Briel With Dana Driscoll
Here in Pennsylvania, we have a beautiful Reishi mushroom, Ganoderma Tsugae, the ‘Hemlock Varnish Shelf.” This is an incredible medicinal mushroom that is relatively abundant, easy to find, and easy to identify. I would say that if you are interested in learning about mushroom medicine, you could start no better place than with the Reishi!
One question that people sometimes ask is about the different Reishi species and their medicinal qualities. Most of the research on Reishi focuses on Ganoderma Lucidum, from Asia, and is used extensively in Traditional Chinese Medicine. However, according to research by Jerry Angelini, who is the Head of Science Education at Fungi Perfecti and Host Defense, our local Reishi has the same compounds as other Ganodermas, including the Reishi ‘Lingzhi’ Ganoderma Lucidum. Briel and I were able to take a workshop from him some years back at the American Herbalist Guild Association meeting and learn about his cutting-edge research on North American Reishi species.
As the name suggests, our local Reishi grows on Eastern Hemlock trees (Tsugae Canadensis), which are abundant in our region. You have the most luck in finding Reishi by visiting either forests that have been logged 5-15 years prior that had Reishi (check the stumps) or in old-growth or second-growth forests with Hemlocks that are allowed to fall naturally. Reishi are characterized by their white underside that has thousands of tiny pores (they are a polypore shelf mushroom), and their dark red, shiny tops, with an orange-yellow edge going to white (when young). They can get up to 12” across. Harvest these in June or early July, before the bugs take them over! They have a lovely rusty brown spore print.
The research on this mushroom is very extensive, and you will quickly see why the Chinese call this the “Mushroom of Immortality.” Beuhner’s Herbal Antibiotics gives an excellent synthesis of the research; he notes that at present over 400 bioactive constituents have been identified in Reishi including some Ganoderma species specific compounds! Reishi has vitality-enhancing, tonic, and longevity effects. This research includes the following (and new studies and research are continuing to be done):
- Pain relief: Reishi is analgesic and offers relief
- Antiallergenic: offers allergy relief
- Antibacterial and Antiviral: offers an anti-microbial, systemic action against both bacteria and viruses to support healthy immune system functioning
- Toxin and Poison support. Reishi strengthens the kidney after the kidneys have been subject to toxic chemicals or medicines. Matthew Wood notes Reishi’s usefulness in treating mushroom poisoning (with specific impact against the Death Cap, Amanita Phaloides.)
- Liver support: Resishi has a broad positive impact on the liver including promoting liver regeneration, and having a specific impact on Bilirubin excess present in anemia, Gilbert’s syndrome or other liver conditions
- Heart and cardiovascular support: Reishi reduces the levels of triglycerides in the blood which leads to heart disease High triglycerides are caused by diet, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, medical conditions, overconsumption of alcohol of genetics. Reishi also lowers blood pressure and cholesterol in the blood.
- Coronary vasodilator: Additionally, Reishi causes the blood vessels of the heart (the coronary arteries) to widen and dilate, which increases blood flow to the heart; Reishi can also be used to treat Angina (chest pain) or other heart conditions.
- Cancer fighting: Reishi is cytotoxic, that is, the mushroom inhibits the growth of cancer cells.
- Immune regulator: Reishi is an immunomodulator, which helps regulate the immune system (which protects the body against infection and disease—Reishi can enhance or suppress immune function based on the situation.
- Spleen and Thymus tonic: These are glands (vital components to the immune system); the spleen plays a role in filtering blood, removing old and damaged blood cells, and creating immune cells; the thymus is responsible for creating T lymphocytes, a white blood cell for immune function
- Nervous system: Reishi has a tonic effect on the parasympathetic nervous system (the system tied to rest, digestion, sleep, and dreaming) and on the adrenal cortex which supports the parasympathetic.
- Reishi’s general herbal qualities include that the mushroom is warming, tonic, antotoxic, and astringent and works to disperse accumulations.
Reishi is contraindicated for those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or on anti-coagulants or other heart medications.
One of the challenges with mushroom herbalism is that not all of the mushroom constituents are bioavailable – if you take this as capsules or a tea you are not getting the full effect. Thus, you need to create a double-extracted tincture; the tincture should first be made of high-proof alcohol (here in PA, that is a 150 proof grain alcohol, like Everclear), then after 1 month of macerating the Reishi, you strain the Reishi tincture and begin the water extraction with the same material. Thus, you do a 3-day hot water extraction (using a crock pot and making a strong tea) and then do a 3-day cold water extraction (putting the liquid in the fridge). At this point, you can use a distillation calculator to bring your Reishi double-extracted tincture to 40% (here is one such calculator). While this double extraction takes time, it allows you to get the full medicinal benefit! Further, you are also able to make a large amount of double-extracted tincture at once, and it has infinite shelf life.
I am always so impressed with Reishi. I have been taking Reishi every day for many years (as part of a daily herbal blend) and my entire body feels good when I take it. If I miss a day or two, I can tell the difference—my muscles are more sore and achy, I manage stress less well, and my seasonal or pet-related allergies may return. The fact that Reishi is also strengthening my cardiovascular system, fighting cancer, and supporting my nervous system—among other things) makes this an incredible, potent medicine deserving of our love, respect, and honor.
