The “Mushroom of Immortality” Between Eastern Tradition and Modern Scientific Research
For more than two thousand years, Reishi has been part of Eastern culture, where it is regarded as one of the best-known and most highly valued medicinal mushrooms.
Scientifically known as Ganoderma lucidum, this mushroom has been considered for centuries a symbol of balance and longevity.
In China, it was known as Lingzhi, a term that is difficult to translate literally but can be understood as “spirit plant” or “divine spirit mushroom”. In Japan, it became widely known as Reishi or Mannentake, meaning “mushroom of a thousand years”.
Today, Reishi is widely used as an ingredient in food supplements due to the presence of numerous bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides and triterpenes, which have been the subject of numerous scientific studies.
What is Reishi?
Reishi is a mushroom belonging to the Ganoderma genus, characterised by a glossy cap and a woody texture.
The term lucidum in the scientific name Ganoderma lucidum comes from Latin and means “shining” or “bright”, referring to the appearance of its surface, which is often described as resembling natural lacquer.
In the wild, it grows mainly on the trunks of certain broadleaf trees, such as oak and chestnut, in humid environments rich in organic matter. Its natural habitat includes the humid forested areas of China and Japan, although it is also found in Europe.
Due to its rarity in the wild, increasingly sophisticated controlled cultivation techniques have been developed since the 1970s. Over time, these techniques have made Ganoderma lucidum more readily available and have enabled the production of raw materials and extracts also intended for use in food supplements. An important contribution to the development of Reishi cultivation is attributed to Shigeaki Mori, a Japanese pioneer in the cultivation of this mushroom, who devoted many years to developing a method for cultivating Reishi spores obtained from wild specimens on specially treated sawdust from old plum trees. Mori’s method represented an important step towards the controlled cultivation of Reishi, helping to make the mushroom more widely available than through harvesting in the wild.
The History of Reishi: The Sacred Mushroom of Chinese Emperors
In Chinese tradition, Lingzhi was regarded as a precious mushroom associated with good fortune, prosperity and longevity.
According to tradition, its rarity made Reishi a gift reserved for emperors and the upper classes. Its value was such that, according to some sources, collectors who found it in the forests were required to hand it over to the authorities, under penalty of being accused of a crime. For these reasons, it also became known as the “Emperor’s mushroom”.
In the Ben Cao Gang Mu, an ancient compendium of Chinese materia medica compiled by Li Shi Zhen in the 16th century, Ganoderma lucidum is described, according to the tradition of the time, as a mushroom whose continued use “causes weight loss and increases longevity”. Likewise, in the famous Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, a collection of writings probably dating back to around 300 BC and known as the “Materia Medica of Emperor Shennong”, Reishi is traditionally associated with increasing vital energy, improving mental faculties and preventing forgetfulness.
What Does Reishi Contain?
The growing interest in Ganoderma lucidum is mainly linked to its composition. Among its naturally occurring compounds are:
Polysaccharides and Beta-Glucans
These are among the most extensively studied compounds in Reishi. Betaglucans belong to the polysaccharide family and are known for their role in supporting the body’s natural defences.
Triterpenes
Reishi contains compounds known as triterpenes, including ganoderic acids, which are characteristic of this mushroom and also contribute to its typical bitter taste.
Other Nutrients
The mushroom also contains significant amounts of fibre, proteins and minerals (iron, zinc, copper, magnesium, potassium and manganese), as well as B vitamins, vitamin E and ergosterol (a precursor of vitamin D2).
Its composition may vary depending on the species, the part of the mushroom used (fruiting body or mycelium), cultivation conditions and extraction method.
Reishi: Authorised Health Claim (In Italy)
Ganoderma lucidum has been the subject of numerous scientific studies aimed at investigating the role of its naturally occurring compounds.
Support for the Body’s Natural Defences
The best-known and approved use in food supplements concerns support for the normal functions of the immune system.
For Ganoderma lucidum (sporophorum), i.e. the whole fruiting body, the Italian Ministry of Health recognises the following indication:
“Body’s natural defences.”
This is the physiological indication permitted for food supplements containing this mushroom.
How to Choose a Reishi Food Supplement
When choosing a Reishi food supplement, it is useful to start by looking at the information provided on the packaging or label. One of the first things to consider is which part of the mushroom is used and whether the product contains a simple powder or a dry extract. It is also important to check whether the extract is standardised, meaning that the amount of a specific class of characteristic compounds is stated.
For example, Erbamea Reishi contains a dry extract of the fruiting body of Ganoderma lucidum, standardised to 30% polysaccharides. The recommended daily intake of two vegetable capsules provides a total of 600 mg of dry extract and 180 mg of polysaccharides.
Reading this information makes it easier to understand exactly what the product contains and in what quantities, rather than simply relying on the word “Reishi” on the packaging.
Reishi: An Ancient Mushroom for Modern Well-Being
From the ancient forests of China to modern laboratories, Reishi continues to represent a bridge between tradition and research. Its appeal lies in the combination of history, culture and scientific interest: a mushroom that for centuries has been regarded as a symbol of balance and longevity and that continues to be studied today for its naturally occurring compounds.
Choosing a food supplement containing Ganoderma lucidum means embracing a millennia-old tradition through a modern approach.
Dr Andrea Cima – Pharmacist and Specialist in Research and Development – Erbamea
