Origin & tradition
Called the "mushroom of immortality" (灵芝) in Chinese medicine, reishi was reserved for emperors and prized as a tonic for spirit, sleep, and longevity.
Eastern tradition · Tonic Herbs
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) 灵芝
The classic Chinese longevity mushroom; emerging research connects its triterpenes to anti-aging and α-Klotho signalling.
48ClinicalTrials.gov matched
29PubMed RCT records
18Meta-analysis records
9+PubMed records
Ganoderic acids & triterpenesKey active compound
Data definition. Matched records include all indexed medical endpoints for this intervention — not only longevity. Longevity-relevant records are screened separately and cited in the evidence summary below. Counts are matched-record volumes, not de-duplicated trials and not efficacy claims.
Why longevity buyers care
Key active: Ganoderic acids & triterpenes (botanical extract).
Reishi is a multi-compound botanical (triterpenes, polysaccharides). Recent animal work links ganoderate compounds and α-Klotho modulation to lifespan extension and aging-related markers.
Effect summary
Studied health outcomes
Editorial summary — This table is curated by hand from published research consensus, not automatically calculated from our trial database. Grades reflect our interpretation of the literature. Treat as a starting point, not a definitive verdict. See the Evidence panel below for the underlying trial and paper counts sourced directly from ClinicalTrials.gov and PubMed.
| Health outcome | Effect | Magnitude | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immune function (NK cells, T cells) | Increases | Moderate | B |
| Fatigue / quality of life (cancer patients) | Decreases | Moderate | B |
| Blood glucose | Decreases | Minor | C |
| Blood pressure | Decreases | Minor | C |
| Antioxidant markers | Increases | Minor | C |
Grade: A = robust RCTs · B = several RCTs / meta-analysis · C = limited or mixed RCTs · D = observational or early data
Dosage guidance
How Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is typically used
- Typical dose
- 1,000–5,400 mg/day dried mushroom equivalent or 500–1,000 mg extract
- Form
- hot-water extract (polysaccharides) or dual extract (polysaccharides + triterpenes)
- Timing
- any time, with or without food
Look for products standardized to ≥10% polysaccharides. Spore oil is a separate product with higher triterpene concentration. Effects are gradual — studies typically run 8–12 weeks.
Informational only — not a prescription or personalised medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician before starting any supplement or medication.
Evidence summary
What the research actually says
72Evidence confidence
Human RCT evidence29 randomized controlled trials · 18 meta-analyses / systematic reviews
Primarily preclinical (model-organism + animal) for aging; clinical data mostly outside longevity endpoints
Reishi is a multi-compound botanical (triterpenes, polysaccharides). Recent animal work links ganoderate compounds and α-Klotho modulation to lifespan extension and aging-related markers.
48registered clinical trials reference this intervention
3selected from 9+ PubMed papers (longevity / aging angle)
Key active: Ganoderic acids & triterpenes (botanical extract) — a multi-compound botanical extract, so activity is not reducible to a single molecule.
According to PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov: trial counts from ClinicalTrials.gov, peer-reviewed literature from PubMed. Counts auto-refresh weekly; last checked 2026-07-19. They include trials across many endpoints, not only longevity.
Informational only — not medical advice, a treatment claim, or a substitute for a qualified clinician. Evidence strength varies; we show mixed and null results on purpose.
Evidence collections
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) appears in
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