How we pick our products
Welcome to our big Reishi test 2023. Here we present all the Reishi products that we have tested in detail. We have compiled detailed background information and added a summary of customer reviews on the internet.
We would like to make your purchase decision easier and help you find the best Reishi product for you.
You will also find answers to frequently asked questions in our guide. If available, we also offer interesting test videos. Furthermore, you will also find some important information on this page that you should definitely pay attention to if you want to buy Reishi.
Summary
- Reishi is one of the oldest and most effective vital mushrooms, which has been used as a remedy in traditional Chinese medicine for over 4000 years.
- Basically, you can buy the reishi mushroom as powder, capsules or extract and take it. All three variants can have a positive health effect.
- The capsules in particular can be easily dosed and contain a variety of important ingredients. These ingredients are used for cancer, asthma, neurodermatitis and many other diseases.
The Best Reishi Test: Our Picks
Guide: Questions you should ask yourself before buying Reishi
What is Reishi?
Healing with mushrooms is also called mycotherapy and is also a completely legal, natural natural healing method in our country.
In China, the reishi is even called the “king of medicinal plants” or the “mushroom of eternal life”. In Asia, various mushrooms have been taken for generations to improve health.
Reishi has been consumed for over 2000 years. The many positive effects are also recorded in ancient writings. Furthermore, the mushroom is depicted in art in the form of images related to Taoism. It has also been found in carvings, on furniture and even in women’s accessories.
As wild reishi is very rare, at the beginning of its discovery it was a privilege of the rich to eat it. Reishi mushrooms were believed to grow in the home of the immortals on the “three blessed islands” off the coast of China.
The omnibenevolent effect in popular belief can probably be attributed to the fact that it was initially only eaten by wealthy people. (1)
How does Reishi work?
Almost all of the miraculous effects written down in China over 1000 years ago have now been proven by scientific studies.
To give you an overview, we have listed some of the diseases where Reishi can help in the next list.
- Asthma
- Allergies
- Bronchitis
- Neurodermatitis
- Chronic hepatitis
- Joint inflammation
- Liver diseases
- Weakened immune system
- Cardiovascular diseases
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Depression
- Stomach ulcers
- and even cancer
In one study, it was already proven that Reishi could suppress the spread of tumour cells in breast cancer and prostate cancer. From this it can be concluded that Reishi can be used as a nutritional supplement in alternative therapy approaches to fight cancer. (2)
The anticarcinogenic component in Reishi is a polysaccharide. This has the potential to have a great influence on future immunotherapy. It has very few side effects, in contrast to previously used remedies.
This is because the effect is based on an immunological expansion of the body’s own immune system. It can be assumed that Reishi also contains other substances that have a reducing effect on blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. (3)
As you can see, the Reishi is an absolute all-rounder in terms of health effects. This is due to its important ingredients.
We have found another video for you in which the effect of the Reishi mushroom is explained in summary.
How is Reishi taken?
Reishi can be bought either as a powder, capsule or extract. The reishi powder tastes very bitter, just like the raw mushroom itself. Because of this and because the loose powder can quickly become moist and mouldy, the capsules would be a good solution.
However, since there are many ways to use the powder in the kitchen, we will go into more detail about the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of reishi later in this article.
We would advise you not to buy the extracts without more detailed knowledge, as 99% of them come from China and are often empty promises. American studies have found that extracts do not contain any effective ingredients.
People who take blood thinners on a daily basis should discuss taking Reishi with their doctor, as Reishi can support the blood-thinning effect.
Even though reishi can cause the above-mentioned side effects, it has only very low toxic properties. (4)
What are the alternatives to Reishi?
Yet they are rich in vitamins, fibre and amino acids and low in fat, cholesterol and calories. They also contain a large number of biologically active substances that have an immunostimulating and anticarcinogenic effect. (5)
We have summarised the most important vital mushrooms in the next table to give you an overview.
