Reishi Mushroom for Cancer

Reishi Mushroom for Cancer: What It Is, How It May Help, and Safety

Authors

Nancy Hepp, MS

past Lead Researcher

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Ms. Hepp is a researcher and communicator who has been writing and editing educational content on varied health topics for more than 20 years. She serves as lead researcher and writer for CancerChoices and also served as the first program manager. Her graduate work in research and cognitive psychology, her master’s degree in instructional design, and her certificate in web design have all guided her in writing and presenting information for a wide variety of audiences and uses. Nancy’s service as faculty development coordinator in the Department of Family Medicine at Wright State University also provided experience in medical research, plus insights into medical education and medical care from the professional’s perspective.

Nancy Hepp, MS past Lead Researcher

Maria Williams

Research and Communications Consultant

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Maria Williams is a research and communications consultant who brings over 15 years’ experience in research, consumer education, and science communication to CancerChoices. She has worked primarily in public health and environmental health.

Maria Williams Research and Communications Consultant

Laura Pole, MSN, RN, OCNS

Senior Clinical Consultant

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Laura Pole is senior clinical consultant for CancerChoices. Laura is an oncology clinical nurse specialist who has been providing integrative oncology clinical care, navigation, consultation, and education services for over 40 years. She is the co-creator and co-coordinator of the Integrative Oncology Navigation Training at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts in Washington, DC. Laura also manages the “Media Watch Cancer News That You Can Use” listserv for Smith Center/Commonweal. In her role as a palliative care educator and consultant, Laura has served as statewide Respecting Choices Faculty for the Virginia POST (Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment) Collaborative as well as provided statewide professional education on palliative and end-of-life care for the Virginia Association for Hospices and Palliative Care.

For CancerChoices, Laura curates content and research, networks with clinical and organizational partners, brings awareness and education of integrative oncology at professional and patient conferences and programs, and translates research into information relevant to the patient experience as well as clinical practice.

Laura sees her work with CancerChoices as a perfect alignment of all her passions, knowledge and skills in integrative oncology care. She is honored to serve you.

Laura Pole, MSN, RN, OCNS Senior Clinical Consultant

Reviewer

Andrew Jackson, ND

Research Associate

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Andrew Jackson, ND, serves as a CancerChoices research associate. As a naturopathic physician practicing in Kirkland, Washington, he teaches critical evaluation of the medical literture at Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington. His great appreciation of scientific inquiry and the scientific process has led him to view research with a critical eye.

Andrew Jackson, ND Research Associate

Last update: March 16, 2026

Reishi mushroom for cancer: what you need to know

• Reishi, also known as lingzhi, is a medicinal mushroom available in dried form and as a supplement in capsules.
• Reishi mushroom shows early evidence for improving a clinical response to chemo/radiotherapy while improving quality of life and reducing side effects.
• Reishi is used by some integrative practitioners and is also used in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
• Supervision by a medical professional is essential due to possible interactions with drugs and with cancer treatments.
• This is not a standalone treatment for cancer; it is a complementary therapy used alongside standard medical care to support treatment and/or well-being.

What is reishi mushroom?

Reishi, also known as lingzhi, is a medicinal mushroom available in dried form and as a supplement in capsules. It is used in cancer care to enhance chemo/radiotherapy treatment.

Reishi mushroom has early evidence suggesting an improved clinical response to chemo/radiotherapy while improving quality of life and reducing side effects. Modest clinical evidence shows it improves your body environment (terrain) to make it less supportive of cancer growth and development. Evidence to date shows that reishi by itself does not improve survival among people with cancer as a whole.

Reishi is used in traditional Chinese medicine to support immune function in people with cancer undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It has been used for over 2000 years in East Asia as a tonic for prolonging life, preventing aging, and boosting qi (life force or energy).¹National Cancer Institute. Medicinal Mushrooms PDQ: Health Professional Version. October 5, 2020. Viewed February 10, 2021.

