Reishi Tea

Also Known As: Reishi Mushroom Tea, Ganoderma Lucidum, lingzhi, Ling Zhi, and Red Reishi

The Reishi Mushroom is a tree fungus that grows in six different colors. These colors are red, black, blue, white, yellow and purple.

The red mushrooms are believed to have the most powerful healing qualities and are the ones commonly used to make Reishi Tea.

What is Reishi Tea? Reishi Tea is made from the fresh or dried reishi mushroom.

Reishi Tea Preparation:

From fresh Reishi Musroom:

• Take one Reishi mushroom and soak overnight.

If the hard husk is covered with a powder, do not wash it off as this has strong healing properties. Because of the hard husk, you need to soak the mushroom to soften it.

Alternatively, you can put the mushroom in a pot and simmer it for four to six hours.

Do not use an aluminum pan to soak, boil, or simmer the mushroom. Do not boil the fresh mushroom at this step. Simmer only.

• After the mushroom has simmered for over four hours, cool, then cut into small pieces.
• Add the pieces to two quarts of water and slow boil for one or two hours. Use a lid while boiling.

When the tea is ready add honey or sweet fruit juice to taste.

This one pot of tea should last five days and must be stored in the refrigerator. Leave mushroom pieces in the tea to consume. Start with one tablespoon of the tea a day to test for allergic reactions. Add more until you are drinking an ounce or two each morning and night.

From Dried Reishi Mushroom:

• Take 5 grams of dried Reishi Mushroom and add to 8 oz boiling water.
• Boil mixture between 5 and 10 minutes, then turn down and simmer for 2 to 3 hours.
• Strain with cheesecloth or metal strainer and sweeten with honey or sweet fruit juice to taste.

As above, start with one tablespoon of the tea a day to test for allergic reactions. Add more until you are drinking an ounce or two each morning and night.

Home Remedies Using Reishi Tea:

Benefits of Reishi Tea:

Reishi mushrooms have long been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a tonic treatment used to revitalize those who suffered from a long-term illness. It was also used to treat for bronchial asthma, coronary heart disease, depression, dizziness, hay fever, impotence, insomnia, and stomach ulcers.

Today Reishi Tea is used to treat nervous tension, neurosis, and to increase blood circulation. As a general tonic it is believed to promote vitality while it balances blood pressure, cleans the blood, stimulates liver actions, and helps the body fight the effects of aging and stress. It is effective against bronchitis, has anti-inflammatory effects, and has antioxidant properties that work against free radicals.

Reishi tea is often recommended as a treatment against the effects of radiation. It is often utilized in the treatment of cancer patients. Reishi is believed to reinforce the membrane of cancerous cells, thereby impeding the spread of these cells.

Reishi Mushroom tea may also increase the production of interferon, helping cells fight viral infections and tumors while stimulating the immune system. Reishi tea can relax skeletal muscles, calm the central nervous system, and fight against the stimulating effects of caffeine and possibly other stimulants.

Reishi Tea may also relieve cough and asthma, promote restful sleep and relaxation, and provide cell nutrition which can delay the aging process. It may benefit those who suffer from diabetes, skin allergy and duodenal ulcers, as well as work against acute and chronic hepatitis. Reishi Tea is used in the treatment of heart disease, lowering cholesterol and preventing arteriosclerosis.

One recent study on Reishi Mushroom in New Zealand showed, “A combination of Reishi and Cordyceps extracts had beneficial effects on the quality of life for some advanced cancer patients. Researchers believe that a mixture of the active ingredients from different mushrooms maximizes the immune response by providing multiple stimuli to the body's natural defenses.”

Side Effects of Reishi Tea:

Reishi Mushroom tea is generally considered safe as the mushroom has been used as food for thousands of years. Watch for allergic reaction.

Rare possible side effects from Reishi Mushroom Extract include dizziness, dry mouth, upset stomach, nose bleed, sore bones, gastrointestinal distress or irritated skin.

Do not overuse the tea and take more than recommended.

If you are using blood thinning drugs like aspirin or Warfarin, do not use Reishi Tea as it may intensify the effect of these drugs.