Revered in the Orient for two millennia as the "Mushroom of Immortality," Ganoderma has been demonstrated to have a therapeutic effect on 16 out of 17 areas of health in Paul Stamets' chart on medicinal mushrooms. That's more than any other mushroom species.
Buddhists call it Ling Chi, and many an artistic rendition of this beautiful and therapeutic mushroom can be found in Buddhist shrines and temples. In Tibet, it has long been used to cope with high-altitude sickness and infections. [25]
Unlike the healers of old, contemporary health professionals may now point to modern research and attribute the life extending properties of Ganoderma to its anti-oxidants, which are at an exceptionally high level and help to protect against one of the major cause of aging, free radical damage. [34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41]
Another possible contributing factor to the acclaimed anti-aging properties of Ganoderma may be its anti-inflammatory compounds known as triterpenoids. [42, 43, 44, 45] (Alcohol extracted.) After all, inflammation is involved in many of our most common ailments, from bronchitis, asthma and atherosclerosis [46], to allergies, arthritis [47, 48, 49, 50, 51] and the common cold. The triterpenoids of Ganoderma extract have even tested positive with inflammatory conditions of the prostate [53] and brain. [52]
Now, inflammation is of course also part of a natural and well functioning immune system. So it bears mention that Ganoderma extract is an immune system "adaptagen", which means that whereas it will slow down an overactive immune response, it will likewise improve an underactive immune system. In other words, it helps the immune system to "adapt." [48, 54, 55] Case in point, one study showed Ganoderma extract as having a dampening effect on HIV replication in lymphocytes. [56]
Other bodily functions that are important as we age are our lung and heart functions. Research indicates that Ganoderma extract has a positive influence on the oxygen absorption in our lungs [57], and also helps decrease blood pressure and increase blood profusion through the heart [58], which may explain why Ganoderma has been indicated to help in cases of chronic fatigue syndrome. [59, 60]
Ganoderma extract appears ripe with tumor preventing compounds. Several Oriental studies have shown it to have an inhibiting effect on the growth of tumor cells of the lungs, cervix, prostate, liver, and on sarcomas and leukemia. [61, 62, 63, 64, 65] Other research points to this effect possibly being secondary to stimulating the body's own cancer fighting mechanisms by increasing the activity of T-lymphocytes, and interleukin-1 and 6. [66, 67]
In addition to these general systematic benefits, Ganoderma extract also seems to aid specific organs. Two Chinese studies have shown promising results in aiding the liver, both in cases of chronic hepatitis [68] and post-hepatic cirrhosis. [69]
Another study showed Ganoderma extract having a restorative effect on spleen function. [34] Powdered Ganoderma has also been used to treat skin conditions [70], including but not limited to poison ivy rash [25] and poison oak.
In the book Mycelium Running, Paul Stamets lists the following additional areas where Ganoderma extract has demonstrated a beneficial therapeutic effect: Blood Sugar; Candida; Cholesterol; Kidneys; Lungs; Nerves. [134]
Note: The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Never use any herb (or mushroom) except as advised by a licensed medical practitioner.
Credit to Paul Stamets for research and source material.
Buddhists call it Ling Chi, and many an artistic rendition of this beautiful and therapeutic mushroom can be found in Buddhist shrines and temples. In Tibet, it has long been used to cope with high-altitude sickness and infections. [25]
Unlike the healers of old, contemporary health professionals may now point to modern research and attribute the life extending properties of Ganoderma to its anti-oxidants, which are at an exceptionally high level and help to protect against one of the major cause of aging, free radical damage. [34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41]
Another possible contributing factor to the acclaimed anti-aging properties of Ganoderma may be its anti-inflammatory compounds known as triterpenoids. [42, 43, 44, 45] (Alcohol extracted.) After all, inflammation is involved in many of our most common ailments, from bronchitis, asthma and atherosclerosis [46], to allergies, arthritis [47, 48, 49, 50, 51] and the common cold. The triterpenoids of Ganoderma extract have even tested positive with inflammatory conditions of the prostate [53] and brain. [52]
Now, inflammation is of course also part of a natural and well functioning immune system. So it bears mention that Ganoderma extract is an immune system "adaptagen", which means that whereas it will slow down an overactive immune response, it will likewise improve an underactive immune system. In other words, it helps the immune system to "adapt." [48, 54, 55] Case in point, one study showed Ganoderma extract as having a dampening effect on HIV replication in lymphocytes. [56]
Other bodily functions that are important as we age are our lung and heart functions. Research indicates that Ganoderma extract has a positive influence on the oxygen absorption in our lungs [57], and also helps decrease blood pressure and increase blood profusion through the heart [58], which may explain why Ganoderma has been indicated to help in cases of chronic fatigue syndrome. [59, 60]
Ganoderma extract appears ripe with tumor preventing compounds. Several Oriental studies have shown it to have an inhibiting effect on the growth of tumor cells of the lungs, cervix, prostate, liver, and on sarcomas and leukemia. [61, 62, 63, 64, 65] Other research points to this effect possibly being secondary to stimulating the body's own cancer fighting mechanisms by increasing the activity of T-lymphocytes, and interleukin-1 and 6. [66, 67]
In addition to these general systematic benefits, Ganoderma extract also seems to aid specific organs. Two Chinese studies have shown promising results in aiding the liver, both in cases of chronic hepatitis [68] and post-hepatic cirrhosis. [69]
Another study showed Ganoderma extract having a restorative effect on spleen function. [34] Powdered Ganoderma has also been used to treat skin conditions [70], including but not limited to poison ivy rash [25] and poison oak.
In the book Mycelium Running, Paul Stamets lists the following additional areas where Ganoderma extract has demonstrated a beneficial therapeutic effect: Blood Sugar; Candida; Cholesterol; Kidneys; Lungs; Nerves. [134]
Note: The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Never use any herb (or mushroom) except as advised by a licensed medical practitioner.
Credit to Paul Stamets for research and source material.
About the Author:
Dr. Markho Rafael has worked in the natural health field since finishing Chiropractic College in the mid-90's. He currently specializes in medicinal mushrooms, including Extract of Ganoderma lucidum, in cooperation with the business Cordyceps Reishi Extracts, LLC. For scientific references to this article, please go to the Extract of Ganoderma page. Click on any number to find its corresponding reference.
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