None: both of those terms are different names for the same mushroom. Reishi is the name used in Japan, while Ganoderma is short for Ganoderma Lucidum, the Latin name for this particular mushroom. The mushroom is also known as “Lingzhi” in China and “Yeongji” in Korea.

It’s made from the spores (essentially, the seeds) of the Ganoderma lucidum mushroom. The spore powder contains the essence of the plant and delivers numerous health and wellness benefits. Ganoderma Lucidum releases its spore powder only during a 10-day period upon reaching maturity. For every 1,000 kilograms of mushroom, only about 1 kilogram of these tiny spores, which are only 5 to 8 microns in size, are produced.

One of the active ingredients found in Red Reishi – water-soluble polysaccharides – has been found to have anti-tumor effects as well as benefits for immune systems and blood pressure. Reishi mushrooms also contain a unique type of triterpenes known as ganoderic acids, which have been shown to improve your body’s use of oxygen, help liver function and even inhibit histamine release to relieve common allergies.

Ganoderma Lucidum spores are covered by a tough outer covering that the human body can’t digest. Breaking the cell wall increases absorption of Reishi’s active, curative ingredients.

No. Reishi has long been classified in Asia as a “superior herb,” which is a substance that’s considered non-toxic and consumable in large quantities over time without negative side effects. Literature and clinical studies still haven’t identified any side effects ... even though Reishi’s been in use for 2,000 years.

In some cases, though, very sensitive individuals who begin taking Reishi might briefly experience some symptoms related to detoxification. These symptoms – which can include dizziness, mild digestive upset, skin rashes and achy bones – indicate that the body’s metabolism is working vigorously and excreting accumulated toxins. Such symptoms typically go away shortly after beginning continuous use of Reishi, usually within a few days.

The American Herbal Pharmacopoeia^® classified Reishi as a “Class 1” herb, meaning that, when used appropriately, Reishi is safe to consume. It goes on to note that “sensitive individuals” might experience some of the symptoms described above, but these are “usually of short duration.”

If you do experience these symptoms, taking a source of Vitamin C along with Reishi can help reduce them.

Yes. After 2,000 years of use and study, Reishi has been shown to be a natural health supplement with no reported contraindications. Because it has immune-modulating properties, though, Reishi should be used carefully by anyone who’s had an organ transplant or is taking immunosuppressive medication. As with any other dietary supplement, it’s always best to check with your physician before you start to take Reishi. You can learn more about Reishi’s potential drug interactions at Pharmasave - Library: Reishi Mushroom.

While results can vary from person to person, you’ll typically notice the effects between 10 days and two weeks after starting a regimen with high-quality Reishi. You’ll notice a significant difference in well-being within about two months. The key is making Reishi a part of your daily routine.

Yes. Reishi’s a natural supplement that can be beneficial, no matter what your age. Just follow the label instructions and be sure to check with your physician first, as with any other dietary supplement. 

You can find Reishi supplements in granular form, capsules or tablets. Not all Reishi products are the same, however: they can differ significantly depending upon the manufacturer, cultivation method, growing conditions, quality of mother plants and type of processing. Reishi from a reliable producer should always include a clear label with information on ingredients, product origin, extract ratio and manufacturer’s or importer’s address.

reshi organic^® conforms to the highest standards for herbal supplements, with raw Red Reishi spore powder that’s both kosher and USDA Certified Organic.

No. One of Reishi’s greatest benefits comes from how it helps keep your immune system at optimum strength. That’s why making Reishi part of your daily routine is so important.

Reishi mushrooms grow at the base of certain trees, typically deciduous ones, but even then they’re hard to find. In nature, in fact, only a handful of trees in a forest of thousands will have Reishi growth. That’s part of why these mushrooms were so highly prized in ancient China and Japan. Since then, however, people have found ways to cultivate Reishi on a larger scale, and these mushrooms are now grown commercially in various parts of the world.

Commercial growers use three different methods: wood pulp, wooden box and natural log.

In the first method, Reishi fungi are grown on wood pulp in a glass or other sterile container over a period of three months. This approach, though, tends to produce small, poor-quality mushrooms.

With wooden box cultivation, Reishi is grown on a wooden log that’s placed inside a wooden box. This method typically results in mid-size mushrooms of moderate quality within six months.

ecomart's^® supplier, though, grows its Ganoderma Lucida using natural and organic wood logs. First developed in Japan, this method starts with high-quality Reishi fungi grown in test tubes for nearly three months. These tiny mushrooms are then moved to holes drilled in 26- to 30-year-old, high-grade logs, which are then buried beneath rich soil in greenhouses. Such care, coupled with continual monitoring, help yield large, superior-quality mushrooms within about five months.

Of the six varieties of Reishi that have undergone extensive study – red, black, purple, blue, yellow and white – only red and black have been shown to offer significant health benefits. Only Red Reishi, however, can boast the greatest impacts on immune system, organ function and overall health. Black Reishi (Ganoderma Sinensis, in Latin), typically found in Chinese herbal stores, contains fewer polysaccharides than Red Reishi and is widely considered to be a less effective supplement.

Many different types of mushrooms – including shiitake – deliver some level of boost to the immune system. However, Red Reishi has been recognized the longest for its health-beneficial powers. It’s also unique for its levels of the active ingredient ganoderic acid.