Ganoderma - "Mushroom of Immortality"
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.
In Tibet, it goes by the name Ling Chi, and many Buddhist temples and shrines are adorned with artistic renderings of this beautiful fungus. Tibetans have a long tradition of using Ganoderma extract for infections as well as high-altitude sickness. [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 also contains anti-cancer compounds. Research has specifically shown results with tumors of the liver, lungs, prostate, cervix, blood and bone. [61, 62, 63, 64, 65] It appears that this anti-tumor effect may be secondary to the general immune stimulating properties of Ganoderma. [66, 67]
Two Chinese studies have shown Ganoderma extract to have liver protective effects in cases of post-hepatic cirrhosis [69] and chronic hepatitis [68].
Another study indicated that it helps restore certain spleen functions. [34] And powdered Ganoderma has been used for a number of skin disorders [70], including poison ivy rash [25].
Paul Stamets lists the following additional therapeutic areas of potential use for Ganoderma extract: Candida; Diabetes / Hyperglycemia; Cholesterol; Kidney Function; Respiratory System; Nerves; and Stress. [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. Always consult a licensed medical practitioner before using any herb (or mushroom) for medicinal purposes.
Credit: Thank you to Paul Stamets for source material.
In Tibet, it goes by the name Ling Chi, and many Buddhist temples and shrines are adorned with artistic renderings of this beautiful fungus. Tibetans have a long tradition of using Ganoderma extract for infections as well as high-altitude sickness. [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 also contains anti-cancer compounds. Research has specifically shown results with tumors of the liver, lungs, prostate, cervix, blood and bone. [61, 62, 63, 64, 65] It appears that this anti-tumor effect may be secondary to the general immune stimulating properties of Ganoderma. [66, 67]
Two Chinese studies have shown Ganoderma extract to have liver protective effects in cases of post-hepatic cirrhosis [69] and chronic hepatitis [68].
Another study indicated that it helps restore certain spleen functions. [34] And powdered Ganoderma has been used for a number of skin disorders [70], including poison ivy rash [25].
Paul Stamets lists the following additional therapeutic areas of potential use for Ganoderma extract: Candida; Diabetes / Hyperglycemia; Cholesterol; Kidney Function; Respiratory System; Nerves; and Stress. [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. Always consult a licensed medical practitioner before using any herb (or mushroom) for medicinal purposes.
Credit: Thank you to Paul Stamets for source material.
About the Author:
Dr. Markho Rafael has worked with natural health since finishing Chiropractic College in the mid-90's. His current focus is medicinal mushrooms, including Ganoderma lucidum extract, in partnership with the business Cordyceps Reishi Extracts, LLC. For research references to this article, please go to the Ganoderma extract page. Click on any number to find its corresponding reference.
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