Dried and ground up reishi (Ganoderma tsugae). We like to add it to our coffee grounds in the morning or throw some in soup broth. It has a mild taste in small quantities.

Reishi is a term that's used for a specific Lingzhi species of Ganoderma native to east Asia, but also used to encompass all Ganoderma species used medicinally. Ganoderma mushrooms are very closely related: different species are very difficult to tell apart. Some species are only differentiated by where they grow with no other distinguishing features. Ganoderma Lingzhi has been the subject of study and use for centuries in Chinese medicine, but we use our locally-growing Gandermas knowing that they also have medicine. Reishi mushrooms are especially known to help regulate the immune system, both reducing inflammation from an over-active immune response (including seasonal allergies) and stimulating under-functioning immunity. There are related claims of anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties, as well as claims to reduce blood pressure, cholesterol and regulate blood sugar. Reishi is also helpful in managing energy and sleep.