Omnia SanaGanoderma lingzhi
The complete database record: 2 documented constituents, 7 pharmacological actions, 11 traditional / indicated uses, with 22 cited sources.
Botanical Description
Bracket (shelf) fungus (not a true plant) that grows on the trunks and stumps of deciduous trees. It develops a hard, kidney- or fan-shaped cap with a glossy, varnished, red-brown to mahogany crust and concentric growth rings, often on a lateral woody stalk; the pale underside is covered in fine pores that release rusty-brown spores. The mycelium spreads through the wood substrate before fruiting.[1]
Height: Cap 5-20 cm across
Habit: Perennial wood-decay bracket fungus
Leaves: Not applicable (fungus)
Flowers: Not applicable (fungus); reproduces by spores
Stem: Hard, glossy, varnished kidney- or fan-shaped cap, often on a lateral stalk
Root: Mycelium spreading through the wood substrate
Fruit: Pale, finely pored underside releasing rusty-brown spores
Flowering Period: Fruiting body develops over weeks to months on the host wood
Habitat & Distribution
Grows as a wood-decay fungus on the stumps and trunks of deciduous trees (notably maple and other hardwoods) in East Asian forests; also widely cultivated commercially on hardwood logs or sawdust substrate.
Harvesting
Wild fruiting bodies are collected once mature; cultivated material is harvested from logs or substrate at maturity, then dried and processed into slices, powder or extract.
Parts: Mycelium, Whole Plant
Key Constituents
Principal immunomodulatory constituents, the main focus of anticancer-adjunct and immune research.
Polysaccharides
Triterpenes (ganoderic acids)[1]
Bitter triterpenes associated with anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and adaptogenic activity.
Triterpene saponinsTerpenes / terpenoids
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
Arthritis / joint pain[17]Preliminary · 1/10
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0019, REF-0125, REF-0822, REF-2041
Evidence: 1
Label: Arthritis / joint pain
Blood sugar / diabetes support[17]Preliminary · 1/10
inferred from antidiabetic action
Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0019, REF-0125
Evidence: 1
Label: Blood sugar / diabetes support
more plants for blood sugar / diabetes support →detailed sources →
inferred from anticancer action
Evidence: 8
Label: Cancer (anticancer research)
more plants for cancer (anticancer research) →detailed sources →
Cardiovascular / heart health[17]Preliminary · 1/10
Evidence: 1
Label: Cardiovascular / heart health
more plants for cardiovascular / heart health →detailed sources →
inferred from antiviral action
Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0125, REF-2041, REF-2043
Evidence: 1
Label: Cold & flu
Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0125
Evidence: 1
Label: Immune support
inferred from antiviral action
Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0125, REF-2041
Evidence: 1
Label: Infection (general)
Inflammation (general)[17]Preliminary · 1/10
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0019, REF-0125
Evidence: 1
Label: Inflammation (general)
Insomnia / sleeplessness[17]Preliminary · 1/10
inferred from sedative action
Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0019, REF-0125
Evidence: 1
Label: Insomnia / sleeplessness
more plants for insomnia / sleeplessness →detailed sources →
Metabolic support[17]Preliminary · 1/10
inferred from antidiabetic action
Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0019, REF-0125
Evidence: 1
Label: Metabolic support
Skin irritation[17]Preliminary · 1/10
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0019, REF-0125, REF-0822, REF-2041
Evidence: 1
Label: Skin irritation
Traditional Use & History
Reishi/lingzhi, the 'mushroom of immortality', is one of the most revered tonic fungi in traditional Chinese medicine, used for centuries to support vitality, calm the spirit, strengthen immunity and promote longevity; this traditional tonic reputation is now studied for immunomodulatory, anticancer-adjunct and metabolic effects.[1, 4]
Preparations
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Generally well tolerated at standard doses. May cause mild digestive upset, dry mouth, or dizziness in some individuals. May enhance the effects of anticoagulant and antihypertensive medications. Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Extended use beyond 6 months is not well studied in humans.
Duke (2002) rates reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) as + and notes immunostimulant, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antitumor, and hypoglycemic activities at the experimental level (score 1). It is a key adaptogen in traditional Chinese medicine, valued for its polysaccharide (beta-glucan) content. Duke notes antiviral (score 1) and anti-aggregant activities. No strong clinical trials existed at time of publication, but lentinan and polysaccharide fractions from related species show immunomodulatory potential. Duke suggests caution in bleeding disorders due to anti-aggregant activity (Duke, 2002).
Herb-Drug Interactions
Mechanism: Reishi is traditionally used as a calming, sedative herb; taken with sedatives, sleeping tablets or other central-nervous-system depressants (including alcohol) it may add to drowsiness and slowed reactions.
