Reishi

(Ganoderma lucidum)

What Is Reishi?

Known as the ‘mushroom of immortality’, Reishi (also known in latin as ‘Ganoderma lucidum’)  is a mushroom with a reddish body and a woody texture. Its flesh has a leathery texture and a bitter taste. This may explain why centuries ago,  it was prepared for medicinal purposes, both in infusion and therapeutically.

Oriental medicine highlights the ability of Reishi to enhance Jing-Qi (ancestral energy) and eliminate stagnation (energy blockages) that cause arthritis, bronchitis, asthma, neurasthenia, insomnia and heart disease.

Powerful benefits of Reishi Mushrooms

The Mushroom of eternal youth

Certain unique compounds of Reishi make it a great anti-inflammatory and one of the most powerful natural antioxidants that exist acting against free radicals that are the primary cause of cellular oxidation and ageing.

Anti-stress

It is a medicinal properties were studied in cases of, stress, anxiety and depression. So keep calm and take reishi!

Enhances sleep

Insomnia: As a knock on effect to promoting emotional balance and reducing fatigue, reishis properties go as far as supporting a healthy sleep cycle, calming down

Healthy heart

Helps people maintain and regulate blood pressure and healthy cholesterol levels

Reishi's powerful nutrients
  • Beta-glucans – known to support the immune system
  • Triterpenes (ganoderic acids) with antihistamine-like activity
  • Adenosine and guanosine with antiplatelet effect, myorelaxant (skeletal muscle)
  • Sterols
  • Minerals (iron, zinc, copper, manganese, magnesium, potassium, germanium and calcium)
  • Group B vitamins (particularly B9)
  • 17 amino acids, among which are all essential

1. Gao Y, Zhou S, Jiang W, Huang M, Dai X. Effects of ganopoly (a Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide extract) on the immune functions in advanced-stage cancer patients. Immunol Invest. 2003 Aug;32(3):201-15.

2. Li EK, Tam LS, Wong CK, Li WC, Lam CWK, Wachtel-Galor S, Benzie IFF, Bao YX, Leung PC, Tomlinson B. Safety and Efficacy of Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi) and San Miao San Supplementation in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Trial. Arthritis & Rheumatism (Arthritis Care & Research) Vol. 57, No. 7, October 15, 2007, pp 1143–1150.

3. Wang J1, Yuan Y2, Yue T2. Immunostimulatory activities of β-d-glucan from Ganoderma Lucidum. Carbohydr Polym. 2014 Feb 15;102:47-54.

4. Chang YH, Yang JS, Yang JL, Wu CL, Chang SJ, Lu KW, Lin JJ, Hsia TC, Lin YT, Ho CC, Wood WG, Chung JG. Ganoderma lucidum extracts inhibited leukemia WEHI-3 cells in BALB/c mice and promoted an immune response in vivo. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2009 Dec;73(12):2589-94.

5. Gao Y, Tang W, Dai X, Gao H, Chen G, Ye J, Chan E, Koh HL, Li X, Zhou S. Effects of water-soluble Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides on the immune functions of patients with advanced lung cancer. J Med Food. 2005 Summer;8(2):159-68.

6. Li YQ1, Wang SF. Anti-hepatitis B activities of ganoderic acid from Ganoderma lucidum. Biotechnol Lett. 2006 Jun;28(11):837-41. Epub 2006 May 31.

7. El-Mekkawy, S., Mesellhy, M.R., Nakamura, N., Tesuka, Y., Hattori, M., Kakiuchi, N., Shimotohno, K., Kawahata, T., and Otake, T., Anti-HIV and anti-HIV-protease substances from Ganoderma lucidum, Phytochemistry, 49, 1651–1657, 1998.

8. Gao Y, Chen G, Dai X, Ye J, Zhou S. A Phase I/II Study of Ling Zhi Mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (W.Curt.:Fr.) Lloyd (Aphyllophoromycetideae) Extract in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease. Int J of Med Mushrooms Volume 6, 2004 Issue 4.

9. Su, C.Y., Shiao, M.S., and Wang, C.T., Predominant inhibition of ganodermic acid S on the thromboxane A2-dependent pathway in human platelets response to collagen, Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1437, 223–234, 1999.

10. Chu TT, Benzie IF, Lam CW, Fok BS, Lee KK, Tomlinson B. Study of potential cardioprotective effects of Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi): results of a controlled human intervention trial. Br J Nutr. 2012 Apr;107(7):1017-27.

11. Anjum F, Razvi N, Yasin H, Ahmad A, Sherwani MK, Khan NR, Arshad S. Causes of migraine in Karachiites and its treatment from mushrooms. Int J Pharm 2012; 2(4): 706-711.

12. Cui XY, Cui SY, Zhang J, Wang ZJ, Yu B, Sheng ZF, Zhang XQ, Zhang YH. Extract of Ganoderma lucidum prolongs sleep time in rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2012 Feb 15;139(3):796-800.

13. Matsuzaki H et al., (2013) Antidepressant-like effects of a water-soluble extract from the culture medium of Ganoderma lucidum mycelia in rats. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine  13, 370.

14. Nguyen VT et al., (2015) Cytotoxic and anti-angiogenic effects of lanostane triterpenoids from Ganoderma lucidum. Phytochemistry Letters 12, 69-74.

15. Liu YW et al., (2009) Evaluation of antiproliferative activities and action mechanisms of extracts from two species of Ganoderma on tumor cell lines. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 57, 3087-3093.

16. Raj PV et al., (2015) Anti-proliferative effect of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide and triterpenoid fractions against cancer cells. Manipal Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 1, 32.

17. Akihisa T et al. (2007) Anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor-promoting effects of triterpene acids and sterols from the fungus Ganoderma lucidum. Chemistry & Biodiversity 4, 224-231.

18. Kao CHJ et al., (2013) Anti-cancer activities of Ganoderma lucidum: active ingredients and pathways. Functional Foods in Health and Disease 3, 48-65.

19. Müller  CI et al., (2006) Ganoderma lucidum causes apoptosis in leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma cells. Leukemia Research 30, 841-848.

20. Hsieh TC et al., (2013) Regulation of cell cycle transition and induction of apoptosis in HL-60 leukemia cells by the combination of Coriolus versicolor and Ganoderma lucidum. International Journal of Molecular Medicine 32, 251-257.

21. Weng CJ et al.,  (2010) The in vitro and in vivo experimental evidences disclose the chemopreventive effects of Ganoderma lucidum on cancer invasion and metastasis. Clinical and Experimental Metastasis 27, 361-369.