special subjects
Reishi
What are the possible side effects of reishi?
Taking reishi mushroom extract for up to a year might be safe, but taking the powdered form of reishi for more than a month could damage the liver. Other side effects of reishi mushrooms include dry mouth, rashes, upset stomach, diarrhea, headache, nosebleed, and dizziness. The safety of reishi mushroom in pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding has not been thoroughly studied. High doses of reishi could increase bleeding risk in people with certain bleeding disorders, including thrombocytopenia (low level of platelets in blood). Taking high doses of reishi before or during surgery could increase the risk of bleeding. Because reishi might reduce blood pressure, it might worsen low blood pressure in people whose blood pressure is already low. 