Mushroom

Reishi

Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi)

Evidence TierBWADA NOT PROHIBITED

tuneTypical Dose

1,000–3,000 mg per day (extract)

watchEffect Window

Acute (within 1 hour) for relaxation. 4–8 weeks for systemic immune and fatigue changes.

check_circleCompliance

WADA NOT PROHIBITED

Overview

Clinical Summary

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is a medicinal mushroom containing beta-glucans and triterpenes. It is used for immune modulation and fatigue-related well-being, with variable clinical evidence across extracts.

Some human studies report improved fatigue and quality-of-life measures in supportive-care contexts, consistent with immunomodulatory mechanisms. Effects on lipids and glucose biomarkers are inconsistent. Minority evidence suggests sleep and anxiety benefits, but findings vary widely by preparation. Clinical evidence is heterogeneous, and product standardization strongly influences outcomes and interpretability.

Beta-glucan polysaccharides activate innate immune cells (NK cells, macrophages). Triterpenes (ganoderic acids) exert calming, anti-inflammatory, and mild anticoagulant effects via GABAergic modulation and platelet-aggregation inhibition.

Outcomes

What This Is Expected To Influence

Primary Outcomes

  • Moderate immune modulation via beta-glucan activation of NK cells and macrophages
  • Reduces subjective fatigue and improves well-being (Tang 2005 RCT)

Secondary Outcomes

  • Traditional calming and sleep-promoting effects via triterpenes (ganoderic acids)
  • Mild cholesterol and blood-pressure improvements

Safety

Contraindications and Interactions

Contraindications

  • Bleeding disorders
  • Pre-surgery (discontinue 2 weeks before)
  • Autoimmune diseases
  • Active immunosuppressive therapy

Side effects

  • GI upset
  • Dry mouth
  • Dizziness
  • Hepatotoxicity with powdered whole mushroom (rare)

Interactions

  • Anticoagulants (additive bleeding)
  • Antihypertensives (additive BP lowering)
  • Immunosuppressants (antagonism)

Avoid if

  • Active bleeding disorder
  • Upcoming surgery within 2 weeks
  • Autoimmune flare
  • Concurrent immunosuppressive therapy

Evidence

Study-level References

reishi-SRC-001RCT (Double-blind)
Sourceopen_in_new

Tang W, et al. "A randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study of a Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide extract in neurasthenia." J Med Food. 2005.

Population: Adults with neurasthenia (chronic fatigue syndrome)

Key findings: Patients taking Ganoderma lucidum showed a significantly lower fatigue score and an increased sense of well-being compared with the placebo group after 8 weeks.

Paper content

Patients taking Ganoderma lucidum showed a significantly lower fatigue score and an increased sense of well-being compared with the placebo group after 8 weeks.

reishi-SRC-002Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial.
Sourceopen_in_new

Wang X, Wang X, Zhao L, Zhou F. Clinical evaluation of Ganoderma lucidum spore oil for triglyceride reduction: a randomized, double-blind, crossover study. Nutrients. 2025;17(5):844. doi:10.3390/nu17050844. PMID:40077714.

Population: Adults with dyslipidemia.

Dose protocol: Ganoderma lucidum spore oil extract versus placebo for 12 weeks in crossover design, 110 adults with dyslipidemia.

Key findings: Significant reductions in triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol alongside increased HDL cholesterol. Liver function improved while renal function was unaffected.

Notes: Supports the lipid-modulating secondary outcome with modern RCT evidence.

Paper content

This crossover RCT tested Ganoderma lucidum spore oil in 110 adults with dyslipidemia over 12 weeks. The treatment group showed significant reductions in triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol, alongside increased HDL cholesterol compared to placebo. Liver function parameters improved, while renal function was unaffected, supporting the safety of the intervention. This trial provides modern human evidence for reishi-derived lipid-lowering activity, extending the older mechanistic literature into a well-controlled clinical setting.

reishi-SRC-003Double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Sourceopen_in_new

Mitra S, Mitra M, Nandi DK, Saha M, Bandyopadhyay A. Efficacy of Ganoderma lucidum supplementation on psychological stress and selective fitness profile parameters in female college students. Int J Med Mushrooms. 2024;26(12):29-42. doi:10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.2024055300. PMID:39241163.

Population: Female college students in India.

Dose protocol: 1000 mg Ganoderma lucidum daily for 30 days, 78 female college students.

Key findings: Significant improvements in anxiety, depression, vitality, and positive well-being scores at the 1000 mg dose versus placebo.

Notes: Extends well-being evidence into a young, healthy female population.

Paper content

This double-blind placebo-controlled trial tested 1000 mg Ganoderma lucidum daily for 30 days in 78 female college students. The higher-dose group showed significant improvements in anxiety, depression, vitality, and positive well-being scores. The trial adds human evidence for reishi's stress-modulating and well-being effects in a young, healthy population, extending the older Tang 2005 neurasthenia data into a different demographic.

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