1. What are Reishi mushrooms?
"Reishi (霊芝)" is the Japanese name for Ganoderma fungi, Lingzhi (Chinese name) and is said to have been in existence on the earth for many thousands of years ago. Its scientific name is "Ganoderma lucidum." 　　
In China, the character "芝" represents "mushroom" and literally translates to "spiritual and mystical mushroom" or "miracle-working mushroom."
China's ancient book, "Materia Medica of Deity of Agriculture" (circa 500), classifies 365 varieties of natural products as high rank/middle rank/low rank and Reishi mushrooms are included in the high rank which is defined as, "a product that improves health and harmless regardless of the amount consumed."
In Japan, the Reishi mushroom appears in writings such as "Chronicles of Japan" (720) and "Honzo Wamyo" (918), and is called various names, including, "芝草 (shibakusa meaning mushroom plant)", "仙草 (senso meaning "immortality plant")", "吉祥茸 (kissho dake)", and "幸茸 (saiwai-take meaning "happiness mushroom")."
2. How many types of Reishi mushrooms are there?
According to the original Chinese herbal medicine books, "Materia Medica of Deity of Agriculture" and "Bencao Gangmu" (approx. 400 years old), there are 6 types of Reishi mushrooms. However, its growing location expands across a wide variety of regions from tropical areas to high mountains and it also comes in a many shapes and forms, thus implicating that these 6 types were the red, black, purple, yellow, blue, and white mushrooms which were found relatively frequently by man.
3. Are Reishi mushrooms safe?
As shown in its classification as "high rank" in "Materia Medica of Deity of Agriculture," food safety has been recognized for thousands of years of consumption.
The "Botanical Safety Handbook" issued by the American Herbal Products Association, classifies approximately 650 types of herbs based on safety. The Reishi mushroom has been assessed as an extremely safe food as indicated by its Class 1 classification (can be consumed safely when used appropriately).
4. What is the difference between the natural product and the cultivated product?
Reishi mushrooms are annuals and if the mushroom is not harvested when it contains many valuable ingredients, those ingredients are lost due to exposure to wind and rain.
Finding natural Reishi mushrooms during the peak harvest season is extremely difficult and cultivated products are considered to be superior in terms of stable quality and yield.
Techniques established in Japan regarding artificial cultivation of Reishi mushrooms have spread worldwide, significantly contributing to the expansion of the Reishi mushroom industry.
5. When is the most effective time to consume Reishi mushrooms? What is the most effective way of consumption?
Unlike medication, there is no set time to take Reishi mushrooms (e.g. after a meal or between meals). Please enjoy them as a dietary supplement.
Take with large quantities of water or hot water as possible.
6. What are the benefits of Reishi mushrooms?
From long ago, Reishi mushrooms have been used for many purposes in both China and Japan and are considered to have many medicinal benefits.
Cultured cell and animal studies have reported anticancer benefits, immunostimulatory activity, and platelet coagulation effects, but clinical human testing is still limited.
7. I am taking antihypertensive drugs prescribed by my hospital. Can I still take Reishi mushrooms, is it safe?
Persons on prescription drugs, or those regularly visiting the hospital, and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, should consult their doctor prior to taking Reishi mushrooms.
8. Should Reishi mushrooms be stored in the refrigerator after opening?
Areas with high temperature or direct sunlight should be avoided. Store in a low humidity environment.
Take care when removing from the refrigerator since dew condensation may form on solid types.
9. Are Reishi mushrooms available as a pharmaceutical product?
In Japan, the Reishi mushroom is handled as a food item rather than a pharmaceutical product. There are also no prescriptions of Chinese herbal medicine which contain Reishi mushrooms.
Internationally however, some countries view Reishi mushrooms as a pharmaceutical product.
10. If I experience any health damage due to taking Reishi mushrooms, what should I do?
In the event you experience any physical abnormality, immediately discontinue use and visit a medical institution or health center.
11. Where are Reishi Mushrooms cultivated in Japan?
As of the previous harvest in autumn 2010, our members had cultivated Reishi Mushrooms with housed in Hokkaido, Aomori, Akita, Gunma, Kanagawa, Nagano prefectures.
12. Are Reishi Mushrooms contaminated with the radioactivity by the accident of Fukushima Nuclear Power Station?
The existing Reishi Mushrooms were already harvested in autumn 2010 and not affected by the accident of Fukushima Nuclear Power Station.
Because all of our members cultivate Reishi Mushrooms with housed, their products are normally difficult to be affected by the natural radiation.