Reishi Mushroom (Ganoderma): Benefits, Uses, Dosage and Side Effects
Quick answer: Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), also called lingzhi, is a woody, bitter mushroom used in Chinese and Japanese traditional medicine for over 2,000 years for calm, sleep and general wellbeing. It contains beta-glucans and triterpenes. Human studies are small but suggest it may support the immune system and ease fatigue; it is not a treatment for any disease. It is usually taken as an extract, with food, and people on blood-thinning, blood-pressure or diabetes medicines should check with a doctor first.
Reviewed by the themycotech team · Last reviewed: October 2026 · For general information, not medical advice. हिंदी में पढ़ें
Reishi at a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Ganoderma lucidum (and the closely related G. lingzhi) |
| Also called | Lingzhi, Ganoderma, "mushroom of immortality" |
| Key compounds | Beta-glucans (polysaccharides), triterpenes (ganoderic acids), peptides |
| Best known for | Calm and relaxation, immune support, general vitality |
| Forms | Dried slices for tea, powder, standardised extract in capsules |
| Main caution | May add to the effect of blood thinners, blood-pressure and diabetes medicines |
What is reishi mushroom?
Reishi grows on hardwood trees and has a shiny, lacquered, reddish-brown cap. Unlike shiitake, it is too hard and bitter to eat as food, so it has always been taken as a tea, tincture or extract. In India it is grown commercially and is usually sold as "Ganoderma" in capsules, powders and coffee blends.
Reishi mushroom benefits
1. Supports the immune system
Reishi beta-glucans interact with immune cells. Small human trials have reported changes in immune markers such as natural killer cell activity after taking reishi extract, though results are mixed and most studies are short (Wachtel-Galor & Benzie, 2011). Reishi supports normal immune function; it does not prevent or cure infections.
2. May ease tiredness and support calm
Reishi is traditionally taken to "calm the spirit". In a randomised trial of 132 people with neurasthenia (long-term tiredness and irritability), 8 weeks of a reishi polysaccharide extract reduced fatigue and improved wellbeing compared with placebo (Tang et al., 2005). It is not a sedative, but many people take it in the evening as part of a wind-down routine.
3. Antioxidant support
Reishi triterpenes and polysaccharides have antioxidant activity in lab studies, and a small human study found higher antioxidant capacity in the blood after taking reishi. Antioxidants help protect cells from everyday oxidative stress.
4. Gut balance
Reishi polysaccharides are not digested in the small intestine and reach the colon, where they act as food for gut bacteria. In animal research, reishi changed the balance of gut bacteria in a healthy direction (Chang et al., 2015). Human data is still limited, which is why reishi is usually paired with probiotics and fibre in gut formulas. Read more in Reishi mushroom and probiotics for gut health.
What reishi does not do
Large reviews have found no reliable evidence that reishi lowers blood sugar, blood pressure or cholesterol in people (Klupp et al., 2015), and reishi is not a cancer treatment (Jin et al., 2016). Be wary of any product that promises these effects.
How to take reishi
- Extract vs powder: choose an extract. Plain ground reishi is mostly indigestible fibre; hot-water or dual extracts release the beta-glucans and triterpenes.
- Dose: studies have used roughly 1.5–9 g of dried mushroom a day, or 1–5 g of extract. In a combination formula, follow the label.
- Timing: with a meal. Many people prefer evening; in a gut formula, after meals.
- How long: give it 4–8 weeks of daily use before judging.
Side effects and who should be careful
- Common, mild: dry mouth, upset stomach or loose stools, usually at high doses.
- Medicines: reishi may add to the effect of blood thinners (warfarin, aspirin), blood-pressure and diabetes medicines, and immune-suppressing drugs. Ask your doctor first, and stop 2 weeks before surgery.
- Liver: rare cases of liver problems have been reported with reishi powder taken for 1–2 months. Stop and see a doctor if you notice yellow skin or eyes, or dark urine.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: there isn't enough safety data, so avoid it.
Reishi vs shiitake vs cordyceps
| Mushroom | Traditionally used for | Taken as | Read more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reishi | Calm, immunity, gut balance | Extract, tea | This guide |
| Shiitake | Immunity, natural B12 and vitamin D | Food, extract | Shiitake guide |
| Cordyceps | Energy, stamina | Extract | Cordyceps guide |
See all three in our mushroom supplements range.
Reishi in Detox Daily
Detox Daily uses reishi (Ganoderma) extract as one part of a gut formula, together with a probiotic blend, triphala, psyllium husk, fennel, licorice, ginger, ajwain and black pepper. It is taken as 1–2 capsules after meals. Every ingredient and its dose is listed on the product page.
Frequently asked questions
What is reishi mushroom good for?
Reishi is traditionally used for calm, sleep, immunity and general wellbeing. Small human studies suggest it may support immune function and reduce fatigue; it is not a treatment for any disease.
Is reishi the same as Ganoderma?
Yes. Reishi is the Japanese name and lingzhi the Chinese name for Ganoderma lucidum. Products sold in India as "Ganoderma" are usually reishi.
Can I take reishi every day?
Yes, most studies used daily doses for 4–12 weeks. Take it with food, and check with your doctor if you take regular medicines.
When is the best time to take reishi?
With a meal. Many people take it in the evening because it is traditionally used for calm; in a gut formula, take it after meals.
Does reishi make you sleepy?
Reishi is not a sedative and should not make you drowsy during the day. Some people find it helps them relax in the evening.
Who should not take reishi?
People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, people with bleeding disorders or upcoming surgery, and anyone on blood thinners, blood-pressure, diabetes or immune-suppressing medicines without a doctor's advice.
Sources
- Wachtel-Galor S, Yuen J, Buswell JA, Benzie IFF. Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi or Reishi): a medicinal mushroom. In: Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects, 2nd ed. CRC Press, 2011. NCBI Bookshelf
- Tang W, et al. A randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study of a Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide extract in neurasthenia. Journal of Medicinal Food, 2005. PubMed
- Chang CJ, et al. Ganoderma lucidum reduces obesity in mice by modulating the composition of the gut microbiota. Nature Communications, 2015. PubMed
- Klupp NL, et al. Ganoderma lucidum mushroom for the treatment of cardiovascular risk factors. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2015. PubMed
- Jin X, et al. Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom) for cancer treatment. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2016. PubMed
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Reishi mushroom: herb information.
This article is for general information. themycotech products are food supplements and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Consult a healthcare professional if you are pregnant, nursing, on medication or managing a medical condition.
