Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) has been used in the Far East for approximately 4,000 years. In China it is called Ling Zhi (mushroom of immortality). Historically, it has been used as a longevity herb to treat kidney disorders, liver disorders, bronchitis, asthma, gastric ulcers, fatigue, insomnia, heart disease, cancer, and dizziness, as well as to prevent altitude sickness [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. The bioactivity is due to the polysaccharides (over 100 types including beta-glucan), triterpines, proteins, sterols, minerals (including germanium) and fatty acids [8, 9].
There have been many studies on Ganoderma showing it to be antimicrobial (specifically antibacterial against H. pylori and certain species of Klebsiella), and antiviral, including anti-HIV [10, 11, 12, 13]. Our clinical tests have also found it useful at times for fungal and parasitic issues [14, 15]. Reishi also exhibits the following properties: chemoprotective, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, anti-oxidative [16, 17,1, 18]. Like Morinda, BodyGuard, Endo, Melia, and LuRong, the clinical applications are very broad and we evaluate it on every patient as it has the potential to be health restorative for many.
In addition to working against H. Pylori research also indicates that the oral administration of Reishi for 2 weeks caused a significant acceleration of ulcer healing by between 40.1% and 55.9%. In addition it also suppressed or restored the decreased gastric mucus levels and increased gastric prostaglandin concentrations compared with the control group. These results indicate that Reishi has healing efficacy on acetic acid-induced ulcers in rats, which may help with the prevention and treatment of peptic ulcers [3].
Its antitumor effects have been studied extensively both as a single standing product and in combination with other herbs and chemotherapy agents. It also lessens the negative effects of chemotherapy and radiation [19]. Other trials show it to activate T-cells and certain cytokines, especially IL-2, as well as macrophages [20, 21]. In one study it caused an 81.2 % decrease of tumor volume and tumor mass [22].
Other studies show how Reishi suppresses tumorigenesis and inhibits tumor growth through direct cytotoxic effect and anti-angiogenic actions. This is possibly due to its immunomodulatory, anti-angiogenic, and cytotoxic effects. Reishi affects immune cells and immune-related cells including B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, dendritic cells, macrophages, and natural killer cells [23].
Reishi can also act as a mast cell stabilizer, leading to an inhibition of histamine release [24]. It has been effective in lowering elevated cholesterol levels as well as blood pressure [25]. In addition to increasing HDL (good) cholesterol, it also has an anti-diabetic effect, lowers insulin resistance, and can lower plasma insulin levels [26].
New research suggests that G. lucidum extract inhibits scratching and relieves allergic itch through a peripheral action [26]. This could potentially help those who are prone to bug bites, including against mosquitoes.
Reishi also protects the hippocampus from oxidative impairment and helps benefit factors involved with spatial learning and ones memory, and also protects against severe damage of hippocampal neurons [27].
Not only is Reishi not contraindicated in patients with fungal issues, but it can help them get over it. Clinical research suggests it can minimize the toxic effects of methylxanthine ingestion (caffeine, theobromine in coffee, tea, chocolate, etc) and should be given to those that consume moderate to large amounts of these substances.
Dosage:
Dosage is 1 cap 3x per day depending on the severity of the condition. It works well in combination with all the other Supreme Nutrition products and also as a stand if none of the other products are indicated.
Contraindications:
The only potential side effect we know of is that it can have an additive effect involving the inhibition of platelet aggregation for people already on blood thinning medications so they may need less of the medication (or not take the Reishi).
Doctors note:
Similar to LuRong and Ashwagandha, mushrooms have been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. While they have been used traditionally and sound quite impressive, many physicians have found inconsistent results when using them in clinical practice. Going through much research, clinic experiments, and consultation with herbalists we were able to find a type of Reishi, which performed well both academically and clinically on patients.
1. Shieh, Ying-Hua, Chi-Feng Liu, Yao-Kuan Huang, Jen-Yuann Yang, I-Lin Wu, Chia-Hsien Lin, and Song-Chow Lin. “Evaluation of the Hepatic and Renal-protective Effects of Ganoderma Lucidum in Mice.” The American Journal of Chinese Medicine Am. J. Chin. Med. 29.03n04 (2001): 501-07. Web.
2. Miyazaki, Toshio, and Motohiro Nishijima. “Studies on Fungal Polysaccharides. XXVII. Structural Examination of a Water-soluble, Antitumor Polysaccharide of Ganoderma Lucidum.” Chem. Pharm. Bull. CHEMICAL & PHARMACEUTICAL BULLETIN 29.12 (1981): 3611-616. Web.
