Reishi mushroom · Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi)
A medicinal mushroom long used in East Asian traditional medicine, recently shown in lab studies to extend lifespan in simple organisms via autophagy induction, though human cancer-outcome trials have not shown strong survival benefits.
Short answer
Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi)) is a adaptogenic mushroom / autophagy inducer with evidence grade C, meaning it is backed by mixed or small human trials. We track 0 produkter containing Reishi mushroom. The top-ranked product scores 0 out of 10 on our composite scale (dose, evidence, price, testing, transparency). Prices range up to $0.00 per månad.
What it is
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is a bracket fungus historically prized in Chinese and Japanese medicine as a general tonic ("mushroom of immortality"), typically consumed as an extract, tea, or powder rather than eaten raw.
Why people take it
Autophagy — the cell's internal recycling and cleanup process — is one of the most well-established hallmark mechanisms of longevity across model organisms. Reishi extracts have been shown to induce autophagy and extend lifespan in simple lab organisms (worms), providing a biological rationale for possible longevity benefits.
Our verdict
The lab-organism and mechanistic data are compelling, but direct human trials are mostly small biomarker studies rather than hard longevity or major disease outcomes, and a Cochrane review of reishi in cancer patients found no strong survival benefit despite widespread traditional use. Promising mechanism, unproven in humans for actual longevity.
Structure & class
Reishi contains triterpenoids (ganoderic acids) and polysaccharides (beta-glucans) considered its primär bioactive constituents, with effects studied both in whole-extract and isolated-compound forms.
Mechanism & clinical data
A 2021 study (Aging, Albany NY) demonstrated that G. lucidum extract extends C. elegans lifespan and induces autophagy (evidenced by LC3 markers, reduced phospho-mTOR) in human cell lines, with the effect requiring the atg-18/daf-16/sir-2.1 genetic pathway — directly implicating canonical longevity/autophagy signaling. A controlled human supplementation study (Wachtel-Galor et al. 2004, Br J Nutr) gave 18 subjects 1.44 g/day of Lingzhi extract (equivalent to 13.2 g fresh mushroom) for 4 weeks in a crossover design, showing changes in antioxidant biomarkers. However, a Cochrane systematisk översikt of 5 RCTs in cancer patients found no strong evidence of improved survival when reishi was added to conventional treatment.
Pharmacokinetics
Not well characterized; ganoderic acid and polysaccharide pharmacokinetics vary by extraction method and are not standardized across produkter.
Dose & forms
What to watch out for
maj have mild blood-thinning and blood-pressure-lowering effects; some reports of GI upset or dry mouth/throat at high doses; quality varies enormously between spore powder, fruiting body extract, and mycelium-on-grain produkter, which differ significantly in active compound content.
Where this dose comes from
The trial dose above is our editorial pick from the published human trials for this ingredient. We choose the dose that the best-available studies used on the endpoint most relevant to longevity. The range shows the lowest and highest doses tested in published trials. The landmark studies below are the papers we read to set it. You can click through and check our work.
When new trials publish, our automated sweeps flag them. If a new study materially changes the dose, we update it through editorial review and record the old dose, new dose, and the triggering study in every affected product's recommendation history. The dose is never changed automatically.
Regelverk status
Timeline
Regelverk events, evidence grade changes, and key research milestones for Reishi mushroom, most recent first. Every entry links to its primär source.
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EU Court sharpens the bar for botanical health claimsA Court of Justice of the European Union ruling in april 2025 further tightened the requirements for how botanical ingredients (herbs, plant extracts) can be marketed with health claims in the EU, effectively removing much of the flexibility of the on-hold list.
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EU report identifies 117 supplement substances as potential health risksThe HoA Working Group on Food Supplements (26 European countries) published its first report evaluating 117 substances used in food supplements. Of these, 65 were assessed as likely novel foods, 6 were already regulated, 34 had insufficient data, and 12 were prioritized for Article 8 restriction under Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006. The 12 priority substances include ashwagandha, curcumin, melatonin, piperine, St. John's wort, coumarin, p-synephrine, maca, holy basil, Melaleuca, black cohosh, and L-tryptophan. The report drew on 1,500 RASFF alerts reviewed between 2017 and mid-2022.
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EU Health Claims Regulation adoptedRegulation (EC) No 1924/2006 laid down harmonised rules for nutrition and health claims made on foods, including supplements. Only claims listed in the EU Register of authorised claims can be used. Rejected botanical claims are held in a separate on-hold list.
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Wachtel-Galor S, et al. (2004). Ganoderma lucidum ("Lingzhi"), a Chinese medicinal mushroom: biomarker responses in a controlled human supplementation study. Br J Nutr. PMID 14756912.Wachtel-Galor S, et al. (2004). Ganoderma lucidum ("Lingzhi"), a Chinese medicinal mushroom: biomarker responses in a controlled human supplementation study. Br J Nutr. PMID 14756912.
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EU introduces the Novel Food RegulationRegulation (EC) No 258/97 required any food or food ingredient without a history of consumption in the EU before 15 maj 1997 to be authorised before being placed on the market. This is the framework that captures NMN, spermidine as a supplement ingredient, urolithin A, and many other longevity actives.
Landmark studies
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Wachtel-Galor S, et al. (2004). Ganoderma lucidum ("Lingzhi"), a Chinese medicinal mushroom: biomarker responses in a controlled human supplementation study. Br J Nutr. PMID 14756912.
Wachtel-Galor S, et al. (2004). Ganoderma lucidum ("Lingzhi"), a Chinese medicinal mushroom: biomarker responses in a controlled human supplementation study. Br J Nutr. PMID 14756912.
Läs studie →
Found in these produkter
Alla produkter in our catalog that contain Reishi mushroom, ranked by our overall score. Ranking is editorial, never paid.
No produkter in our catalog contain this yet.
Buying guides and comparisons
Related ingredients
Se alla in Adaptogenic mushroom / Autophagy inducer →Molekyler in the same class, plus the actives most often formulated alongside Reishi mushroom in our catalogue.
Nothing else in the database sits close enough to this molecule to list.
Frequently asked questions
What is Reishi mushroom?
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is a bracket fungus historically prized in Chinese and Japanese medicine as a general tonic ("mushroom of immortality"), typically consumed as an extract, tea, or powder rather than eaten raw.
What dose of Reishi mushroom should I take?
The trial dose in published human studies is 1440 mg per dag, with a range of 1440 to 5400 mg per dag. Always consult a qualified clinician before starting any supplement.
Is Reishi mushroom safe?
maj have mild blood-thinning and blood-pressure-lowering effects; some reports of GI upset or dry mouth/throat at high doses; quality varies enormously between spore powder, fruiting body extract, and mycelium-on-grain produkter, which differ significantly in active compound content.
What is the best Reishi mushroom supplement?
We track 0 produkter containing Reishi mushroom. The top-ranked product scores 0 out of 10 on our composite scale, which evaluates dose, evidence, price, third-party testing, and transparency. See the comparison table above. Scores are editorial judgments, not a scientific standard.
What is the evidence grade for Reishi mushroom?
Reishi mushroom has evidence grade C, meaning it is backed by mixed or small human trials. Grade A means replicated human RCTs with hard endpoints. Grade B means human RCTs with biomarker outcomes. Grade C means mixed or small human trials. See our evidence grading methodology.
Data verification
Bevisning grades are reviewed when new human RCTs are published. Product counts update automatically as new produkter are added. Dose ranges reflect published trial data, not brand recommendations. Read how we verify.