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September 12, 1999
REISHI
Ganoderma lucidum, G. applanatum and related species - Family
Basidiomycetes
Synonyms
Ling zhi
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Description
This wood-decomposing fungi has a circular kidney-shaped cap divided by
concentric growth rings, resembling a ram`s horn. The color is shiny,
lacquered red to reddish-brown. The fruiting body is very woody, as is the
stem. The spores are white to brown with age, but the spore print is
brown.
Parts used
Fruiting body, mycelium (biomass).
Constituents
There are many active ingredients found in this plant. The major groups
are polysaccharides (gandelan A & B, and several glucans), lanostans,
coumarin, ergosterol, triterpenes (ganoderic acids, ganodermadiol),
adenosine, uridine, uracil, small amounts of germanium, organic acids and
resins.(1)
Mode of Action
Reishi has been examined extensively through both traditional and modern
scientific methods. A more detailed review can be found in my book, Reishi
Mushroom; Herb of Spiritual Potency and Medical Wonder.(2) Both the
ethanol and aqueous extracts have been found to inhibit the central
nervous systems of mice and act additionally as expectorants. It has been
used for nervous problems like insomnia and paranoid conditions in
humans.(3) Reishi can be considered an antioxidant with justification. It
is very likely that this feature contributed to its reputation as a
longevity herb in Chinese medicine. More recently, it has been shown to be
effective in scavenging hydroxyl radicals in blood plasma.(4)
For respiratory problems, it demonstrated a 60% recovery rate in
allergy-related chronic bronchitis. In the same research, improvement was
noted in 97.9% of the cases. Chinese studies have shown benefit for 87.5%
of bronchial asthmatics with a cure rate of 48%. For sinus problems, the
cure rate is over 50% with approximately 80% effectiveness. Reduction of
asthma in guinea pigs, and contact dermatitis in mice, has been considered
remarkable by Japanese researchers.(5) Reishi was shown to significantly
inhibit histamine release and to be effective against Ig-E related
allergies.(6,7)
Reishi protected mice from the effects of accumulated fatty acid and
cholesterol when taken along with a fatty diet. The herb also showed
significant results in lowering blood lipids and fatty deposits in the
liver. In a small study done on 10 cholesterol patients, significant drops
in cholesterol and triglyceride levels were noted after two months of
taking reishi mushrooms.
Injection of the extract has lowered blood pressure in both dogs and
rabbits, while increasing urine volume. In a study conducted on
genetically hypertensive (high blood pressure) mice, blood pressure was
lowered by 20% after consuming reishi for two weeks. Another study,
involving 10 patients with high blood pressure, found a 70% improvement in
blood pressure (especially diastolic) after removal of medication and use
of reishi. A third study with 10 patients over 20 weeks produced
significant improvement using reishi and pharmaceutical preparations
compared with patients only using the pharmaceutical. In another study
done on 53 patients, reishi was shown to reduce blood pressurend blood
lipid, with no side efects.(8)
The active ingredient for circulation has been isolated. It is a
triterpene which inhibits angiotensin converting enzyme (responsible for
narrowing the arteries in high blood pressure).(9) Reishi inhibits
excessive platelet accumulation and reinforces the outer membrane of the
red corpuscle.(10) Reishi is known to stop thrombi formations (blood
clots)(11). In China it was shown to be effective in 80% of myocardial
infarction and angina cases while being curative in 25%(12). This fungi
has antibacterial effects on Bacillus pneumonia, staphylococci and
streptococci bacteria. It can be used as an antidote in mushroom
poisoning.(13)
Studies completed in Japan have confirmed that Reishi can be responsible
for arresting metastic cancer in laboratory mice. The Japanese Cancer
Society has found Reishi effective against sarcomas. The active
ingredients responsible for this are the polysaccharides.(14) Gandelan A
& B are the known factors responsible for Reishi`s sugar-regulating
ability. In the digestive tract, Reishi has shown an 80% cure rate for
ulcers. Chronic hepatitis, a notoriously difficult viral infection, showed
a 10% cure rate in 2 months with 40% reduction of symptoms. Reishi reduced
the symptoms associated with hepatitis in carbon tetrachloride-induced
hepatic mice.
Therapeutic Action
Adaptogen, nervine, relaxant, stimulant, anti-allergenic.
Energetics
Traditional Chinese
Ling zhi is listed as sweet, mild flavour with a warm property. Its
action is nourishing, supplementing, tonifying. It removes toxins,
disperses accumulation, and stops tightness in the chest.(15)
Folklore
Reishi mushroom (known in China as ling zhi) has been considered
the most valuable herb of the Orient, outpacing even the reputation of
ginseng. The mystical qualities attributed to this herb might be explained
by the rarity of this plant. Only 2 - 3 mushrooms are found for every
10,000 dead plum or hemlock logs. Sophisticated cultivation techniques now
make Reishi more available.
