In various cultures, it is called the "gift of heaven", "the plant of God", "mushroom of spiritual power", "mushroom of immortality", although its real name is rather prosaic - Reishi or tinder lacquered. It is extremely difficult to find in the wild, so before it was considered a product exclusively for aristocrats and emperors. For what this fungus was so valued in the old days and what miraculous properties it possesses - let's talk about it in more detail.
Botanical description
Ganoderma or tinder lacquered grows on the stumps and weakened trunks of sick or aging deciduous trees. Rarely, but you can find a fungus directly on the soil or roots of plants.
The prefix "lacquered" he received thanks to his cap, which is distinguished by a smooth shiny surface with growth rings. Its color usually varies from red-brown to purple-black.
Did you know? In Japan, this fungus is called mannentak - "the immortal mushroom", and in China - the lingzhi (ten-thousand) - the ten thousand-year-old mushroom.
Reishi sizes rarely exceed 25 cm in diameter and 3 cm in height, expanding with bizarre forms. While the mushroom is young, its flesh is more like a white soft sponge, which hardens over time, and its color darkens to brown.
Read the description and use in folk medicine of funeral fungi.
Ecology and distribution
Previously, Reishi grew only in China and Japan, but modern technology has helped it spread throughout the world. Today tinder can be found on mushroom farms in different countries of the world. Although the main suppliers of Reishi are still Japan, China and Vietnam.
Chemical composition
Various laboratory and scientific studies have long established that the tinder lacquered has a useful and diverse composition. 
In its pulp are:
- amino acids that cleanse the body of toxins and slags;
- organic and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which prevent the appearance of tumors;
- polysaccharides that strengthen the immune system;
- triterpenoids;
- coumarins;
- saponins;
- phytoncides;
- vitamins of groups b, c and d;
- flavonoids;
- alkaloids;
- macro- and microelements (calcium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, selenium, zinc, copper).
Important! As international studies have shown, samples of fungi collected in different regions differ in composition and, accordingly, in their effects on human health.
Medicinal and beneficial properties of the fungus
Due to the above components, Reishi has a fortifying effect on the body, and also has an antibacterial, antitumor and antiviral effect. Germanium in its composition improves the transport of oxygen to the tissues, reducing the risk of hypoxia.
Reishi triterpenoids promote the elimination of toxins and act as natural radioprotectors (molecules that protect against radiation). Polysaccharides also help to reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels, as well as lower blood pressure.
Eating pumpkin, eggplant, plums, kumquat, beans, beets, radishes, squash, carrots, pears, Slyti, yucca, zucchini, lagenaria also helps reduce the level of cholesterol in the body.
The use of Reishi in medicine
Most of all the Reishi mushrooms are interested in scientists working in the field of oncological diseases. Today, France, Japan, Canada, and China are actively conducting research, the task of which is to determine whether these fungi can serve as a preventive measure or a cure for cancer. 
But while the use of Reishi on such a global scale is only in the development stage, in other areas of public health, the tinder is already impressive results:
- It is prescribed for problems with the cardiovascular system, for the normalization of pressure and recovery after cardiac pathologies.
- Reishi is part of drugs aimed at preventing and treating diabetes.
- This fungus contributes to the restoration of the nervous system, eliminates excessive agitation and sharp mood swings, while not causing apathy or drowsiness.
- As an anti-inflammatory agent, tinder is used to treat infections of the respiratory system and the gastrointestinal tract. It is successfully used in the complex therapy of asthma, bronchitis, and tuberculosis.
In the treatment of bronchitis also use aloe tree, bergamot, blueblue, fennel, Icelandic moss, propolis tincture, garlic and ledum marsh.
- A similar component of drugs for weight loss removes puffiness and carries out prevention of obesity.
- Due to its unique composition, Reishi produce the production of antibodies in the human body, so this mushroom has long become an integral part of anti-allergenic drugs.
Due to such properties, the polypore instantly became popular among athletes, although its ability to activate the body’s hidden resources has not yet been confirmed scientifically. And while Western scientists are just beginning to study tinder for its feasibility in the treatment of oncology, Chinese physicians are creating full-fledged courses of therapy based on it.The benefits of lingzhi (the Chinese name for the fungus) in the treatment of oncology are manifested in several aspects:
- It prevents the occurrence of tumors and metastasis, and also slows their growth.
- Strengthens the immune system, giving the body more strength to fight.
- Suppresses allergic reactions. The process of chemotherapy often leads to the emergence of new allergies in patients, which can further weaken the body. Therefore, in this case, Reishi properties are very important.
- Linchzhi prevents further mutation of cancer cells, which makes them more sensitive to treatment, and also removes toxins from the body, preventing recurrence of the disease.
Important! Among the organs, the worst of all is the fight against the disease. The polyporium helps him recover faster and also stimulates his activity.
Harm and contraindications
Possible problems from the use of the fungus are not related to its composition, but to its origin. The fact is that real Reishi is a rather expensive pleasure that not everyone can afford.
However, a large number of people who want to improve their health by miraculous fungus contributed to the emergence of a whole industry of fraudsters, which ordinary mushrooms (edible at best) often give for tinder. Recognizing such a forgery without a biochemical analysis of the composition of the novice is impossible.
But buying genuine Reishi is not a guarantee of health. Fungi more actively absorb plants from their environment, so the ecological situation in the area where they grow is so important.
Rarely any manufacturer or supplier is able to provide a certificate of quality, and even if he does so, then an ordinary buyer cannot verify its authenticity. Such a deplorable situation with the supply of Reishi led to the fact that many began to grow this mushroom on their own at home. 
Cultivation of Reishi Mushrooms
Grow tinder at the cottage or in a private house is easy. And since fruiting is possible within 4-5 years from one sowing, it is also profitable. There are two ways to grow reishi mushrooms: on tree stumps and in treated sawdust.
