Sanguinoderma Rugosum (or Blood Reishi): The Rising Star of Medicinal Mushrooms
- Fat Fox Mushrooms
- May 16
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 4
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When it comes to medicinal mushrooms, names like Reishi and Lion’s Mane often steal the spotlight. But there’s a lesser-known fungus quietly making waves for its remarkable medicinal properties: Sanguinoderma rugosum (also known as Amauraderma rugosum). This intriguing species belongs to Ganodermataceae, the same family as Reishi, and we’ve affectionately dubbed it “Blood Reishi” for the vivid red liquid that seeps from its fruiting bodies when they’re cut or scratched.
It’s not just its medicinal promise that makes it stand out - it’s also visually striking. When grown in a high-CO₂, enclosed environment, Blood Reishi forms sleek black fruiting bodies with ghostly white tips that grow tall and finger-like, bringing to mind an oversized candlesnuff fungus. It’s the stuff of dreams for goth mushroom lovers, being equal parts eerie and elegant! What’s more, under UV light, the white tips fluoresce in spectacular shades of neon pink and orange that are bright and visible to the naked eye.
Growing in the wild in tropical rainforests across Southeast Asia such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, S. rugosum has long been used in traditional folk medicine, although it’s uses remain less widely known and studied than its famous relative, Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi). Indigenous groups in Malaysia have traditionally used the mushroom as a traditional folk medicine for treating epilepsy as well as making necklaces and protective charms from it to ward off disease and to soothe crying babies at night.
Medicinal Benefits of Blood Reishi
Research is beginning to reveal the impressive therapeutic potential of S. rugosum. Its medicinal value comes largely from bioactive compounds such as gallic acid, triterpenoids, and polysaccharides, which contribute to a wide range of potential health benefits.
Interestingly, in a comparison of S. rugosum and G. lucidum, aqueous extracts of both species were shown to have similar levels of polysaccharides and triterpenes, but S. rugosum contained significantly more phenolic compounds, which are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, suggesting that it may possess greater potential for combating oxidative stress and modulating immune responses.
Below, we've outlined several of the research-backed health benefits associated with S. rugosum:
Neuroprotective Effects
Extracts from S. rugosum have been shown to help protect brain cells from damage caused by oxidative stress - a key factor in conditions like Parkinson’s disease. In lab studies, the mushroom’s compounds helped reduce stress in cells and prevented them from dying. These protective effects are thought to come from its high levels of high levels of polysaccharides and antioxidants, especially gallic acid [1].
Digestive and Gastrointestinal Support
Additionally, S. rugosum shows promise for digestive health. Recent studies on mice, found that its extracts can reduce gut inflammation, protect the stomach lining, and help prevent the formation of ulcer. These effects are linked to its natural ability to calm overactive immune responses, specifically by lowering levels of inflammatory molecules like IL-6 and TNF-α—and by reducing oxidative stress in the gut [2,3]
Anti-inflammatory effect on skin
S. rugosum may help calm inflamed skin and protect it from damage. Scientists tested a water-based extract of the mushroom on human skin cells and found that it was not only safe, but also reduced inflammation by lowering the levels of certain chemicals that trigger immune responses. It also helped fight off harmful molecules called free radicals, which are linked to skin aging and inflammation [4]
Anti-Cancer Properties
Early research suggests that S. rugosum might have cancer-fighting potential. In lab studies, extracts from the mushroom have been shown to block the growth of new blood vessels that tumours need to survive in a process known as angiogenesis [5] It also appears to boost the immune system by increasing the activity of certain helpful immune signals (cytokines). While more research is needed, especially in humans, these findings hint that S. rugosum could play a supportive role in cancer treatments.
Can I grow Blood Reishi at home?
Yes! Despite its almost supernatural looks and its impressive array of therapeutic benefits, you can now grow Blood Reishi at home with our ready-to-grow kits so that you can admire its preternatural beauty in person. Much like Reishi, it is low-maintenence and unfussy to grow, and will happily grow inside of its bag or within a clear container, taking several months to grow to maturity. In the wild, it typically develops a rounded, woody cap atop a slender stem, with white pores underneath. We haven’t been able to recreate this growth habit with cultivated specimens yet, but we suspect that if it’s exposed to a bit more oxygen at the right time, it’s achievable.
It also keeps its shape extremely well once dried, making it perfect for preserving for ornamental purposes or for artistic projects. At Fat Fox Mushrooms HQ, we’ve tried using its red liquid as an ink, with great success! Although it does not keep the bright red colour and becomes a blueish black once dried, it works very well and can even be diluted before using, so we can see it being used in watercolour paintings.
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