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Rei4.0
Reishi Research
Mixed evidence
78 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Mixed evidence
Studies are split: Reishi helped in 2 of 6 cases, with the rest inconclusive or showing no benefit.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2004–2026 with a typical study size of 120 participants.
Based on 78 studies · 7 meta-analyses · 30 RCTs · 3,796 total participants
Confidence
High confidence
What the studies found
2helped3unclear1didn't help· 72 more without graded effect data
By outcome
Immune supportImmune-marker changes seen mostly in lab and cancer-adjuvant studies · 4-8 weeks
Mixed evidence71 studies
Therapeutic & clinical
Mixed evidence29 studies
Inflammation
Mostly mechanism / observational9 studies
Safety profile
Mostly mechanism / observational9 studies
Heart & blood pressure
Mostly mechanism / observational7 studies
Energy & fatigue
Mostly mechanism / observational6 studies
Neuroprotection & brain aging
Mostly mechanism / observational5 studies
Glucose & metabolic
Mostly mechanism / observational4 studies
Cholesterol & lipids
Mostly mechanism / observational4 studies
Anxiety & stressOne small RCT found improved stress and well-being · 4-8 weeks · Calming adaptogenic effects; limited human evidence · 2-4 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational3 studies
Skin health
Too few graded studies2 studies
Sleep & insomniaSleep benefit rests on animal data and weak human trials · 2-4 weeks · Relaxation claims are largely preclinical · 2-4 weeks · Sleep-maintenance benefit not established in humans · 2-4 weeks
Too few graded studies1 study
Men's vitality
Too few graded studies1 study
By the numbers
Pulled from 32 studies with measurable effects
Likely real effects
67%
across studies
People studied
3,796
typical study: 120 people
Strongest designs
37
7 pooled, 30 randomised
Showed benefit
33%
2/6 studies
How long studies ran
1–4 weeks
1
1–3 months
2
3+ months
2
Populations Studied
Cancer patients6
Adults with autoimmune skin diseases1
People with type 2 diabetes mellitus1
COVID-19 patients1
Active research area
29 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2020
200420152026
1Identification of immunostimulatory herbal supplementsSystematic Reviewn=469 · medium study2025
We identified 227 herbal supplements with immunostimulatory properties, of which 15 were most strongly supported by the evidence.
Weiner JD et al. · Lupus science & medicine (2025)
No clear effect
← WorseNo effectBetter →
We identified 227 herbal supplements with immunostimulatory properties, of which 15 were most strongly supported by the evidence.
This article may serve as a reference to help clinicians counsel patients with autoimmune skin diseases on the risks associated with use of specific herbal supplements.
This review focuses on the properties of selected medicinal mushrooms and their effects on the human organism and presents current knowledge on the possibilities of their use in the production of functional foods.
Łysakowska P et al. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (2023)
Detailed mechanisms of the effects of medicinal mushrooms on the human organism still require long-term clinical studies to confirm their nutraceutical effects, their safety of use, and their dosage.
Medicinal mushrooms have great potential to be used in the design of innovative functional foods.
There is a need for further research on the possibility of incorporating mushrooms into food products to assess the interactions of their bioactive substances with ingredients in the food matrix.
Maitake or hen-of-the-woods), the genus Pleurotus (e.g. oyster mushrooms), and Agaricus subrufescens (i.e. the almond mushroom).
Shevchuk Y et al. · Ageing research reviews (2023)
Maitake or hen-of-the-woods), the genus Pleurotus (e.g. oyster mushrooms), and Agaricus subrufescens (i.e. the almond mushroom).
We propose that further research on fungal extracts will provide a greater picture of the role fungi-derived bioactive molecules can have in developing longevity and neuroprotective medicines for humans.
7Fasting plasma glucoseMeta-AnalysisCited 37×n=398 · medium study2015
Evidence from a small number of randomised controlled trials does not support the use of G lucidum for treatment of cardiovascular risk factors in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Klupp NL et al. · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2015)
No clear effect
← WorseNo effectBetter →
We found no improvement for fasting plasma glucose (WMD 0.30 mmol/L; 95% CI -0.95 mmol/L to 1.55 mmol/L).
