Ganoderma lucidum

In Japanese, the name refers to the “ancient goddess of health, life and eternal youth” — it is also called the divine mushroom or the mushroom of immortality. In China it has been used as medicine for more than 4,000 years.

Taste: bitter and earthy

How it's used: steeped as tea, brewed into beverages, or added to soup

Potential benefits:

• Improve mental health and mood disorders 
• Reduce the risk of neurological disorders and heart disease 
• May help fight cancer and decrease tumor size 
• Fight against fatigue 
• May lower blood sugar levels
• Helps your body adopt to new environments or climates 
• Increase antioxidants, preventing damage to your cells 
• Help decrease chronic inflammation 
• Improve metabolism and manage weight 
• Boost immune system and gut health

Supporters say Reishi mushrooms may be helpful for a range of health conditions, such as:

• Alzheimer’s disease 
• Anxiety 
• Arthritis
• Cancer 
• Depression 
• Diabetes 
• Fibromyalgia 
• Heart disease 
• High cholesterol 
• Inflammation 
• Obesity

How to prepare it:

1. Slice or cut the mushrooms diagonally into smaller pieces.
2. Put them in a clean pot and cover with filtered water. The more water you use, the more diluted the brew becomes. One ounce of Reishi works well with 2–3 quarts of water, and the mixture may reduce to about a quart after cooking.
3. Simmer over low to medium heat for 3 hours, or as long as a full day. When the mushrooms sink to the bottom of the pot, the brew is ready. You can also let it cook slowly in a crock pot for up to a whole day.
4. Because the taste can be bitter, you can add thinly sliced fresh ginger, orange peel, honey or agave nectar during the last 15 minutes of cooking. It is equally good served plain.
5. Let the tea cool. The plain infused water can also be used as a soup base or added to your coffee. A little goes a long way. It is best enjoyed first thing in the morning, with food or on an empty stomach. Effects vary from person to person — you may notice a difference almost immediately or after up to two weeks of daily use.

Recipe ideas: soup, coffee, and tea (plain, or with ginger, orange peel and honey/agave nectar)

Disclaimer: These products are not intended to cure, diagnose, prevent, or treat any disease or cancer. The information here is not a substitute for individual medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; they have, however, been researched by scientists and scholars.