Lingzhi mushrooms begin growing around Qingming Festival and reach maturity after the Dragon Boat Festival.

The Dragon Boat Festival is deeply intertwined with lingzhi. The famous legend of the White Snake stealing the magical lingzhi herb took place on this very day.

Ancient Chinese believed the fifth lunar month was an "inauspicious, pestilential month" . Hence, Dragon Boat Festival traditions emerged: hanging calamus, drinking realgar wine, praying for safety, and warding off the "five poisonous creatures" .

Lingzhi held an exceptionally lofty status in ancient times, revered for its purported ability to support immunity. While these myths are exaggerated, modern research confirms lingzhi's genuine efficacy in promoting overall well-being.

Following the Dragon Boat Festival, temperatures climb, humidity increases, and mosquitoes proliferate, inevitably impacting our health. This makes it an especially important time to focus on health preservation.

Chinese Pharmacopoeia holds that "all diseases stem from deficient vital energy " and emphasizes that "when the vital Qi  is strong within, pathogenic factors cannot invade." Sufficient vital Qi is essential for keeping healthy.

The ancient classic Shen Nong's Herbal  classifies lingzhi as a superior-grade herb , noting it is "non-toxic, suitable for long-term consumption without harm." 

To truly harness lingzhi's health support benefits, consistent, long-term consumption is key. Consider brewing lingzhi in water daily as a tea, or incorporate it into your regular meals. 

Lingzhi-Enhanced Dragon Boat Festival Feast

Four Nourishing Lingzhi Soups for Summer Wellness

Lingzhi & Lily Soup

Ingredients: Organic purple lingzhi slices, ½ pig's heart, 5-6 red dates, 20g dried lily bulbs, ginger slices.

Method: Rinse dates and lily. Slice pig's heart. Combine all ingredients in a pot. Simmer gently for 1 hour. Season with salt and cooking wine.

Benefits: Benefits blood and lung.

Lingzhi, Ginseng & Astragalus Chicken Soup

Ingredients: 20g organic purple lingzhi slices, small amounts ginseng & astragalus , 1 free-range chicken, ginger slices, salt.

Method: Clean and cut chicken. Place all ingredients in a pot with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours. Salt to taste.

Benefits: Support Health

Lingzhi tea

Ingredients: Dried Lingzhi slices or powder. Mix with green tea, white tea or Pu'er tea to enhance the flavor.

Method: Slice the Ganoderma lucidum, brew it with boiling water, and soak it for 10-15 minutes to make Ganoderma lucidum tea.

Lingzhi, Abalone & Old Duck Soup

Ingredients: ½ old duck, 5 abalones, 20g organic purple lingzhi slices, 5 ginger slices, 2g goji berries .

Method: Rinse lingzhi. Cut duck, blanch briefly. Clean abalones. Place duck, lingzhi, and ginger in a clay pot with water. Bring to boil, simmer for 1 hour. Add abalones and goji berries, simmer another 30 minutes. Salt to taste.

Benefits: Support the liver

Lingzhi & White Fungus Dessert Soup

Ingredients: 4g purple lingzhi slices, 10g dried white fungus , goji berries, red dates, lotus seeds, honey.

Method: Soak and tear white fungus into pieces. Combine all ingredients (except honey) in a pot. Simmer gently for 1 hour. Sweeten with honey.

Benefits: Benefit your heart and breathing.

Festival Scene:

Mugwort and calamus are hung with busy care,

As families gather, the Dragon Boat Festival's joy fills the air.

Wishing you a harmonious and healthy Dragon Boat Festival!