By Dennis Wong, B.Sc. Pharm., FAARFM, CCN, ABAAHP, IFMCP
Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi) is a Chinese herb that has been used in China for many thousands of years ago, especially by the royal families. It is also known as Reishi mushroom. In ancient China, it was called the mushroom of immortality as they believed it improved many symptoms of aging such as high blood pressure, arthritis, and liver problems. Over several years, scientific research has been increased on the health benefits of the herb and the components that may be responsible for the health benefit.
There are many studies showing life life-extending properties of Ganoderma Lucidum and also significant ability to stimulate brain neurons, immune boosting, and prevention of fat cell development to mention a few. The actions of the Ganoderma Lucindum are, however, not due to one component but it is a synergistic action like many other Chinese herbs. For example, in the area of immune surveillance, some compounds of Ganoderma Lucidum block abnormal reproductive cell cycles, other has a direct toxic effect on unhealthy cells, and others trigger programmed cell death according to studies.
Other studies show that Ganoderma spores improve liver function and protect the liver damaged by toxins. Researchers found the spores decreased the toxic metal cadmium accumulation in the liver by pushing it into the liquid matrix of the cells. Once there, the spores increase the production of a cadmium-binding protein that removes the toxin from the body. Other studies are showing Ganoderma extracts protect liver tissue from the toxic effects of certain bacterial infections, inhibit inflammation in liver cells, improve the antioxidant system, and reduce oxidative stress. One of the most exciting potential uses may be in patients with liver fibrosis as animal studies show the reversal of the disease by Ganoderma extract.
In animal studies, Ganoderma drastically reduces the symptoms associated with allergies, such as runny nose, sneezing, and itch by inhibiting histamine-releasing cells called mast cells and also reducing the activity in nerves that transmit the itch sensation to the brain after itch stimulus.
According to the studies, there are many other health benefits have been found from Ganoderma extracts or spores showing improvement in the production of nerve growth factor, improved oxygen
perfusion and reperfusion, prevention of new fat cell production, reducing sugar spike after a meal by inhibiting enzyme alpha-glucosidase hence limiting the destruction caused by Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs), the proteins whose malfunction promotes aging and inflammation.
With all these potential health benefits from Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom), one will wonder how and when you should be taking the herb. There are many products available such as ganoderma-infused coffee, tea and hot chocolate, Ganoderma extract capsules, Spores, and many others just to name a few. The main thing is to work with properly trained health practitioners who know reputable companies and products as there are many products out there, especially for Ganoderma Lucidum that can be counterfeit and may be harmful for you.