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-03
Dangerous Lookalikes
Confused Part: Wild-collected fruit bodies gathered as reishi/lingzhi for medicinal tea; the immature red, antler-like fruit bodies of poison fire coral can be taken for young reishi.
Confusion Context: Reishi (Ganoderma lingzhi / lucidum) is a hard, varnished bracket fungus collected and brewed as a health tonic. Poison fire coral (Podostroma cornu-damae), one of the few deadly-poisonous fungi, is documented to resemble Ganoderma lucidum in its immature stage. A peer-reviewed case report (Ahn et al., 2013, Yonsei Med J) describes two people who collected and boiled wild fungus as tea - one died of pancytopenia and multiple organ failure - and states that in its immature period poison fire coral resembles Ganoderma lucidum, 'well known as a health-food.' Its trichothecene mycotoxins (satratoxins) are frequently fatal. Because reishi is wild-collected for medicinal tea in East Asia, this is a genuinely lethal confusion.
Distinguishing Features: Colour and form: poison fire coral is bright blood-red to orange-red and grows as erect, often branched antler- or coral-like clubs rising from the ground or buried wood. True reishi is a flat kidney- or fan-shaped bracket (conk) with a hard, glossy, varnished red-brown to mahogany crust and a pale pored underside, growing on wood., Growth pattern: reishi forms a shelf/bracket with a distinct cap and often a lateral stalk; poison fire coral forms finger-like or antler-like red spikes with no cap., Underside: reishi has a white-to-brown pored underside that drops rusty-brown spores; poison fire coral has no pores at all.
Key Test: Look at the shape. Reishi is a hard, flat, varnished shelf/bracket with a pale pored underside, growing on wood. Any bright red, erect antler- or coral-like club with NO cap and NO pores is NOT reishi - it may be poison fire coral (Podostroma cornu-damae), which can kill. Never brew an unfamiliar red club or coral fungus; if unsure, do not use it and confirm with an expert mycologist.
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07
Harvest Readiness
[14]
Part: fruiting-body
Signals: Harvest the conk when the pale growing margin dulls from white/orange to matte red, growth has stopped and the surface is fully lacquered - before the heavy reddish-brown spore drop.
Basis: traditional
Source Quote: The margin of reishi (where it's growing from) will dull from white or orange to a more matte red in maturity.
Species Confirmed:
Notes: North Spore (REF-3263) describes reishi harvest maturity at the genus level (Ganoderma), not naming Ganoderma lingzhi specifically -> species_confirmed false. The fruiting body is ready when the white/orange growing margin turns matte red and growth stops ('Harvest them when growth has stopped and their color has darkened a bit'), before the heavy spore drop. Single source -> provisional. SAFETY: the fatal Podostroma cornu-damae can be confused with reishi - confirm identity; see Dangerous Lookalikes.
External Identifiers
References & Sources
- Li, W., Zhou, Q., Lv, B., Li, N. et al (2024) 'Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharide Supplementation Significantly Activates T-Cell-Mediated Antitumor Immunity and Enhances Anti-PD-1 Immunotherapy Efficacy in Colorectal Cancer', Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 72(21), pp. 12072-12082. doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.3c08385 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.3c08385 - Cai, Q., Li, Y. and Pei, G (2017) 'Polysaccharides from Ganoderma lucidum attenuate microglia-mediated neuroinflammation and modulate microglial phagocytosis and behavioural response', Journal of Neuroinflammation, 14(1), pp. 63. doi:10.1186/s12974-017-0839-0 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12974-017-0839-0 - Zheng, G., Zhao, Y., Li, Z., Hua, Y. et al (2023) 'Ganoderma lucidum spore powder and derived triterpenes attenuate atherosclerosis and aortic calcification by stimulating ABCA1/G1-mediated macrophage cholesterol efflux and inactivating RUNX2-mediated VSMC osteogenesis', Theranostics, 13(4), pp. 1325-1341. doi:10.7150/thno.80250 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.7150/thno.80250 - Sohretoglu, D. and Huang, S (2018) 'Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharides as An Anti-cancer Agent', Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, 18(5), pp. 667-674. doi:10.2174/1871520617666171113121246 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2174/1871520617666171113121246 - Seweryn, E., Ziala, A. and Gamian, A (2021) 'Health-Promoting of Polysaccharides Extracted from Ganoderma lucidum', Nutrients, 13(8), pp. 2725. doi:10.3390/nu13082725 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13082725 - Liu, X., Yang, L., Li, G., Jiang, Y., Zhang, G. and Ling, J (2022) 'A novel promising neuroprotective agent: Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 229, pp. 168-180. