Can you imagine? The familiar Oriental herb — Reishi — has become a material for luxury brand Hermès to craft travel bags!

 

Image source: MycoWorks official website

 

This innovation stems from Hermès’ collaboration with American West Coast artist and scientist Philip Ross. Having delved into the field of biomaterials for decades, Ross began exploring mushrooms as an artistic medium as early as the 1990s and developed an enduring connection with Reishi.

 

Ross discovered that specially cultivated Reishi mycelium can form a dense and sturdy network structure which, once dried, becomes as tough as leather — yet lighter and more eco-friendly. This discovery led to his partnership with Hermès to jointly develop this groundbreaking sustainable material.

 

In fact, in Eastern culture, the value of Reishi has been recognized for thousands of years.

 

Image source: MycoWorks official website

 

1. Reishi in the East: From Immortal Herb to Health Treasure

 

In traditional Chinese culture, Reishi is hailed as the “Mushroom of Immortality” and “Auspicious Herb,” symbolizing good fortune, prosperity, and longevity. Ancient people believed Reishi could strengthen the body, prolong life, and even serve as a bridge to the celestial realm.

 

Throughout history, emperors took pride in obtaining Reishi, using it to showcase their virtue and wisdom. Emperor Wu of Han once granted amnesty across the empire after a Reishi mushroom was found growing on the beams of his palace.

 

Kangxi Famille-Rose Longevity Plate: A lady offering Reishi and peaches as auspicious gifts to the emperor
(Source: The Palace Museum website)

 

In Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Divine Farmer’s Classic of Materia Medica), Reishi is listed among the “superior herbs,” said to “benefit the heart qi, strengthen the center, enhance wisdom, and improve memory.”

 

Li Shizhen’s Compendium of Materia Medica (Ben Cao Gang Mu) records that Reishi “tastes bitter, is neutral and non-toxic, replenishes qi, enhances wisdom, improves complexion, and with long-term use, lightens the body, prevents aging, and promotes longevity.”

 

This profound cultural heritage has secured Reishi an irreplaceable place in Eastern wellness traditions.

 

2. Modern Applications of Reishi: Beyond Tradition

 

Today, with advances in technology, the applications of Reishi have gone far beyond traditional boundaries:

 

In the health field, Reishi is no longer limited to decoctions. Through modern extraction techniques, its active compounds — such as polysaccharides and triterpenes — are precisely isolated and formulated into capsules, tablets, and powders for improved absorption.

 

 

 

In beauty and skincare, Reishi’s antioxidant, free-radical-scavenging, and anti-aging properties have made it a favorite in high-end skincare formulations, offering natural and effective rejuvenation.

 

In material science, Hermès’ exploration is not unique. Reishi mycelium is being developed as a sustainable alternative to leather and as eco-friendly packaging material, presenting new possibilities for sustainable development.

 

In the food industry, Reishi has moved beyond traditional tonics to become a functional ingredient in coffee, tea, and biscuits, making wellness an accessible part of everyday life.

 

 

From an Eastern medicinal treasure to a Western luxury innovation, Reishi’s diverse applications exemplify the perfect fusion of tradition and modernity, East and West.

 

As a national brand deeply engaged in the Reishi industry for 36 years, GanoHerb firmly believes that the value of Oriental Reishi goes far beyond imagination — it is bringing the profound heritage and infinite potential of Chinese culture to the world in diverse, modern forms.