Guide To The Best Reishi Mushroom Powder in Australia
Looking to buy Reishi mushrooms in Australia? This guide will help you understand you’re getting the highest quality Reishi powders.
Many companies lack transparency about the quality and the origins of their products as well as the ingredients. It is therefore important that you know what is and should be in your product. According to a study published in the journal “Scientific Reports”, a whopping 74% of Reishi products didn’t contain what was promised in the packaging. This makes choosing the right products particularly important for those hoping to use Reishi to help treat serious illnesses.
A lack of information and education can make you susceptible to buying poor-quality Reishi mushroom powder. There are several things to be aware of when you’re choosing a quality superfood medicinal mushroom product like Reishi.
1. Mycelium vs Fruiting Bodies: What Is The Difference?
One of the first things to consider when buying Reishi mushroom supplements is if the product is derived from mycelium or fruiting bodies. Choose fruiting bodies. If you are new to these two mushroom parts, don’t worry as are going to break them down for you!
Every time we imagine a mushroom, an umbrella-shaped structure comes into our minds. This part consisting of the stalk and the cap is called the fruiting body. They are the visible parts of the mushroom, growing above the ground.
The fruiting body of the fungus contains the key medicinal compound of Reishi mushroom: the beta-glucans (more on that below).
The mushroom mycelium is the root-like part of the fungi that is below the ground. Traditionally, the fruiting body of the mushroom was always used as medicine. However, currently, many Reishi mushroom supplements use mycelium as an alternative.
While mycelium also does provide health benefits, they are present in very low quantities. The fungal mycelium is also diluted with the starches and other grains that are used to grow the mushroom than the fungal biomass itself.
So how to determine if your product contains mycelium or fruiting bodies?
- Read the labels on your Reishi products carefully. Look for terms such as “100% mushroom fruiting bodies” in the list of ingredients.
- Mycelium-based products will likely mention the grains on which they are cultivated. This will say ingredients such as brown rice, barley, wheat, etc.
Remember that supplements produced from the mycelium itself are not inferior to the ones containing fruiting bodies. It is the filler grains that degrade their quality.
2. Extraction Methods: Dual Extraction is best
The bioactive compounds present in many medicinal mushrooms, like Reishi, are trapped within the fungal cell wall. For our bodies to benefit from it, they need to be extracted. Dual Extraction is best for Reishi.
The extraction process also concentrates the compounds in easy-to-consume products. This makes them ideal for consumption not only due to the high potency but also increase the bioavailability of the fungal medicinal compounds.
There are various methods of extracting such beneficial compounds.
Water extraction
The most common and the most traditional method is extraction using hot water. This method extracts water-soluble bioactive compounds. Beta-glucan is the most important water-soluble polysaccharide that can be extracted using this method. It is present in high quantities in Reishi mushrooms.
Beta-glucans are naturally occurring fibers in the cell wall of medicinal mushrooms. They are responsible for many health-promoting properties of Reishi mushroom such as:
- Stimulation of the immune system.
- Combating oxidant injuries.
- Fighting infections.
- Lowering blood sugar in diabetes.
- Protects heart health.
As there are so many amazing benefits of mushroom polysaccharides, your Reishi product must contain them.
Alcohol extraction
Another method of extraction is by using alcohol. These can derive the other beneficial compound in Reishi known as triterpenes. Over 50 different triterpenes are found in Reishi mushrooms. The most important ones are ganoderic acid and lucidenic acid which can:
- Inhibit the growth and invasion of cancer cells.
- Reduce bad cholesterol.
- Have anti-viral effects.
- Help prevent chronic diseases by combating oxidant stress.
Apart from extracting triterpenes, alcohol can also extend the shelf life of products like tinctures by acting as a preservative.
Then what is dual extraction?
The dual extraction process combines water and alcohol-based extraction. This ensures that both the water and alcohol-soluble compounds are extracted, thereby giving you the benefits of beta-glucans and triterpenes. This is the best extraction method for Reishi mushrooms.
