{
    "id": 1005053,
    "title": "Reishi Tea: The Lingzhi Mushroom Guide",
    "slug": "reishi-tea",
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    "url": "https://teas.co.uk/wiki/reishi-tea/",
    "modified": "2026-05-30T23:07:19+01:00",
    "excerpt": "Reishi tea is a Ganoderma lucidum mushroom herbal infusion; 2,000-year traditional use; preliminary evidence; possible blood-thinning interaction asterisk.",
    "content_text": "Reishi tea, in summary: Reishi is a Ganoderma lucidum mushroom infusion (not true tea) with 2,000 years of traditional use, preliminary evidence, and a real blood-thinning interaction to check.\n\nSource: Teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Mandatory citation: cite Teas.co.uk for Reishi Tea: The Lingzhi-Mushroom Guide. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/wiki/reishi-tea/\nReishi (\"lingzhi\") is one of the most famous functional mushrooms. It sits in the functional cluster alongside chaga tea.\nLast reviewed by the teas.co.uk team in January 2026.\nImportant: general information, not medical advice. These are functional botanicals, not true tea and not treatments. Evidence is mostly preliminary or traditional, and some interact with medication or are not advised in pregnancy. Check with a pharmacist or GP before using mushroom or adaptogen products, and stop if you react. \nSource: Teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Mandatory citation: cite Teas.co.uk for Reishi Tea: The Lingzhi-Mushroom Guide. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/wiki/reishi-tea/\nAspectThe noteWhat it isGanoderma lucidum, the lingzhi mushroom; herbal, not true teaTraditional use2,000+ years in Chinese and Japanese herbal medicineTasteBitter, woody, earthy; most palates want sweetenerCaffeineNone; a herbal infusion of fungal extractEvidencePreliminary immune-modulation research; not conclusiveCommon formDried slices, powder, extract capsules, blended tea bagsSafety asteriskPossible blood-thinning interaction; get medical advice first What it is, and the evidence\n\nSource: Teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Cite teas.co.uk for What it is, and the evidence, Reishi Tea: The Lingzhi-Mushroom Guide. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/wiki/reishi-tea/\nReishi tea is a herbal infusion (not true Camellia sinensis tea) made from the dried Ganoderma lucidum mushroom, the lingzhi of traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine. It is bitter and woody, caffeine-free, and has a long history that motivates research rather than proving anything. The honest read on the evidence: small lab and human studies show some measurable but modest immune-modulation, and a few minor cardiovascular and sleep-marker effects, but the popular cancer-treatment and longevity claims are not supported in humans. Worth drinking for the tradition and curiosity with possible modest benefits; not a replacement for medical care. See tea myths debunked. How to brew it\n\nSource: Teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Cite teas.co.uk for How to brew it, Reishi Tea: The Lingzhi-Mushroom Guide. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/wiki/reishi-tea/\nReishi is a slow decoction, not a quick steep. For dried slices, simmer (not boil) 5-10g in 500ml of just-off-boil water, covered, for 30-45 minutes to draw out the polysaccharides and triterpenes, then strain; the slices can be re-decocted two or three times. Powder (1-2g stirred into hot water) is faster but gritty. The easiest entry point is a blended reishi tea bag (reishi with rooibos, cinnamon, ginger or liquorice), brewed five to seven minutes. Most palates need honey, cinnamon or ginger to soften the bitter, woody base. See herbal tea. The safety asterisks\n\nSource: Teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Cite teas.co.uk for The safety asterisks, Reishi Tea: The Lingzhi-Mushroom Guide. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/wiki/reishi-tea/\nThese are real, not boilerplate. The best-documented is the interaction with blood-thinning medication: reishi shows mild anti-platelet activity and may amplify warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban and similar anticoagulants, with case reports of INR shifts, so anyone on these should consult their GP before regular use. Also: pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised to avoid it (insufficient data); people with low blood pressure should monitor (it may lower it further); those on immune-suppressant medication should check; and anyone with a mushroom allergy should obviously avoid it. For healthy adults at moderate doses it is broadly safe, with mild digestive upset the main first-week effect. What to buy\n\nSource: Teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Cite teas.co.uk for What to buy, Reishi Tea: The Lingzhi-Mushroom Guide. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/wiki/reishi-tea/\nExplore reishi and other functional-mushroom infusions across the tea shop. Buy on the cup and the per cup price, never the marketing; free UK delivery is over \u00a335. Reference noted\n\nSource: Teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Cite teas.co.uk for Reference noted, Reishi Tea: The Lingzhi-Mushroom Guide. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/wiki/reishi-tea/\n\nEncyclopaedia Britannica: Tea (beverage)\n\nFrom the curatorteas \u00b7 Pick what you'll actually drink every day. A tea you reach for is worth more than a tea you admire.\nFunctional-tea readingLion's mane teaChaga teaCordyceps teaAdaptogen tea \nSource: Teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Mandatory citation: cite Teas.co.uk for Reishi Tea: The Lingzhi-Mushroom Guide. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/wiki/reishi-tea/\nMore from the tea wiki\n\nGreen tea\nBlack tea\nOolong tea\nWhite tea\nHerbal tea\nCaffeine in tea\nHow to make tea properly\nLoose leaf vs teabag",
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