Reishi is a type of bracket fungus (grows out from the side of a tree) and are not actually mushrooms. It's quite pretty with a glossy red/yellow top. I'm not sure there are any poisonous bracket fungus but please do not take my word on that.
Bracket Fungus on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bracket_fungusReishi on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ReishiIt's commonly called by the latin name in Australia "Ganoderma" and there's actually a multi network marketing company there selling coffee and toothpaste with Reishi in it. I'd prefer to go with the whole food than drink coffee to get it... but whatever works for people! I guess if you're drinking the coffee anyhow.
We bought some dried reishi in Canada and it's
really really hard. It's basically a piece of wood. Even our mighty vitamix does not blend it up. The instructions read to boil water and make long soaking tea from it. I haven't explored it much yet. Maybe if I soak it overnight before blending.
Must run.. I'm in final stages of making raw pizza for a dinner in Toronto tomorrow.. busy day - lunch at a new raw food restaurant (grand opening), dinner at a raw food gathering, then Piers and I are going back for lunch at the new restaurant to celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary!
Much love to all,
Sheryl