Ganoderma lucidum mushrooms, commonly referred to as “reishi mushrooms,” are highly valued by some for their functional properties such as immune-boosting and anti-aging effects. Reishi products can be found in many forms including powders, dietary supplements and tea; some come from mycelia while others from fruit body or spores; in Chinese medicine it’s even been called the “herb of spiritual potency,” symbolizing success and divine strength.

Reishi can take many forms, with tea being among the easiest to prepare and consume. Many people add honey for flavor enhancement and sweetness; alternatively it can also be combined with other herbs like hibiscus flowers and ginger to produce an experience both refreshing and nourishing.

Though reishi has been shown to benefit various health conditions, more research must be conducted on humans in order to confirm its benefits. Reishi may help manage certain forms of cancer; however, human studies have produced mixed results; one showed it can reduce fatigue among breast cancer survivors; while results of another study were less conclusive.

Reishi mushroom may help cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. A study with 132 participants suffering from neurasthenia showed reishi supplementation was effective at improving mood and energy levels after eight weeks – although further investigation must take place with larger samples to verify these results.

Reishi can help reduce post-meal blood sugar levels. Multiple tests on non-human animals as well as initial human research support this claim, though further study must be completed in order to establish its validity.

Reishi is well known to support healthy liver cells; however, there have been cases of hepatotoxicity when taken at higher doses and for extended periods. Therefore it is crucial that users adhere to recommended dosage.

Ganoderma lucidum has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine as an effective solution to heart, lung, and pancreas ailments. It can help balance blood sugar, relieve rheumatic arthritis symptoms, clear sputum quickly, increase white blood cell count levels in your system and even ease inflammation caused by asthma or other inflammatory diseases. Support sleep, strengthen respiratory system health and aid weight loss with this powerful ingredient. An ideal addition to a detoxification program and can even be combined with other medicinal mushrooms for maximum benefits. Some individuals have reported side effects such as stomach upset; these tend to be mild and usually only last temporarily. Before taking any supplement, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is wise to consult a healthcare provider first.