Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is a glossy, reddish-brown mushroom that grows on hardwood trees. Known as lingzhi in China and used there for more than 2,000 years, it's one of the most famous mushrooms in East Asian tradition. It's far too hard and woody to eat fresh, so it's traditionally simmered into a tea or dried and milled into powder. This guide explains what reishi powder is and how to use it.

What is reishi mushroom powder?

Reishi mushroom powder is made by drying the mushroom and grinding it into a fine, light-brown powder. Because the whole mushroom is tough and woody, the powder doesn't fully dissolve in liquid and a little sediment at the bottom of the cup is normal.

What does reishi taste like?

Very bitter, woody and earthy. Reishi is much more bitter than lion's mane or chaga, so it works best in strong-flavoured drinks and recipes, or with something sweet.

How to use reishi mushroom powder

Start with a small amount and follow the serving suggestion on your pack.

• Reishi tea: stir into just-boiled water, leave to steep for 5 to 10 minutes and add honey, ginger or lemon. For a stronger brew, simmer gently in a pan for 15 to 20 minutes and strain.
• In coffee: stir a little into your morning coffee; the roasted flavour hides the bitterness well.
• Hot chocolate: whisk into warm milk with cacao and a sweetener. Cacao is one of the best partners for reishi.
• Chai latte: add to a spiced chai with warm milk and honey.
• Savoury broth: stir into stock with miso, garlic and ginger.
• Smoothies and bliss balls: blend with banana, dates, cacao or nut butter.

What to look for when buying reishi powder

• What's on the label: check whether it's the whole fruiting body (the mushroom itself), mycelium, or an extract, as these are different products.
• Organic certification: look for a certification logo if organic matters to you.
• Ingredients: a good reishi powder should list reishi and nothing else, with no added fillers.

Reishi vs other mushroom powders

Lion's mane is milder and slightly sweet, chaga is earthy with a hint of vanilla, and turkey tail is earthy and mildly bitter. Reishi is the most bitter of the four, so if you're new to mushroom powders you may prefer to start with lion's mane. For recipes, see how to take lion's mane powder and how to use turkey tail powder.

Who should avoid reishi?

Reishi isn't suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or for children. Speak to your GP or pharmacist before using it if you take any medication, especially for blood pressure, blood thinning or diabetes, if you have a bleeding disorder or a liver condition, or if you're due to have surgery. Don't use it if you've ever reacted to mushrooms, don't exceed the serving suggestion, and stop if you feel unwell.

How to store it

Keep the pouch sealed in a cool, dry place away from sunlight, and use a dry spoon each time.

Shop our Organic Reishi Mushroom Powder, or browse all our mushroom powders.