What are extraction ratios?
Many medicinal mushrooms commonly mention extraction ratios. Some products mention 1:1 extraction while others mention 8:1. So what do these ratios mean?
A 1:1 extraction means that the producer used 1 kg of mushroom to make 1 kg of the product. Likewise for 8:1 extraction. The higher ratio usually suggests the potency of the product. However, it may not always be the case.
The extraction ratio does not necessarily represent the effectiveness of the extraction or the quality of the original materials.
The only real way to compare the potency of Reishi supplements is by a chemical analysis that measures the number of triterpenes, beta-glucans, and other mushroom-derived compounds.
3. Reishi should taste bitter!
The bitter taste is a characteristic of many important medicinal mushrooms, including Reishi. This flavor is imparted by the fungal triterpenes and depends upon factors like extraction methods and ratios.
High quantities of triterpenes in your Reishi product make it bitter. If you have doubts about the quality of Reishi mushroom supplement, you can get an idea of its taste. Within moments of tasting a high-quality Reishi supplement, it should quickly stimulate a bitter flavor on your tongue. If it is a capsule that you are buying, you can open one and get an idea.
4. The importance of beta-glucan content
We already know that beta-glucans are a type of polysaccharide, but so is the starch from the filler content. Reputable producers of Reishi mushrooms specifically mention the beta-glucan content on the label. Some companies only mention the number of polysaccharides, which may falsely represent beta-glucans, when in fact it is the filler contents.
Look for products that specifically mention the percentage of beta-glucans. If your product contains information on both polysaccharides and beta-glucans, make sure that the former is no more than 5% higher than the latter.
It is also important to avoid products that contain plant or yeast-based beta-glucans as these will not give the same health benefits.
5. Australian grown Reishi vs Chinese grown Reishi
As an Australian founded, owned, and operated business we love local produce. However, people are unaware that China is the birthplace of the Lingzhi (also known as Ganoderma Lucidum or Reishi) and has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years. It predates Western medicine and natural supplements, long before Reishi mushroom powders made it to Australian shelves and used as dietary supplements in Western Cultures.
There is frequent discussion about the quality of health foods and supplements coming from China. Yes, some main cities of China have high rates of air pollution which is not ideal for soil quality, but this does not mean Chinese medicinal mushroom products are low quality. In fact, it is quite the opposite. The anti-Chinese sentiment around medicinal mushrooms is quite contradictory to its medicinal historical Chinese roots. Unfortunately, this sentiment is a marketing ploy for some opportunistic brands to promote cheaper, inferior, locally grown products that can result in less bioavailability, impacting the reduction of the health benefits that medicinal mushrooms can truly offer.
The word "Lingzhi" (灵芝) actually originates from Chinese, where it refers to the Reishi mushroom, known scientifically as Ganoderma lucidum. In Chinese, "Ling" (灵) means "spirit" or "soul," and "Zhi" (芝) means "plant" or "herb." Together, "Lingzhi" can be interpreted as "spiritual herb" or "herb of immortality."
China is the largest producer of organic medicinal mushrooms in the world. The highest quality Reishi mushrooms are grown in the rural mountain areas of China – away from polluted areas. This is where our Reishi mushrooms are grown.
With over 30 years of research and usage, our organic farm and lab in rural China has some of the most potent medicinal mushroom products in the global market, and also has one of the most sophisticated extraction labs in the world.
Many Australian grown Reishi mushrooms are clone strains of traditional Chinese Reishi,, according to Dr Noel. If you see “Australian grown Reishi”, you can assume it is a marketing gimmick, or it is a completely different species of Reishi. There is no scientific evidence that the related Australian local mushroom species have the same medicinal benefit as the authentic Reishi (Lingzhi) grown in China.
