Traditional Chinese medicine has used the reishi mushroom to treat a host of ailments for over 4,000 years. It has a reputation as being a sort of cure-all that can help you fight off illness and infection and improve overall well-being. Research suggests it contains several beneficial properties, but not enough evidence exists to establish its medicinal effects firmly. Talk to your doctor about any possible risks before using reishi mushroom supplements.
General Safety
Its long history of use as a food suggests reishi is safe to consume and does not pose any significant health concerns. The risk of toxicity appears low as well. Drugs.com notes a lethal dose has been estimated at 10 to 21 g per kilogram of body weight. Like many drugs and supplements, however, reishi mushrooms might cause negative effects, and they might be inappropriate to use in specific circumstances.
Side Effects
Reishi mushrooms might cause nosebleeds, diarrhea, stomach upset, dizziness and dry mouth. The University of Michigan Health System notes adverse reactions are rare, however.
Bleeding Risk
The reishi mushroom appears to slow blood clotting, according to the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. If you suffer from bleeding disorders, do not use reishi. Discontinue use at least two weeks before surgery or labor and delivery. If you take warfarin or other anticoagulant medications, taking reishi could increase the risk of bleeding associated with these drugs.Talk to your doctor about whether to use this supplement; he might want to monitor your blood work to determine if you need to change the dose of your medicine, which is highly individualized.
Immune System Stimulation
Reishi appears to stimulate immune system activity. It could potentially fight cancer and various types of infection and promote overall better health. This action, though, could pose a problem if you suffer from diseases where an overactive immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, particularly if you take medications to suppress this activity, as reishi might interfere with their effectiveness. This is mainly a theoretical concern, but it is a good idea to talk to your doctor before using reishi if you have rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or other autoimmune conditions.
Other Safety Considerations
The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center reports reishi's antioxidant activity may interfere with cancer treatments. Drugs.com reports on research that found reishi lowered blood pressure and blood sugar; using it along with medications to manage these conditions could result in excessive drops. You might require a reduced dose of your medicines to compensate for the effects; only your doctor can safely determine this.
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