Reishi Intense 1300mg | 270 capsules | Vit4ever

Reishi Intenso by Vit4ever

In traditional Asian herbal medicine, one name appears again and again: Ling Zhi, the shiny lacquer mushroom. Reishi is a mushroom that has been used in Asia for thousands of years and is now becoming increasingly well-known in the West as well. What many people do not know is that reishi has traditionally also been called the 'king of mushrooms' in China and Japan, a title that refers to the status the species has held in herbal medicine for centuries. Vit4ever provides a standardized fruiting body extract, with 650 mg per capsule and 40 percent polysaccharides. The name Ling Zhi shows how highly this mushroom has been regarded in traditional herbal medicine for centuries. With two capsules per day, you get 1300 mg of extract, of which 520 mg are polysaccharides. One jar contains 270 capsules and the capsules are vegan.

What reishi exactly is

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) naturally grows on deciduous trees such as oaks, usually in places where the tree is already weakened. The mushroom has been used in traditional Asian herbal medicine for around 4000 years, traditionally often as tea or decoction. The mushroom has a woody, shiny structure that is not suitable for eating raw, which explains why reishi has traditionally always been consumed as an extract, tea, or decoction. Reishi contains polysaccharides, a group of complex carbohydrates found in many mushrooms and plants. Vit4ever uses an extract of the fruiting body, the above-ground part of the mushroom, and not of the mycelium, the underground fungal thread network. That distinction is relevant, because the composition of polysaccharides in the fruiting body can differ from that in the mycelium, and manufacturers are not always transparent about this.

Reishi and the EU claim list

For Ganoderma lucidum, the scientific name of reishi, there are several claims on the EU list of botanical claims that are awaiting assessment. Reishi supports the body's natural defenses*. In addition, reishi supports healthy blood circulation*.

Standardized to 40% polysaccharides

The difference between reishi powder and reishi extract lies in the concentration. With an extract, the plant substances are concentrated, so you get a fixed amount per capsule instead of a varying amount as with dried, ground powder. This extract is standardized to 40 percent polysaccharides. With the daily dose of two capsules, that comes down to 520 mg of polysaccharides, a measured amount that you get back every day, regardless of natural fluctuations in the harvest. That standardized percentage also means that every jar has the same composition, regardless of which harvest or growing season the used fruiting body comes from.

Vegan and pure, 270 capsules

Vit4ever makes this reishi without unnecessary additives: free from magnesium stearate, colorings, preservatives, gelatin, lactose, and gluten. The capsule shell is plant-based, so the product is suitable for those who eat vegan or vegetarian. Every batch is independently tested for heavy metals, fungi, and microbiology, something that is extra relevant with mushroom extracts because mushrooms can naturally absorb heavy metals from the soil. Those checks are done in an independent laboratory, separate from the manufacturer itself, which adds an extra check besides the internal quality control during production. With 270 capsules and two per day, you have a supply for about four and a half months. Someone starting with reishi for the first time can gradually build up the dosage if desired, although that is not strictly necessary with this extract due to the fixed dosage per capsule.

*Health claim awaiting European approval.