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.12.276 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.12.276 - Zhu, M., Chang, Q., Wong, L.K., Chong, F.S. and Li, R.C (1999) 'Triterpene antioxidants from Ganoderma lucidum', Phytotherapy Research, 13(6), pp. 529-531. doi:10.1002/(sici)1099-1573(199909)13:6<529::aid-ptr481>3.0.co;2-x Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1099-1573(199909)13:6<529::aid-ptr481>3.0.co;2-x - Zeng, P., Chen, Y., Zhang, L. and Xing, M (2019) 'Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide used for treating physical frailty in China', Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science, 163, pp. 179-219. doi:10.1016/bs.pmbts.2019.02.009 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.pmbts.2019.02.009 - Wu, P., Zhang, C., Yin, Y., Zhang, X., Li, Q., Yuan, L., Sun, Y., Zhou, S., Ying, S. and Wu, J (2024) 'Bioactivities and industrial standardization status of Ganoderma lucidum: A comprehensive review', Heliyon, 10(19), pp. e36987. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36987 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36987 - Xu, Z., Chen, X., Zhong, Z., Chen, L. and Wang, Y (2011) 'Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides: immunomodulation and potential anti-tumor activities', The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 39(1), pp. 15-27. doi:10.1142/S0192415X11008610 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X11008610 - Geng, X., Zhong, D., Su, L., Lin, Z. and Yang, B (2019) 'Preventive and therapeutic effect of Ganoderma lucidum on kidney injuries and diseases', Advances in Pharmacology, 87, pp. 257-276. doi:10.1016/bs.apha.2019.10.003 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.apha.2019.10.003 - Sliva, D (2004) 'Cellular and physiological effects of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi)', Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 4(8), pp. 873-879. doi:10.2174/1389557043403323 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2174/1389557043403323 - Boh, B., Berovic, M., Zhang, J. and Zhi-Bin, L (2007) 'Ganoderma lucidum and its pharmaceutically active compounds', Biotechnology Annual Review, 13, pp. 265-301. doi:10.1016/S1387-2656(07)13010-6 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/S1387-2656(07)13010-6 - North Spore 'Species Spotlight: Reishi (How to Grow, Find, and Use Reishi Mushrooms)'. Available at: https://northspore.com/blogs/the-black-trumpet/species-spotlight-reishi Traditional / reference
https://northspore.com/blogs/the-black-trumpet/species-spotlight-reishi - Bao, X. et al (2001) 'Structural requirements for the immunological activities of polysaccharides from Ganoderma lucidum', 41(9), pp. 2603--2611. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Structural%20requirements%20for%20the%20immunological%20activities%20of%20polysaccharides%20from%20Ganoderma%20lucidum - Jin, X. et al (2012) 'Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom) for cancer treatment'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Ganoderma%20lucidum%20%28Reishi%20mushroom%29%20for%20cancer%20treatment - Wachtel-Galor, S., Yuen, J., Buswell, J.A. and Benzie, I.F.F (2011) 'Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi or Reishi): A Medicinal Mushroom'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Ganoderma%20lucidum%20%28Lingzhi%20or%20Reishi%29%3A%20A%20Medicinal%20Mushroom - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - Ghasemzadeh Rahbardar, M. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2024) 'Therapeutic potential of hypnotic herbal medicines: A comprehensive review', Phytotherapy Research, 38(6), pp. 3037-3059. doi:10.1002/ptr.8201 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.8201 - Block, K.I., Gyllenhaal, C. and Mead, M.N (2004) 'Safety and efficacy of herbal sedatives in cancer care', Integrative Cancer Therapies, 3(2), pp. 128-148. doi:10.1177/1534735404265003 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735404265003 - Ahn, J.Y. and Seok, S.J. and Song, J.E. and Choi, J.H. and Han, S.H. and Choi, J.Y. and Kim, C.O. and Song, Y.G. and Kim, J.M (2013) 'Two cases of mushroom poisoning by Podostroma cornu-damae', Yonsei Medical Journal, 54(1), pp. 265-8. doi:10.3349/ymj.2013.54.1.265 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2013.54.1.265 - Choe, S. and In, S. and Jeon, Y. and Choi, H. and Kim, S (2018) 'Identification of trichothecene-type mycotoxins in toxic mushroom Podostroma cornu-damae and biological specimens from a fatal case by LC-QTOF/MS', Forensic Science International, 291, pp. 234-244. doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.08.043 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.08.043
Selected studies & references
ReviewBioactivities and industrial standardization status of Ganoderma lucidum: A comprehensive review source↗ (2024)
ReviewPreventive and therapeutic effect of Ganoderma lucidum on kidney injuries and diseases source↗ (2019)
ReviewGanoderma lucidum polysaccharides: immunomodulation and potential anti-tumor activities source↗ (2011)
All 19 studies in the Knowledge Finder →
Educational use only. This profile summarises traditional and scientific sources for reference. It is not medical advice and not a substitute for a qualified practitioner. Some plants carry safety cautions and drug interactions - always check before use.
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.