Mushroom Series: Reishi Mushrroms

Reishi mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum), also known as the “Mushroom of Immortality”, seem like they’ve come straight out of an apothecary in a witch’s cottage somewhere deep in a forest. Why? Because they’ve got these beautiful, shiny, reddish-brown caps that look almost like they’ve been lacquered, and they grow in little shelves off the sides of trees. They’re pretty magical looking.

The word “reishi” is Japanese (pronounced RAY-shee), in case you’re wondering, but they’re also known as “lingzhi” in Chinese. They both loosely translate to “Mushroom of Spiritual Potency”. Either “Mushroom of Immortality” or “Mushroom of Spiritual Potency” are pretty impressive nicknames for a mushroom, right?

Unlike maitakes, lion’s mane, shiitakes, and oysters, reishi isn’t really a mushroom that you’ll toss into a stir-fry or salad. These mushrooms are seriously BITTER. Like, “who decided eating this was a good idea?” type of bitter, you know what I mean? They’re woody and tough, too (which isn’t pleasant to try to chew on but no judgment if you like that sort of thing). But, they can be dried and made into teas, powders, and tinctures. So, what I’m saying is that reishi mushrooms really are NOT a culinary mushroom.

One way to use dried reishi for all of its health benefits (which we’re getting to next), is to simmer pieces in water for a long time to make a strong tea or decoction. But, I strongly recommend that you add in things like ginger, cinnamon, or even a little maple syrup to make it a bit more, well… easy on the taste buds. You can also try grinding some dried reishi into a fine powder and add it to your coffee, cacao, or other herbal preparations (like an electuary).

But, reishi isn’t bitter for “shits and giggles”. These partners bring some serious health boosts to us. Like most mushrooms, they contain beta-glucans and other compounds called triterpenes. (Triterpenes are being studied for their effects on the immune system and inflammatory pathways.) Reishi has been traditionally used to support immune health, cardiovascular health, liver function (because it’s definitely a bitter), and the body’s ability to adapt to stress (making it an adaptogen). Reishi is known as one of the most reached-for adaptogens along with ginseng. While the herbalism world already knows that reishi is a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, along with having neuroprotective properties, the scientific world is still researching this. They’ll eventually catch up (wink, wink).

Also, just because it’s nicknamed the “Mushroom of Immortality”, don’t go thinking that reishi is going to make you an immortal (cue Highlander theme song here). Because, sadly, it won’t. Or not sadly. I have no idea on how, you the reader, feels about physical immortality so you do you. But, what this mushroom can offer you is a boost to your health and well-being in many ways.

There are several species that are called reishi, so the one you can spot while hiking or foraging will depend on where you are in the world. Reishi mushrooms will usually grow on hardwood trees, particularly dead or dying trees and old stumps. You know, like most mushrooms. Depending on the species, you can find them growing on trees like maple, oak, beech, and other hardwoods. But there’s a large difference between reishi mushrooms and the mushrooms that we’ve discussed up until now. These mushrooms prefer warm, humid environments and are most commonly found during the warmer months. Exactly when they actually “fruit”, though, depends entirely on where you live. So, if you’re looking to spot some, bear that in mind. I recently was able to find some growing off a forest trail a few weeks back and it was beautiful! Look for shiny, shelf mushrooms. As they mature, their caps may develop a beautiful reddish-brown color with a pale white edge.

Even though there are several of the species that can look incredibly similar, none are known to be toxic. But, once again, here comes my usual warning. Please find yourself a local, professional, and experienced mushroom forager to learn with before harvesting wild mushrooms. And, if you’re not the foraging type, that’s ok because reishi is so commonly “farmed”, you can easily buy some from a reputable grower or buy yourself your own farming kit to grow at home. I recommend looking at Far West Fungi for this (https://farwestfungi.com/products/mushroom-spawn-plugs)

And now, for the witchcraft side of reishi mushrooms! Reishi is an amazing partner for so many things in your practice! Use them in magic involving longevity, protection, wisdom, healing, spiritual strength, and resilience. With its traditional association with immortality and spiritual potency, work with it when you’re trying to strengthen your connection to your own inner wisdom or to ancestral and spiritual energies. Because of its slow growth and incredibly tough, woody texture, it also makes it a great choice to do workings for patience and endurance. Use it in transformational and liminal work (just like the other mushrooms because it straddles death and life). Are you moving through a longterm change and need a boost to your strength to keep moving through it? Add some reishi to your workings or ritual. If you’re looking to improve spiritual boundaries and to create a stronger energy foundation, reishi mushrooms can help you with that as well.

Have you ever tried reishi tea or tincture, or have you ever found one growing in the wild?

Next week, we’ll be discussing Cordyceps mushrooms.