For the Nerves: Reishi mushrooms have been by 10-19 mmHg, and 10% of the subjects dropped

traditionally recommended by Chinese and their pressures 20-29 mmHg (both systolic and
Japanese herbalists for insomnia due to their diastolic readings) after taking Reishi extract.1
GANODERMA LUCIDUM "sleep-promoting factor". (1) Long-term use causes a Similar results were observed in a Chinese clinical
significant promotion of slow wave sleep1. Reishi trial without any side-effects.(1) Another large Reishi
mushrooms are prescribed in China for a number of study in China found that low density lipoprotein (LDL
(Reishi) psychiatric and neurological afflictions, including the harmful cholesterol) levels dropped in 68% of 90
The Wonder Mushroom that Withstood diseases involving the muscles, anorexia, and patients following only one to four months of Reishi
debility following lengthy illnesses. (3) use. Recently, Russian scientists have taken an
the Test of Time in China for 4000 interest in Reishi. They found that in addition to all the
years. In Japan, the dried "mycelium" of Reishi the
root-like body that produces mushrooms has been cardiovascular benefits mentioned above, Reishi
showed a significant preventive and therapeutic
Now re-discovered by the Western found to be highly effective in the treatment of
neuroses caused by "environmental stress".(1) In action against plaque build-up ("plaque" is a fatty
World goo which is comprised of a combination of oxidized
addition, in an eight-month study of Alzheimer's
disease, patients taking a Reishi mycelium product cholesterol, calcium, and degenerated white blood
demonstrated significant improvement. cells ["foam cells"]. It is deposited on the walls of
For over 2000 years Reishi mushrooms (Ganoderma
In China, Reishi is used for its muscle arteries which restricts blood flow by narrowing the
Lucidum) have been recognized by Chinese medical
relaxing and analgesic (pain-inhibiting) effects. In passage within arteries resulting in atherosclerosis).
professionals as a valuable remedy. Its Chinese
name Lingzhi, means "spiritual potency". Reishi one study,
mushrooms are regarded by the Chinese as the Reishi alleviated anxiety in 18 of 20 patients after
"Medicine of Kings". Dr. Shi-Jean Lee, the most four months' use. It was concluded that the
famous Chinese medical doctor of the Ming Dynasty, mushroom has an essentially "calmative function",
strongly endorsed the effectiveness of Reishi in his but is neither a narcotic nor a hypnotic.
famous book, Ban Chao Gang Moo ("Great
Pharmacopoeia"). He stated that the "long-term
taking of Reishi (Lingzhi) will build a strong, healthy Immune System: Ganoderma Lucidum contains
body and assure a long life."(2) high concentration of Organic Germanium,
Polysaccharides and Triterpenes. These active
components are proven to strengthen our immunity
“The Medicine of Kings" and its benefits cells and improve our immune system.

