Adaptogen Profile: What is Reishi Mushroom?

Posted June 6, 2019

Updated September 08, 2025

Article written by Rhiannon Lytle

Originally a staple in Eastern medicine, reishi has been used as a medicinal mushroom for over 2,000 years (1) to help balance the many systems of the body. Found mainly in Japanese, Korean and Chinese forests, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners use reishi mushroom to strengthen their patients’ Qi, meaning life force energy. This particular fungus is a nutritional powerhouse due to its high content of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and anti-stress properties. As an adaptogen, reishi helps reverse the harmful effects caused by stress, and instead helps the body adapt to the challenges presented. That’s right: this mushroom can help to not only balance your physical body, but it may also improve your emotional resiliency and well-being. Reishi mushroom

Here’s how reishi mushroom can help you on your path to wellness:

1. Modulates the Immune System

Due to its immune-boosting properties, such as polysaccharides, antioxidants, and beta-glucans, reishi can help ward off viruses, bacteria, and even cancer cells. It can also help regulate an overactive immune system for those suffering with autoimmune diseases, allergies and sensitivities to bring the system back into a state of harmony.

2. Helps reduce anxiety

Reishi improves the functioning of the adrenal glands, which are responsible for releasing cortisol and other stress hormones. Improved adrenal health helps calm the mind, ease anxiety, and improve overall emotional well-being and resiliency.

3. Supports improved sleep

When consumed regularly, reishi can help to support the body’s sleep cycles. By balancing stress hormones, the mushrooms help to produce a relaxing effect for the mind and body

4. Helps balance androgen hormones

Excess androgens, which are male sex hormones, can contribute to low sex drive, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), and reproductive cancers. Reishi also helps support the liver, which aids in detoxification and metabolization of excess hormones.