Evidence supporting the use of: Reishi mushroom
For the health condition: Insomnia
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), where it is known as "Lingzhi." Historically, reishi has been valued as a tonic for longevity, vitality, and overall well-being. In TCM, it is believed to calm the spirit (shen), nourish the heart, and support restful sleep. Practitioners have used reishi to address symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, and restlessness, often as part of herbal formulas rather than as a single agent.
Modern scientific research on reishi's effects on sleep is limited and mostly preliminary. Some animal studies suggest that certain polysaccharides and triterpenes in reishi extracts may have sedative or anxiolytic effects, possibly influencing neurotransmitter systems related to sleep. However, robust human clinical trials evaluating its efficacy for treating insomnia are lacking. A few small studies and anecdotal reports have noted subjective improvements in sleep quality, but these findings are not conclusive.
In summary, while there is a strong traditional basis for using reishi mushroom to support sleep and address insomnia, scientific evidence remains limited and inconclusive. Currently, its use for insomnia is mainly justified by traditional practices rather than well-established clinical research.
Other ingredients used for Insomnia
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)amino acids
ashwagandha
waterhyssop
benegut perilla (proprietary)
black cumin
Indian frankincense
rice
calcium
California poppy
cassia bark
chamomile
cherry
Chinese salvia root
cinnamon
Coptis chinensis
fennel
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
gooseberry
gotu kola
greek mountain tea
heartwood
hops
jujube
kava root
kudzu
l-tryptophan
lactium casein decapeptide
lavender
maca
magnesium
magnolia
marine lipid
melatonin
moringa
motherwort
ophiopogon root
orange
passionflower
perilla
phytocannabinoids
pollen
polygala root
quail egg
reishi mushroom
rose oil
saffron
sage
scrophularia root
skullcap
valerian root
vitamin B6
zinc
catnip
tangerine
anise
blackboard tree
lingzhi
lingusticum wallichii
morus
silk tree
chrysanthemum
amber
ganoderma
lotus seed
anemarrhena asphodeloides
purslane
aster root
peach
wood betony
goji berry
soursop
Aralia
Agastache
Alpha-terpineol
Angelica
Apigenin
Anamu
Albizia
Agarwood
Anemone
Alpha lactalbumin
Agrimonia pilosa
Arani
Atractylone
Betony
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Blackthorn
Balsam
Bayleaf
Big Quaking Grass
Banyan
Brahmi
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Bupleurum
Centella triterpenes
Chinese Silkvine
Clary sage
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Cactus
Cyathula
Citron
Carry Me Seed
Cannabinol
Cymbopogon Martini
Calea zacatechichi
Centella asiatica
Capitate Valerian
Corktree
Cowslip
Cannabidiol
Calamus
Cherimoya
Corydalis
Carthamus
Clerodendrum indicum
Dragonhead
David's Milkberry
Doxylamine succinate
European Elder
Erodium cicutarium
Elk antler
Elephant's Head
Embelia
Glycine
jasmine
Lotus
Lily
Little ironweed
Mallow
Milk Protein
Mimosa
Orchid
Poppy
Rose
Spikenard
Sandalwood
Sumac
Sweet Orange alcohol
Vervain
walnut
Other health conditions supported by reishi mushroom
Acquired Immune Deficiency SyndromeAlzheimer's Disease
Anemia
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Arthritis
Asthma
Benign Prostate Hyperplasia
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Cholesterol (high)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Convalescence
Dementia
Depression
Diabetes
Epstein Barr Virus
Fatigue
Fatty Liver Disease
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Free Radical Damage
Gastritis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Gout
Hair (graying)
Hair (loss or thinning)
Heart (weakness)
Hepatitis
Herpes
Hiccups
Hot Flashes
Hypertension
Infection
Infection (viral)
Infertility
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Injuries
Insomnia
Irritability
Jaundice (adults)
Kidney Infection
Laryngitis
Lesions
Leucorrhea
Leukemia
Liver Detoxification
Lungs (fluid in)
Lupus
Lyme Disease
Lymphoma
Malaria
Melanoma
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Mental Illness
Metabolic Syndrome
Mood Swings
Nephritis
Nervous Exhaustion
Nervousness
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Night Sweating
Nightmares
Nocturnal Emission
Pain (general remedies for)
Pets (supplements for)
Products containing reishi mushroom
Nature's Sunshine AdaptaMax
Nature's Sunshine Blood Stimulator TCM
Nature's Sunshine Glandular System
Nature's Sunshine Immune System
Nature's Sunshine Mineral-Chi Tonic (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Immune Stimulator
Nature's Sunshine Nervous System (30 Day Program)
Nature's Sunshine Power Meal
Nature's Sunshine Power Meal