About Ganoderma, The King Of Herbs

GANODERMA

Ganoderma lucidum, G. applanatum and related species - Family Basidiomycetes

Other names

Ling-zhi, Lingzhi, Reishi, Young-zhi, Biladi Top, The King Of Herbs

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 (top of mushroom), mycelium (root of mushroom).

Active Ingredients

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)

Actions and Effects

Ganoderma has been examined extensively through both traditional and modern scientific methods. A more detailed review can be found in Doctor T. Willard's 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) Ganoderma 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) Ganoderma was shown to significantly inhibit histamine release and to be effective against Ig-E related allergies. (6,7)

Ganoderma 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 ganoderma 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 Ganoderma 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 Ganoderma. A third study with 10 patients over 20 weeks produced significant improvement using ganoderma and pharmaceutical preparations compared with patients only using the pharmaceutical. In another study done on 53 patients, ganoderma was shown to reduce blood pressure and blood lipids, 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) Ganoderma inhibits excessive platelet accumulation and reinforces the outer membrane of the red corpuscle. (10) Ganoderma 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 Ganoderma can be responsible for arresting metastic cancer in laboratory mice. The Japanese Cancer Society has found Ganoderma effective against sarcomas. The active ingredients responsible for this are the polysaccharides. (14) Gandelan A & B are the known factors responsible for Ganoderma`s sugar-regulating ability. In the digestive tract, Ganoderma 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. Ganoderma reduced the symptoms associated with hepatitis in carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic mice.

Therapeutic Action

Adaptogen, nervine, relaxant, stimulant, anti-allergenic.

Traditional Chinese

Ganoderma 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

The Ganoderma 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 such as the ones used on modern organic farms now make Ganoderma more available.

The nature of ganoderma 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 Ganoderma 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 Ganoderma 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. Ganoderma is often classed as an adaptogen (a substance that aids the body in resistance against a wide range of physical, biological and environmental stresses, with no harmful side-effects and no deleterious drug interactions).

Dosage of typical modern-day ganoderma capsules

Start off with one pair (one fruiting body and one mycelium) per day for a week. Then step up to two pairs a day for a week, then three pairs a day for a week &tc... Typically, one might go as high as six pairs per day, then taper back down to two or three pairs per day. Serious health conditions might need a larger dosage, but you can take tremendous amounts of Ganoderma with no harm. Make sure you drink lots of water when taking ganoderma - as most likely you will be urinating more - this is an indication that the toxins are flushing out of your body and this effect will lessen as time goes by and your toxins are quickly eliminated.

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 ganoderma excreting body toxins. These disturbances vary from person to person and will disappear as intake continues - this is normal - it's just Ganoderma helping your body flush out toxins.

Recognition and Medical 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.