If you ’re concerned in innate medicine , chance are you ’ve come across reishi mushrooms at some point . These fungus kingdom are treasured by herbalist and traditional Chinese practice of medicine practitioners and have been used therapeutically for thousands of years .
The good news show is that they spring up quite prolifically worldwide ! This means you ’ll likely be able to bump some when you ’re out on your next forage adventure .
What is Reishi?
The genus known asGanodermais a type of fungi that develop on various tree diagram species . They ’re generally referred to as “ ledge fungi ” in English , and they have a number of beneficial properties when used medicinally . In fact , these fungi — known as “ reishi ” in Japanese or “ lingzhi ” in Chinese , have been refer to as “ the mushrooms of immortality ” for several millennia .
ManyGanodermaspecies have remarkable immune - encourage and anti - inflammatory properties . Furthermore , they seem to be most beneficial when used preventatively . [ 1 ]
In fact , inquiry has shown that the main Asiatic coinage , Ganoderma lucidum , has around 400 beneficial , bioactive compounds . Not only do these have immune - heighten and anti - instigative actions , they also show antimicrobic , anti - tumor , and free radical scavenging activeness . [ 2 ]
Two independent North American coinage areGanoderma tsugaeandG. oregonense . TheG. tsugaefungi are named for theTsugaconifers they grow on , colloquially know as winter fern . These Tree are n’t poisonous in the least . They got their name because their needle smell like to weewee hemlock when crush .
As you might imagine , G. oregonensefungi are so named because they ’re prolific in the Pacific Northwest . Like Oregon . Ohhhhhh . They grow on conifers in the PNW , and can get absolutely vast : up to a yard across , in some cases . Check outthis imageto get an idea of this giant species . I’m going to be focalise onG. tsugae , as these are the ones I ’m most conversant with . I ’ve harvested them from various spots on my property , and I ’ve deal to figure out the best way to wildcraft them without maim myself .
How to Identify and Harvest Reishi
VariousGanodermaspecies are middling easy to identify . They lean to have glossy brown , dark-brown - red , or orange top , and porous whitened underbody .
The lower white portion darkens to beige - brown as they age . When you ’re foraging for reishi , be sure to reap fungus that are still white-hot underneath . They ’ll be the freshest and most strong , rather than their more desiccated counterparts .
Reishi mushrooms do n’t have any gills , and their white portions will contuse a bit if you poke into them . They grow in fan - corresponding or kidney shapes , and can vary from one to four column inch in thickness .
As cite , only harvest the ones with white-hot abdomen . Once they ’ve started to embrown , they begin to decay … and you do n’t want to make medicines out of decaying plant subject . Just the sound material . You’ll find these ledge fungi on dead or die conifers . Remember howG. tsugaefungi grow their name ? Well , reckon for them wherever stands of hemlock trees grow . I usually find them growing within three to five feet above ground level , but they can show up anywhere . Be sure to acquaint yourself with reishi photos before you go tromping into the woods after them . They do n’t have any poisonous lookalikes , which is reassuring , but it ’s always best to know what you ’re looking for . You may see a alike - looking conk species namedFomitopsis pinicola . They ’re exceedingly hard to the pinch and wo n’t poke inwards or bruise when you prod at them .
Okay , now that you ’re moderately confident that you do it what you ’re take care for , it ’s prison term to suit up . Since you ’ll be foraging these fungi during the summertime , dress for the atmospheric condition and your environment . Out here , that means high the boot to fend off ticks . We also dress in light but tightly woven cloth to ward off mosquito . I also wear leather glove because reishi can be rather unregenerate to glean . If you have a good all - purpose utility program knife , take that with you . Otherwise , a Swiss Army or Leatherman with a saw sword option will work too . Swords can be fun as well , but you may jump other foragers . impart a large material travelling bag or knapsack , as fungus do n’t fare well when carry in charge card base . I ’d also advise wreak water , as giving dusty reishi a quick rinsing can let on their characteristic glossy circus tent . This makes them easier to key .
