General Description
The reishi mushroom (known in China as Ling-Zhi or Ling-chih) is
a fungus native to most temperate regions of eastern Asia. Wild
reishi grows on decaying logs and the stumps of broad-leafed trees.
Most reishi sold commercially is cultivated on wood chips. A slightly
sweet, mild flavored mushroom, the reishi occurs in six different
colors (black, red, green, white, yellow, and purple) which were
traditionally used for different medicinal purposes. The red variety
is the one most commonly cultivated for commercial use.
Health Applications
- General tonic
- Immune system support
- Cardiovascular health
- Inflammation
- Liver health
History and Traditional Use
Reishi has been highly valued in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)
for several centuries. The herb is mentioned as a "health food"
in Chinese literature as far back as 300 B.C., and is featured in
the early Chinese pharmacopeia Pen T'sao Kang Mu, compiled by Li
Shih-chen in 1578.1 Highly valued as a detoxifier
and energizing tonic, reishi was used for a variety of applications
including insomnia, fatigue, bronchial cough, and cancer.2
Chemical Composition
Reishi contains several terpene compounds including ganoderic
acids A, B, C, and D, lucidenic acid B and gandodermanontriol.3
It also contains ergosterol, coumarin, mannitol, polysaccharides,
and resins.2 The terpene and polysaccharide
fractions have demonstrated antioxidant effects.3
Conventional Uses
Modern herbalists recommend reishi for a wide variety of ailments,
including arthritis, menopausal anxiety, allergic asthma, cardiovascular
disease, hepatitis, insomnia, general anxiety and stress, AIDS,
AIDS-related complex, and chronic fatigue syndrome;4
however, there is little scientific evidence to support these
uses. Most research on reishi is in its earliest stages, with
very few human studies. In one study, reishi extract was found
to inhibit the growth of certain bacteria.5
Some in vitro studies indicate that compounds in reishi may have
antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus types I and II,6-10
and HIV-1.11-12 Evidence from other studies
suggests reishi may promote cardiovascular health by inhibiting
the tendency of blood platelets to clump together and form clots.13-14
A few in vitro studies indicate that compounds in reishi may exert
antitumor activity;15-20 however, other studies
have shown reishi to have no antitumor effect21
or to be toxic to healthy cells at the dosage necessary to produce
anticancer activity.22
Dosage/Toxicity
Dosage recommendations for reishi vary with intended use. Common
recommendations range from 1.5 to 9 grams per day.2
Reishi has very low toxicity and a very low occurence of side
effects. Minor reactions, such as loose stool, dry mouth, digestive
disturbances, and skin rash have been reported in some inviduals.4
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