Reishi Mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) is known as the ‘chillax’ mushrooms

Reishi is best known for its ability to help you to feel calm. It may also help the body and mind prepare for rest and to rest more deeply.

The triterpenes found in reishi have been linked to stress reduction and relaxation. By interacting with the central nervous system, these compounds may help alleviate anxiety and improve mood.

Used for hundreds of years

Also known as ‘Ganoderma lucidum’, this ancient mushroom’s history spans thousands of years, with its roots deeply embedded in traditional Chinese medicine. Known as the ‘Mushroom of Immortality’ and the ‘Herb of Spiritual Potency’, ancient texts reveal its use by emperors, scholars, and sages seeking balance and harmony in both body and mind.

Reishi mushroom is an incredible gift from nature that can help to promote calm and a better night’s rest – and science is only just starting to uncover the incredible benefits contained in this special mushroom.

We take our guidance from nature – she is the one who created this incredible mushroom in the first place.

The 4 things you should consider as a first time buyer of Reishi mushroom:

1. Is it a whole food or an extract?
2. Concerns about heavy metals/pollution
3. How is it dried?
4. Does it include the mycelium?

1. Is it a whole food or an extract?

Let’s break down what an “extract” is. You take a plant or a mushroom and extract one or two compounds and then suspend those compounds in water or alcohol. This is how you take a solid (ie: a Reishi mushroom) and make it into a liquid.

Whilst this is cheap to produce, it doesn’t contain the full spectrum of benefits contained within the mushroom. I’m pretty sure we can’t even identify half the active compounds in Reishi… let alone extract them!

Over thousands of years, this incredible mushroom has evolved to the super food it is today. To me it is a little arrogant to think we can improve on that further by adding alcohol/water.

What is more, both humans and the mushrooms have evolved together meaning our bodies recognise the mushroom as food. Once you isolate certain compounds it is no longer as readily recognisable by the human body.

That’s why we prefer a whole food Reishi mushroom supplement. Something that contains the full spectrum of nutrients, vitamins and active compounds (even if we can’t yet identify what half of them are!)

2. Concerns about heavy metals/pollution

Mushrooms are super absorbent. If you ever go out foraging with an experienced person, you will notice they never harvest from the side of the road.

Why?

Because the mushrooms will most likely absorb the pollution from the passing cars. They can also absorb heavy metals from the water.

We wouldn’t feel comfortable eating an imported mushroom, so we won’t sell them when there is Australian grown readily available.

Even if it is “certified organic” we would still be dubious about the growing methods and quality of the water.

Australia has a reputation for the best clean air and clean water on the planet… it’s a no brainer for me.

3. How is it dried?

Fresh is always best. No matter what you are drying there is always some nutrient loss in the drying process. Our aim is to deliver our mushrooms as close to “fresh” as possible.

How do we do this?

With a technology known as freeze drying. Freeze drying very quickly takes the mushroom to -65 degrees celsius because it happens so quick it minimises nutrient loss dramatically compared to other drying methods. It’s “snap” dried.

Freeze drying is (almost) nutritionally equivalent to eating the mushroom fresh. 

It’s a very expensive process but one that we think is well worth the extra cost.

4. Does it include the mycelium?

Have you heard the claim “mycelium is just filler”? It’s an interesting claim and we are yet to see any evidence that it is true.

The mycelium contains a whole lot of the benefits contained in the mushroom. Just like the roots of other plant materials (think valerian root, ashwagandha root, etc).

It becomes obvious that mycelium is not a filler if you do some research… so why do sellers of imported mushroom extracts still insist that it is? Because the farms they buy from overseas don’t bother with the hassle of incorporating mycelium into the finished product.

The 4 reasons our Reishi works

Our Reishi is 100% Australian Grown and organic.

We freeze dry our mushrooms:  Our unique drying process is (almost) the nutritional equivalent to eating the mushroom fresh.

We use the whole mushroom, which contains the whole spectrum of nutrients, vitamins and compounds found in nature.

We include the mycelium: The ‘roots’ of the mushroom great for gut health + contains active compounds not found in the fruiting body

Reishi’s ability to help calm the mind and relax the body make it a fantastic super food to take at night, promoting deeper and more unbroken rest. Take after dinner to experience its calming benefits before bed.

Why not try our Relaxing Reishi Chai recipe to help yourself wind down?

No! It is the whole Reishi fruiting body + mycelium with traces of the growing medium (organic brown rice) which cannot be separated completely from the mycelium.

The mycelium (the “roots” of the mushroom) provides a range of gut health benefits and active compounds not found in the fruiting body. The fermented rice is a powerful probiotic.

Grown Organically in Australia

Originally found in the dense, humid forests of Asia, our Australian grown Reishi is grown right here in Australia.

Reishi typically grows on logs of hardwood trees, although we use certified organic brown rice as its substrate, where its mycelium develops over several months before the distinctive cap begins to emerge. Patience is key in cultivating reishi, as it can take up to a year for the mushroom to reach maturity.

Mushrooms are nature’s sponges

Mushrooms will absorb any heavy metals and pollutants in the air or water, so it’s incredibly important that they’re grown in a clean environment. We grow our Lion’s Mane right here in Australia, to the highest certified organic standards, to ensure it’s the best quality on the planet.

Unlike processed foods & extracts that are stripped of their natural goodness, whole foods retain their complete nutritional profiles, boasting a rich array of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and active compounds.

With their unparalleled ability to promote vibrant health, whole foods stand as the unrivalled champions of nutrition, offering us a safer and more varied amount of benefits than an extract.

Recent studies have found that there is a lot more benefit to Reishi supplements than just the beta-glucans.

This is why it best to always choose a full-spectrum, whole food mushroom product to ensure you get the full range of benefits (not just the beta-glucans).

There is no difference in terms of benefits but some people find capsules to be more convenient. Whichever you choose, start with half the recommended amount to let your body get used to it.