Reishi
Adaptogen ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
The 'mushroom of immortality' in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Premier immune-modulating mushroom with calming, sleep-promoting properties. Ideal evening adaptogen.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.
This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Reishi is an adaptogen most often used for immune modulation, sleep quality, stress reduction. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as moderate. A typical adult dose is 1,000–3,000 mg daily (or 500mg concentrated extract), commonly taken as dual extract (hot water + alcohol) capturing both polysaccharides and triterpenes. This profile indexes 17 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating moderate. Most-documented uses: immune modulation, sleep quality, stress reduction. 17 sources indexed (2003–2025), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Triterpenes (ganoderic acids) inhibit histamine release and modulate inflammatory cytokines. Beta-glucans (polysaccharides) activate innate immune cells (macrophages, NK cells, dendritic cells) via Dectin-1 and TLR receptors. Triterpenes also inhibit 5-alpha reductase and support liver detoxification.12
Dosing & protocol.
Best taken in the evening for sleep support
What it actually costs.
Real-world pricing across three quality tiers. Assumes Dual Extract Reishi.
Assumes 1,000-3,000 mg/day. Vendor basis: iHerb, Vitacost, Amazon marketplace, and specialty mushroom brands; dual extracts and fruiting-body products drive premium pricing. Updated 2026-05-28.
The same dose, as food.
How much you'd eat to match a supplemental dose.
Reishi is woody and bitter, so it is usually consumed as tea, powder, or extract rather than food.
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- GI upset
- Hepatotoxicity (rare but potentially fatal; risk increases with alcohol use)
Contraindications
- Blood thinners
- Upcoming surgery
- Liver disease
- Autoimmune conditions
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
5- 1The Nutritional Significance of Ganoderma lucidum on Human Health: A GRADE-Assessed Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical TrialsPMIDJafari A, Mardani H, Mirzaei Fashtali Z et al. · Food science & nutrition · 2025
Jafari A, Mardani H, Mirzaei Fashtali Z et al.. The Nutritional Significance of Ganoderma lucidum on Human Health: A GRADE-Assessed Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials. Food science & nutrition. 2025
- 2Effect of Ganoderma lucidum on serum lipid profiles: A systematic review and meta-analysis on animal studies.PMIDAref M, Khoshhali M, Ghasemi P, Adeli S, Heidari-Beni M, Kelishadi R · Journal of Research in Medical Sciences · 2023
Meta-analysis of 49 animal studies showed G. lucidum consumption significantly decreased TG (SMD=-1.52), TC (SMD=-1.51), LDL-C (SMD=-2.03), VLDL (SMD=-1.06), and increased HDL-C (SMD=1.03).
- 3Associated Targets of the Antioxidant Cardioprotection of Ganoderma lucidum in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy by Using Open Targets Platform: A Systematic ReviewPMIDShaher F, Qiu H, Wang S et al. · BioMed research international · 2020
Shaher F, Qiu H, Wang S et al.. Associated Targets of the Antioxidant Cardioprotection of Ganoderma lucidum in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy by Using Open Targets Platform: A Systematic Review. BioMed research international. 2020
- 4Coriolus Versicolor and Ganoderma Lucidum Related Natural Products as an Adjunct Therapy for Cancers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled TrialsPMIDZhong L, Yan P, Lam WC et al. · Frontiers in pharmacology · 2019
Zhong L, Yan P, Lam WC et al.. Coriolus Versicolor and Ganoderma Lucidum Related Natural Products as an Adjunct Therapy for Cancers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Frontiers in pharmacology. 2019
- 5Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom) for cancer treatmentPMIDJin X et al. · Cochrane Database Syst Rev · 2012
Insufficient evidence for first-line cancer treatment; patients given G. lucidum alongside chemo/radiotherapy more likely to respond positively; increases CD3, CD4, CD8 immune markers
Randomized controlled trials
4- 6Evaluation of Immune Modulation by β-1,3; 1,6 D-Glucan Derived from Ganoderma lucidum in Healthy Adult Volunteers, A Randomized Controlled TrialPMIDMallard B et al. · Nutrients · 2023
Reishi beta-glucan significantly enhanced CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ T-lymphocytes, improved CD4/CD8 ratio and natural killer cell counts
