In the Orient, the Far Eastern countries of Japan and China, mushrooms are a vital part of the material medica, the plant medicines. The Eastern way of treating disease with herbs and mushrooms is ancient and dates back over 10,000 years. Healing formulations have been passed down through the ages from teacher to student. These formulations treated emperor and peasant alike. Today, acupuncturists and practitioners of Eastern medicine the world over prescribe mushrooms in the treatment of cancer. Medicinal mushrooms, including the Reishi, are deemed the highest class of medicines in traditional eastern modalities.

Traditional Chinese Medicine is over 4000 years old. The Ling Chi mushroom, also known as the Reishi mushroom, is perhaps one of the most famous and common medicinal mushrooms for cancer. This mushroom goes by many different names. The latin, Ganoderma lucidum is most recognizable and scientifically appropriate. The Reishi is also known as Ling Zhi and Varnished Conk. Recorded historical uses of this mushroom in healing go back 2000 years. Reishi is often found in paintings and carvings because of the medicinal importance and folklore surrounding this mystical, medicinal mushroom. China’s famous natural history book, the Ben Cao Gang Mu, written in 1578 states "continued use of the Ling Zhi will lighten weight and increase longevity".

Reishi is one of the primary mushrooms for cancer in eastern medicine. Historically, Ling Chi has been used as a fortifying medicinal herb in tea. The mushroom grows on dead or dying hardwood trees, especially maple and oak, throughout North America and across Asia. Reishi is a polypore, meaning "many pores" and is a shelf mushroom. The fruiting body is hard, not soft like a gilled mushroom. Today, Reishi is cultivated for use in natural medicine. The whole mushrooms may be broken up into small bits, chopped, or powdered and added to hot tea. Below is a recipe for a strong infusion of Reishi mushroom. It may be taken for detoxification, for energy, or as an alternative or compliment to traditional cancer therapies.

Reishi Mushroom Infusion

1oz. Reishi Mushrooms

32oz. Purified Water

Chop mushrooms in a coffee grinder and place in a glass quart jar. Add boiling water to the quart jar. Let steep four to eight hours. Strain out the mushrooms and discard. Drink 16oz. per day for a revitalizing health tonic. Discontinue use immediately if any adverse reactions occur.

As with most herbal remedies, it is important to use Reishi Tea for a sustained period of time to see benefits. For serious health conditions, drinking 16oz. of Reishi Tea everyday for two months is recommended. If it working for you and you notice decrease in symptoms, increase in energy, better immune system, etc…continue the 16oz. dosage. The anti-tumor properties of this fungi are powerful and it takes time for herbal medicines to be effective.

It is of the utmost importance to know the source of your medicinal mushrooms. Mushrooms absorb toxins. So medicinal mushrooms grown in environmentally compromised areas can be very dangerous. Experts suggest sourcing NO Reishi mushrooms from China. Whole Reishi mushrooms are available at herbal apothecaries and directly from Chinese Medicine practitioners. They may also be sourced online. Many companies are also offering Reishi Mushroom in the form of supplements. Powdered Reishi is put in capsule form and taken directly. To ensure your mushrooms are safe and free of heavy metals and toxins, know where they were grown and always buy organic when possible.

Scientific research shows that Reishi mushroom is anti-tumor, anti-microbial, immune-enhancing, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fatiguing. This mushroom has been used for thousands of years to impart longevity and increase energy and vitality. When it comes to finding great medicinal mushrooms for cancer, be sure to include Ganoderma lucidum, the great Reishi mushroom in your health protocol.