Reishi - Adaptogens, What are They?
- Elizabeth Bradley, MS
- Aug 24, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 14, 2024
What it is:
A solid fan-shaped fungus that comes in multiple colors, but the most commonly known is the varnished, red kidney-shaped mushroom known as 'conks'. In traditional Chinese medicine, it has been known as the "mushroom of immortality" or "elixir of life" for thousands of years. This meant they were also cultivated rather than just picked wild due to their popularity and belief it promoted longevity, vitality, and overall well-being.
Origins:
It is found all over China, Japan, and Korea. Also known as Lingzhi or G lucidum (Ganoderma lucidum)
Supplement form:
The most common Reishi supplement is the red type, a red-brown powder, but it can also be blue, black, purple, yellow, or white. In its whole form, it is a large flat conk but can be manipulated to grow curly sprouting bodies called antlers.
Claims:
Immune support, stress relief, and fatigue aid. It has been used in Asian medicine for thousands of years.
What the science says:
Reishi mushrooms seem to be the most widely studied of the adaptogens, with claims that the active compounds of beta-glucans and triterpenes have a wide array of beneficial properties.
However, the studies tend to have poor clinical processes, with multiple animal studies and few human ones.
The claimed active ingredient also tends to vary widely in its doses depending on the supplement. Side effects have been recorded regarding GI distress, dizziness, blood-thinning, and other symptoms.
Remember when it comes to new supplements:
Start slow and low. Gradually increase your dosage over time.
Be aware of any changes to your body or mind, good or bad.
Source well. Speak to your Apeiron Life Client Advocate about our supplementation program.
Speak with your doctor before adding supplements to your diet regime to avoid interactions with your medications or adverse combinations.
References and additional reading:
https://www.drugs.com/npp/reishi-mushroom.html
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-06336-3
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92757/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16428086/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23557365/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16230843/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20574926/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16428086/
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