3. Gao, Yihuai, Wenbo Tang, He Gao, Eli Chan, Jin Lan, and Shufeng Zhou. “Ganoderma Lucidum Polysaccharide Fractions Accelerate Healing of Acetic Acid-Induced Ulcers in Rats.” Journal of Medicinal Food 7.4 (2004): 417-21. Web.
4. Wei, Wei, Linyong Zheng, Mengyao Yu, Nan Jiang, Zhirong Yang, and Xia Luo. “Anti-fatigue Activity of Extract Form the Submerged Fermentation of Ganoderma Lucidum Using Radix Astragali as Substrate.” Journal of Animal & Plant Sciences 6.3 (2010): 677-84. Web.
5. Wong, Kar-Lok, Hung-Hsing Chao, Paul Chan, Li-Ping Chang, and Chi-Feng Liu. “Antioxidant Activity OfGanoderma Lucidum in Acute Ethanol-induced Heart Toxicity.” Phytotherapy Research Phytother. Res. 18.12 (2004): 1024-026. Web.
6. Sliva, Daniel. “Ganoderma Lucidum (Reishi) in Cancer Treatment.” Integr Cancer Ther Integrative Cancer Therapies 2.4 (2003): 358-64. Web.
7. Wasser, Solomon. “Reishi or Ling Zhi (Ganoderma Lucidum).” Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements (2004): 603-22. Web.
8. Ding, Yi-Xin, Xiang Ou-Yang, Chang-Hua Shang, Ang Ren, Liang Shi, Yu-Xiang Li, and Ming-Wen Zhao. “Molecular Cloning, Characterization, and Differential Expression of a Farnesyl-Diphosphate Synthase Gene from the Basidiomycetous Fungus Ganoderma Lucidum.” Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biochemistry 72.6 (2008): 1571-579. Web.
9. Akihisa, Toshihiro, Yuji Nakamura, Masaaki Tagata, Harukuni Tokuda, Ken Yasukawa, Emiko Uchiyama, Takashi Suzuki, and Yumiko Kimura. “Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Tumor-Promoting Effects of Triterpene Acids and Sterols from the FungusGanoderma Lucidum.” Chemistry & Biodiversity C&B 4.2 (2007): 224-31. Web.
10. Cheuk, W., J. K. C. Chan, G. Nuovo, M. K. M. Chan, and M. Fok. “Regression of Gastric Large B-Cell Lymphoma Accompanied by a Florid Lymphoma-like T-Cell Reaction: Immunomodulatory Effect of Ganoderma Lucidum (Lingzhi)?” International Journal of Surgical Pathology 15.2 (2007): 180-86. Web.
11. Yoon, Sang Yeon, Seong Kug Eo, Young So Kim, Chong Kil Lee, and Seong Sun Han. “Antimicrobial Activity OfGanoderma Lucidum Extract Alone and in Combination with Some Antibiotics.” Archives of Pharmacal Research Arch. Pharm. Res. 17.6 (1994): 438-42. Web.
12. Eo, Seong-Kug, Young-So Kim, Chong-Kil Lee, and Seong-Sun Han. “Antiviral Activities of Various Water and Methanol Soluble Substances Isolated from Ganoderma Lucidum.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 68.1-3 (1999): 129-36. Web.
13. El-Mekkawy, Sahar, Meselhy R. Meselhy, Norio Nakamura, Yasuhiro Tezuka, Masao Hattori, Nobuko Kakiuchi, Kunitada Shimotohno, Takuya Kawahata, and Toru Otake. “Anti-HIV-1 and Anti-HIV-1-protease Substances from Ganoderma Lucidum.” Phytochemistry 49.6 (1998): 1651-657. Web.
14. Wang, Hexiang, and T.b. Ng. “Ganodermin, an Antifungal Protein from Fruiting Bodies of the Medicinal Mushroom Ganoderma Lucidum.” Peptides 27.1 (2006): 27-30. Web.
15. Mau, Jeng-Leun, Hsiu-Ching Lin, and Chin-Chu Chen. “Non-volatile Components of Several Medicinal Mushrooms.” Food Research International 34.6 (2001): 521-26. Web.
16. Yu, Qiang, Shao-Ping Nie, Jun-Qiao Wang, Xiao-Zhen Liu, Peng-Fei Yin, Dan-Fei Huang, Wen-Juan Li, De-Ming Gong, and Ming-Yong Xie. “Chemoprotective Effects of Ganoderma Atrum Polysaccharide in Cyclophosphamide-induced Mice.” International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 64 (2014): 395-401. Web.
