Reishi mushroom slices are arguably the most accessible form of this medicinal fungus.

 

Professor Lin Zhibin from Peking University Health Science Center once expressed his hope that reishi mushrooms would become a household staple, consumed as readily as tea. Today, this vision is becoming a reality, with many people incorporating reishi slices into their daily routines.

 

But how should you consume reishi slices for maximum benefit? Should you boil them in water, brew, simmer them in a thermos, or soak them in alcohol? What are the differences between these DIY methods? Which one provides the best cost-effectiveness?

 

This article, written by Taiwanese author Wu Tingyao in 2022 and published on the GanoHerb platform, scientifically explains the best way to consume Reishi slices daily. It is highly practical! Let's take a closer look together.

 

Text Below (Total: 1,500 words; Recommended Reading Time: 4 minutes)

 

How to consume Reishi Slices at Home?

 

This practical topic was rigorously discussed by the Edible Fungi Research Institute of the Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and the results were published in the Acta Edulis Fungi in February 2017.

 

 

This study used two groups of Ganoderma lucidum fruiting bodies from different sources as materials. They were processed using four different methods: boiling (for soup), brewing (for tea), simmering in a vacuum thermos, and soaking in alcohol. The content of triterpenes and polysaccharides in the extracted liquid was then tested to determine which DIY method could best extract these two major bioactive components of Ganoderma lucidum.

 

Composition determines efficacy.

 

Ganoderma triterpenes have anti-tumor, antiviral, liver-protective, blood sugar-lowering, blood pressure-lowering, and cholesterol synthesis inhibition effects; Ganoderma polysaccharides have multiple functions such as immune regulation, anti-tumor, free radical scavenging, anti-aging, inhibition of thrombus formation, and blood sugar reduction. Therefore, the ideal situation is, of course, that both types of Ganoderma bioactive components can be delivered into our bodies in sufficient quantities.

 

After a series of comparisons, it turned out that the laziest method won!

 

Based on experimental findings, researchers recommend simmering Ganoderma lucidum slices in a vacuum thermos for 40 minutes as a DIY method. This method was praised for its ability to extract a significant portion of the polysaccharides and triterpenes, making it not only suitable for home consumption but also convenient for on-the-go use. Moreover, it is energy-efficient, time-saving, and does not compromise the taste.

 

 

Additional findings from this study are noteworthy:

 

1. Extraction Efficiency: For the boiling, brewing, and simmering methods, the amounts of polysaccharides and triterpenes extracted increased with time for the first 40 minutes. After 40 minutes, no significant increase was observed. Therefore, while longer extraction times did not lead to a decrease in extracted compounds, 40 minutes was sufficient.

 

2. Alcohol Extraction: Although alcohol extraction yielded a greater variety and quantity of triterpenes, the amount of extracted polysaccharides was significantly lower. Even after soaking for 7 days, the amount of polysaccharides extracted was less than that extracted by boiling, brewing, or simmering for just 10 minutes. Thus, soaking in alcohol is not an ideal method for obtaining the full range of Ganoderma lucidum benefits.

 

3. Triterpene Solubility: Pure triterpenes are generally insoluble in water. However, in hot water, as polysaccharides are released from the fruiting body's cell wall, some triterpene compounds, such as ganoderic acids A, D, and F, can also be extracted. In terms of the variety of triterpenes extracted, simmering and alcohol extraction yielded similar results. However, in terms of the total quantity of triterpenes extracted, alcohol extraction for 7 days yielded the highest amount (95% extraction rate), followed by boiling and simmering for 40 minutes (over 80% extraction rate).

 

 

4. This study also compared the total polysaccharide and triterpene content of different Ganoderma lucidum varieties processed in various ways. While the results showed little variation in polysaccharide content among different varieties, there were significant differences in triterpene content. These findings not only reaffirm the notion that "not all Ganoderma lucidum are the same" but also highlight the importance of selecting the right Ganoderma lucidum variety before considering processing methods to ensure that the actual outcomes meet expectations.

 

 

Having read this, I wonder if you're feeling the urge to immediately grab the Ganoderma lucidum slices from your drawer and simmer them in a thermos with boiling water for 40 minutes?

 

Health preservation can be incredibly simple, cost-effective, and time-saving. Perhaps all it takes is a daily beverage to achieve the "lightness of body, longevity, and youthful appearance" as described in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing.

 

[References] Feng Na et al. Comparison of the utilization of bioactive components in Ganoderma lucidum under different daily edible processing methods. Acta Edulis Fungi. 2017, 24(2):83-87.

 

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★ The original manuscript of this article was authored in Chinese by Wu Tingyao and subsequently translated into English by Alfred Liu. In the event of any inconsistencies between the English translation and the original Chinese text, the latter shall take precedence. For any queries, pls reach out to the original author, Ms. Wu Tingyao.