In China, many patients receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy also take lingzhi or . In 2016, Cochrane, the international evidence-based medicine organization, carried out a of 5 controlled trials covering 373 patients. The researchers reported that patients who took lingzhi alongside chemo- or radiotherapy were about 1.27 times as likely to respond positively to treatment as those receiving chemo- or radiotherapy alone, some counts rose, and quality-of-life scores were better. The researchers concluded that lingzhi could be considered as an add-on to conventional treatment. Another randomized trial in breast cancer patients found that after 4 weeks of spore powder, eased and quality of life improved.
On relieving side effects: in a survey of 1,374 cancer patients in China, more than half of those taking lingzhi said nausea, fatigue, poor appetite and low mood had clearly improved. Animal experiments also found that lingzhi extract reduced the nausea and vomiting caused by the chemotherapy drug cisplatin and improved eating.
The researchers also stress that lingzhi is meant to accompany standard treatment, not replace it, and that there are no data yet on survival time; larger trials are needed. If you are receiving chemo- or radiotherapy, tell your doctor that you take lingzhi, and see the topic “Can lingzhi affect medical checkups?”
This topic includes 4 studies and reports, each linked to its source.
Terms explained on this page (6)
spore powder
The extremely fine spores released by mature lingzhi, a bit like its “seeds”.
systematic review
A rigorous method of finding all the studies worldwide on the same question and analyzing their results together.
randomized
Deciding who takes lingzhi and who does not by something like drawing lots, so the two groups are as similar as possible and the comparison is fair.
immune cells
The body’s defense cells, such as CD4 and CD8 T cells. Studies often track changes in their numbers to gauge immune status.
cancer-related fatigue
Persistent tiredness common in people with cancer that rest does not relieve; it may be caused by the disease and its treatment.
extract
A product made by drawing out and concentrating lingzhi’s components with water or alcohol. Different extraction methods yield different components.
Pooled 5 controlled trials with 373 cancer patients in total. The researchers reported that patients who took lingzhi on top of chemo- or radiotherapy were about 1.27 times as likely to respond positively to treatment as those receiving chemo- or radiotherapy alone, with higher counts such as CD3, CD4 and CD8 and better quality-of-life scores.
Pooled human studiesCombines results from several human trials
The researchers searched several international medical databases, selected randomized controlled trials that met their criteria, and carried out a comparing “chemo/radiotherapy plus lingzhi” with “chemo/radiotherapy alone”.
What the researchers say
Cochrane’s plain-language summary says lingzhi may increase the chance of responding to treatment, but this conclusion is uncertain. The researchers considered that, since lingzhi may enhance tumor response to treatment and stimulate immunity, it could be offered as an adjunct to conventional treatment; they also stated that current evidence does not support lingzhi as a first-line treatment, that there are no data yet on survival, and that larger trials are needed.
Source
Jin X et al., Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom) for cancer treatment, Cochrane systematic review, 2016
Abstract and plain-language summary checkedLast updated: 2026-10-15
48 breast cancer patients receiving endocrine therapy took part in a trial. After 4 weeks of , their eased, anxiety and depression improved somewhat, and quality of life rose, with no serious side effects.
Controlled human trialCompares people who took it with people who did not
Patients were randomly split into two groups. Fatigue, anxiety, depression and quality of life were assessed by questionnaire before and after the 4 weeks, along with inflammation markers and liver and kidney function.
What the researchers say
The researchers concluded that spore powder may help improve fatigue and quality of life in these patients, and recommended larger and longer studies.
Source
Zhao H et al., Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012
Researchers surveyed 1,374 Chinese cancer patients who were taking lingzhi products. More than half said that after taking lingzhi, nausea (55%), fatigue (52%), poor appetite (51%) and low mood (50%) improved considerably or very much.
A cross-sectional questionnaire survey in which patients themselves reported changes in symptoms and any adverse effects after taking lingzhi.
What the researchers say
The researchers also reported that some patients experienced adverse effects. They believe this information can help doctors guide patients to use lingzhi more safely and can identify the outcomes future clinical trials should focus on.
Source
Li X, Mao JJ et al. (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and others), Symptom improvements and adverse effects with Reishi mushroom use: A cross-sectional survey of cancer patients, Integrative Medicine Research, 2024, 13(4): 101089
In rats, lingzhi reduced nausea and vomiting-like responses caused by the chemotherapy drug cisplatin in a dose-dependent way; the drop in food intake caused by cisplatin also improved markedly as the extract dose increased.
When rats are given an emetic stimulus, they eat large amounts of kaolin clay. The researchers used this well-established animal model to assess anti-nausea effects, comparing different doses of lingzhi extract.
What the researchers say
The researchers suggested this points to lingzhi extract supporting the body’s overall condition, and recommended controlled clinical trials in the future.
Source
National Taiwan University Hospital and others, American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2005, 33(5): 807-815