There were no statistically significant differences between groups for blood pressure or triglycerides.
Participants who took G lucidum for four months were 1.67 times (RR 1.67 95% CI 0.86 to 3.24) more likely to experience an adverse event than those who took placebo but these were not serious side effects.
8Combat SARS-CoV-2 infection and co-morbiditiesSystematic ReviewCited 5×2023
Preclinical and clinical evaluation to establish dose, efficacy, and potential toxicity and possible use in the management of COVID-19 is recommended.
Rowaiye AB et al. · International journal of medicinal mushrooms (2023)
However, there are concerns about the safety as well as the efficacy of drugs and vaccines presently used to control the pandemic, therefore necessitating intense global search for safe natural products that can effectively and safely combat it.
This work reviews studies on lingzhi or reishi medicinal mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum and its properties that may potentially combat SARS-CoV-2 infection and the co-morbidities.
Preclinical and clinical evaluation to establish dose, efficacy, and potential toxicity and possible use in the management of COVID-19 is recommended.
10Anti-COVID-19 effects of mushroomsSystematic ReviewCited 6×2021
Among various mushroom species, reishi or lingzhi (Ganoderma lucidum) seem most suitable as anti-COVID agents for the global population.
Rahman MA et al. · International journal of medicinal mushrooms (2021)
In this state-of-the-art review, edible and medicinal mushrooms are featured in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 pathomanifestations, and comorbid issues.
Because this is not an original research article, we admit our shortcomings in inferences.
Yet we are hopeful that mushroom-based therapeutic approaches can be used to achieve a COVID-free world.
Ex vivo studies conducted in human blood cells show the radioprotective effect of β-glucan of aqueous extract of G. lucidum, nevertheless, its implementation as radioprotector to humans is in need of further clinical research studies.
González A et al. · Nutrients (2020)
From a total number of 1109 records identified, 15 full text articles were eligible, none of them were clinical trials.
In vivo studies reveal the efficiency of G. lucidum aqueous extracts of polysaccharides and triterpenes in mice exposed to γ-rays.
In plasmid, they can reduce radiation damage as an increment of the open circular form, as well as increase the DNA extension, as shown in vitro studies.
13Antitumor and immunomodulatory activities of GSPSystematic ReviewCited 28×2019
In this study, we will review the biological activities and preclinical studies of GSP in China based on literatures searches from CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), VIP (Chongqing VIP...
Zhang Y et al. · Progress in molecular biology and translational science (2019)
In this study, we will review the biological activities and preclinical studies of GSP in China based on literatures searches from CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), VIP (Chongqing VIP Chinese Scientific Journals Database), Wanfang database, and PubMed database.
Both basic and preclinical studies showed that GSP has antitumor, antioxidant, anticytopenia, and unique mushroom-poison detoxification properties that are different from that of GLPS.
Our goal is to provide a molecular picture that would allow in-depth evaluation of GSP as one of few glycan-based drugs that has been used as an immunomodulatory adjunctive drug during cancer therapy.
14Positive response to cancer treatmentMeta-AnalysisCited 59×2012
Our review did not find sufficient evidence to justify the use of G. lucidum as a first-line treatment for cancer.
Jin X et al. · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2012)
No clear effect
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
The meta-analysis results showed that patients who had been given G. lucidum alongside with chemo/radiotherapy were more likely to respond positively compared to chemo/radiotherapy alone (RR 1.50; 95% CI 0.90 to 2.51, P = 0.02).
The results for host immune function indicators suggested that G. lucidum simultaneously increases the percentage of CD3, CD4 and CD8 by 3.91% (95% CI 1.92% to 5.90%, P < 0.01), 3.05% (95% CI 1.00% to 5.11%, P < 0.01) and 2.02% (95% CI 0.21% to 3.84%, P = 0.03), respectively.
Our review did not find sufficient evidence to justify the use of G. lucidum as a first-line treatment for cancer.
