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Língzhī ; Japanese: reishi; Korean: yeongji, is the name for one form of the mushroom Ganoderma lucidum.
Used in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 4,000 years, making it one of the oldest mushrooms known to have been used in medicine.
The word lingzhi, in Chinese, means "herb of spiritual potency" and has also been described as "mushroom of immortality".
Ganoderma lucidum is the only known source of a group of triterpenes, known as ganoderic acids, which have a molecular structure similar to steroid hormones. It is a source of biologically active polysaccharides with medicinal properties.
Lingzhi may possess some anti-tumor and immunotherapeutic activities, supported by some studies on polysaccharides. The efficacy of these compounds in the treatment of cancer has not yet been shown in clinical trials. Apart from these properties, lingzhi has been found to be anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-parasitic, anti-fungal, anti-diabetic, anti-hypotensive, and hepatoprotective. It has also been found to inhibit platelet aggregation, and to lower blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar.
Lingzhi has been regarded as blood pressure stabilizer, antioxidant, analgesic, a kidney and nerve tonic. It has been used in bronchitis prevention and in cardiovascular treatment, and in the treatment of high triglycerides, high blood pressure, hepatitis, allergies, chemotherapy support, HIV support, and even for fatigue and altitude sickness.
There are no known side effects on its use.
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Soft, corky, and flat, with a conspicuous red-varnished, kidney-shaped cap and white to dull brown pores underneath. It lacks gills on its underside and releases its spores through fine pores(a polypore).
Worldwide distribution in both tropical and temperate geographical regions, including North and South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia.
Unlike many other mushrooms, which have up to 90% water content, fresh Lingzhi only contains about 75% water. |
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