If you’re here, you’re likely wondering whether reishi mushrooms are an effective supplement for sleep support.
Well, you’ve come to the right place!
In this article, we tell the unbiased truth about whether reishi is an effective sleep aid. We explore the current scientific evidence on this subject. Plus we’ll give our unbiased review on some of the top reishi sleep products, how to dose reishi for sleep, the side effects, and more!
At Remeday, it’s our goal to provide highly educational and unbiased information to people looking to improve their lives with medicinal mushrooms.
Let’s dive in!
Reishi mushrooms, also known as Ganoderma lucidum, are famous for their medicinal properties. Often referred to as King of Herbs in Chinese herbalism, reishi is said to help with everything from asthma and indigestion to immune function and anxiety.
One of reishi’s most notable potential health benefits is its ability to promote healthy sleep.
Reishi mushrooms are large, woody and usually have a red to brownish-gray color. They’re most commonly found growing on dead trees or tree stumps.
Reishi’s most potent medicinal value comes when it’s dried and then extracted in hot water. This is why reishi tea and tinctures are so commonly used in traditional herbal medicine.
While reishi mushrooms are widely available in Asian and other specialty food markets, they’re becoming more popular in your average supermarket and health food store.
The easiest way to spot them at the farmer’s market or on the supermarket shelves is by looking for a mushroom with a bright red cap and white underside. It should also have a strong, earthy smell.
Reishi is also becomingly widely available online due to a massive influx of interest in this medicinal mushroom. Just make sure you shop from a trusted brand. Not all mushroom companies are created equal.
And until there is more regulation in the industry, it’s critical that you research the brands you’re buying from for maximum functional value.
If you’re looking to get a good night’s sleep, reishi (often labeled as “lingzhi”) might be able to help you out. Reishi is commonly called the mushroom of immortality. That’s because reishi mushrooms contain compounds that have powerful effects on the body and mind.
Reishi mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years.
Yes, that’s right. Humans have used reishi for functional health for THOUSANDS of years.
Whether you choose to take a daily supplement, use an extract tincture, or make yourself a nice sleepy-time reishi tea, there are plenty of reasons to give reishi a try as you work towards your good night’s sleep.
Recently, reishi has garnered attention as an effective sleep aid and a possible alternative to prescription sleep medications.
But does it really work?
Let’s explore what the science says.
Yes, it is generally believed that reishi can lead to better sleep for a number of reasons. But more human research needs to be done. What we know right now is that reishi is purported to be natural alternative to prescription sleeping pills due to its ability to suppress beta-amyloid proteins and increase sleep-inducing serotonin levels. All while helping to decrease your overall anxiety and restlessness.
By improving balance and homeostasis within the body, a better night’s sleep can be achieved.
Some of this insight comes from studies. And some of it is anecdotal knowledge from thousands of years of use in herbal medicine.
Let’s take a look at what the clinical research and studies have to say:
First, it’s important to note, that in the United States, most of the sleep studies done with reishi have been completed on rats. That’s right. So when you see a list of studies proving that reishi improves sleep, note that while animal studies can correlate to human effectiveness, more research needs to be completed in order to definitively state that reishi helps with human sleep.
Here are the two studies showcasing reishi’s benefit for sleep:
These are the only two studies that specifically focus on reishi with sleep.
But that’s not all reishi may be able to help with:
For a more complete look at reishi’s long list of potential benefits, check out this article.
As reishi becomes popular, more and more companies are starting to sell reishi products. But not every company selling reishi supplements has your best interests at heart. In fact, there are a LOT of crappy companies out there.
When buying a reishi supplement for sleep, here’s what you should look for:
We know that researching a great product to help improve your sleep can be tricky. Especially with all the misinformation out there. We compiled a list of trusted brands for you to explore below.
Reishi tea is a popular way to wind down at the end of the night. Tinctures and powders are great options for making tea. Here’s a complete guide to reishi tea to learn more!
Side effects are rare but should be noted. Some of the side effects reported from taking reishi mushrooms include stomach aches, dizziness, and a dulling of the senses. As with any supplement or medication, there are certain people who should avoid taking it—and if you have a pre-existing condition, you’ll want to consult your doctor before taking reishi.
For a more complete look at reishi’s potential side effects check out this article.
The best method depends on the type of reishi product you're using. We'll outline some of the easiest ways to incorporate reishi into your sleep routine below.
While some people recommend right before bed, there simply isn’t enough evidence to suggest that any one time is better than another for reishi.
Consistency appears to be slightly more focused on than timing in the studies. Which means taking it daily may be more effective than exactly when you take it.
With that said, there’s nothing wrong with experimenting to see what works best for you and your daily routine!