Reviewed records available

Reishi

This profile currently contains 2 reviewed research records.

Evidence snapshot reviewed October 17, 2026

Research connections

What this ingredient has been studied around

The reviewed records below supply the current topic connections. A connection is not proof of benefit.

Reviewed evidence

2 source-linked records

Authoritative summary Evidence context Summary of multiple laboratory and human studies

NCI medicinal mushroom evidence summary

NCI reviews human and laboratory research on several medicinal mushrooms. The clearest human evidence discussed is for PSK, a specific Turkey Tail-derived product used with standard cancer treatment in Japan. This is not evidence that ordinary retail mushroom supplements treat cancer.

What was studied
Multiple mushroom products, including the specific Turkey Tail extract PSK and various Reishi preparations
Setting
Mixed treatment settings
Why it ranks here
This is an authoritative evidence map, not a single clinical experiment or a treatment endorsement.
Limits and cautions
  • The summary covers different mushroom species and preparations that are not interchangeable.
  • Many findings concern immune markers or laboratory models rather than survival or quality of life.
  • A summary cannot replace review of the individual trial methods and risk of bias.

The FDA has not approved medicinal mushrooms as a treatment for cancer or another medical condition in the United States.

Evidence synthesis Mixed or uncertain 5 randomized trials, 373 participants

Reishi for cancer treatment: Cochrane systematic review

The review found five small, generally low-quality trials. Reishi used alongside chemotherapy or radiation showed possible signals in tumor response, immune markers, and quality of life, but no trial measured long-term survival. The review did not support Reishi as a first-line or stand-alone cancer treatment.

What was studied
Several commercial Ganoderma lucidum preparations, used alone or alongside chemotherapy or radiation
Setting
Mixed treatment settings
Why it ranks here
Pooling helps, but the underlying trials were small, poorly reported, and did not establish a survival benefit.
Limits and cautions
  • The included trials were generally small and of unsatisfactory methodological quality.
  • Preparations varied, so results may not transfer to a different Reishi product.
  • No included trial recorded long-term survival.
  • The evidence does not support Reishi as a stand-alone cancer treatment.

Reishi products are not FDA-approved in the United States as a cancer treatment.