The tree fungus known as reishi has a long history of use in China and Japan as a semi-magical healing herb. More revered than ginseng and, up until recently, more rare, many stories tell of people with severe illnesses journeying immense distances to find it. Presently, reishi is artificially cultivated and widely available in stores that sell herb products.

Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) is called "the mushroom of immortality" in China and has been used in Oriental Medicine for over 2,000 years. In recent years its active ingredients have been the subject of intensive research regarding their apparent ability to help prevent or treat certain types of cancer, aid in the treatment of liver disease, HIV infection, acute or recurrent herpetic infections, high blood pressure, chronic bronchitis, allergies and asthma, and favorably modulate immune function. The reishi mushroom grows wild on decaying logs and tree stumps in the coastal provinces of China. The fruiting body of the mushroom is used medicinally.

Function:

1、Anti-Cancer Activity:

Cancer studies in animals have shown a 50% tumor regression rate with reishi mushroom extract treatment (e.g., connective tissue cancer model in mice). Reishi mushroom extract is used by some cancer surgeons in Japan to treat cancer patients and significant anti-tumor and immunostimulation effects have been noted in many of these cases. Polysaccharides from reishi mushrooms and from other types of folk-medicinal fungi are patented in Japan for use as immunomodulators in the treatment of cancer. They are combined with chemo- and radiotherapy and have demonstrated an ability to reduce side effects, increase the efficacy of treatments, and are used to accelerate recovery from disease.

Studies from China have shown that reishi mushroom extract potentiates the tumoricidal capacity of macrophages and T-cells. Reishi mushroom extract is known to have other immune modulating effects and antioxidant properties as well. Animal studies also show that the polysaccharide fraction of reishi mushrooms can induce apoptosis (programmed cell death of cancer cells) in leukemic cells and induce cellular differentiation in 40-45% of leukemic cells treated with reishi polysaccharides, demonstrating significant cancer treatment potential. These effects were primarily due to the increased secretion of anti-tumor cytokines (signaling agents) induced by reishi mushroom polysaccharides, namely TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, and these two cytokines acted synergistically on the inhibition of leukemic-cell growth. In a related experiment, the D-glucan polysaccharide fraction of reishi mushroom was shown to produce dramatic tumor regression in a mice sarcoma study. In many animals, complete tumor regression occurred in the group injected with beta-D glucan fractions within a 5-week period. The study by Y. Sone, et al, reported tumor inhibition rates of 90% and tumor regression in 75% of afflicted animals.

2、Immune System Enhancement: (Bronchitis, Asthma, Allergies, Herpetic Conditions and HIV Infection) Reishi mushroom extract modulates many components of the immune system, which in part, account for its apparent anti-tumor properties. Chronic bronchitis in the elderly has been shown to respond favorably to treatment using a concentrated reishi mushroom product in a trial involving 2,000 cases in China. This study demonstrated a better than 60% success rate. After several months of treatment there was a noted rise in the levels of immunoglobulin A in the sputum. Immunoglobulin A is the main immunoglobulin found in the respiratory tract. A deficiency is common in allergies, systemic lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Reishi mushroom extract supplementation has been shown to help improve cases of asthma and allergies. Two constituents of reishi mushroom extract, oleic acid and cyclooctasulfur were shown to inhibit the release of histamine, which is likely how it benefits asthmatic and allergic patients.

A specific protein-bound polysaccharide component of reishi mushroom extract, known as GLhw-02, has been shown to possess potent anti-viral properties against herpes simplex virus type 1 and type-2 under experimental conditions. A small human trial demonstrated that reishi mushroom extract reduced pain "dramatically" in two patients with post-herpetic neuralgia and in two other patients with severe pain due to herpes zoster infection (shingles, which is caused by a herpes virus).

Under experimental conditions, various ganoderic acids and polysaccharides in reishi mushroom extract have been shown to be active anti-HIV agents, showing an ability to reduce viral replication by 50% at conservative doses.  Combined with other Oriental herbs, reishi is currently used in treatments of AIDS-related complex, AIDS, and alone or in combination formulas to treat chronic fatigue syndrome. 

3. Cardiovascular Health: (High Blood Pressure and Reduced Platelet Aggregation)

Two human controlled studies revealed that reishi mushroom extract can reduce high blood pressure to a significant degree (systolic and diastolic), even in patients who had previously failed to respond to established anti-hypertensive medications. Animal studies reveal that reishi mushroom extract reduces blood pressure through a central inhibition of sympathetic nerve activity, although it does not slow heart rate or induce a sedative effect in general. Under experimental conditions, reishi mushroom extract has a mild to moderate effect on reducing platelet aggregation, which may further help to decrease risk of cardiovascular disease. It has also been shown to increase endurance, blood flow to the brain and to improve oxygenation of cells. As such, it aids energy production on a cellular level, which may improve cardiovascular health and is used to boost memory and intellectual capacity in some cultures, including success in a study of Alzheimer's patients.

