Ganoderma Lucidum

Reishi is a worldwide growing fungus which is used in traditional Chinese medicine already for about 4000 years. He was mentioned in many historical writings and also about 2000 years old photographs show him in connection with the imperial family or as auspicious symbol.
Its Chinese name Ling Zhi means "spirit-plant", other common Chinese names are "mushroom of immortality", "Ten Thousand Years Mushroom" and "herb of spiritual power". He is regarded in China as the "king of herbs" and is a central mushroom in Asian Naturopathy.

Reishi is one of the best known and most researched fungi worldwide. Its cultivation and marketing has become a significant economic factor. Worldwide sales of products made from Ganoderma lucidum are said to have been reached already over 2 billion USD in 2002. Rising demand continues unabated - currently about 12,000 tonnes of Reishi are cultivated annually primarily in Asia.