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Reishi

Ganoderma lingzhi / lucidum · 灵芝

Mushrooms. Chinese Medicine and Folk & home remedies.

Also called Ling zhi, Lingzhi, Mannentake, Varnished conk

Pinyin: Líng Zhī

Spanish: Reishi

Blood thinner and BP interactions

A woody, shelf-like mushroom used in East Asia for centuries, mainly for fatigue, sleep and immune support.

Did you know? In Japan it is called mannentake, meaning '10,000-year mushroom,' and Chinese artists often painted it as a sign of long life and good luck.

What it may help, and how strong the proof is

Colds, flu & immunity. Lab and animal studies show immune effects. Human trials are few and small, so the real-world effect is unclear.
Traditional proof
Sleep. Traditional use for calm and sleep. A few small human studies report better sleep quality, but they are weak.
Traditional proof
Energy & tiredness. Used for tiredness. Small human trials exist, mostly in people with cancer, and results are mixed.
Traditional proof
Stress & anxiety. Often sold as an anti-stress herb. Good human trials have not shown a clear calming effect.
Not supported

Parts of the body

Immune system, Brain & mind, Energy & metabolism, Nerves & pain

Traditional use

In Chinese medicine, reishi (ling zhi) has been used since ancient times as a calming tonic for the spirit, for restless sleep and tiredness.

How it is classified

Herbal actions: Adaptogen, Immune balancer, Nervine, Tonic. Energy: neutral.
Chinese medicine: 灵芝 Calm the spirit. Nature: neutral. Flavour: sweet. Enters the Heart, Lung, Liver and Kidney channels.

How people take it

Most people take a capsule, powder or hot-water extract of the fruiting body. Products vary widely in strength, so follow the label and ask a clinician about amounts.

Decoction, tea, capsule, tincture and powder.

Where to get it

Grows on dead or dying hardwood trees in Asia and North America. Most products are grown on sawdust or grain, and some are made from mycelium (the root-like fungal growth) rather than the fruiting body.

Be careful

Usually mild, with dry mouth, upset stomach, itchy skin or loose stools. Rare cases of liver injury have been reported. It can add to blood-thinning and blood-pressure effects, so use caution with those medicines.

Avoid if: pregnancy; breastfeeding; bleeding disorders; before surgery; autoimmune disease; low blood pressure.

Mixing with other things

Works well together
Both are immune-support herbs in Chinese practice, often combined in tonic formulas.
Works well together
A classic pairing in Chinese tonic blends for energy and recovery.
Use caution
Blood thinners (warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto, Plavix, daily aspirin)
May add to blood-thinning effects. Bleeding risk can rise.
Use caution
Blood pressure medicine (lisinopril, amlodipine, losartan)
May lower blood pressure, which can add to blood pressure medicines.
Use caution
Immune-suppressing medicine (transplant drugs, some arthritis drugs)
Immune-boosting effects may work against drugs that suppress the immune system.
Worth knowing
Diabetes medicine (metformin, insulin, glipizide, Ozempic)
May lower blood sugar in some people. Watch levels if you take diabetes medicines.

Adds up with others that may slow blood clotting: , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 40 more.

Adds up with others that may lower blood pressure: , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 12 more.

Found in these formulas

Mushroom coffee (Modern)

The honest take

Reishi is an old and respected mushroom, but most of the science is lab or animal work. Human studies are small and short, so claims about fighting cancer or curing disease are not supported. Products vary a lot in strength, so look for a clear extract amount.