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Reishi mushroom is a natural product that may enhance immunity and response to chemo/radiotherapy, improve quality of life, and manage some side effects. 

Safety and precautions

We advise you to consult your physician before taking reishi mushrooms. We also advise that you work with a healthcare professional who is knowledgeable and experienced in using reishi mushrooms with people with cancer. 

Cancer risk

Several individual cases of an elevated tumor markera chemical or substance, such as certain proteins or genetic material, that are associated with the presence of cancer or a change in status or prognosis; these markers can be detected in blood, urine, or tissue. Tumor markers are not direct measures of clinical outcomes such as survival or metastasis, and if a therapy or treatment shows an impact only on tumor markers, we cannot surmise that it will affect survival. have been detected among people using reishi.1Liang 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. 

Interaction with cancer treatments

Some evidence shows that reishi may improve the effectiveness of radiation therapy and/or certain chemotherapy drugs in some cancers, but the evidence is not strong. Some researchers have expressed concern it may possibly interfere with certain chemotherapy drugs that depend on oxidation to kill cancer cells due to its antioxidant activity.2Memorial 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. However, we’re not aware of any evidence to support this. See more from Dr. Chiang regarding use during chemo/radiotherapy in the Commentary section of How experts use reishi mushroom ›

Pharmacodynamic interactions between medicinal mushrooms and cytotoxic drugs in clinical studies summarizes the evidence of interactions between reishi (Lingzhi) and turkey tail (Yunzhi) mushrooms and components with 17 chemotherapy drugs3Lam 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.

Side effects

Adverse effects noted in clinical trials include nausea, insomnia, mild discomfort (dizziness and dry mouth), diarrhea, stomach discomfort, and poor health.4Jeitler 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. Powder form can be toxic to the liver.5Wanmuang 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.6Bao 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.

Interactions with medications

Reishi mushroom and its extracts should be used with caution by people taking antidiabetic, anticoagulant/antiplatelet, or antihypertensive medications as the effects of the medications may be increased. People who have gastric ulcers or active gastrointestinal bleeding, or who will have operations in the near future, should consult their physicians before use.7Sohretoglu D, Huang S. Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides as an anti-cancer agent. Anticancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry. 2018;18(5):667-674.

Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides have antibacterial effects and may increase the activity of some antibiotics.8Sohretoglu D, Huang S. Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides as an anti-cancer agent. Anticancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry. 2018;18(5):667-674.

Do not use (contraindications)

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

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Authors

Nancy Hepp, MS

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 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: September 18, 2024

Last full literature review: July 2024

CancerChoices provides information about integrative in cancer care, a patient-centered approach combining the best of conventional care, self care and evidence-informed complementary care in an integrated plan cancer care. We review complementaryin cancer care, complementary care involves the use of therapies intended to enhance or add to standard conventional treatments; examples include supplements, mind-body approaches such as yoga or psychosocial therapy, and acupuncture therapies and self-care lifestyle actions and behaviors that may impact cancer outcomes; examples include eating health-promoting foods, limiting alcohol, increasing physical activity, and managing stress practices to help patients and professionals explore and integrate the best combination of conventionalthe cancer care offered by conventionally trained physicians and most hospitals; examples are chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy and complementary therapies and practices for each person.

Our staff have no financial conflicts of interest to declare. We receive no funds from any manufacturers or retailers gaining financial profit by promoting or discouraging therapies mentioned on this site.

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References[+]