6. Certificate of analysis
If unsure, ask the producer for a third party Certificate of Analysis (COA). A Certificate of Analysis from a third party lab is important to identify the beneficial compounds (eg. beta-glucans, triterpenes, ergosterol) in the Reishi product, as well as to avoid heavy metals and other foreign contaminants. Heavy metals that are typically tested for range from arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. Quality Australian sellers should be able to provide this upon request, or better yet, publicly display this on their website.
7. Organic
Look for Reishi supplements that are certified organic. This ensures that your products do not contain herbicides, fungicides or pesticides and other harmful chemicals. Look for the widely recognised stamp of quality and integrity of the Australian Certified Organic logo on the packaging.
Reishi Products Available In Australia
Reishi powder
Reishi dried powders are made from pulverizing the 100% fruiting body. Reishi Powders are often called ‘full-spectrum’ as you get the ‘full entourage effect’ of consuming the entire mushroom and therefore getting all the nutritional benefits as a whole-food. Powders are generally made from mushrooms that have been heated or processed in a way to make the medicinal compounds bioavailable.
Reishi extract
Extracts contain the individual medicinal compounds of Reishi without the biomass. This is done via an extraction process with hot water and/or alcohol and solvents (dual extraction). This makes small doses of Reishi highly potent, extremely compact, and have a longer shelf life. With an extract, however, you don’t receive the full benefit of consuming the mushroom as a whole food which can exclude some beneficial components.
There are two different types of extracts available in Australia:
1. Reishi tinctures
Tinctures are liquid extracts that most often use water and alcohol solvents. They are a convenient method of consuming Reishi.
2. Reishi powdered extracts
Powdered extracts are the dry powdered result of extracting the individual medicinal compounds from the Reishi mushroom. Powdered extracts can be extracted from both the fruiting body and/or the mycelium.
Reishi capsules
Capsules and Tablets are usually either filled with Reishi mushroom powders or extracts. They are the most convenient way to dose and consume Reishi. Buying capsules are in growing demand in Australia as they are an easy option for those already regularly taking supplements or other medications in this form.
Reishi coffee and tea
Reishi can be incorporated into hot drinks such as coffee and tea. The big benefit these products have is that they are easy to incorporate into your daily routine.
Reishi Tea can be purchased as tea bags containing both Reishi powder and dried tea herbs; leaves.
Reishi Coffee products are sold as ground coffee beans mixed with Reishi powder.
Fresh Reishi mushrooms
Reishi is a tough and woody mushroom. It cannot be cooked up like the edible mushrooms you may be more familiar with. In most cases, fruiting bodies should be cooked in simmering water for at least 20 minutes, although three to four hours is most recommended. You cannot buy fresh Reishi mushrooms as whole fruiting bodies currently in Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Reishi Mushroom Legal in Australia?
Yes, Reishi is legal for purchase and consumption in Australia. All Reishi supplements and medicinal mushroom products and can registered with the Therapeutic Goods Administration of Australia (TGA).
Can Reishi be purchased from my doctor?
Although Reishi is considered a Medicinal Mushroom, you cannot buy it from your doctor. You also do not need a prescription for it. Reishi is considered a complementary medicine that can be purchased online or in stores. Also, many Traditional Chinese Medical (TCM) practitioners dispense and sell dried Reishi.
In Australia, medicinal products containing such ingredients as certain herbs, vitamins and minerals, nutritional supplements, homeopathic medicines and aromatherapy products are referred to as ‘complementary medicines’ and are regulated as medicines by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (the Act) and the supporting Therapeutic Goods Regulations 1990.
Can Reishi products be purchased from a naturopath?
Yes, many Australian naturopaths sell Reishi supplements as part of their treatment for various illnesses.
Does Chemist Warehouse sell Reishi?
Yes, Chemist Warehouse sells some products that contain Reishi. Look for Ganoderma Lucidum on the product label.
Final Thoughts
We hope this guide has helped you learn more about buying Reishi in Australia. Reishi should be used as a supplement to a holistic treatment that often includes changes in diet, habits, and daily lifestyles.