- 7Preliminary Efficacy and Safety of Reishi & Privet Formula on Quality of Life Among Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled TrialPMIDLiu J, Mao JJ, Li SQ et al. · Integrative cancer therapies · 2020
Liu J, Mao JJ, Li SQ et al.. Preliminary Efficacy and Safety of Reishi & Privet Formula on Quality of Life Among Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. Integrative cancer therapies. 2020
- 8Safety and tolerability of Ganoderma lucidum in healthy subjects: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trialPMIDWicks SM, Tong R, Wang CZ et al. · The American journal of Chinese medicine · 2007
Wicks SM, Tong R, Wang CZ et al.. Safety and tolerability of Ganoderma lucidum in healthy subjects: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. The American journal of Chinese medicine. 2007
- 9Effect of Ganoderma lucidum on immunity and cancer: a double-blind, placebo-controlled studySource linkedPMIDGao Y, Zhou S, Jiang W et al. · J Med Food · 2003
Reviews & position papers
6- 10Pharmacological Activities and Safety of Ganoderma lucidum Spores: A Systematic ReviewPMIDTong X et al. · Nutrients · 2023
Generally well tolerated with only scattered minor adverse events; no major toxicity observed across studies; rare hepatotoxicity cases reported
- 11Ganoderma lucidum promotes sleep through a gut microbiota-dependent and serotonin-involved pathway in micePMIDYao C et al. · Sci Rep · 2021
G. lucidum promoted sleep by shortening sleep latency and prolonging sleeping time via increased serotonin and sleep-regulating serotonergic synapse pathway
- 12Use of Ganoderma lucidum (Ganodermataceae, Basidiomycota) as Radioprotector.PMIDGonzalez A, Atienza V, Montoro A, Soriano JM · Nutrients · 2020
Systematic review of 15 studies found aqueous extracts of polysaccharides and triterpenes from G. lucidum were effective in protecting against radiation damage in vivo in mice and in vitro, suggesting potential as a radioprotective agent.
- 13Immunomodulating Effect of Ganoderma (Lingzhi) and Possible MechanismPMIDLin ZB, Wang PY · Adv Exp Med Biol · 2019
Ganoderma promotes innate immune function, humoral immunity, and cellular immunity affecting B/T lymphocytes, dendritic cells, macrophages, and NK cells
- 14Immunomodulating effects of Ganoderma lucidum: a systematic reviewSource linkedPMIDWachtel-Galor S, Yuen J, Buswell JA, Benzie IFF · Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects · 2011
- 15Fatal fulminant hepatitis associated with Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi) mushroom powderPMIDYuen MF et al. · J Hepatol · 2007
Fatal fulminant hepatitis reported with Lingzhi powder; hepatotoxic risk needs close monitoring especially in combination with other drugs or alcohol
Reference material
2- 16Cizmarikova M. The Efficacy and Toxicity of Using the Lingzhi or Reishi Medicinal Mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum (Agaricomycetes), and Its Products in Chemotherapy (Review). International journal of medicinal mushrooms. 2017Source linkedPMID
- 17Lu J, He R, Sun P et al.. Molecular mechanisms of bioactive polysaccharides from Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi), a review. International journal of biological macromolecules. 2020Source linkedPMID
Common questions.
Quick answers about Reishi, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Reishi?
The 'mushroom of immortality' in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Premier immune-modulating mushroom with calming, sleep-promoting properties. Ideal evening adaptogen.
What is Reishi used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Reishi include: Immune modulation; Sleep quality; Stress reduction; Anti-inflammatory. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as moderate.
What is a typical dose of Reishi?
A typical adult dose of Reishi is 1,000–3,000 mg daily (or 500mg concentrated extract). The commonly recommended form is Dual extract (hot water + alcohol) capturing both polysaccharides and triterpenes. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Reishi?
Reported side effects include dizziness, dry mouth, gi upset, hepatotoxicity (rare but potentially fatal; risk increases with alcohol use). This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Reishi?
NutriStack rates this as Moderate, meaning several aligned RCTs or one large RCT plus supporting reviews. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
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