Meet the Plants: Reishi
The Spirit Mushroom of Vitality & Wisdom
It’s not just in autumn that Reishi calls to me, spring brings her too, gleaming like varnished mahogany on rain-slick logs in the forest. I just harvested some yesterday, her curved caps catching the light beneath maples and hemlocks. Whether it’s spring or fall, her presence brings a stillness, a reverence. Reishi isn’t loud, but she is unmistakable. She first entered my apothecary years ago, and has been a grounding, wise ally ever since, offering resilience, clarity and quiet strength through every season.
A Glimpse into Her History
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum and other species) has been honored in Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years as Ling Zhi “Spirit Plant” or “Mushroom of Immortality.” Taoist monks believed she nourished Shen, the spirit of the heart, supporting longevity and serenity. In Japan, she’s known as mannentake, or “10,000 year mushroom,” and was once reserved for emperors and the elite. A symbol of spiritual awakening, Reishi has long been painted into temple art and embroidered into robes as a charm for vitality and protection.
“Ling Zhi whispers of stillness in the storm and strength rooted in softness.”
Botanical & Medicinal Profile
· Latin Name: Ganoderma lucidum, G. tsugae, and related species
· Parts Used: Fruiting body (fresh or dried), occasionally mycelium
· Taste: Bitter, earthy, woodsy
· Energetics: Slightly warming, mildly drying
· Properties:
o Adaptogen
o Immunomodulator
o Hepatoprotective
o Cardiovascular tonic
o Nervine
o Anti-inflammatory
o Antioxidant
o Shen tonic (TCM: calms spirit, nourishes heart)
Herbal & Traditional Uses
· Internal:
o Strengthens immune function and balance
o Nourishes liver, heart, and adrenals
o Calms anxiety, supports restful sleep
o Long-term support for chronic stress and fatigue
· Traditional systems:
o TCM: Calms Shen, nourishes Heart and Liver
o Japanese Kampo: Used for bronchial health, liver protection, and fatigue
o Western Herbalism: Valued for nervous system support, adaptogenic resilience
· Energetic/spiritual:
o Grounds and nourishes the spirit
o Calms fear, anxiety, and overthinking
o Offers psychic protection and dream clarity
· Common preparations:
o Dual-extraction tincture
o Long-simmered decoction
o Infused honey or vinegar
o Powder (in capsules, lattes, or blends)
o Broth or culinary infusion
Why I Work With Reishi
Reishi is woven throughout my offerings in both body and spirit formulations. She stars in my Reishi Tincture, prepared as a dual extract to honor both her water and alcohol soluble gifts. You’ll also find her enriching my Rosemary Nettle Shampoo Bar, Irish Stout & Reishi Shampoo Bar, and Woodland Alchemy Shampoo Bar (formerly Chagachooli), where she offers deep scalp support and energetic resilience. I also offer dried Reishi slices ready to be brewed into tea, broth or your own tinctures. Working with her is a sacred act, slow, mindful, and powerful. Her medicine is not in haste, but in the long, steady tending.
This last harvest covered me in a fine coat of spore dust, head to toe. I wiped it from the caps before slicing, but Reishi had already marked me. Her medicine isn’t just in the tincture or tea, it’s in the gathering, the hands-on quiet, the way she insists you slow down and pay attention.
Myth vs. Truth / Safety Notes
· Works best over time, not for acute use
· May interact with anticoagulants or immunosuppressants
· Can cause dryness or digestive upset in large doses, start slow
· Best used in properly prepared extracts (tea, tincture, or decoction) not eaten whole
· Always source ethically and ensure proper species ID
Recipes & Formulas: Simple Ways to Work with Reishi
Reishi Tea (Decoction)Simmer 1-2 slices in 3-4 cups water for 1-2 hours. Add ginger, cinnamon, or orange peel if desired. Strain and sip to support immunity, stress response, and sleep.
Reishi Infused Honey
Combine finely chopped Reishi and raw honey in a jar (¼ jar Reishi, rest honey). Let steep 2- 4 weeks. Use in tea or take by the spoonful.
Reishi Broth Base
Add slices to broth or soup stock with astragalus, seaweed, or root veggies. Simmer and strain. Freeze leftovers as cubes for easy use.
Reishi Vinegar
Cover chopped Reishi with raw apple cider vinegar. Steep 4-6 weeks. Strain and use as a mineral rich tonic or in salad dressings.
Reishi Sleep Elixir
Blend Reishi tincture with passionflower and tart cherry juice for a nightly dropper dose. Optional: sweeten with a bit of honey.
Working with the Plant Spirit
Reishi meets you where you are, whether you’re unraveling or rebuilding. She anchors the breath and nourishes the heart. Keep a piece on your nightstand or sip her tea before journaling or bedtime. Her energy is slow medicine for the soul.
Final Thoughts
Reishi reminds me that healing is not a race, but a rhythm. Her presence is one of quiet power and enduring grace. I feel blessed to harvest her in both spring and fall and to share her through offerings that nourish both body and spirit. For those drawn to her medicine, I offer a selection of Reishi-infused creations, each a quiet reflection of her enduring spirit..
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🌿 Image Use Notice
Many of the images on this blog are my own original photography, taken during my herbal work and seasonal wanderings. Others are drawn from a licensed image library. All photos are shared here for inspiration and education only, please do not copy, download, or reuse any images without written permission. Thank you for honoring the time, energy, and spirit woven into this space.