Reishi mushroom
Scientific names: Ganoderma lucidum
Other common names: Lingzhi mushroom, Reishi mushroom
TRADITIONAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF REISHI MUSHROOM
Immune Support, Energy support, Stress Support, Brain & Cognitive support, Heart & Vascular support, Men, Women
WHAT IS Reishi mushroom USED FOR?
Ganoderma mushrooms, commonly known as “Reishi” (Japan) or “Ling-zhi” (Chinese), have been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for more than 2000 years. Traditional preparations from Reishi were used to enhance stamina, immunity, and to treat inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, hepatitis, and nephritis.
Ganoderma lucidum, an oriental fungus, has a long history of use for promoting health and longevity in China, Japan, and other Asian countries. It is a large, dark mushroom with a glossy exterior and a woody texture.
Fungi are remarkable for the variety of high-molecular-weight polysaccharide structures that they produce, and bioactive polyglycans are found in all parts of the mushroom. Polysaccharides represent structurally diverse biological macromolecules with wide-ranging physiochemical properties (Zhou et al. 2007). Various polysaccharides have been extracted from the fruit body, spores, and mycelia of lingzhi; they are produced by fungal mycelia cultured in fermenters and can differ in their sugar and peptide compositions and molecular weight (e.g., ganoderans A, B, and C). G. lucidum polysaccharides (GL-PSs) are reported to exhibit a broad range of bioactivities, including anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, antiulcer, antitumorigenic, and immunostimulating effects (1)
One of the most important effects of the reishi mushroom is that it can boost your immune system (2).
While some details are still uncertain, test-tube studies have shown that reishi can affect the genes in white blood cells, which are critical parts of your immune system.
What’s more, these studies have found that some forms of reishi may alter inflammation pathways in white blood cells (3).
Reishi’s effects on the immune system are often most emphasized, but it has other potential advantages as well.
These include reduced fatigue and depression, as well as improved quality of life.
One study examined its effects in 132 people with neurasthenia, a poorly defined condition associated with aches, pains, dizziness, headaches and irritability (4).
The researchers found that fatigue was reduced and well-being was improved after 8 weeks of taking the supplements.
View Important Precautions
Chemistry:
The principle chemical constituents consist of:
Polysaccharides, peptidoglycans, and triterpenes
Parts Used
fruiting body, mycelium
Additional Resources
[1] Miyazaki and Nishijima 1981; Hikino et al. 1985; Tomoda et al. 1986; Bao et al. 2001; Wachtel-Galor, Buswell et al. 2004). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92757/
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16230843
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20574926
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15857210
Important Precautions
Not for use during pregnancy or lactation. If you have a medical condition or take pharmaceutical drugs please consult your doctor prior to use.
Disclaimer
This information in our Herbal Reference Guide is intended only as a general reference for further exploration, and is not a replacement for professional health advice. This content does not provide dosage information, format recommendations, toxicity levels, or possible interactions with prescription drugs. Accordingly, this information should be used only under the direct supervision of a qualified health practitioner such as a naturopathic physician.
