THE HEALING WONDER OF GANODERMA LUCIDUM OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE RED MUSHROOM, REISHI IN JAPAN AND LINGZHI IN CHINA...

Reishi Mushroom Benefits

One of the most famous of these mushrooms is the Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum). The Reishi mushroom is referred to by the Japanese as the “Ten Thousand Year Old Mushroom.”

Its Chinese name, ling-zhi, means the “Mushroom of Immortality.”

The Reishi has been evaluated in a variety of studies and it has shown to have a positive affect on retinal pigmentary degeneration, neurasthenia, insomnia, duodenal ulcers, hepatitis and muscular dystrophy

In addition, the Reishi mushroom has pro-immune and anti-cancer properties. (Chang & But, 1986; Chang et al, 1984; Huidi & Zhiyuan, 1982).11

The Reishi mushroom has been found to be rich in immune system stimulating polysaccharides, triterpenoids and specialized proteins that have stimulating effects on immune system function.

In a study conducted by Cancer Research UK, it is said about the Reishi that “The major immuno-modulating effects of these active substances include mitogenicity and activation of immune effector cells such as T cells, macrophages and natural killer cells resulting in the production of cytokines, including interleukins, tumor necrosis factor, and interferon.

The therapeutic action of G. lucidum as an anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory agent has been associated with its immuno-modulating properties (Wang et al., 1977).”12 The promising research regarding these specialized members of the plant kingdom has led to a wave of brand new whole food supplements targeting both immunity and over all health.

Finally, according to a 1987 study (Ying et al., 1987), there are at least 270 species of mushrooms with actual medicinal properties. China and Japan, two countries that have a solid history and ancient ties with the medicinal mushroom, have led the world in bringing focus to the magical mushroom, not just as a culinary delight, but for the inroads it has made into some of the greatest health challenges of modern civilization.

References

• 1Mushroom Adventures. Ed. Donald J. Simoni 2008/2009 Season 2 The Mushroom Expert. “Agaricus bisporus: The Button Mushroom” by Michael Kuo, Junuary, 2004
• 3Society of Chemical Industry. “Button Mushrooms Contain As Much Anti-oxidants As Expensive Ones.” ScienceDaily 12 February 2008. 2 September 2008
• 4Missouri Department of Conservation. “Edible Mushrooms” by the Conservation Commission of the State of Missouri reprinted from the Missouri Conservationist, 1983
• 5OOyster Mushrooms. “Oyster Musroom Recipes” by Ralph H. Kurtzman, Jr., 2006
• 6Christopher Hobbs, “Medicinal Mushrooms III” by Christopher Hobbs, 1998
• 7Oakshire Mushroom Farms. Shiitake Recipes. Oakshire, 2007 8World of Fungi Organization. Potential of Fungi Used in Traditional
• Chinese Medicine: Shiitake/shiang-gu (Lentinula edodes)by Mohammad Ismail Haji Mokhtar, 2000
• 9Golden Gourmet Mushrooms. “Enoki Mushrooms” Golden Gourmet Mushrooms, 2000.

The Benefits of Reishi

The scientific data accumulated over the past 30 years help explain why Reishi is effective in all parts of our body:

• Immune System
  • Cancer: Reishi is an effective anti-tumor medicine
  • Common Cold
  • Influenza
  • Cough
  • Inflammation
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Allergies
  • Lupus
  • Stomatitis (canker sores)
  • Reishi acts as an antioxidant against free radicals
  • Reishi protects against the effects of radiation
  • Reishi has anti-inflammatory effects
• Respiratory System
  • Asthma
  • Chronic Bronchitis
• Endocrine System
  • Problems associated with Menopause
  • Irregular mentruation
• Nervous System
  • Insomnia
  • Neurasthenia
  • Stress-induced tension
  • Over-sleep
  • Headache
  • Toothache
  • Cataracts
  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • Myasthenia Gravis
• Circulatory System
  • Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
  • Hypotension (Low Blood Pressure)
  • Coronary Heart Disease
  • Arteriosclerosis
  • Arrhythmia
  • Stroke
  • Reduction of Cholesterol (LDL)
  • Anemia
  • Cold Extremities
  • Hemorrhoid
  • Elevation sickness
• Digestive System
  • Gastroenteritis
  • Ulcer
  • Hepatitis
  • Liver Necrosis
  • Reishi regenerates the liver
  • Obesity -- Reishi removes fat in the blood
  • Underweight -- Reishi improves appetite
  • Diabetes
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Gallstones
• Skin
  • Aging of the skin
  • Ugly spots on the skin
  • Acne
  • Hair loss
  • Dermatitis
• Excretory System
  • Nephritis
• Reproductive System
  • Erectile Dysfunction
  • Lack of sexual desire
  • Dysmenorrhea (Mentrual cramps)

Red Reishi (Ganoderma Lucidum), commonly known as Ling Zhi in Chinese, is a herbal mushroom known to have miraculous health benefits.

It has been used in Japan and China for over 2,000 years and thus making it the oldest mushroom known to have been used as medicine. Since ancient times, the Reishi mushroom was reserved for emperors and royalties. It has been revered as nature’s rarest and most beneficial herb. In the Superior category of Shen Nung Ben Cao Jing, the oldest and most famous medical text on Oriental herbal medicine, red Reishi is ranked as the number one herb, ahead of ginseng, because of its following qualities:

1. It is non-toxic and can be taken daily without producing any side effects.

2. When it is taken regularly, it can restore the body to its natural state, enabling all organs to function normally.

3. Immune modulator - regulates and fine tunes the immune system.

What are the benefits of Reishi?

Red Reishi is primarily composed of complex carbohydrates called water-soluble polysaccharides, triterpeniods, proteins and amino acids. Researchers have identified that water-soluble polysaccharides are the most active element found in Red Reishi that have anti-tumour, immune modulating and blood pressure lowering effects.

Another major active ingredient found in Red Reishi are triterpenes , called ganoderic acids. Preliminary studies indicated that ganoderic acids help alleviate common allergies by inhibiting histamine release, improve oxygen utilization and improve liver functions. Triterpenes are bitter in taste and the level of the triterpene content contained in a product can be determined by the bitterness.

Regular consumption of red Reishi can enhance our body's immune system and improve blood circulation, thus improving better health conditions. Generally, Reishi is recommended as an adaptogen, immune modulator, and a general tonic. Red Reishi is also used to help treat anxiety, high blood pressure, hepatitis, bronchitis, insomnia, and asthma. A full list of reported benefits can be found here.

Is there any evidence?

A considerable number of studies in Japan , China , USA , and the UK in the past 30 years have shown that the consumption of red Reishi has been linked to the treatment of a vast range of diseases, common ailments, and conditions. From asthma to zoster, the applications of red Reishi seem to be related to a multitude of body organs and systems.

However, most of the scientific research that has been conducted appears to strongly support red Reishi's role as a normalizing substance - a nutritional supplement that can yield medical benefits through its normalization and regulation of the body's organs and functions.

The role of Red Reishi in maintaining a healthy lifestyle can best be explained through the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) point of view because none of the known active components taken alone is as more effective than the consumption of Reishi itself. Whereas Western medicine focuses on the “cure” after the disease has already occurred, TCM, established through over 2,000 years of human observation, focuses on disease prevention by sustaining the right balance within the body through proper nutrition, exercise, and meditation. Reishi is an important adaptogenic herb in TCM in helping the body maintain this balance and also restore the balance when one is sick. For scientific studies done on Reishi please see the Research or Articles section.