Cardiotonic: For centuries, Reishi has been known

as a cardiotonic herb. It was prescribed routinely to
those with “knotted and tight chest” symptoms
consistent with both stress and/or coronary artery
disease-related angina. Researchers in China found
that Reishi improved the blood flow and lowered
oxygen consumption in the heart muscle.(3) Similar
results were also found by Japanese scientists.(1,4 )
They found that Reishi contains ganoderic acids
(which belong to a group of natural substances called
"triterpenes") which lower high blood pressure,
lower cholesterol, and inhibit platelet
aggregation (the clumping together of blood cells),
which can lead to heart attacks and other circulation
problems.
In a six-month clinical trial performed in a
university hospital in Tokyo, nearly half (47.5%) of 53
hypertensive patients lowered their blood pressure
Cancer: Studies of Reishi in cancer research have Gamoderma Lucidum capsules are much more patients with liver failure. (1) In animal studies of
been largely conducted in Japan, where Reishi was potent than the tea/coffee mice with carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatitis, the
scientifically proven to have an anti-tumor effect. extent of liver damage was significantly inhibited by
This research has continued in Korea, Japan, and continuous dosing with Reishi tincture, and the
China. regeneration of the liver was promoted. (7)
An example of Reishi's cancer-fighting
potential occurred in the summer of 1986. A 39 -year Recent Applications: As the "Medicine of Kings",
old Japanese woman approached Dr. Fukumi Reishi is widely used for different purposes. It is used
Morishige, M.D., PhD, a renowned Japanese for symptomatic relief of arthritis and of menopausal
surgeon and a member of the Linus Pauling Institute anxiety. It is also used in treating allergic asthma,
of Science and Medicine, for help in treating her lung hypertension, hypothyroidism, bronchitis,
cancer. It was a complicated case, and she had been insomnia, general anxiety and stress, and
refused an operation by several hospitals. Hopeless, cardiovascular problems. Reishi also is often the
she returned home where she found her husband main ingredient in herbal formulas for immune
had collected Reishi in the forests. He boiled the dysfunction syndromes, such as Chronic Fatigue
mushroom and gave it to her to drink as a tea. Syndrome.
While this was going on, she begged Dr.
Morishige to do something for her cancer, regardless
of its very advanced stage. From what was evident References:
six months earlier, Morishige was surprised when he 1. Kenneth J. REISHI: Ancient herb for modern times. Sylvan Press,
1992.
found no increase in swelling. Then he looked at her
2. Wasson RG. Divine mushroom of immortality. Harcourt, Brace,
X-rays. Something wasn't right: her tumor showed as Jovanovich, Los Angeles, 80-93, 1968.
only a trace on the X-ray. When she told him she had 3. "Lingzhi". In Pharmacology and Application of Chinese Materia
been drinking Reishi tea, Morishige operated with Medica, Vol. I. Chang HM and But RPH, eds. World Scientific:
great curiosity. He was "astonished" to find only scar Singapore, 642, 1986.
tissue, and although cancerous cells remained, they 4. Stanislaus CS. LingzhiMedicine of Kings. New Editions Health
were now benign. World, 38-41, June, 1995.
5. Carlson J. Reishi Mushroom. New Editions Health World, 23-25,
That was the impetus for Dr. Morishige to April, 1996.
begin his studies of Reishi as a treatment for cancer 6. Stavinoha WB, et al. Study of the anti-inflammatory activity of
especially cases given up as hopeless. Dr. Morishige Anti-Allergic /Anti-Inflammatory Actions: Ganoderma lucidum. Presented at the Third Academic/Industry Joint
During the 1970s and 1980s, Reishi's anti-allergy Conference (AIJC), Sapporo, Japan, 1990.
now believes that Reishi is also an effective cancer
preventive. The active anti-cancer constituents in action became the subject of ongoing research in 7. Lin JM, Lin CC, Chiu HF, Yang JJ, and Lee SG. Evaluation of the anti-
imflammatory and liver protective effects of anoectochilus formosanus
Reishi are called Beta-D-glucan. Beta-D-glucan is a both China and Japan. Studies showed that Reishi ganoderma lucidum and gynostemma pentaphyllum in rats. Am J Chi
polysaccharide basically a huge sugar molecule extract significantly inhibited all four types of allergic Med, 21:59-69, 1993. 3215, 1985.
made up of many little sugar molecules chained reactions, including positive effects against asthma
together bound to amino acids. These intricate and contact dermatitis. In 1990, researchers at the
sugars stimulate or modulate the immune system by University of Texas Health Science Center in San
Antonio found that Reishi could be effectively used in
Contact:
activating immune cells such as macrophage and
helper T-cells, as well as increase the immunoglobin treating stiff necks, stiff shoulders, conjunctivitis
levels (immunoglobins are specific types of (inflammation of the fine membrane lining the eye
antibodies) to produce a heightened response to and eyelids), bronchitis, rheumatism, and
foreign cells, whether bacteria, viruses, or tumor improving "competence" of the immune system
cells. without any significant side-effects.(6)

Healing the Liver: Reishi is commonly prescribed in

China for the treatment of chronic hepatitis. In
treatments lasting 2 to 15 weeks, the overall rate of
efficiency was 70.7 to 98.0 %.( 4) In Japan, Reishi
extract has been reported to be effective in treating