reishi

noun

rei·​shi ˈrā-shē 

variants or reishi mushroom or less commonly Reishi or Reishi mushroom

plural reishis or reishi mushrooms also Reishis or Reishi mushrooms

: a bracket fungus (such as Ganoderma sichuanense or G. lucidum) of East Asia that forms glossy reddish-brown fanlike fruiting bodies (as on the bases of hardwood trees) which are used especially in folk and herbal medicine

Noelle also enjoys reishis, as she makes homemade tinctures and teas out of them.

—Cathy Jakicic

Although you can eat any of these mushrooms whole, chaga and reishi mushrooms have a bitter taste, so they are most easily enjoyed steeped in tea or as a powder added to other foods or beverages.

—Christy Brissette

In the wild, Reishi grows in old or dead hardwood trees such as plum and oaks.

—Ella Wilson

Reishi's richly colored caps, which are high in fiber, vitamins and amino acids, are too tough for culinary purposes but have been used medicinally for thousands of years.

—Elena Conis

Examples of reishi in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Youth to the People Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream sets out to soothe sensitive skin, reduce redness, and support the skin barrier with adaptogenic reishi mushroom. — Deanna Pai, Vogue, 6 July 2026

Other Reported Benefits of Reishi Mushrooms Allergy relief is only one slice of the reishi story. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2026

The cancer center notes that reishi is sometimes used as an immunostimulant by patients with cancer. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026

Chaga is high in antioxidants, while reishi is often taken in the evening to support rest. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Japanese

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above