Safety

• Supervision by a medical professional is essential
• Known interactions, consult with your healthcare provider before adding to your regimen
• Reported side effects include nausea, insomnia, mild discomfort (dizziness and dry mouth), diarrhea, stomach discomfort, poor health, and liver toxicity

See full safety details ↓

How reishi mushroom may help people with cancer

Strength of evidence rating

Optimizing your body terrain

Many studies show that people with cancer using reishi mushroom have higher markers of immune function.¹²Zhong L, Yan P, Lam WC, Yao L, Bian Z. Coriolus versicolor and Ganoderma lucidum related natural products as an adjunct therapy for cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2019 Jul 3;10:703; Mohammed Ali NAK, Saeed HA, Othman RT. Immunostimulatory and anti-inflammatory effect of Ganoderma lucidum on breast cancer patients. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Biology. 2018;3(2):51-57; Henao SLD, Urrego SA, Cano AM, Higuita EA. Randomized clinical trial for the evaluation of immune modulation by yogurt enriched with β-glucans from lingzhi or reishi medicinal mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum (Agaricomycetes), in children from Medellin, Colombia. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. 2018;20(8):705-716; Jin X, Ruiz Beguerie J, Sze DM, Chan GC. Ganoderma lucidum (reishi mushroom) for cancer treatment. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2016 Apr 5;4:CD007731. However, higher immune activation may not always be beneficial; always consult with a physician before starting reishi mushroom treatment. 

Small studies not specific to cancer show that people taking reishi mushroom had better antioxidant activity, which can help reduce oxidative stress.¹³Chiu HF, Fu HY et al. Triterpenoids and polysaccharide peptides-enriched Ganoderma lucidum: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study of its antioxidation and hepatoprotective efficacy in healthy volunteers. Pharmaceutical Biology. 2017 Dec;55(1):1041-1046; Wachtel-Galor S, Tomlinson B, Benzie IF. Ganoderma lucidum (“Lingzhi”), a Chinese medicinal mushroom: biomarker responses in a controlled human supplementation study. British Journal of Nutrition. 2004 Feb;91(2):263-9. People using reishi mushroom didn’t show changes in body weight,¹⁴Chu TT, Benzie IF et al. Study of potential cardioprotective effects of Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi): results of a controlled human intervention trial. British Journal of Nutrition. 2012 Apr;107(7):1017-27. but people with type 2 diabetes taking reishi showed lower blood sugar or insulin resistance.¹⁵Chu TT, Benzie IF et al. Study of potential cardioprotective effects of Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi): results of a controlled human intervention trial. British Journal of Nutrition. 2012 Apr;107(7):1017-27; Gao Y, Lan J, Dai X, Ye J, Zhou S. A phase I/II study of Ling Zhi mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (W. Curt.: Fr.) Lloyd (Aphyllophoromycetideae) extract in patients with type II diabetes mellitus. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. 2004;6(1):8.

Reducing cancer risk or recurrence

People with a history of colorectal adenomas taking reishi mushroom had significantly fewer and smaller new adenomas in a small study.¹⁶Oka S, Tanaka S et al. A water-soluble extract from culture medium of Ganoderma lucidum mycelia suppresses the development of colorectal adenomas. Hiroshima Journal of Medical Sciences. 2010 Mar;59(1):1-6. Adenomas are non-cancerous tumors that sometimes become cancerous.

See the full evidence summary ›

Affordability and access

Is a prescription required?

• No, but we recommend you consult your oncology team before using reishi

Where to find it

• Drug stores
• Supplement stores
• Online supplement or botanical distributors
• To find practitioners using medicinal mushrooms, see Yes to Life: Medicinal Mushrooms ›

Affordability

• Moderate cost (between $40 US and $70 US/month)

