Perhaps the most well-known medicinal mushroom on the planet, the red reishi mushroom, known scientifically as Ganoderma lucidum, has been celebrated for its wellness benefits for millennia.
In Chinese the reishi mushroom, fibrous and woody in texture with a red hue and waxy sheen, is called lingzhi, and is regarded as the “herb of spiritual potency” said to bear the essence of immortality. This glossy functional mushroom boasts caps ranging in size from one to 14 inches when mature, and has been depicted in the artwork and scriptures of ancient cultures dating back as far as AD 1400.
Reishi Mushroom Benefits
Ganoderma lucidum has been recognized for its medicinal value for more than 2,000 years. Given its many globally celebrated benefits, the longstanding reverence for reishi is of no surprise. The powerful effects of this mushroom even led it to be called “The Elixir of Life” for its potent (and scientifically-backed) abilities to support immunity, longevity, energy, and vitality.
Recent studies have demonstrated reishi’s capacity to promote a calm, tranquil state, and to support more restful sleep and a healthier sleep cycle– benefits for which it has long been (and remains) lauded by various traditions of Eastern Medicine.
A proven adaptogen, reishi benefits also include a balanced stress response and a positive mood. Reishi is also considered one of the best mushrooms for anxiety and depression.
Reishi has also been shown to have anti-aging effects, owing to its longevity properties, and may even play a role in promoting enhanced memory and learning. Globally, this mushroom has also been studied for its potential as an anti-cancer, antioxidant, and blood sugar support therapeutic.
With a seemingly endless list of positive benefits for mind and body, you may be wondering, when will I start to see results? How long does it take for reishi mushroom to work? What is the best way to select a high quality reishi product, and what is the best time of day to take mushroom supplements?
How Long Does It Take for Reishi Mushroom to Work?
When it comes to functional medicines and dietary supplements, including medicinal mushrooms, the time it takes to experience benefits can vary from person to person. While some may report feeling the positive impacts of reishi mushroom from their very first dose, for others, full benefits can take a few weeks to months to appear.
Most clinical trials testing the safety and efficacy of treatments span a period of 12 weeks, or three months, in order to determine the outcomes of the therapies they are testing. This period of 90 days is required to demonstrate the full capabilities of a product or medicine within the human anatomy. Similarly, because it takes time for mushrooms’ bioactive compounds to be absorbed and nutrient levels to build within the body, it could take up to 90 days to feel the full effects, as with any supplement.
While every body will respond uniquely to any functional mushroom, and timeframes can differ among individuals, a more potent reishi supplement may yield quicker results.
Choosing the Best Mushroom Supplement
A recent study into the efficacy of common reishi products reported that many contained far lower levels of the mushroom’s beneficial compounds than their labels claimed.
The most popular forms you’ll find this mushroom available in include reishi tea, reishi coffee, reishi tincture, reishi power, reishi capsules, and reishi gummies. Whichever you choose, be sure to look for transparency in the sourcing, cultivation, and manufacturing of your supplement.
The potency of a reishi supplement will depend on the quality and parts of mushrooms used, and the extraction process that is followed during creation. Using the highest quality, whole organic reishi mushrooms (including fruiting body and mycelium) and cutting-edge extraction techniques yields the most effective functional mushroom supplements. Other quality markers to look for include documented third-party lab testing, US-grown/USDA certification, and clear manufacturing safety measures.
What is Mushroom Extract?
Mushroom extracts are created by using substances like water and alcohol to draw the most beneficial components from raw shrooms. But not all extractions are created equal. A multi-step process such as “triple extraction,” during which the mushroom passes through three different stages of distillation, allows for the highest levels of bioavailability and potency in the resulting product. These stages include fermentation, hot water extraction, and alcohol extraction, one or more of which may be skipped in the creation of some products due to the additional care, time, and resources required.
Explore our full, industry-leading journey from premium raw mushrooms to the highest quality mushroom extract available here.
When is the Best Time to Take Reishi Mushroom?
The answer may depend on the benefits you are looking to experience.
For Restful Sleep
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, historically, medicinal reishi has commonly been consumed in the evening to promote a sense of calm, overall relaxation, and restful sleep. As a tranquility and sleep aid, many report optimal outcomes when taking reishi after dinner, shortly before bedtime. Aim for 1-3 hours before bedtime, giving reishi’s bioactive compounds time to get to work.
For Energy & Mood
However, if you’re taking reishi in the hopes of supporting mood, energy, stress levels, or other wellness benefits throughout your day, taking reishi at breakfast time could deliver the best results. While some report feeling the most benefits when taking reishi supplements on an empty stomach, about an hour before eating in the morning, others find it to be better tolerated when taken with food.
For Overall Wellness
Our bodies have a way of letting us know what they need. The most effective approach to wellness is always one that’s tailored to your personal goals. Pay attention to how you feel when taking your reishi, and remember that you are free to adjust the timing accordingly.
For the best overall results, regardless of the reishi benefits you’re seeking, the most important thing is to be consistent. Find and commit to a time that works best with your body and schedule, and make reishi mushroom part of your daily health routine. As reishi becomes more established within your body’s nutritional stores with consistent use, each of its benefits will become more easily accessible, around the clock.
Countless people have trusted in reishi to help achieve their highest states of well-being for centuries. Time has shown the power of reishi to lift spirits, restore calm, and promote optimal wellness, and modern science upholds these properties. Allow your unique chemistry and biological systems the time they need to take in the remarkable bioactive compounds of the inimitable reishi mushroom, and see how “The Mushroom of Immortality” might work wonders in your world, as it has done across the ages.
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