a.k.a Ganoderma Lucidum
Reishi, known as the "Mushroom of Immortality," has been revered for over 2000 years. Its legendary powers are now supported by modern research, making its nickname well-deserved and its benefits no surprise.
*This information has not been approved by the UK Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Please note our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
History
With a long history of use and research to back it up, it's easy to see why Reishi is a truly loved mushroom all around the world. Reishi, a large dark mushroom with a glossy exterior and woody texture, is known for its health benefits. The Latin term "lucidus," meaning shiny, refers to its varnished appearance. In China, it's called lingzhi, while in Japan, it's known as reishi or mannentake.
The Reishi mushroom has been recognised as a fungus for vitality and longevity for over 2000 years, and mainly used in Eastern medicine. The wild version of this original superfood is rare, and in the time before it was cultivated, only nobility could afford it.
Science behind the benefits
A study revealed its composition: 1.8% ash, 26-28% carbohydrates, 3-5% crude fat, 59% crude fiber, and 7-8% crude protein. Reishi contains bioactive molecules like terpenoids, steroids, phenols, nucleotides, glycoproteins, and polysaccharides. It has essential amino acids, low fat, and high polyunsaturated fatty acids. Key active components include polysaccharides, peptidoglycans, and triterpenes.
Peer review journals
Immune support*
The most renowned benefit of Reishi is its immune system support*. Studies indicate that polysaccharides in Reishi can modulate the immune system and influence inflammation pathways in white blood cells*.
One study found that Reishi enhanced white blood cell function in athletes under stress*.
Additionally, modern clinical animal studies (on nematodes) have demonstrated that water extracts of Reishi protect against oxidative stress and significantly extend lifespan*.
Better Sleep
As well as being names the 'Mushroom of Immortality", Reishi is also known as the “Spirit mushroom”. This is due to its ability to promote calmness, relaxation, and improved sleep*. Studies in mice and rats have shown that Reishi extracts significantly increase both total sleep time and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep time, suggesting that Reishi supplementation has a hypnotic effect*.
Why are spores so important?
A unique aspect of Reishi is that both the fruiting body and the spores* are beneficial. The spores contain high concentrations of triterpenes. Reishi mushrooms produce billions of spores daily, which can be collected separately before harvesting the fruiting body. These spores must be "cracked" open to make the triterpenes bioavailable, typically through ultra-fine milling. For maximum benefits, choose products that include both the fruiting body and spore powder.
At Mogo Farm...
Reishi mushrooms require very warm temperatures to grow. We don't grow Reishi mushrooms at the farm ourselves; instead, we source them from specialist Reishi growers in the UK.
The fruiting body of this incredible fungus is as important as its spores. The spores themselves contain high concentrations of triterpenes, which are known to have incredible health benefits. Working with specialist growers ensures that both the fruiting body and the spores are harvested and transported to our farm. After inspecting each mushroom, we carefully complete the dehydration and long extraction processes, focusing on the highest potency and quality of the end tincture.
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