Reishi mushroom
Reishi is the polypore fungus Ganoderma lucidum (much commercial material is the closely related Ganoderma lingzhi), cultivated mainly in China on logs or sawdust substrate. It is sold as dried fruiting body slices and powder, hot-water or dual (water and ethanol) extracts, mycelium grown on grain, and spore powder or spore oil. Extracts are specified by beta-glucans or polysaccharides and sometimes triterpenes.
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Dried, milled fruiting body; not extracted and largely insoluble.
Fruiting body extracted in hot water and dried, sold on beta-glucans or polysaccharides.
Combined water and ethanol extracts, sold on beta-glucans and triterpenes.
Mycelium grown on rice or oats and dried with the substrate, so much of the powder is grain starch.
Collected spores, sold whole or shell-broken, and oil extracted from them.
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
Keep powders and extracts sealed, cool and dry; hot-water extracts are hygroscopic and cake once opened. Spore oil goes in full, closed, light-blocking containers. Shelf life or retest date comes from the supplier.
Beta-glucan, starch and triterpene levels change with species, substrate, part used and extraction. Record part (fruiting body, mycelium, spore), extraction type and supplier lot, and compare lots on the same assay.
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
Health Canada's natural health product monograph for mushrooms lists Ganoderma lucidum (reishi) cultured mycelium, fruiting body and mycelium as dried source material.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)The EU Novel Food status Catalogue (entry POL-NF-00372) lists Ganoderma lucidum fruiting body and aqueous extract powder as not novel in food, and dehydrated mycelium powder as a novel food not yet authorised.
Source: ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)GRN 413, for beta-glucans derived from Ganoderma lucidum mycelium notified by Super Beta Glucan, Inc., closed in Aug 2012 with FDA having no questions; it covers that notifier's substance and intended uses.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
Manufacturer · San Jose, CA
Draco Natural Products is a San Jose, California, maker of powdered botanical and mushroom extracts, including certified organic and traditional Chinese herb extracts, with an office in Shanghai.
Distributor · Eugene, OR
Mountain Rose Herbs is an Oregon seller of organic and wild-harvested bulk herbs, spices, mushrooms and seaweeds, with a wholesale program for businesses alongside its retail shop.
Manufacturer · Rouen, France
Nexira is a French family-owned maker of acacia gum, other natural gums and plant extract powders, including acerola, baobab, guarana, ginseng and mushroom extracts, for food, drink and supplement companies.
Suppliers are in alphabetical order and none pays to appear. Each claim is checked against the supplier’s own website on the date shown. Ask for the specification sheet and a recent COA before you order, and confirm details with the supplier.
Common forms include fruiting body powder, hot-water extract, dual extract, mycelium on grain and spore powder and spore oil. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
Expect beta-glucans (enzymatic), polysaccharides, triterpenes, identity, heavy metals and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
Keep powders and extracts sealed, cool and dry; hot-water extracts are hygroscopic and cake once opened. Spore oil goes in full, closed, light-blocking containers. Shelf life or retest date comes from the supplier.
Health Canada's natural health product monograph for mushrooms lists Ganoderma lucidum (reishi) cultured mycelium, fruiting body and mycelium as dried source material. The EU Novel Food status Catalogue (entry POL-NF-00372) lists Ganoderma lucidum fruiting body and aqueous extract powder as not novel in food, and dehydrated mycelium powder as a novel food not yet authorised. GRN 413, for beta-glucans derived from Ganoderma lucidum mycelium notified by Super Beta Glucan, Inc., closed in Aug 2012 with FDA having no questions; it covers that notifier's substance and intended uses.
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