benefits of reishi mushroom supplements - ganoderma lucidum

Ultimate Guide To Reishi Mushroom Supplements

Reishi Supplement Overview

Thousands of people are turning to mushroom supplements in search of better immunity, energy, gut health, and mental balance. Reishi is a leader in the medicinal mushroom industry due to its unique bioactive properties. However, according to a United States Pharmacopeia analysis, only a small percentage of reishi products actually contain healthy compounds supported by science. Learn how to find the best reishi mushroom supplements with guidance from a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Master of Clinical Nutrition. 

What is Reishi?

The benefits of reishi are praised by both modern science and traditional medicine for its remarkable healing properties. Reishi is called lingzhi in China, which means "divine fungus" or "herb of spiritual potency." Lingzhi contains unique polysaccharides that are studied for their ability to support immunity, reduce stress and fight inflammation. These superfood mushrooms also offer an abundance of antioxidants and triterpenoids. Reishi is reddish brown, fan-shaped and resembles a kidney.

How to Choose the Best Reishi Mushrooms

A USP study found that 74% of reishi products in America don’t contain bioactive properties supported by scientific research. This article will help you find the best reishi supplements and avoid inauthentic ones.

Choosing the Right Reishi Species - Ganoderma Lucidum

It’s important to understand the difference between a species and genus before choosing a mushroom supplement. Ganoderma (reishi) is a genus containing several different species. One of these species consistently outshines the rest in scientific studies: ganoderma lucidum. Make sure your supplement actually contains the species of reishi with bioactive properties. 

Why are Beta-Glucans Important?

Beta-glucans are polysaccharides found in medicinal mushrooms. They are largely responsible for the health benefits of reishi mentioned in scientific research. Beta-glucans are large molecular properties, so when there’s a high concentration of them, it ensures that the other smaller healthy properties are present as well (triterpenoids, antioxidants, etc). NutroMushroom uses mushrooms with 30% or more beta-glucans, an industry-leading concentration.

Dual-Extracted Reishi

Dual-extraction uses both water and ethanol to capture the desired compounds from reishi mushrooms. This ensures that the healthiest properties, including both polar and non-polar molecules, are obtained. 

How to take Reishi Supplements

Now that we’ve highlighted how to identify optimal reishi mushrooms, let’s review the best ways to take it. The fruiting body mushroom has a rough texture and bitter taste. Fortunately, reishi can be turned into extract powder to make tea, coffee, tinctures, or even mushroom oatmeal. 

“In addition to introducing a variety of mushrooms, you should also be using different supplement formats. They are all processed by your body differently and can provide unique benefits,” says Max Lowenstein, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Master of Clinical Nutrition.

Reishi Tincture

Mushroom tinctures offer a fast-acting release of the healthy constituents from mushrooms. It bypasses the body’s typical digestion process for quicker absorption. Reishi liquid extract can be combined with other mushrooms, micronutrients and superfoods for a mushroom blended tincture.

Reishi Powder

Powder is one of the most common and potent ways to ingest the beneficial compounds of reishi. It’s efficient and easy to dose. Reishi extract powder can also be combined with other species and superfoods to make functional mushroom blends.

How Much Reishi Per Day?

This is an approximation of how much reishi you should be taking per day based on scientific studies and expert dietitian guidance. These calculations are for reishi supplements containing 100% fruiting body mushrooms (no mycelium) with sufficient beta-glucan concentrations. 

Reishi Powder Dosage

The typical recommended dose for reishi powder is ¼ to ½ of a teaspoon upon waking and ¼ to ½ teaspoon before going to sleep. 

Reishi Tincture Dosage

A typical reishi tincture dose calls for for 1 to 2 milliliters underneath the tongue or with your preferred beverage as needed.

When to Take Reishi Mushroom

Ganoderma lucidum is considered an adaptogenic mushroom because it has compounds shown to help the body handle stress better. This makes it the perfect companion for both daytime and nighttime support. 

Harness the Mushroom of Immortality 

Reishi is often referred to as the mushroom of immortality because of its reported ability to support longevity, vitality and immunity. Reishi is undeniably one of the most powerful and unique mushrooms on planet earth. 

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