Ganoderma lucidum
Common name: Reishi, reishi mushroom, lingzhi mushroom
Family: Ganodermataceae
Part used: Fungal fruiting body
Habitat and Description: Reishi is a tough, polyporous bracket fungi with a shiny rust coloured upper side and pale porous under side. The bracket shape is curved or fan shaped and slightly domed. Reishi usually grows on deciduous old-growth trees and dead branches, found in the wild in Canada, China and eastern Asia, occasionally in the UK and Europe and widely cultivated particularly in China.
Constituents: Polysaccharides (beta D-glucans), nucleotides (adenosine), triterpenes, nutrients (zinc, magnesium, iron, copper, calcium, germanium), oleic acid, proteins, choline, coumarin, sterols (ganodosterone), alkaloids, ganodosterone
Actions: General tonic, nervous system sedative, analgesic, adaptogen, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, immuno-stimulant, anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergenic, anti-histamine, anti-tussive, expectorant, detoxifer, cardiotonic, hypotensive, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotector
Traditional and current uses:
Chinese texts have recorded medicinal uses of lingzhi for more than 2,000 years, much of our current knowledge stems from this tradition alongside a plethora of recent research.
- Immune support and improves the functioning and regulation of the whole immune system
- Chronic immune weakness
- Poor resistance to airborne and respiratory infections
- Anti-bacterial against staphylococcus and streptococcus
- Inhibits the release of histamine and reduces the immune response to inhaled or ingested allergens (notably allergies mediated by immunoglobulin E).
- As an adjunct to cancer treatment and other diseases involving massive oxidative damage (eg. chemical toxicity and liver damage)
- Long term preventative tonic for the circulatory system
- Protects against radiation damage
- Reduces inflammation without interfering in the healing response
Disclaimer: The information on this website is provided for educational use only, and is not intended as a replacement for the services of a qualified medical herbalist, doctor or licensed health practitioner. The information contained herein is not diagnostic, always consult a medical health professional before embarking on a treatment programme. Urban Fringe Dispensary disclaims any liability, loss, injury or damage incurred as a consequence of the use and application of the advice given herein.
