howtosupplement
Mood/Immunity/Inflammation

Reishi

Medicinal mushroom extract studied for fatigue, immune signaling, and inflammation, with limited human evidence in adults.

Reishi

Reishi

33
score
C
evidence
Caution
risk

Proven Benefits

01May improve fatigue/QOL
02May increase NK-cell activity
03May lower CRP/TNF-α

Chemical Forms

Recommended
  • Hot-water fruiting body extract
  • Dual extract (water + alcohol) fruiting body
  • Cracked reishi spore extract
Avoid
  • Mycelium-on-grain powders with low active mushroom content
  • Unstandardized blends that do not disclose fruiting body vs mycelium
Expert Note

Most human data use fruiting body extracts, which better concentrate beta-glucans; dual extracts also capture less water-soluble triterpenes. Mycelium-on-grain products are often diluted with starch from the growth medium, making potency and comparability much worse.

Protocol

Amount
1000-1500 mg extract
Frequency
Once daily or split into 2 doses
When
With food if you are GI-sensitive; any time of day — consistency matters more than timing.

Safety & Limits

Upper Safe Limit
No official UL established; reishi extract has been studied at about 5400 mg/day short-term, but this is not a validated long-term safe limit.
Cycling
Safe for continuous use

Contraindications

Warfarin, clopidogrel, aspirin, or bleeding disorders — may increase bleeding risk
Upcoming surgery — discontinue at least 2 weeks before because of possible antiplatelet effects
Immunosuppressant drugs or organ transplant — may counter intended immune suppression
Low blood pressure or antihypertensive drugs — may further lower blood pressure
Pregnancy or breastfeeding — insufficient safety data
Liver disease or prior herb-related hepatitis — rare liver injury reports with concentrated products
Autoimmune disease — immune effects are unpredictable and may be undesirable
Updated Invalid Date