Reishi

Latin Name: Ganoderma lucidum
Family: Ganodermataceae

Part used: Fruiting body.
Iris: All types.
Interactions: Please check with your Healthcare Provider.

Safe alongside Herb

Acetylsalicylic acid
Aciclovir
Cyclophosphamide
Zidovudine

Unsure alongside Herb

Chlorpromazine

CONTRA-INDICATIONS

Caution alongside anti-coagulant drugs.

ACTIONS

Immune-modulator
Hepato-protective
Hypolipidemic
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-bacterial
Anti-platelet and ACE inhibiting
Anti-fungal (candidiasis)
Cardio-Tonic
Anti-viral (Hep A & B)
Anti-histamine
Anti-oxidant
Amphoteric
Anti-diabetic
Nervine
Sedative.

Main Constituents

Polysaccharides
Ergosterol (provitamin D2)
Ganoderan
Triterpenes Ganodermic-
Ganlucid- & Lucidemic acids
Steroids (Ganodosteron)
B vitamins
Adenosine
Mg, Zn, Se, Ca, P, K.

Main Uses

Main: Heart, Liver, Immune system modulator and Tonic, Anti-ageing.
Works through the hypothalamus to have a regulatory effect on the downstream endocrine glands.

Infections:
Bacteria: Bacillus pneumoniae, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus
Fungi: Candida
Viruses: HIV
Digestive System: Liver protections & detoxification, Gastritis, Colitis
Circulatory: Lowering cholesterol and blood sugar, Diabetes, Blood oxygenation, Cardiac arrhythmia, Platelet aggregation, Hypertension, Arteriosclerosis
Mental/Emotional: Nervousness, Sleeplessness
Endocrine: Balancing endocrine functions (thyroid, menopause)
Immune System: Allergies and Auto-immune disease, Anti-neoplastic, Migraine, Inflammation
Respiratory System: Bronchitis, Asthma
Reproductive System: Prostatic tonic

More About Reishi

Reishi is the most famous medicinal mushroom with reports in traditional medicine dating to 4000 years ago.
It is known as the “Mushroom of Immortality”, or the “10,000 year mushroom”.
It is still a popular gourmet mushroom and highly regarded in cancer therapy. The major active components are polysaccharides and beta glucans which have potent immunomodulatory actions. Proteoglycan fractions ‘D-fraction’ and ‘MD-fraction’ taken from the whole fruiting body, show tumour inhibiting properties in Stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ cancers. Reishi disrupts androgen receptor activity and controls prostate cancer.
D-Fraction and Vitamin C showed significant alleviation of the side effects from chemotherapy (loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea, hair loss and leukopaenia).
Reishi has a tyrosinase inhibiting activity which may control the development of Parkinson’s Disease. Additionally, it inhibits beta-amyloid synaptic toxicity, which has beneficial effects in Alzheimer’s Disease.
It suppresses TNF-alpha, Interleukin-6, Nitric oxide, Prostaglandin E2 which contributes to its efficacy in allergies and other inflammatory conditions.

Recipes:

Reishi Mushroom Tea

Ingredients:

1 dried Reishi mushroom slice (about 1-2 grams)
472- 708ml of water
Optional: A slice of fresh ginger, honey, or lemon for flavour

Instructions:

Prepare the Reishi Mushroom Slice:
Dried Reishi mushroom slices can be found in health food stores or online. If it's whole, break it into smaller pieces or crush it slightly to help release the beneficial compounds.
Boil Water:
Bring 472- 702ml of water to a boil in a kettle or on the stove.
Place the dried Reishi mushroom slice in a teapot or heat resistant mug.
Pour the boiling water over the Reishi mushroom.
If desired, add a slice of fresh ginger for added flavour and potential health benefits. The tea may be sweetened with honey or a squeeze of lemon to taste.
Cover the teapot or mug with a lid or saucer and let the Reishi mushroom steep for at least 15-20 minutes. For a stronger infusion, steep for up to an hour or more.
After steeping, strain the tea to remove the Reishi mushroom slice and any added ingredients.
Pour the tea into a cup and enjoy!
Sip the Reishi mushroom tea while it's still warm. It has a slightly bitter, earthy flavour.
The Reishi mushroom slice may be reused for another batch of tea if desired. Simply store it in the refrigerator until ready to use again.

References

Anti-cancer, polysaccharides, immunomodulatory, anti-metastatic, anti-angiogenic

Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharides as An Anti-cancer Agent.
Evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies has demonstrated that GLP possesses potential anticancer activity through immunomodulatory, anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-metastatic and anti-angiogenic effects.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29141563/

Antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antineurodegenerative, antidiabetic activities.

Health-Promoting of Polysaccharides Extracted from Ganoderma lucidum.
The pharmacologically active fraction of polysaccharides has antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antineurodegenerative and antidiabetic activities.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34444885/

Polysaccharide, neurosis, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, atrophic myotonia

Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide used for treating physical frailty in China.
After more than 40 years of clinical use, its efficacy, safety, and long-term tolerability have been recognized by neurologists. It is one of a few non-hormonal drugs used for treating neurosis, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, atrophic myotonia and muscular dystrophy. It is also used for combination therapy, which reduces the amount of glucocorticoid required for myopathy patient who is in remission. In addition, it reduces adverse reactions and improves the quality of life for cancer patients during chemotherapy.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31030748/

Acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, polycystic kidney disease

Preventive and therapeutic effect of Ganoderma lucidum on kidney injuries and diseases.
Recently, many lines of studies have elucidated the therapeutic effects of G. lucidum and its extractions on various acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) pathogenesis, including autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, diabetic nephropathy, renal proximal tubular cell oxidative damage and fibrotic process, renal ischemia reperfusion injury, cisplatin-induced renal injury, adriamycin-induced nephropathy, chronic proteinuric renal diseases, etc.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32089235/

CV and Metabolic Disease

The beneficial effects of Ganoderma lucidum on cardiovascular and metabolic disease risk.
A number of in vitro studies and in vivo animal models have found that G. lucidum possesses antioxidative, antihypertensive, hypoglycaemic, lipid-lowering, and anti-inflammatory properties, but the health benefits in clinical trials are inconsistent. Among these potential health benefits, the most compelling evidence thus far is its hypoglycaemic effects in patients with type 2 diabetes or hyperglycaemia.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34465259/