus) are known for their effects on brain health and cognitive function. They have been linked to improvements in dementia , making them beneficial for those with neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's. They are also anti-inflammatory, so they can decrease inflammation in your body.

Depending on what type of health benefits you’re looking for, one might be more suitable than the other. Reishi mushrooms boast a variety of therapeutic properties that can be beneficial for overall health, while lion's mane mushrooms are known for their effects on brain and cognitive function.

Speak to a healthcare professional before taking either type of medicinal mushroom as a supplement so they can assess your individual needs and determine which one is best for you.