| Type | Indications |
|---|---|
| Reishi (Ling Zhi) “Mushroom of immortality” | Allergic reactions (hay fever, asthma, urticaria), insomnia, nervousness, cancer, side effects of chemotherapy or radiotherapy, prostate problems, herpes, HIV |
| Shiitake “King of mushrooms” | Disorders in cholesterol metabolism, viral diseases, tumours, breast cancer, side effects of chemotherapy |
| Coriolus “Butterfly Stramete” | Strengthening of the liver and spleen, cancer, chronic hepatitis, fatigue, infections |
| Agaricus Blazer murill (ABM) “Mushroom of the God” | Cancer, cancer therapy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, HIV, acute infections |
| Hericium “Hedgehog Spinebeard” | Purification and weight loss, stomach cancer, stomach ulcers, Alzheimer’s disease, polyneuropathy, nervous disorders, anxiety, depression |
| Maitake “Dancing Mushroom” | breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, chemotherapy, AIDS, high blood pressure, diabetes, weight loss |
| Cordyceps “Chinese Caterpillar Mushroom” | Burn-out, muscle regeneration, legal doping agent, aphrodisiac, depression, inflammation, sleep disorders |
| Auricularia polytricha “Judas ear” | immune defence, tumours, thrombosis, heart attack, stroke, circulatory disorders, dry cough, constipation |
| Corprinus comatus “crested thistle” | diabetes, tumours (breast and prostate cancer), heart attack, polyneuropathy |
Decision: What types of reishi are there and which is right for you?
If you want to buy Reishi, there are three options to choose from:
- Reishi Powder
- Reishi Extract
- Reishi Capsules
The different types each have advantages and disadvantages. Depending on what you prefer, a different type is suitable for you. In the following section, we would like to make the decision easier for you.
What distinguishes reishi powder and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
Reishi powder is made from the mushroom called “Reishi”. During pulverisation, the whole, dried mushroom is gently and finely ground to produce a brownish, powder-like powder.
Due to the gentle production, Reishi powder contains all natural ingredients and is therefore well suited as a supplement to all important vitamins, minerals and amino acids.
The finer the powder, the more intensive the bioavailability of the active ingredients.
According to the intake recommendations, one teaspoon of powder should be mixed in liquid or sprinkled over food once or twice a day. The liquid can be either warm water or broth, although there are many other recipes with the powder.
The powder can be used in many different ways in the kitchen. Recipes such as a Moon Milk, a banana bread or even an almond-chocolate fudge are possible with the powder. Moon Milk comes from the Ayurvedic tradition and is basically warmed milk that can be taken before going to bed to calm the body and mind.
What are the characteristics of Reishi extract and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
Reishi extract is produced by hot water extraction at temperatures around 100° Celsius. This is basically the same process as in a traditional tea preparation. This leaves only the water-soluble valuable components as an extract brew.
This extract is spray-dried and pulverised to have a polysaccharide content of about 20 to 30 % at the end of the process. This means that it is many times higher than pure powders.
What distinguishes Reishi capsules and what are their advantages and disadvantages?
Reishi capsules are offered both as powder capsules and as extract capsules. The capsules contain either the normal Reishi powder or the Reishi extract.
Reishi capsules facilitate the dosage, as they are more precise and quicker to take.
Buying criteria: You can use these factors to compare and evaluate Reishi
In the following we would like to show you which factors you can use to compare and evaluate Reishi products. This will make it easier for you to decide whether a particular Reishi is suitable for you or not.
In summary, these are:
- Area of application
- Ingredients
- Dosage
- Quality
- Side effects
Area of application
The Reishi mushroom is mainly used in traditional Chinese medicine and is used for the following diseases.
- Chronic hepatitis
- Weakened immune system
- Bronchitis
- Heart disease
- Stomach ulcers
Ingredients
Before buying, it is important to look into the ingredients of reishi. The Reishi mushroom has a number of ingredients, two of which stand out in particular.
These particular active ingredients are polysaccharides and triterpenes. The mushroom contains more than 100 different highly effective polysaccharides, which are used to prevent influenza and other viral diseases due to their anti-viral effect.
Polysaccharides stabilise the human immune system so that numerous pathogens do not stand a chance.
The triterpenes contained in the mushroom protect the mushroom itself from infestation by microorganisms and are also antibacterial, calming and anti-inflammatory. There are around 140 highly active triterpenes in the Reishi mushroom, which counteract liver insufficiency, but also lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Other ingredients:
- Alkaloids
- Protein
- Fats
- Carbohydrates
- Vitamins
- Iron
Dosage
If you want to use Reishi for health purposes, you should take capsules, because only here is the exact dosage possible. This is always described in the package leaflet and you should stick to it.
Like any natural remedy, the mushroom needs a certain amount of time to develop its active ingredients properly and thus to supply the organism. Normally, the Reishi mushroom needs about two to three months to give the body enough time to adjust to the ingredients.
The daily maximum amount of usually two to three capsules should never be exceeded.
Quality
When buying Reishi powder, capsules or extracts, you should always pay attention to the purity of the product. Furthermore, the product should be of organic quality.