17. Lin, Jer-Min, Chun-Ching Lin, Hui-Fen Chiu, Jenq-Jer Yang, and Shing-Ginn Lee. “Evaluation of the Anti-inflammatory and Liver-protective Effects of Anoectochilus Formosanus , Ganoderma Lucidum and Gynostemma Pentaphyllum in Rats.” The American Journal of Chinese Medicine Am. J. Chin. Med. 21.01 (1993): 59-69. Web.
18. Zhu, Min, Qi Chang, Leone K. Wong, Finny S. Chong, and Ronald C. Li. “Triterpene Antioxidants FromGanoderma Lucidum.” Phytotherapy Research Phytother. Res. 13.6 (1999): 529-31. Web.
19. Kim, K. C., and I. G. Kim. “Ganoderma Lucidum Extract Protects DNA from Strand Breakage Caused by Hydroxyl Radical and UV Irradiation.” Int J Mol Med International Journal of Molecular Medicine (1999): n. pag. Web.
20. Wang, Sheng-Yuan, Ming-Ling Hsu, Hui-Chi Hsu, Shiuh-Sheng Lee, Ming-Shi Shiao, and Chi-Kuan Ho. “The Anti-tumor Effect of Ganoderma Lucidum Is Mediated by Cytokines Released from Activated Macrophages and T Lymphocytes.” International Journal of Cancer Int. J. Cancer 70.6 (1997): 699-705. Web.
21. Wang, Yuan-Yuan, Kay-Hooi Khoo, Shui-Tein Chen, Chun-Cheng Lin, Chi-Huey Wong, and Chun-Hung Lin. “Studies on the Immuno-Modulating and Antitumor Activities of Ganoderma Lucidum (Reishi) Polysaccharides: Functional and Proteomic Analyses of a Fucose-Containing Glycoprotein Fraction Responsible for the Activities.” Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry 10.4 (2002): 1057-062. Web.
22. Joseph, Soniamol, Baby Sabulal, Varughese George, Kuttikkadan Antony, and Kainoor Janardhanan. “Antitumor and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Polysaccharides Isolated from Ganoderma Lucidum.” Acta Pharmaceutica 61.3 (2011): n. pag. Web.
23. Xu, Zengtao, Xiuping Chen, Zhangfeng Zhong, Lidian Chen, and Yitao Wang. “Ganoderma Lucidum Polysaccharides: Immunomodulation and Potential Anti-Tumor Activities.” The American Journal of Chinese Medicine Am. J. Chin. Med. 39.01 (2011): 15-27. Web.
24. Tasaka, K., M. Akagi, K. Miyoshi, M. Mio, and T. Makino. “Anti-allergic Constituents in the Culture Medium OfGanoderma Lucidum. (I) Inhibitory Effect of Oleic Acid on Histamine Release.” Agents and Actions 23.3-4 (1988): 153-56. Web.
25. Kabir, Yearul, Shuichi Kimura, and Tsutomu Tamura. “Dietary Effect of Ganoderma Lucidum Mushroom on Blood Pressure and Lipid Levels in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats(SHR).” Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology, J Nutr Sci Vitaminol Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology 34.4 (1988): 433-38. Web.
26. Chu, Tanya T. W., Iris F. F. Benzie, Christopher W. K. Lam, Benny S. P. Fok, Kenneth K. C. Lee, and Brian Tomlinson. “Study of Potential Cardioprotective Effects of Ganoderma Lucidum (Lingzhi): Results of a Controlled Human Intervention Trial.” Br J Nutr British Journal of Nutrition 107.07 (2011): 1017-027. Web.
27. Andoh, Tsugunobu, Qun Zhang, Takumi Yamamoto, Manabu Tayama, Masao Hattori, Ken Tanaka, and Yasushi Kuraishi. “Inhibitory Effects of the Methanol Extract of Ganoderma Lucidum on Mosquito Allergy–Induced Itch-Associated Responses in Mice.” J Pharmacol Sci Journal of Pharmacological Sciences 114.3 (2010): 292-97. Web.
28. Zhou, Yan, Ze-Qiang Qu, Yuan-Shan Zeng, Yu-Kun Lin, Yan Li, Peter Chung, Ricky Wong, and Urban Hägg. “Neuroprotective Effect of Preadministration with Ganoderma Lucidum Spore on Rat Hippocampus.” Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology 64.7-8 (2012): 673-80. Web.
Other resources:
We especially recommend reading the book REISHI MUSHROOM by Terry Willard PhD for more information.