Reishi Mushroom for Precancerous Colorectal Adenomas

A 2010 study found that a 1.5g extract of reishi mushroom taken daily for 1 year was significantly effective at reducing the number and size of precancerous colorectal adenomas. Number and size of precancerous colorectal adenomas increased in the control (no treatment) group. All participants had a baseline colonoscopy showing adenomas at the beginning of the trial and repeat colonoscopy at the 1 year trial end. It is thought that reishi mushroom increases natural immunity against tumors and precancers. There is some evidence that reishi mushroom may help with gastrointestinal cancer treatment but this is only available in Chinese literature. Reishi mushroom may cause digestive or other side effects.

Oka S, Tanaka S, Yoshida S, Hiyama T, Ueno Y, Ito M, Kitadai Y, Yoshihara M, Chayama K. A water-soluble extract from culture medium of Ganoderma lucidum mycelia suppresses the development of colorectal adenomas. Hiroshima J Med Sci. 2010 Mar;59(1):1-6. PMID: 20518254.

Lin, Z.B. 2007. Clinical application of Ganoderma lucidum (in Chinese), p.332-340. In Z.B. Lin (eds.), Modern Research of Ganoderma lucidum, 3rd ed. Beijing Medical University Press, Beijing.