Purity is so important because the purer or more concentrated the product, the lower the dosage can be. Reishi should be 100% natural and contain no additional flavourings, preservatives or chemical additives.
Certification is another important aspect to consider before buying. It is better to choose a product that includes certifications, expert opinions or even precise dosage instructions.
Side effects
Basically, the Reishi mushroom has no side effects. However, there may be exceptions, especially at the beginning of the intake.
The side effects of taking Reishi can be insomnia, thirst, frequent urination, flatulence, rashes, sweating and diarrhoea. To counteract diarrhoea, a large amount of vitamin C can be taken, this has shown positive effects in the past. (4)
Because of this, you should always start with a small dose so that your organism can get used to the reishi mushroom and its ingredients well and slowly.
If you experience nausea or stomach pain when you first take it, this is due to the toxins in the body that are flushed out by the Reishi mushroom.
Children, pregnant women and nursing mothers should refrain from taking Reishi mushroom, as there are not yet enough studies in this field.
Interesting facts about reishi mushroom
How can I make Reishi tea myself?
Reishi tea is one of the easiest ways to use the medicinal mushroom for targeted self-medication. Therefore, we have found a recipe and its preparation for you.
Ingredients:
- Reishi Powder
- Water
- Jar or cup
- possibly honey
First of all, add about one heaped teaspoon of Reishi powder to a cup, then pour boiling water over the powder. You should cover the cup and let it steep for 15 minutes.
Finally, pour the liquid through a sieve and the tea is ready to drink. The tea can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be drunk hot or cold.
How can I make a reishi tincture myself?
You can easily make your own reishi tincture from reishi powder. For example, you need 450 grams of reishi powder, 1.8 litres of water and 0.5 litres of alcohol.
The powder is mixed with water and brought to the boil. Let it simmer for about 30 minutes and then let the liquid cool down. Then you can pour the liquid into a bottle and add the alcohol.
After two weeks of resting in a warm place, you can strain the tincture through a clean linen cloth and pour it into a dark glass jar.
In order to achieve a positive treatment effect, you should discuss the dosage with a doctor or alternative practitioner.
When is Reishi used for animals and how does it work?
Reishi can be used for animals just as it is for humans. It is often used in veterinary medicine for almost all diseases. Due to the high content of triterpenes, Reishi has a positive effect on all inflammations in the animal’s body.
Reishi can, for example, reduce allergies or improve the oxygen supply. Just like in humans, there are numerous areas of application for animals. We have selected the most important areas of application for you.
Areas of application for animals:
- Allergies
- Arthritis and arthrosis
- Autoimmune diseases
- Type I diabetes
- Inflammations
- Joint Diseases
In order to simplify the dosage for you, we have compiled the dosage recommendations in the next table.
| Weight | Animal species | Mushroom powder | Extract |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 10 kg | Dog | 1 g | 250 – 300 mg |
| 10 – 20 kg | Dog | 2 g | 500 – 600 mg |
| 20 – 40 kg | Dog | 3 g | 1000 – 1200 mg |
| Up to 5 kg | Cat | 1 g | 250 – 300 mg |
| 5 – 10 kg | Cat | 2 g | 500 – 600 mg |
| Up to 500 kg | Horse | 3 g | 1000 – 1200 mg |
| From 500 kg | Horse | 4 g | 1200 – 1500 mg |
However, as the correct dosage is very dependent on the individual needs of the animal, you should always consult an experienced therapist for the optimal dosage.
Image source: 123rf.com / photodee
References (5)
1.
Sissi Wachtel-Galor, John Yuen, John A. Buswell, and Iris F. F. Benzie. Chapter 9Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi or Reishi). Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition.
Source
2.
Daniel Sliva. Ganoderma Lucidum (Reishi) in Cancer Treatment. Sage Journals. 2003.
Source
3.
Takashi Mizuno,Guanying Wang,Jie Zhang,Hirokazu Kawagishi,Tsuyoshi Nishitoba, Jingxuan Li. Reishi, Ganoderma lucidum and Ganoderma tsugae: Bioactive substances and medicinal effects. 03. Nov 2009; Pages 151-166.
Source
4.
Solomon P. Wasser. Reishi or Ling Zhi (Ganoderma lucidum). Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel. 2004/01/01.
Source
5.
Sliva, Daniel. Cellular and Physiological Effects of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry. 2004; Volume 4, Number 8, pp. 873-879(7)
Source
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