Reishi

What is Reishi?

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is a red-brown, glossy mushroom with a characteristic antler-like shape. In Chinese it carries the honorific name lingzhi. It grows naturally on hardwood, especially on oak and plum trees in warm, humid parts of Asia.

A long history

For more than two thousand years Reishi has had a place in the herbalism of China and Japan. That long history is one of the reasons it gets so much attention in the West too.

What is in it

Reishi is characterised by a rich composition: beta-glucans (polysaccharides) and triterpenes, including ganoderic acid. Those compounds are being looked at scientifically, but much of that research has been carried out in the lab or in animals and is still at an early stage. There are currently no EU-approved health claims for Reishi. It is a food supplement, not a medicine.

Whole fruiting body

Our Reishi capsules contain powder from the whole fruiting body, organically grown and tested per batch.

Frequently asked questions about Reishi

Why does Reishi taste so bitter?

Because of the triterpenes. That is exactly why hardly anyone drinks Reishi as a tea and most people choose capsules. The bitterness says nothing about the quality, incidentally.

Are you allowed to say what this is good for?

No, and we do not. No health claims have been approved for mushrooms in the European Union. What we can tell you is what is in it, where it comes from and how you use it. If you come across a supplier who lists exactly what a mushroom is good for, that supplier is overstepping the mark.

Fruiting body or mycelium?

This is the most important quality question with mushroom supplements. Mycelium is the root network and is often grown on grain, which means starch ends up in the end product. Our capsules contain powder from the whole fruiting body, the mushroom itself. That is stated on every pack.

How do I take it?

As a capsule, with some water. Stick to the dose on the label. Most people take it over a longer period rather than one-off, and choose a fixed moment in the day for it.

Can I combine it with other supplements?

You can. If you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your GP or pharmacist first.