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Reishi is the common name of a group of closely related mushrooms (Ganoderma sp.) of the polypore type. Ganoderma lucidum is the best studied of the group and has over one thousand years use in China. Ganoderma applantum and oregenase are two other common types. Applantum is known as the Artist's conk due to its rapidly brown bruising pores (pictures may be drawn with the fingernail and are preserved when it is dried).
These three species are most likely the result of selective adaptation and are cross fertile.
Medicinal use
Reishi is a very tough, corky mushroom. Most mushrooms are around 90% water, while the reishi is around 75% water. Dry or wet it is inedible; therefore it must be made into a tea or extract.
After being ground it is placed into rapidly boiling water and brought quickly down to a slow simmer. It is then allowed to simmer covered for at least 2 hours, water added as needed. The resulting tea is quite bitter and best drank quickly with honey. Vitamin C is recommended to allow the body to metabolize the actives.
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