As mentioned before, Reishi/Gano/Lingzhi and ginseng is identically recognized as superior herbs in the old days. Because of its rarity, extensive research and the wide use of Reishi/Gano/Lingzhi is prohibited. With the success of Reishi/Gano/Lingzhi cultivation, the world is rejoiced over the abundant use of Reishi/Gano/Lingzhi in research and consumption. Reishi/Gano/Lingzhi is cultured by grafting the Reishi/Gano/Lingzhi fungi onto aged dried wood of Japanese oak, then cultivated in greenhouses under strict controlled conditions. Recently, the use of the plum tree dust in culture bottles is tested but further experiments are needed for better balance development between the cap and stalk of the Reishi/Gano/Lingzhi.

There are many varieties of reishi :

- Akashiba ( red reishi )
- Kuroshiba ( black reishi )
- Aoshiba ( blue reishi )
- Shiroshiba ( white reishi )
- Kishiba ( yellow reishi )
- Murasakishiba ( purple reishi )
Each had been classified in the "Shinnoh Honshokyo" and in the catalogue of herbs written in the Ming Dynasty about the first or second century B.C.. The Akashiba ( red reishi ) is the one undergoing cultivation.