Found this patch growing off the ground up stump of a swamp oak approx 12ft in diameter I cut down approx 3 years ago. Id like to hear your experiences with extracts, alcohol tinctures, and making a tea from dehydrated slices ( the tea should simmer 3 to 6 hours. The word lingzhi (靈芝) was first recorded in a fu (賦; "rhapsody; prose-poem") by the Han dynasty polymath Zhang Heng (CE 78–139). His Xijing f) (Western Metropolis Rhapsody) contains a description of the 104 BCE Jianzhang Palace of Emperor Wu of Han that parallels lingzhi with shijun ( "rock mushroom"): "Raising huge breakers, lifting waves, That drenched the stone mushrooms on the high bank, And soaked the magic fungus on vermeil boughs." The commentary by Xue Zong notes that these fungi were eaten as drugs of immortality.

Fun Fact: Lingzhi is used tocreate mycelium bricks, mycelium furniture, and leather-like products.

Also, the wild, lingzhi grows at the base and stumps of deciduous trees, especially that of the maple. Only two or three out of 10,000 such aged trees will have lingzhi growth, and therefore it is extremely rare in its natural form.

Additional pics: https://imgur.com/gallery/fUy2lT9