Reishi Mushroom
What is it?
Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) is a bitter-tasting fungus with no proven health benefits. It is thought to have some effects on the immune system.
Reishi mushroom is used for Alzheimer disease, cancer, diabetes, cold sores, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Is it effective?
Possibly Ineffective for …
- High levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood (hyperlipidemia). Taking reishi mushroom by mouth doesn’t seem to lower cholesterol levels in people with diabetes or high cholesterol.
There is interest in using reishi mushroom for a number of other purposes, but there isn’t enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Is there concern for the safety of its use?
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn’t enough reliable information to know if reishi mushroom is safe to use when pregnant or breast feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Bleeding disorders: High doses of reishi mushroom might increase the risk of bleeding in some people with certain bleeding disorders.
Surgery: High doses of reishi mushroom might increase the risk of bleeding in some people if used before or during surgery. Stop using reishi mushroom at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Are there any drug interactions?
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Reishi mushroom might lower blood sugar levels. Taking reishi mushroom along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Reishi mushroom might lower blood pressure. Taking reishi mushroom along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low. Monitor your blood pressure closely.
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Reishi mushroom might slow blood clotting. Taking reishi mushroom along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Are there any interactions with herbs and supplements?
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Reishi mushroom might lower blood sugar. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might lower blood sugar too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include aloe, bitter melon, cassia cinnamon, chromium, and prickly pear cactus.
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: Reishi mushroom might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include garlic, ginger, ginkgo, nattokinase, and Panax ginseng.
Are there any interactions with food?
What dose is used?
By what other names is the product known?
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