Home > Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine > Reishi Mushroom

Description

Reishi mushrooms are some of the most widely used medicinal mushrooms in the world. Their scientific name is Ganoderma lucidum. In Chinese medicine, reishi mushrooms are known as ling zhi, which means spiritual plant as the Chinese believe the herb is healing for the spirit. Some Asians make good luck charms from the mushrooms in addition to using them as medicine.

The Latin name Ganoderma means shiny skin, which describes the reddish brown caps of the mushrooms. Reishi mushrooms are kidney-shaped and grow to 8 in (20 cm) or more in diameter. They grow in moist and temperate forest areas of Asia, Europe, South America, and the United States. Reishi mushrooms typically attach themselves to trees, particularly oak and plum trees.

Reishi mushrooms have a long history. They have been used in China and Japan for...