4、Liver Protective Effects: (Hepatoprotective Properties)

Reishi is prescribed in China for the treatment of chronic and acute hepatitis. Various polysaccharides in reishi mushrooms have strong antihepatotoxic properties, which under experimental conditions have been shown to protect liver cells from chemically-induced injury, including protection from the highly toxic and lethal substance, carbon tetrachloride.

5、Nerve System Support

Reishi mushrooms have been traditionally recommended by Chinese and Japanese herbalists for insomnia due to their "sleep-promoting factor". Long-term use causes a significant promotion of slow wave sleep. Reishi mushrooms are prescribed in China for a number of psychiatric and neurological afflictions, including diseases involving the muscles, anorexia, and debility following lengthy illnesses.

6、Anti-Allergic /Anti-Inflammatory Actions

During the 1970s and 1980s, Reishi's anti-allergy action became the subject of ongoing research in both China and Japan. Studies showed that Reishi extract significantly inhibited all four types of allergic reactions, including positive effects against asthma and contact dermatitis. In 1990, researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio found that Reishi could be effectively used in treating stiff necks, stiff shoulders, conjunctivitis (inflammation of the fine membrane lining the eye and eyelids), bronchitis, rheumatism, and improving competence of the immune system without any significant side-effects.

Part of the anti-inflammatory effect of Reishi may be due to its free radical scavenging effect. Reishi extract significantly elevates the free radical scavenging ability of the blood, especially against the particularly harmful hydroxyl radicals. The hydroxyl radical scavenging effect of Reishi is so strong that even after the Reishi extract was absorbed and metabolized the scavenging action still continued.

7、Anti-aging

The ancient Chinese text Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing states that Ganoderma lucidum is useful for enhancing vital energy, increasing thinking faculty and preventing forgetfulness. It can refresh the body and mind, delay aging and enable one to live longer.

Dosage:

1、Therapeutic Applications: Typically 250 mg, one to four times per day is used if taken as a single agent (standardized to 10-12.5% polysaccharide content).

2、General Wellness: (immune, cardiovascular, liver support, etc.,) Consider 30-120 mg per day (standardized to 10-12.5% polysaccharide content). Reishi mushroom extract should be taken with food or it may cause stomach upset and loose stools.

Safety:

Side effects from reishi can include dizziness, dry mouth and throat, nose bleeds, and abdominal upset. These may develop with continuous use over three to six months. As it may increase bleeding time, reishi is not recommended for those taking anti-coagulant (e.g., blood-thinning) medications. Pregnant or lactating women should consult a physician before taking reishi. Because of these severe side effects we recommend that you consult and be under the supervision of a qualified professional before and during taking this herb.

Chemistry:

Reishi mushrooms contain a number of active agents that are known to modulate function of the immune system in humans. The primary agents include:

Specific Polysaccharides - which occur in the form of Beta-D-glucans bound to amino acids. These agents are known to possess immune-modulating and anti-cancer properties.

Triterpene compounds - known as ganoderic acids, which have been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce platelet stickiness and may decrease LDL-cholesterol.

Other major active constituents - including sterols, coumarin and mannitol.

References:

1. Kenneth J. REISHI: Ancient herb for modern times. Sylvan Press, 1992.

2. Wasson RG. Divine mushroom of immortality. Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, Los Angeles, 80-93, 1968.
3. "Lingzhi". In Pharmacology and Application of Chinese Materia Medica, Vol. I. Chang HM and But RPH, eds. World Scientific: Singapore, 642, 1986.
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5. Carlson J. Reishi Mushroom. New Editions Health World, 23-25, April, 1996.
6. Stavinoha WB, et al. Study of the anti-inflammatory activity of Ganoderma lucidum. Presented at the Third Academic/Industry Joint Conference (AIJC), Sapporo, Japan, 1990.
7. Lin JM, Lin CC, Chiu HF, Yang JJ, and Lee SG. Evaluation of the anti-imflammatory and liver protective effects of anoectochilus formosanus ganoderma lucidum and gynostemma pentaphyllum in rats. Am J Chi Med, 1:59-69, 1993. 3215, 1985.