Reishi Mushroom

Description:

Reishi is the Japanese name. The Viatnamese name; linh chi literally means "Supernatural Mushroom". I found this specimen in an old growth hemlock forest growing along a creek. It could also be Ganoderma tsugae which has the same morphology and medicinal properties.

Habitat:

In nature, Lingzhi grows at the base and stumps of deciduous trees, especially maple. Only two or three out of 10,000 such aged trees will have Lingzhi growth, and therefore its wild form is extremely rare.

Notes:

Reishi can be boiled fresh or dry for two hours to make an extract/tea that is one of the most medicinal mushrooms ever known. Lingzhi possesses anti-tumor, anti-cancer, immunomodulatory and immunotherapeutic activities, supported by studies on polysaccharides, terpenes, and other bioactive compounds isolated from fruiting bodies and mycelia of this fungus (reviewed by R. R. Paterson and Lindequist et al.). It has also been found to inhibit platelet aggregation, and to lower blood pressure (via inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme), cholesterol, and blood sugar.