Reishi medicinal mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) has been revered for over 2,000 years as one of the most important tonic herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Often referred to as the ‘Mushroom of Immortality,’ Reishi has been honoured across the ages for its ability to calm body and mind, support physical resilience and longevity, while also nourishing the spirit. It’s one of my favourite mushies to write about; Reishi’s traditional lineage is so rich and revered.
Reishi’s botanical name Ganoderma Lucidum reveals much about its nature. Derived from Greek and Latin roots, gano meaning shining, derma translating to skin, and lucidum meaning luminous; a nod to Reishi’s glossy appearance and its traditional association with light, vitality, and the spirit.
Reishi’s Connection to Light and Spirit
In the wild, Reishi grows quietly in shady forest environments, yet symbolically it has a strong connection to light and radiance. This contrast has fascinated Daoist practitioners for centuries.
Within Daoist philosophy and Traditional Chinese Medicine, Reishi is classed as a Shen tonic. Shen loosely translates to ‘spirit’ or ‘consciousness,’ encompassing emotional balance, mental clarity, and the divine aspects of a person housed in the Heart. Strong and stable Shen is often characterised by a person’s sense of presence, vitality, and brightness, for want of a better word. Balanced Shen delivers steady emotions and clarity of thought, while disrupted Shen is thought to cause restlessness, stress, anxiety, and erratic behaviour at its extreme.
Reishi is neither a stimulant nor a sedative, but is valued for its ability to gently calm the nervous system, steering the body and mind toward peaceful balance while at the same time strengthening overall resilience. This makes Reishi uniquely suited for times of prolonged stress, supporting both emotional steadiness and physical vitality. From a Daoist perspective, Reishi is believed to support harmony between body, mind, and spirit, rather than viewing its stress-relieving, immune-supporting, or longevity-enriching behaviours in isolation.
Traditional Uses of Reishi
Reishi’s use in herbal medicine dates back at least 2,000 years. It is recorded in one of the oldest known Chinese medical texts, The Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (The Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica), attributed to the legendary herbalist Shen Nong.
In this classical text, Reishi is ranked as a Superior Herb, the highest category among the 365 medicinal plants and fungi listed. Superior herbs were considered safe for long-term use and were traditionally used to nourish life force, promote longevity, and support overall balance without depleting the body.
Reishi has been valued in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries as a deeply nourishing tonic, used to support the body’s core systems rather than address isolated symptoms. Classical herbal texts describe Reishi as working holistically, with particular affinity for the Heart and Liver; organs associated not only with physical function, but also with emotional balance, vitality, and the smooth circulation of energy throughout the body. Through this lens, Reishi has been traditionally used to support calmness, mental clarity, and the harmonious flow of energy, especially during times of emotional or physical strain.
Traditionally, Reishi was also taken to strengthen the body’s natural defences and support long-term vitality. Rather than stimulating the immune system, it is known to gently regulate and fortify resilience over time, making it suitable for ongoing use. Its reputation as a superior tonic herb stems from this balancing quality, supporting immune health, stress adaptation, and overall wellbeing while nourishing the spirit and promoting longevity. This combination of grounding, restorative, and protective qualities has made Reishi one of the most respected and enduring remedies in traditional herbal medicine.
Because of its rarity in nature, Reishi was historically reserved for emperors, scholars, and spiritual practitioners. It earned the status of ‘Herb of Spiritual Potency’ and became a symbol of wisdom, longevity, and inner strength, its distinctive form appearing throughout history in art, temple architecture, royal clothing, and symbolic motifs associated with spiritual authority and long life.
What Is Di Tao Sourcing? Where Does Inner Atlas Reishi Come From?
At Inner Atlas, our Reishi is sourced from Jinzhai County, a recognised Di Tao region which was recorded in The Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica.
Di Tao is the traditional Daoist practice of sourcing medicinal herbs and mushrooms from their authentic place of origin, sometimes referred to as their spiritual homeland. These regions are believed to produce the most potent herbs due to their unique combination of climate, soil, altitude, and traditional lineage. Herbs and mushrooms grown in Di Tao regions have historically been considered superior in quality, energetic balance, and therapeutic potential.
Inner Atlas Reishi ~ Potency Through Semi-Wild Growing Conditions
One of the main reasons our Reishi mushroom stands apart is that it is semi-wild cultivated on wood. Semi-wild meaning our mushies are exposed to the natural elements and growing environments you would find in the wild. What’s more, being grown on wood means our Reishi mushrooms are feeding on their natural food source as they mature, allowing them to naturally create all of the beneficial compounds we know and love Reishi for.
Our Reishi extract uses a 20:1 extraction ratio, meaning 20 kilograms of whole Reishi mushrooms are concentrated into 1 kilogram of extract powder. Our Reishi extract is so full of potency it naturally contains greater than 30% beta-D-glucans — the key active compounds traditionally associated with immune modulation and overall vitality. This results in a more potent extract than many commercially available medicinal mushroom products. We independently test each and every batch of Reishi to ensure the presence of these active compounds.
Reishi for Modern Life
Our world seems to grow more complex and move at a faster pace as each year passes. We like to think of Reishi as the traditional antidote to this modern way of living — one rooted in balance, steadiness, and a light, open heart. In modern herbalism, Reishi continues along the path that ancient wisdom has laid forth. We know it as a supreme adaptogenic mushroom due to its ability to support the body’s ability to adapt to stress over time.
Reishi shines when used consistently over time rather than intermittently (a little a day goes a long way!), and is right at home in any wellness routine. Its enduring use reminds us that true vitality is not about constant stimulation, but about creating the conditions for calm, clarity, and resilience. To us, it’s the supreme queen of mushrooms — may she continue to reign throughout the ages!
Our Inner Atlas Reishi Is:
• Semi-wild crafted, grown on hardwood in natural environmental conditions
• Certified USDA & EU Organic
• Grown Di Tao — sourced from the pristine and remote Jinzhai County, Anhui, China
• Fruiting body only — 100% real mushrooms with no added fillers or mycelium
• Lab-tested for purity
• Highly potent, containing greater than 30% beta-D-glucans (the active compounds)
