Reishi: what the evidence says

The evidence

'The mushroom of immortality'? Read the label.

Cochrane review 2015 (PMID 25686270): five small trials, 398 participants. In the three trials with usable data, reishi showed no clear benefit over placebo on blood sugar, blood pressure or blood lipids. Everyone in those trials had type 2 diabetes, so the results cannot be applied to healthy people. Liver injury has been described in people taking reishi powder; in one case, also with heavy alcohol use (case reports: PMID 15464254, 37885515).

Sources: Cochrane CD007259.pub2, PMID 25686270 · PMID 37885515 · PMID 30061872 · PMID 35407117

Status: EU: mixed regulatory status; no authorised health claims. No affiliate (excluded by policy).

Dosing: THE FOCUX gives no dosing advice.

Further sources

1. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2015 — systematic review of randomised trials PMID 25686270 · doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007259.pub2
2. Cureus 2023 — case report of acute liver injury PMID 37885515 · doi:10.7759/cureus.45953
3. J Hepatol 2004 — hepatotoxicity case reports PMID 15464254 · doi:10.1016/j.jhep.2004.06.016
4. Front Microbiol 2018 — identifying the 'mushroom of immortality' (DNA analysis of commercial products) PMID 30061872
5. Foods 2022 — review of Ganoderma PMID 35407117

Info only, not medical advice.