Reishi Powder (Ganoderma lucidum)

Reishi Powder is whole Ganoderma lucidum fruiting body, dried and milled to a fine, reddish-brown powder. It is the same mushroom as our dried Reishi, without the hardest part of using it: Reishi is woody and tough, and slicing whole fruiting bodies at home is slow work.
Milled fine, it brews into a full-bodied traditional tea in about fifteen minutes and can be measured by the gram.

What Is in the Pack

One ingredient: milled Reishi fruiting body. There is no mycelium grown on grain, no filler, no flow agent and no flavouring.
That distinction matters more with Reishi than with almost any other mushroom. Its triterpenes — the ganoderic acids that give it its bitterness — form in the fruiting body. Mycelium grown on rice or oats is milled together with the grain, so those products are mostly starch and contain far fewer triterpenes. A quick test is taste: real Reishi fruiting body is unmistakably bitter, while grain-based mycelium powders taste mild and floury. Our guide on how to read a Reishi label shows what to look for.

What Reishi Contains

Reishi has two main compound groups, and they behave very differently in water.
Its polysaccharides, including beta-glucans, are water-soluble but locked in tough cell walls, so they need prolonged heat to release. They are the focus of most of the research on Reishi and immune function.
Its triterpenes are alcohol-soluble and dissolve poorly in water, which is why a water tea captures them only partly.
Reishi has a long history in Chinese and Japanese tradition, and modern research has looked at immune modulation, stress and sleep — mostly in laboratory and animal studies, with a smaller number of human trials. Our article on Reishi, stress and resilience summarises the evidence. This powder is a traditional food ingredient, not a treatment for any condition.

Powder or Capsules?

We sell Reishi in four formats. The dried fruiting bodies are the most traditional and economical but need slicing and a long simmer. The powder brews much faster and can be measured precisely. The capsules contain a 10:1 dual extract, 500 mg per capsule, and avoid the bitter taste altogether. The tincture is an alcohol-based liquid.
For Reishi specifically, the capsules have a real advantage: a water tea leaves most of the triterpenes behind, while their dual extract includes them. The powder is the better choice if you prefer the traditional tea and the whole mushroom at a lower cost per gram. Our comparison of Reishi powder, capsules and tincture covers the formats in more detail.

How to Use Reishi Powder

As tea: simmer 1–2 g (about half a level teaspoon) in a cup and a half of water for 15–20 minutes, then strain through a fine sieve or paper filter. The longer simmer releases more of the polysaccharides. Honey, ginger or a slice of lemon soften the bitterness.
In drinks: 1 g stirred into hot cocoa or a smoothie with strong flavours (cacao, banana, dates) is barely noticeable. Its bitterness makes it a poor match for plain coffee.
A typical daily amount is 1–3 g. Start at 1 g for the first week. Many people take Reishi in the evening, though there is no established best time. Our Reishi dosage guide compares amounts across formats.

Storage and Shelf Life

Keep the pouch tightly resealed in a cool, dry, dark cupboard and always use a dry spoon. Stored this way it keeps its quality for 24 months. Light clumping can be broken up; a musty or sour smell, damp patches or visible mould mean the powder should be thrown away. See our guide on storing mushroom powders and extracts.

Sourcing and Testing

Our Reishi comes from established cultivation sources, is grown to mature fruiting body on hardwood, and is dried before milling. Only fruiting body is used. Every batch is tested for heavy metals, pesticides and microbial safety. Reishi grows on wood and can take up metals from its substrate, which is why we test every batch — see our article on heavy metals in mushroom supplements.

Safety and Contraindications

Reishi is generally well tolerated at normal amounts. Reported side effects include dry mouth, digestive upset and dizziness. There are rare case reports of liver injury linked to Reishi powder; stop using it and see a doctor if you notice yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine or unusual fatigue.
Speak with your doctor first if you take anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs, blood pressure medication, diabetes medication or immunosuppressants. Stop two weeks before surgery. Do not use it if pregnant or breastfeeding, if you have a bleeding disorder, or if you are allergic to mushrooms. Our article on Reishi side effects and interactions covers this in full.
This product is a food supplement, not a medicine, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it so bitter? The bitterness comes from Reishi's triterpenes, which form in the fruiting body. It is a sign of genuine fruiting-body material rather than grain-based mycelium.

Is it fruiting body or mycelium? 100% fruiting body, with no mycelium on grain and no fillers.

How much should I take? 1–3 g a day, starting at about 1 g for the first week.

Do I need to strain the tea? Yes, for a clear cup. In smoothies or cocoa you can leave it in; it adds a little texture.

How long does a pack last? At 2 g a day, the 100 g pack lasts about seven weeks and the 250 g pack about four months.

Should I choose the powder or the capsules? The powder suits a traditional tea and costs less per gram. The capsules hold a 10:1 dual extract that includes the alcohol-soluble triterpenes a water tea mostly leaves behind.

Explore related products: dried Reishi, Reishi capsules, Reishi tincture.