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Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) is a bitter-tasting fungus with no proven health benefits. It is thought to have some effects on the immune system.
Reishi mushroom is used for Alzheimer disease, cancer, diabetes, cold sores, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- Hyperlipidemia. Preliminary clinical studies show that oral reishi mushroom does not improve lipid levels in patients with hyperlipidemia or type 2 diabetes.
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- Aging. Login for details
- Altitude sickness. Login for details
- Alzheimer disease. A small clinical study suggests that oral reishi mushroom does not improve Alzheimer disease symptoms.
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- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Preliminary clinical research suggests that oral reishi mushroom extract can help reduce some lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with BPH.
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- Cancer. It is unclear if oral reishi mushroom is beneficial when used in conjunction with chemotherapy.
Login for details - Cancer-related fatigue. It is unclear if oral reishi mushroom is beneficial in patients with breast cancer and fatigue.
Login for details - Cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is unclear if oral reishi mushroom is beneficial for reducing CVD risk factors.
Login for details - Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Login for details
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD). Login for details
- Colorectal adenoma. Limited clinical research suggests that oral reishi mushroom extract may be beneficial for reducing colorectal adenoma size.
Login for details - Coronary heart disease (CHD). It is unclear if reishi mushroom is beneficial for CHD.
Login for details - Diabetes. Evidence on the use of oral reishi mushroom in patients with type 2 diabetes is conflicting.
Login for details - Genital herpes. Oral reishi mushroom has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Hepatitis B. One small clinical study suggests that a specific reishi mushroom extract may reduce hepatitis B activity and improve liver function.
Login for details - Herpes labialis (cold sores). Oral reishi mushroom has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Herpes zoster (shingles). Login for details
- Human papilloma virus (HPV). Oral reishi mushroom has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Hypertension. Limited research suggests that oral reishi mushroom may be beneficial in some types of hypertension.
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- Insomnia. Login for details
- Lung cancer. Small clinical studies suggest that oral reishi mushroom does not reduce the size of lung tumors.
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- Stress. Login for details
When taken by mouth: Reishi mushroom extract is possibly safe when used for up to one year. Powdered whole reishi mushroom is possibly safe when used for up to 16 weeks. Reishi mushroom can cause dizziness, dry mouth, itching, nausea, stomach upset, and rash.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if reishi mushroom is safe to use when pregnant or breast feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Bleeding disorders: High doses of reishi mushroom might increase the risk of bleeding in some people with certain bleeding disorders.
Surgery: High doses of reishi mushroom might increase the risk of bleeding in some people if used before or during surgery. Stop using reishi mushroom at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Reishi mushroom might decrease blood pressure. Taking reishi mushroom along with medications for high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low.
Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), Amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL), furosemide (Lasix), and many others.
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
High doses of reishi mushroom might slow blood clotting. Taking reishi mushroom along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.
Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood pressure: Reishi mushroom might lower blood pressure. Taking it with other supplements that have the same effect might cause blood pressure to drop too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include andrographis, casein peptides, L-arginine, niacin, and stinging nettle.
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Reishi mushroom might lower blood sugar. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might lower blood sugar too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include aloe, bitter melon, cassia cinnamon, chromium, and prickly pear cactus.
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: Reishi mushroom might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include garlic, ginger, ginkgo, nattokinase, and Panax ginseng.
There are no known interactions with foods.
Reishi mushroom has most often been used by adults in doses of 1400-5400 mg by mouth daily, usually in divided doses. Reishi mushroom extracts have also been used in lower doses. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.
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