Find an integrative provider ›

Full safety details

Side effects and adverse reactions

Adverse effects noted in clinical trials include nausea, insomnia, mild discomfort (dizziness and dry mouth), diarrhea, stomach discomfort, and poor health.¹⁷Jeitler M, Michalsen A et al. Significance of medicinal mushrooms in integrative oncology: a narrative review. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2020 Nov 11;11:580656; Gelmon K, Kollmannsberger C et al. A phase I study of OMN54 (Aneustat™) in patients with advanced malignancies. Clinical Cancer Drugs. 2020;7(2):125-132; Gao Y, Zhou S, Chen G, Dai X, Ye J. A phase I/II study of a Ganoderma lucidum (Curt.: Fr.) P. Karst. Extract (Ganopoly) in patients with advanced cancer. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. 2002;4(3):8. A few cases have described liver toxicity when the powdered form of reishi was used.¹⁸Wanmuang H, Leopairut J, Kositchaiwat C, Wananukul W, Bunyaratvej S. Fatal fulminant hepatitis associated with Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi) mushroom powder. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand. 2007 Jan;90(1):179-81. One study found worse physical well-being among people with breast cancer treated with reishi, with increasing adverse effects at higher doses.¹⁹Bao PP, Lu W et al. Ginseng and Ganoderma lucidum use after breast cancer diagnosis and quality of life: a report from the Shanghai Breast Cancer Survival Study. PLoS One. 2012;7(6):e39343; Wanachiwanawin D, Piankijagum A et al. Ganoderma lucidum: a cause of pseudoparasitosis. Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health. 2006 Nov;37(6):1099-102. Several individual cases of an elevated tumor marker have been detected among people using reishi.²⁰Liang Y, He M et al. An abnormal elevation of serum CA72-4 by ganoderma lucidum spore powder. Annals of Clinical and Laboratory Science. Summer 2013;43(3):337-40; Yan B, Meng X et al. Ganoderma lucidum spore induced CA72-4 elevation in gastrointestinal cancer: a five-case report. Integrative Cancer Therapies. 2014 Mar;13(2):161-6.

Contraindications

Do not use reishi mushroom or its extracts if you have a known allergy or hypersensitivity to it or any of its components.

Drug interactions 

There are known drug interactions with this therapy.²¹Lam CS, Cheng LP, Zhou LM, Cheung YT, Zuo Z. Herb-drug interactions between the medicinal mushrooms Lingzhi and Yunzhi and cytotoxic anticancer drugs: a systematic review. Chinese Medicine. 2020 Jul 25;15:75. Interactions with medications and other interventions are complex. Always consult with a healthcare professional before adding any new therapy to your regimen. To learn more about interactions visit one of the trusted resources below: 

• EfficaSafe ›
• About Herbs ›

Interaction with cancer drugs

Some researchers have expressed concern reishi may possibly interfere with certain chemotherapy drugs that depend on oxidation to kill cancer cells due to its antioxidant activity, but there is no clinical evidence to support this.²²Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. About Herbs: Reishi Mushroom. February 5, 2021. Viewed February 11, 2021; Brooks SL, Rowan G, Michael M. Potential issues with complementary medicines commonly used in the cancer population: A retrospective review of a tertiary cancer center’s experience. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2018 Oct;14(5):e535-e542. Always consult with your provider before beginning a new therapy. 

FAQs

• Can reishi mushroom help fight cancer?
  Study results vary; reishi mushroom’s strongest effects are on improving quality of life.
• Can reishi mushroom help with cancer side effects?
  Yes—in several studies, people with cancer taking reishi mushrooms had a better quality of life during chemotherapy. People with breast cancer taking reishi during hormone therapy, and people with advanced lung cancer treated with reishi mushrooms, also showed improvements in physical and/or mental symptoms in small studies. 
• Can reishi mushroom help reduce cancer risk or recurrence?
  There is only one study investigating this. A small study showed that people with a history of colorectal adenomas taking reishi mushrooms had significantly fewer and smaller new adenomas. Adenomas are non-cancerous tumors that sometimes become cancerous. 
• Does reishi mushroom support immune function in cancer patients?
  Many studies show that people with cancer using reishi mushrooms have stronger immune function. However, higher immune activation may not always be beneficial; always consult with a physician before starting reishi mushroom treatment.
• Can reishi mushroom reduce inflammation in cancer patients? 
  Preclinical (lab or animal) evidence suggests anti-inflammatory activity; evidence is stronger for reishi mushroom’s effects supporting immune function and quality of life.

Read more about supplements and therapies

• Sourcing Quality Herbs & Supplements ›
• Supplement and Therapies Database ›

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