What Is Reishi?

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is a mushroom with a long history of use in traditional Chinese, Japanese and Korean practices, where it has been valued as a traditional tonic preparation for centuries. It is one of the best-known mushrooms traditionally described as a medicinal mushroom and has been referred to as the “mushroom of immortality” in some East Asian cultural traditions — a name that reflects its cultural significance rather than a modern scientific claim.

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional before making changes to your diet or supplement routine.

What Does Reishi Look Like?

Reishi is a bracket-forming fungus that grows on hardwood trees and other woody material. Mature fruiting bodies typically develop a distinctive fan- or kidney-shaped form, often with a glossy reddish-brown surface that can appear almost lacquered.

Unlike familiar culinary mushrooms such as button mushrooms or shiitake, mature reishi has a tough, woody texture and pronounced bitter character. For this reason, it has traditionally been prepared through methods such as prolonged simmering and decoction rather than commonly being eaten as a conventional culinary mushroom.

The appearance, colour and chemical composition of reishi can vary according to species, strain, growing conditions and maturity.

Naturally Occurring Compounds

Reishi contains a complex profile of naturally occurring compounds. The most studied are the triterpenes — a group of compounds that are among the most researched components of the mushroom and are partly responsible for its characteristic bitter taste.

Reishi also contains polysaccharides, particularly beta-glucans, which are among the most studied naturally occurring compounds across many mushroom species. Together, triterpenes and polysaccharides are the compounds most often discussed in scientific literature about reishi. The mushroom also contains sterols, proteins and a range of other naturally occurring fungal compounds that contribute to its overall chemical complexity.

A Long History of East Asian Traditional Use

Reishi has a long and well-documented history of use in East Asian traditions. It has been valued in traditional Chinese, Japanese and Korean practices for centuries, where it has been consumed as a traditional tonic preparation, often prepared as a tea or decoction rather than eaten whole due to its tough, woody texture.

In traditional East Asian contexts, reishi has been associated with overall wellbeing and has a long history of use as part of traditional tonic preparations. This traditional use is well documented, though the mechanisms by which reishi’s naturally occurring compounds interact with the body continue to be studied.

Reishi Among Medicinal Mushrooms

Reishi is one of several mushrooms with a long history of traditional use, alongside Lion’s Mane, cordyceps and others. Each of these mushrooms has a different traditional background and a different profile of naturally occurring compounds. Reishi is particularly associated with traditional tonic use in East Asian cultures, while Lion’s Mane has a different history and is studied for different reasons.

Further reading: The Complete Guide to Medicinal Mushrooms · Lion’s Mane vs Reishi: Which Mushroom Supplement Is Right for You? · Which Mushroom Supplement Is Right for You?

Fruiting Body vs Mycelium

Reishi supplements can be produced from different parts of the fungus. The fruiting body is the familiar mushroom-like structure that develops above the growing substrate, while mycelium is the network of fungal threads from which the fruiting body develops.

Some commercial mushroom ingredients use fruiting bodies, while others use cultured mycelium or combinations of fungal material and growing substrate. These ingredients should not automatically be considered equivalent, as their composition can vary depending on the material used and how it has been cultivated and processed.

When comparing reishi products, it is therefore useful to look beyond the word “reishi” on the front of the product and consider what part of the fungus is actually being used.

Whole Reishi Powder vs Reishi Extract

Reishi supplements are commonly available as either whole mushroom powders or concentrated extracts.

Whole reishi powder is produced by drying and milling the mushroom material into a fine powder. It retains the naturally occurring mixture of compounds present in the source material without deliberately concentrating a particular constituent.

Reishi extracts undergo additional processing designed to extract and concentrate particular soluble compounds. Depending on the extraction method and specification, manufacturers may standardise extracts according to compounds such as beta-glucans or other polysaccharides.

These are different ingredient formats rather than simply different strengths of the same product. A concentrated extract should therefore not be compared with whole reishi powder solely on a milligram-for-milligram basis.

The appropriate format depends on what someone is looking for and how the product has been manufactured.

Why Whole Reishi Powder?

Whole reishi powder provides the dried mushroom material in a minimally processed form rather than concentrating selected compounds through extraction. This preserves the naturally occurring mixture of polysaccharides, triterpenes, sterols, proteins and other fungal compounds present in the source material.

This is the approach used in our standalone reishi capsules, The Mistwood.

Reishi in Our Range

Reishi currently appears in our range both as a standalone ingredient and as part of a broader whole-botanical formulation.

• The Mistwood — Organic Reishi Mushroom Capsules — pure single-ingredient organic reishi powder, encapsulated in Australia without fillers or additives.
• Wild Dreams — 14-Botanical Evening Blend — a broad whole-botanical formula bringing together Reishi with Lion’s Mane, Blue Lotus, Calea Zacatechichi, Mugwort, Ashwagandha, Valerian Root, Passionflower, Chamomile, Lemon Balm, Peppermint, Ginger, Marshmallow Root and Cramp Bark.

Further Reading

• The Complete Guide to Medicinal Mushrooms
• Lion’s Mane vs Reishi — Which Mushroom Supplement Is Right for You?
• Which Mushroom Supplement Is Right for You?
• The Complete Guide to Traditional Evening Botanicals
• Traditional Botanicals for a Calmer Evening Routine
• Natural Foods & Botanicals for Healthy Ageing