We advise you to learn more about russules, chanterelles, poplar rows, boletus mushrooms, aspen mushrooms, aspen saplings, white podgruzdkah, black truffles, boletus, boletus, ceps, honey agarics, boletus mushrooms, waves.
Growing on stumps
To implement this method, you will need the stumps themselves, the mushroom mycelium and the substrate, as well as the area for future planting. It must be a place away from sunlight; ideal if there is increased humidity.
Hemp preparation
It is very good if there are already hemp trees from deciduous or fruit trees (coniferous trees will not work). Otherwise, prepare, from autumn to spring, similar foundations for the future plantation. At this time, the bark on the stumps is strongest, and the level of vitamins in it is significantly elevated before the spring thaw.
Soil preparation
Hemp mushrooms should be placed in the appropriate soil, since growing saprophytes will need a large amount of vitamins and useful microelements for development. Not every soil is suitable for such purposes: to be sure of the quality of the soil, it is better to make the substrate yourself.
To do this, take 5 parts of peat, 1 part of limestone and 4 parts of soil. Also, it does not hurt to supplement the soil with manure or straw for nutrition. Mix the ingredients into a homogeneous mass and carefully fertilize the hemp hole with it, and after planting - overlay it with a substrate around the circumference.
Sowing (spreading) mycelium
Since it is almost impossible to propagate mushrooms at home from the initial stage, the mushroom pickers buy mycelium - the mycelium that has already begun its development. Sowing begins with cutting small holes (7 deep and 1.2 cm in diameter), where woody sticks with mycelium are inserted.
After that we cover the glade with a film. In order for the mushrooms to settle down better, you need a temperature of 20-26 ° C, so you can temporarily transfer the stumps to the room. If this is not possible, then close the holes with paraffin mycelium and prikopite well stump in the ground. 
The number of mycelium sticks on the "plantation" depends on the speed of their germination: the more of them, the sooner the first fungi will appear.
Growing on sawdust
The method of growing on sawdust allows you to get a faster harvest than in the case of hemp, so many mushroom pickers prefer it, although its technology requires more attention.
Did you know? Mushrooms demonstrate remarkable vitality. The facts are known when their embryos germinated after 10 years of hibernation, and in 2002 a colony of fungi was discovered that grew right inside the atomic reactor.
Preparation of sawdust substrate
The first step is to prepare the substrate. It is made on the basis of the calculation of 80% of sawdust for 20% of additional nutrients. The latter include oatmeal, barley husks, also suitable minerals (gypsum, chalk), but not more than 2% of the total mass. 
After thorough mixing, slightly moisten the substrate and send it for drying. To do this, sterilize it for 5 hours at a temperature of about 90 ° C. For large volumes of workpiece, the procedure is desirable to repeat.
Substrate sowing
The prepared soil is laid in the container, where future mushrooms will grow. Sowing is performed at a temperature of 30 ° C by immersing the mycelium in the ground. From above it is desirable to slightly sprinkle with soil, and after - leave for 15-20 days for germination.
During this period, the room temperature should not be below 18 ° C and not above 26 ° C. Another important factor for mushrooms is humidity: its optimal level is 75%. Therefore, periodically check the substrate: it should not be too wet or too dry.
Important! Such crevices will allow oxygen more actively penetrate into the substrate, and after they appear mushrooms themselves.
When the soil is completely covered with mycelium, you can proceed to the next step. 
Features of growing
The appearance of the mycelium suggests that it will soon be time to harvest, but you need to help it appear. To do this, perforation is carried out - cuts are made in tanks with mushrooms.
Caring for incubated hemp and substrate
To reishi pleased not only with the harvest, it is enough to provide them with comfortable conditions:
- A place. Remember that they love the penumbra, so mycelium must be covered from the sun.
- Temperature. During the period of growth and maturation, the optimum is 23-25 ° C, and in winter - not less than 18 ° C.
- Humidity. To maintain the required level of 75%, near the mycelium, place a wide pan with wet expanded clay and spray mushrooms once a week with warm water.
- Watering. But full watering is carried out only as needed. Every day, check the substrate, and if it is found that it is dry, then pour it with boiled or rainwater.
- Top dressing. With properly prepared substrate Reishi does not need it.
- Possible trouble. It can be mold and rot if the soil is too wet, as well as various slugs, spiders and mites if the room has not been sterilized and there is free air access.
We encourage you to learn more about edible and poisonous mushrooms growing on trees.
Harvesting and storage of raw materials
The best time for the preparation of tinder is the period from July to November. If purchased mushrooms, then most often they are sold in a ready-to-store form - like dry raw materials.
But if you harvest your own crop, you must first dry it:
- To begin, wipe the mushrooms dry with paper towels, cleaning the ground and various debris. Washing raw materials is strictly prohibited.
- Peeled mushrooms are cut into large pieces, pour out evenly on the parchment and sent to dry in the sun or in the oven (at 45 ° C). When the pieces stop sticking to the parchment, raise the temperature to 70 ° C. It is better to dry mushrooms in a few tricks, without closing the oven completely.
- We send dry pieces of Reishi to banks, tightly closing them with lids, and put them in a dark cool place where the temperature does not rise above 25 ° C and moderate humidity is kept. In such conditions, tinder will not lose its healing properties for 2 years.
Unique Reishi mushrooms are just starting to reveal their secrets to the world. They really possess amazing properties and are able to provide significant support to a person in difficult periods of life.
Did you know? Fruit bodies of mushrooms are 90% water.It is important to use only those mushrooms that grew in a good environment, otherwise there is a chance to earn additional problems instead of treatment. Also, before using such a strong natural medicine, it is better to first consult with a specialist.
