Reishi Mushroom: Does It Actually Lower Inflammation?

A look at what the science says about reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) and markers like C-reactive protein.

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By the Ration Editorial Team · Reviewed against primary research · Updated July 14, 2026

Reishi, or Ganoderma lucidum, is a woody, reddish mushroom that grows on decaying trees across Asia.

It has been used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine for centuries, often steeped as a tea or ground into a powder.

Modern interest centers on two groups of compounds inside it: polysaccharides and triterpenoids.^[4]

These compounds are thought to interact with the immune system and with inflammatory pathways in the gut, brain, and joints.

Much of the mechanistic work on reishi points to two signaling pathways involved in inflammation: NF-kB and MAPK.

In a rat model of rheumatoid arthritis, a reishi polysaccharide peptide reduced joint inflammation partly by inactivating both of these pathways.^[1]

Separately, reishi polysaccharides have been shown to modulate the gut microbiota and immune cell activity in the colon, which researchers linked to reduced inflammation and tumor growth in a mouse model of colitis-associated cancer.^[3]

In the brain, reishi polysaccharides appear to dial down microglia activity, the immune cells responsible for neuroinflammation, while also modulating how these cells clear debris.^[5]

A separate mouse study found that reishi triterpenoids eased anxiety and depression like behaviors tied to early life stress, an effect the authors linked to lower inflammation in both the body and brain.^[2]

Together, these studies build a plausible case that reishi compounds can quiet inflammatory signaling in several tissues at once.

C-reactive protein, or CRP, is a blood marker doctors use to gauge systemic inflammation.

Our database currently tracks 5 sources on reishi and CRP, with a consensus direction toward a decrease, but the evidence grade is D, meaning confidence is low.

• ↓C-Reactive ProteinDPreliminary

  Research may lower C-Reactive Protein · strong agreement · 5 studies

  View 5 studies on PubMed

  • Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide modulates gut microbiota and immune cell function to inhibit inflammation and tumorigenesis in colon (2021)
  • Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) an edible mushroom; a comprehensive and critical review of its nutritional, cosmeceutical, mycochemical, pharmacological, clinical, and toxicological properties (2021)
  • Polysaccharides from Ganoderma lucidum attenuate microglia-mediated neuroinflammation and modulate microglial phagocytosis and behavioural response (2017)
  • Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide peptide (GLPP) attenuates rheumatic arthritis in rats through inactivating NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways (2023)
  • Ganoderma Lucidum Triterpenoids Improve Maternal Separation-Induced Anxiety- and Depression-like Behaviors in Mice by Mitigating Inflammation in the Periphery and Brain (2022)

That low grade reflects the fact that most of the supporting work comes from animal and cell models rather than large human trials.^[1][2][3][5]

A comprehensive review of reishi's pharmacology notes anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating effects across preclinical research, but also points out that clinical data in humans is limited and inconsistent.^[4]

In practice, this means reishi may lower CRP in some people, but the current human evidence is not strong enough to say this confidently or predict by how much.

Reishi is rarely eaten fresh because of its bitter, woody texture.

• Dried reishi mushroom for brewing into tea or decoction
• Reishi powder, often added to coffee or smoothies
• Standardized extracts in capsule or tincture form, concentrated for polysaccharides or triterpenoids
• Dual extracts that combine hot water and alcohol extraction to capture both compound types

Extract quality varies a lot between brands, and the ratio of polysaccharides to triterpenoids differs depending on how the mushroom is grown and processed.^[4]

There is no established, agreed upon dose for reishi in humans, since most dosing information comes from traditional use and animal studies rather than controlled human trials.

Products vary enormously in concentration, so a dose from one brand's extract may not compare to another's.

Anyone considering a reishi supplement should look at the label for standardization to polysaccharide or triterpenoid content, since these are the compounds studied in the research above.^[4]

Short term use of reishi appears to be generally well tolerated in the available literature, with mild digestive upset being the most commonly reported issue.^[4]

• People on blood thinning medications, since reishi may have mild antiplatelet effects
• People with autoimmune conditions, given reishi's effects on immune signaling
• Anyone with liver conditions, since rare case reports of liver strain exist with long term, high dose extract use
• Pregnant or breastfeeding people, due to a lack of safety data

Long term safety data in humans is still limited, which is a common gap for many mushroom based supplements.^[4]

• People interested in general immune support based on traditional use
• Those curious about mushroom based compounds being studied for inflammation and mood
• People who prioritize whole food or traditional remedies alongside conventional care

Reishi is not a treatment for any diagnosed condition, and it should not replace medications for inflammatory or autoimmune diseases.

Reishi's polysaccharides and triterpenoids show real anti-inflammatory activity in cell and animal studies, touching pathways in the joints, gut, and brain.^[1][2][3][5]

Whether this translates into a meaningful drop in CRP or other inflammation markers in humans is still an open question, graded low confidence in our tracking.

Anyone drawn to reishi should treat it as a supplement with promising but early stage evidence, not a proven anti-inflammatory therapy.^[4]