15Immune function measures and overall survival in cancer patientsSystematic ReviewCited 1×2020
Both extracts from Reishi and Coriolus, if used in combination with standard therapy or as an adjuvant single agent, have shown benefits at immune function measures, tumor-related symptoms and performance status of cancer patients.
Neuwirthová J et al. · Klinicka onkologie : casopis Ceske a Slovenske onkologicke spolecnosti (2020)
Both extracts from Reishi and Coriolus, if used in combination with standard therapy or as an adjuvant single agent, have shown benefits at immune function measures, tumor-related symptoms and performance status of cancer patients.
Moreover, they have prolonged their disease-free interval and overall survival.
They are well tolerated even in advanced cancer diseases and could be safely used continuously for long periods of time.
16Tumor cell antiproliferative and apoptotic effectsSystematic ReviewCited 5×2019
Inhibition against the ATP-dependent transmembrane drug transporter such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp) on the surface of resistant tumor cells to prevent reduction of the intracellular accumulation of anticancer drugs by pumping out the drugs plays an important role in the activities of Ganoderma and its extracts to reverse tumor cell multidrug resistance.
Sun Y et al. · Advances in experimental medicine and biology (2019)
Intrinsic- and extrinsic-initiated apoptotic pathway in association with cell cycle arresting, telomerase inhibiting, autophagy, and oxidative stress is involved in the antiproliferative and apoptosis inductive activities of Ganoderma and its extracts.
The inhibition of tumor cell adhesion, invasion, and migration by Ganoderma and its extracts involves molecular mechanisms such as AP-1, NF-κB, MMP, cadherin, β-integrin, c-Met, FAK, EMT, and so on.
Targeting the major pro-angiogenic stimulus, VEGF, and its receptor contributes to the inhibition of tumor angiogenesis by Ganoderma and its extracts.
In this chapter, we will summarize and elucidate recent progress of such effects of Ganoderma and its ingredients from both the preclinical and clinical points of view.
Cui X et al. · Advances in experimental medicine and biology (2019)
The neuropharmacological effects of G. lucidum mainly include but not limited to sedative and hypnotic, neuroprotective, antinociceptive and analgesic, antiepileptic, and antidepressant effects.
Clinical trials of G. lucidum in the patients with these disorders are still rare.
To date, there are no Ganoderma-related drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
18Safety and herb-drug interactions in oncologySystematic ReviewCited 16×2019
It is important to familiarize health care professionals about popular supplements, so patients can be informed to make decisions that maximize benefits and minimize risks.
Hou YN et al. · Cancer journal (Sudbury, Mass.) (2019)
The 10 most searched-for herbs/supplements of 2018 are chaga mushroom, turmeric, ashwagandha, reishi mushroom, graviola, Active Hexose-Correlated Compound, boswellia, dandelion, green tea, and Coriolus versicolor.
Here we discuss their safety, herb-drug interactions, and appropriate uses in the oncology setting, based on literature searches in PubMed.
Over the past 16 years, the evidence for use of these supplements is based mostly on preclinical findings, with few well-designed studies and limited trials conducted in cancer patients.
20Antioxidative and free radical scavenging activitySystematic ReviewCited 18×2019
Antioxidative effect and free radical scavenging activity of G. lucidum on different animal models in vivo and in vitro may be related to its pharmacological mechanism of immunomodulating, antitumor, antihypertensive, hypoglycemic, brain-protective, liver-protective, cardiovascular-protective, renal-protective, and antiaging effects.
Lin Z et al. · Advances in experimental medicine and biology (2019)
G. lucidum can significantly reduce the content of lipid peroxidation product such as malondialdehyde (MDA) and lipofuscin and can enhance the activities of antioxidative enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-P), and other antioxidative enzymes.
G. lucidum has apparent protective effects against the lipid peroxidation caused by a variety of factors in the brain, heart, pancreas, liver, gastrointestinal, kidney, and other vital organs.
In macrophages (mouse), islet cells (mouse), cerebral cortex cells (rat), pheochromocytoma cells (PC12 cells, rat), vascular endothelial cells (rat, human), and keratinocytes (human), G. lucidum has significant protective effect against the oxidant-induced oxidative damage.