Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum, lingzhi)

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum, lingzhi) is a medicinal mushroom marketed in supplements for slowing ageing and longevity. There is no convincing benefit for this use: the evidence base showing any effect on lifespan or age-related changes is missing. What actually supports healthy ageing is different – regular physical activity, sleep, a diet with vegetables and enough protein, not smoking, and keeping blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol in check.

Reishi is Asia's top-selling medicinal mushroom with a 2000-year tradition as the «mushroom of immortality». In modern marketing – a «natural immunomodulator». Evidence base in healthy people for cold and respiratory viral infection prevention is weak: small RCTs recorded cytokine profile and NK cell activity changes without confirmed clinically meaningful frequency reduction. AAFP and SEIMC for the common cold recommend symptomatic therapy (paracetamol for fever, fluids, rest); reishi is not in international guidelines.

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum, lingzhi) is a medicinal mushroom sold as a supplement for calmer, deeper sleep and less anxiety. There's no solid evidence that it helps with insomnia – this use isn't backed by clinical data. For sleep that actually improves, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia and good sleep habits work best, and persistent problems are worth discussing with a doctor.

ICD-10: G47.0 · ICD-11: 7A00

Reishi is sold as a «natural anti-cancer product» promising prevention and treatment of malignancies. Cochrane 2016 (Jin) reviewed 5 RCTs in 373 cancer patients: reishi as monotherapy showed no clinically meaningful tumour response. As chemotherapy adjunct it may improve quality of life and immune response; authors recommend «not as first-line or substitute for standard treatment». MSKCC monograph 2023 notes lack of convincing RCTs in cancer. If reishi was recommended for cancer as a substitute for standard therapy (surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy) or for «recurrence prevention», consider seeking a second opinion from an oncologist.

Reishi is sold for «natural blood pressure reduction» on the vasodilation and in vitro ACE inhibition hypothesis. No quality RCTs in hypertensive patients with office and ambulatory BP, cardiovascular event or all-cause mortality endpoints. ESC 2024 for hypertension lists ACE-I/ARB combined with dihydropyridine CCBs or thiazide-like diuretic first-line; reishi is not in guidelines. If reishi was recommended for hypertension instead of supervised antihypertensive therapy and risk factor control, consider seeking a second opinion from a cardiologist.

ICD-10: I10 · ICD-11: BA00