The nature of reishi mushroom is documented in Shen nung tsao ching
(56 B.C.). It is described as having the most extensive and effective
healing powers. Since that time it has been considered number one amongst
the higher herbs. Over the centuries it has gone by many names: Happy
herb, herb of spiritual potency, Ten-thousand-year mushroom, Miraculous
chi, Auspicious herb and Good omen plant. Folklore has it that the herb
was considered so valuable that if a person found one they would not even
tell their closest friends or relatives.
When one reads the list of ailments it is supposed to cure, there is an
immediate impression of a ``snake oil`` product. A cure-all! It is
tempting to consider the stories about Reishi as wives` tales along with
lore such as: ``the gods planting it in the mountain, for only the special
to find``. On the other hand, Nissan (one of the three largest
conglomerates in Japan) has conducted extensive research on Reishi and is
the major world supplier of the herb.
As noted above, the list of traditional uses is long. Cast in the terms of
traditional Chinese medicine, it includes: nourishing, supplementing,
toning, removing toxins, and dispersing accumulation. It is indicated for
neurasthenia, nervousness, dizziness, insomnia, high blood pressure, high
cholesterol, chronic hepatitis, cancer, AIDS/ARC, nephritis, bronchial
asthma, allergies, pneumonia, stomach disease, coronary heart disease,
diabetes, angina, mushroom poisoning, fatigue, and for enhancing
longevity. Reishi is often classed as an adaptogen (a substance that aids
the body in resistance against a wide range of physical, biological and
environmental stresses).
Dosage
1 - 15 gms daily, with 3 - 6 gms being the most common recommendation.
Toxicity and Contraindications
The toxicity of this mushroom can be considered completely negligible with
an LD50 of > 5,000 mg/K. No toxic effect at this level was noted after
30 days of consumption. This suggests that no toxic signs would be found
in humans if they consumed 350 grams a day, 40 - 300 times the therapeutic
dose.
During the initial period of intake, some people have observed dizziness,
sore bones, itchy skin, increased bowel movements, hardened feces, and/or
pimple-like eruptions. These can be considered normal signs of the reishi
excreting body toxins. These disturbances vary from person to person and
will disappear as intake continues.
Official Recognition and Medical References
Peoples Republic Pharm. - 1988
References
1. Willard T.; Reishi Mushroom: Herb of Spiritual Potency and Medical
Wonder; Sylvan Press Issaquah Wa; 1990.
2. Willard T, Ibid
3. Gengtao L, Tiantong B, et al; Some Pharmacological actions of
the spores of Ganoderma lucidum and the mycelium of Ganoderma capense
cultivated submerged formation; Chen Med. J., 92 (7) 496-500 1979.
4. Wang, J., Zhang, J., Chen W; Study of the action of Ganoderma lucidum
on Scavenging hydroxyl radical from blood plasma J. Trad. Chin. Med. 5
(1),1985, p. 55-60.
5. Nogam,i M., Ito, M., Kubo, M., et al; Study on Ganoderma lucidum
VII. Anti allergic effect; Yakugak Zasshi 106 (7) 1986, p. 600-604.
6 Nogami M., Tsuji Y, et al; Studies on Ganoderma lucidum VI. Anti
Allergic effect; Yakugaku Zasshi 106 (7) 1986, p. 594-599.
7. Koda H, Tokumoto W, et al; The Biologically active constituents
of Ganoderma lucidum Histamine release-inhibitory triterpenes Chem. Pharm.
Bull. (Tokyo 33(4) 1984, p. 1367-74.
8. Kanmatsuse K., Kajiwara N., Hayashi K., et al., Studies on
Ganoderma lucidum. Efficacy against hypertension and side effects, Yakugo
Zasshi, 1985, 105(10): p. 942-947.
9. Morigiwa A., Kitabatake K., Fujimoto Y. et al; Angiotensi
converting enzyme-inhibition triterpenes from Ganoderma lucidum; Chem.
Pharm. Bul. (Tokyo 34(7) 1986; p. 3025-3028.
10. Shimizu A., Yano T., Saito Y. et al; Isolation of an inhibitor
of Platelet aggregation from a fungus Ganoderma lucidum; Chem. Pharm. Bul.
(Tokyo) 33(7), 1985, p. 3012-3015.
11. Kubo M., Matsuda H., Nogami M.; et al; Ganoderma lucidum IV.
Effects on Disseminated Intra Vascular Coagulation; Yakugaku Zasshi 103
(8) , 1983, p 871-877.
12. Fu, H., Wang, Z.; The Clinical effects of Ganoderma lucidum spore
preparation in 10 cases of Atrophic Myotonia; J Tradit. Chin. Med. 2 (1),
1982, p. 63-65.
13. Hsu, H. Y., Chen, Y. P., et al; Oriental Materia Medica; a
concise guide; Oriental Healing Arts Institute, 1986 p. 604-641.
14. Kampo, Iyaku Simbun, Becoming Healthy with Reishi III, Toyo-Igaku,
Tokyo, 1988, p. 12-20.
15. Hsu, H.Y., Chen, Y.P., et al., Oriental Materia Medica: a
concise guide, Oriental Healing Arts Institute, Long Beach, CA, 1986, p.
640-641.
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