Evidence supporting the use of: Reishi mushroom
For the health condition: Insomnia
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), where it is known as "Lingzhi." Historically, reishi has been valued as a tonic for longevity, vitality, and overall well-being. In TCM, it is believed to calm the spirit (shen), nourish the heart, and support restful sleep. Practitioners have used reishi to address symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, and restlessness, often as part of herbal formulas rather than as a single agent.
Modern scientific research on reishi's effects on sleep is limited and mostly preliminary. Some animal studies suggest that certain polysaccharides and triterpenes in reishi extracts may have sedative or anxiolytic effects, possibly influencing neurotransmitter systems related to sleep. However, robust human clinical trials evaluating its efficacy for treating insomnia are lacking. A few small studies and anecdotal reports have noted subjective improvements in sleep quality, but these findings are not conclusive.
In summary, while there is a strong traditional basis for using reishi mushroom to support sleep and address insomnia, scientific evidence remains limited and inconclusive. Currently, its use for insomnia is mainly justified by traditional practices rather than well-established clinical research.
Other ingredients used for Insomnia
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)Agarwood
Agastache
Agrimonia pilosa
Albizia
Alpha lactalbumin
alpha-terpineol
amber
amino acids
anamu
anemarrhena asphodeloides
Anemone
Angelica
anise
apigenin
Aralia
Arani
ashwagandha
aster root
atractylone
Baikal Skullcap
balsam
banyan
bayleaf
benegut perilla (proprietary)
betony
big quaking grass
black cumin
black seed
blackboard tree
blackthorn
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
brahmi
Bupleurum
cactus
calamus
calcium
Calea zacatechichi
California poppy
cannabidiol
cannabinol
Capitate Valerian
carry me seed
Carthamus
cassia bark
catnip
Centella asiatica
Centella triterpenes
chamomile
cherimoya
cherry
Chinese salvia root
Chinese silkvine
chrysanthemum
cinnamon
citron
Clary sage
Clerodendrum indicum
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Coptis chinensis
corktree
Corydalis
cowslip
Cyathula
Cymbopogon martini
David\'s milkberry
Doxylamine succinate
dragonhead
elephant\'s head
elk antler
Embelia
Erodium cicutarium
European Elder
fennel
Ficus religiosa
Ficus simplicissima
Flueggea suffruticosa
frankincense
fringed pink
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
ganoderma
Gardenia jasminoides
Gelsemium
geraniol
giant blazingstar
Glycine
goji berry
gooseberry
gotu kola
Greek mountain tea
heartwood
Homalomena
honeybush
hops
Indian frankincense
jasmine
Jatamansi
Jatoba
jujube
jujubosides
kava
kavalactones
kiwi
kudzu
Kukicha
L-tryptophan
labrador tea
lactium casein decapeptide
Lactucarium
Lady of the Night
Large-leaved linden
lavender
lemon balm
Lesser speargrass
Lilium polyphyllum
lily
linalool
linden
Lindera
lingzhi
little ironweed
longan
loquat
Loranthus
lotus
lotus seed
lupulinum
Lycium
maca
Macaranga indica
mace
magnesium
magnolia
magnolol
mallow
Marine lipid
Marjoram
Matapalo Tree
Melatonin
Mesua
Microtea debilis
Milk Protein
Mimosa
Moringa
Morning glory
Morus
Motherwort
Mulungu
Myrcene
Nardostachys
Night jessamine
Nymphaea caerulea
Nymphaea nouchali
Onosma bracteatum
Ophiopogon
ophiopogon root
orange
orchid
Oroxylum indicum
Osmanthus
Osthole
paeoniflorin
passionflower
Passionfruit
Patchouli oil
peach
perilla
Persimmon
phlorotannins
phytocannabinoids
Pimpinella
pollen
Polygala
polygala root
Polygonatum
Polygonum
polysaccharides
poppy
Portulaca
Premna
Pulsatilla
purslane
quail egg
Rauvolfia
reishi mushroom
rice
Rooibos
rose
rose oil
Rubiaceae
rue
saffron
Safranal
sage
Salvia
Sandalwood
Sarivan
Schisandrins
Scoparia dulcis
scrophularia root
Sedanenolide
Self-Heal
Semecarpus anacardium
Sensitive Plant
Shankhpushpi
silk tree
skullcap
soursop
Southernwood
Speedwell
Spikenard
Stachytarpheta cayennensis
Sumac
Sumbul
Sweet Annie
Sweet Bay
Sweet Orange alcohol
Sweet Woodruff
Sword Bean
Szechuan lovage
Tagara
Terminalia
Tetrahydropalmatine
Valerenic acid
Valerian root
Verbena
Vervain
Vetiver
vitamin B6
Walnut
Waterhyssop
Wax Gourd
Winter Begonia
Winter Savory
Withanolides
Wood betony
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
Ylang ylang
Yuzu
Zinc
Other health conditions supported by reishi mushroom
Acquired Immune Deficiency SyndromeAlzheimer's Disease
Anemia
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Arthritis
Asthma
Benign Prostate Hyperplasia
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Cholesterol (high)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Convalescence
Dementia
Depression
Diabetes
Epstein Barr Virus
Fatigue
Fatty Liver Disease
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Free Radical Damage
Gastritis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Gout
Hair (graying)
Hair (loss or thinning)
Heart (weakness)
Hepatitis
Herpes
Hiccups
Hot Flashes
Hypertension
Infection
Infection (viral)
Infertility
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Injuries
Insomnia
Irritability
Jaundice (adults)
Kidney Infection
Laryngitis
Lesions
Leucorrhea
Leukemia
Liver Detoxification
Lungs (fluid in)
Lupus
Lyme Disease
Lymphoma
Malaria
Melanoma
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Mental Illness
Metabolic Syndrome
Mood Swings
Nephritis
Nervous Exhaustion
Nervousness
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Night Sweating
Nightmares
Nocturnal Emission
Pain (general remedies for)
Pets (supplements for)
Products containing reishi mushroom
Designs For Health
Hepatatone Plus™
Metagenics
ImmuCore
Designs For Health
Immune Support Packets
Designs For Health
Immunitone Plus™
Pure Encapsulations
Innate Immune Support
Vitabase
Life's Essentials Plus
Pure Encapsulations
M/R/S Mushroom Formula
Metagenics
Mycotaki®
Metagenics
PhytoGanix® Tropical Fruit
Vitabase
Prostate Complex (Formerly Prostate Complete)
Pure Encapsulations
PureResponse™ Multivitamin
