​REISHI

Ganoderma lucidum

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CLASSIFICATION—
Fungus

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Glossy, varnished cap
Growing upon hardwood logs and stumps
Woody and cork-like in texture
Colors ranging red, brown, and black

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SEASON—
Appearing spring through autumn
Harvested while fresh
Used fresh or dried

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ARCHIVE—

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Traditional Chinese Materia Medica
Recorded for more than two thousand years among the most respected medicinal fungi.

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Japanese record
Known as Reishi, it was gathered from mountain forests and preserved by drying.

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Classical Chinese name
Lingzhi (靈芝), often translated as "spirit mushroom" or "mushroom of immortality."

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CORRESPONDENCES—
Longevity
Mountain
Mist
Old Forest

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NAMES—
Reishi
Lingzhi
Varnished Conk
Spirit Mushroom