Why do people take reishi mushroom?

Reishi mushroom has been used to help enhance the immune system, reduce stress, improve sleep, and lessen fatigue. People also take reishi mushroom for health conditions such as:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Cardiovascular disease
• Liver or kidney disease
• Respiratory diseases (such as asthma)
• Viral infections (such as the flu)
• HIV/AIDS
• Cancer and support during chemotherapy
• Pain during and after a shingles outbreak
• Building strength and stamina
• Fatigue

There is some scientific evidence of its effectiveness, including lab research and some small human studies. Researchers are beginning to look at the chemical makeup of this mushroom to better understand how and whether it really works for each of these conditions. Doses may depend upon factors that include:

• Your age
• Condition for which the mushroom is being prescribed
• Form of the mushroom
• Your overall health

But each of these is a typical oral daily dose:

• 1.5 to 9 grams of crude dried mushroom
• 1 to 1.5 grams of reishi powder
• 1 milliliter of reishi solution (tincture)