When you find a luscious reishi that promise out to be harvested , attempt to commit down on it . You might be pleasantly surprised and discover that it just pops off without a majuscule spate of effort . This has not been my experience .
obviously , others have had an easier time , but my reishi escapade have require a minute more hacking and sawing . And assert . If it does n’t just let go of its clutch on the tree diagram , take your tongue and make a vertical cut about 1/2″ out from the tree diagram , blade manoeuvre out towards yourself . Now stand to the side where the blade is face , and draw it gently towards you . I ’ve discover that move it up and down in a saw motion makes this mental process a lot easier . This will free the fungus by one-half , and you might be capable to pull it barren . My guess is that it ’ll still be in “ nah - not - gonna - let - go land , ” so duplicate the process in the opposite direction . If you have a friend with you , get them to hold the cloth old bag open so the kingdom Fungi can drop into it . If there are other ideal reishi around , feel free to grab a couple more . Just please remember to reap ethically and responsibly . Do n’t over - harvest from one finical area , and strain to gather fungus kingdom that have already secrete their spore . You ’ll be able to identify these because they ’ll be coated in a light brownish - rusting gunpowder . Brush these off into the wind so the spores can fly off and multiply on other trees .
Processing and Storage
Reishi starts to lose its wholeness quite quickly after harvesting , so attempt to sue it as shortly as you get it home . practice a damp cloth to wipe it down exhaustively . This should remove any dust , ground , stray conifer needles , and drained insects . If you design to make a tincture out of it , chop up enough to fill up a quart jarful 2/3 of the fashion . Then , pour enough vodka , brandy , or other 80- to 100 - proof alcohol over to cover it completely . Fill the jarful to about 1/4″ of the top . Then put the lid on and store it in a dark cupboard , shaking occasionally , for six to eight weeks .
Alternatively , if you ’re not going to employ the fresh fungi immediately , you ’ll require to dry it .
I once made the mistake of endeavor to dryGanodermaslices in hanging mesh basketful instead of in the dehydrator . Oh , they dry passably well but developed a rather striking cop in the process . Needless to say , I lose that intact batch . Do n’t make that mistake . Grab a bit , sharp knife or meat cleaver , and turn out the fungus kingdom into 1/2″ slices . order these on your dehydrator shelf , and dry them at 120 ° fluorine to 130 ° atomic number 9 for 10 - 12 hours . you could do the same affair in an oven on baking sheet of paper , but you ’ll need to release the slice a few time during the process . You’ll know that the slices are ready when they ’re “ cracker dry . ” This stand for that they ’ll bust like a cracker when you taste to bend them .
Best Medicinal Preparations
Most herbalists agree that the best elbow room to use reishi medicinally is in adecoction or tincture .
The former is a slow - simmer afternoon tea type of affair prepared by simmer the fungi for about an hour . This proficiency draw out the medicinal properties with rut and time and has to be ware immediately . It can be stored in the electric refrigerator for a few days , but it ’s well taken fresh . Just mention that this drink will be quite bitter , so you might want to belt down a shaft or two in a exclusive go . Tinctures also tie out all the dependable hooey ; only it ’s the alcoholic drink cognitive content that suck in out the good ingredient while they ’re infusing for a month or so . These trace stay on shelf - stable for years , so you could take a few drib whenever you like . They ’re also concentrated , so you only need a few drops to get all the beneficial force .
Another Option…
There ’s another option if you prefer an instant reishi fix . Decoct the kingdom Fungi in a crockpot overnight , strain out the chunk , and churn it down until it ’s a tops - hard , gravy - like grain at the bottom of the pot . Then tally in flour of your pick ( corn amylum is a great selection ) , and have that saturate well . Next , form patties from that mix and dry out them in a dehydrator or oven until they dilapidate to the touch . sue these into powder in a coffee grinder , and store in an airtight jar . Then , add a spoonful to soups or stews whenever you make them . This will add a dose of good compounds to the intact batch .
As common , a caution : be certain to do right research before taking any medicinal preparation . Reishi has many benefits , but it can also contraindicate with medications for hepatic ( liver ) conditions . Consult with a herbalist , naturopath , or traditional Chinese practician if you have any doubts , and please lay off taking anything if it makes you ill .
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