Reishi
(Ganoderma spp.)
Other Names:
Lingzhi, varnish shelf, artist’s conk
Range:
Family:
Ganodermataceae - Ganoderma family
Growth Type:
Ecology:
Saprotrophic, meaning it feeds on dead organic matter.
Description:
Soft, corky, flat, zoned, red-varnishes cap with white to dull brown pores.
Cap:
1”-14” wide; circular to semicircular or kidney shaped; often overlapping. The shiny red to reddish-brown caps are an easy way to identify this mushroom. The caps are often ochre toward margins (edges). The flesh is whitish to deep brown.
Stalk/Stem:
When present, 1-4” long, ¼-1 5/8” thick. Lateral varnished red, encrusted.
Tubes:
2-18 mm long.
Pores:
4-6 per mm. circular to angular, whitish to dull brown.
Spores:
7-12 x 6-8 µ; elliptical, with double wall (outer perforated, inner chambered).
Spore Print:
Brown.
Miscellaneous characteristics:
N/A.
Season:
May-November. May overwinter
Habitat:
At the base of many living deciduous trees, especially maple. Even though the tree appears living the mushroom will eventually kill the tree. It is also often found on dead stumps.
Parts Used:
Cap, stem.
Cautions:
N/A
Culinary Uses:
None known.
The following text is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or injury. Always consult with a physician or other qualified medical care provider concerning the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or injury.
Medicinal Uses:
Ganoderma spp., has a strong immune modulating effect. This means that it will help those suffering from immune related illness like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, etc. This immune modulating effect will further help the body fight off pathogenic organisms. It helps the body deal with stress. It has been shown to be effective in treating asthma, autoimmune disorders, carcinoma, cardiovascular disease, crones disease, fatigue, fight off pathogenic organisms, kidney disease, liver congestion, liver disease, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, urothelial carcinoma.
Here is a link to a paper detailing the efficacy of Ganoderma tsugae in the treatment of Metastatic Prostate Cancer.
Here is a link to a paper outlining the findings of one of the myriad clinical trials showing the efficacy of Reishi mushroom, Ganoderma spp., in treating a host of devastating illnesses.
Cautions According To WebMD
Possible Side Effects:
While extremely rare, possible side effects may include dry mouth, throat, and nasal passages, Dizziness, Itchiness, Rash, Headaches, Stomach upset, Nosebleed, and Bloody stools.
Possible Interactions:
Taking G. lucidum may be riskier if you have low blood pressure or are taking therapy to raise your blood pressure, are taking diabetes medications, or have immune system disorders or medications.
Higher doses of reishi mushroom might make bleeding more likely in people who have a very low platelet count.
Avoid using reishi mushroom if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, because there hasn't been enough study on its safety in these circumstances.
Reishi mushroom may increase the risk of bleeding. Talk to your doctor before taking reishi mushroom if you are using anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs such as Aspirin, Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Warfarin, and Heparin. Reishi mushroom may also interact with high blood pressure medications.
Medicinal Actions:
Adaptogen,
Alterative,
Antiangiogenic,
Anti-Inflammatory,
Antimutagenic,
Antineoplastic,
Antioxidant,
Antipsoriatic,
Immunomodulator,
Immunostimulant,
Tonic
Herbal Preparations For Reishi
While teas from Reishi have been used for centuries, they only provide part of the medicinal benefits of this amazing medicinal powerhouse. In order to achieve the full benefits, I recommend making the double extraction detained below. For those who just want to dip their toe in the medicinal pond, I have also included recipes for a tea and a decoction.
00 Capsules
Part Used: Visible Mushroomn
Plant State: Dried
Dosage: 4 capsules twice daily
Tea
Part Used: Visible Mushroom
Plant State: Fresh or Dried
Place 2 tsp of fresh chopped mushroom, or 1 tsp of dried mushroom in a large mug. Pour boiling water over the mushroom, cover the mug, and steep for 20 minutes. Strain to remove sediment. Sweeten with a tsp of honey if desired, and enjoy your tea.
Dosage: 1 mug up to 3 times daily.
Strong Decoction
Part Used: Visible Mushroom
Plant State: Fresh or Dried
Place 2 ounces of fresh mushroom, or 1 ounce of dried mushroom into a pan. Add 1 quart of water, and bring to a boil. Continue to boil over medium heat, stirring periodically, until reduced by half. Allow the mixture to cool completely, and then add enough water to bring the level up to the original starting point. Now bring the water back to a boil, once again reduce the heat to medium, and continue to boil until the liquid has reduced by half. Allow the decoction to cool completely, and then strain it through cheesecloth, a coffee filter or papertowels. This decoction will last for a couple of days in your refrigerator.
Dosage: 4-6 oz up to 3 times daily.
Double Extracted Tincture
Like many plants, mushrooms contain some phytochemicals which are soluble in water, and some which are soluble only in alcohol. Unlike plants, mushroom cell walls are made from Chitin. This extremely strong, substance is only broken down by heat. The problem is that some of the medicinal aspects of the mushroom are destroyed by heat. In order to extract all that a mushroom has to offer, we must use a double extraction method. This is done by first using the fruiting body to create a tincture, and then using that same material to make a strong decoction. Following are the steps necessary to achieve this complete extraction. Rest assured, they sound much more difficult than they actually are.
Part Used: Sporocarp (Fruiting Body)
Plant State: Dried
Alcohol Percentage: 75%
Mushroom to Alcohol Ratio: 1:5
To start your healthful double extracted tincture, add 150grams of chopped mushroom to a quart mason jar. Now fill the jar with 750 ml of 75% ethanol (I use 150 proof Everclear). Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for a total of 4 weeks.
After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out and retain the mushroom material. Transfer the tincture back to the mason jar. Now place a piece of tape on the outside of the jar, and at the liquid level, draw a line on the tape. Momentarily, pour the tincture into a glass bowl or some other non-reactive container, and set aside. Now add water to the jar to the level marked on the tape. Pour this water into a large pot. Now re-fill the jar a second time with water, and then again, pour it into the pot. When done, you will have twice the volume of water than the volume of tincture. Pour the tincture back into the jar, cover it tightly, and place it in the cupboard while you finish making your decoction.
Pour the mushroom material into the pot with the water, and heat to a boil. Be very careful, as alcohol vapors coming from the mushroom may catch fire. If this happens, simply put a lid on the pot to supress flames. This may happen a few times at the beginning of your heating. Reduce the heat to medium, cover the pot, and simmer until the water level has decfreased by half. Turn off the heat, keep the pot covered, and allow the pot to cool completely. Once completely cooled, add enough water to the pot to bring the water level back to the original level. Bring the water back to a boil, cover the pot, reduce the heat to medium, and simmer until the water level once again reduces by 50%. Now turn off the heat, and allow the decoction to cool completely. When thoroughly cooled, strain out the now fully spent mushroom material, and pour the retained decoction into a large glass bowl, or other non-reactive container. Pour the tincture into the same container, and stir to mix. You should have roughly equal amounts of tincture and decoction. This will result in a doubly extracted tincture that is approximately 35% alcohol. Place this extraction into a jar, or jars, large enough to hold its volume. This extraction should remain viable for a year or more.
Dosage: 4 ml up to 3 times daily
