Summary
Ganoderma lucidum, commonly known as the lingzi mushroom, is frequently used in traditional Chinese medicine. Its popularity extends to Japanese and Korean medicine, and it has been making its way west.
Ganoderma lucidum has anti-oxidative effects when supplemented. It also has a therapeutic effect on insulin resistance, reduces the risk of prostate cancer, and can help treat a variety of conditions associated with metabolic syndrome.
The lingzi mushroom is well known for its anti-cancer effects. It is able to activate natural killer cells, increasing their activity and the body’s ability to fight tumors. Supplementing Ganoderma lucidum reduces the chances of metastasis, which is when cancer spreads to another part of the body.
Ganoderma lucidum has a variety of mechanisms, but they are focused on moderating the immune system. The lingzi mushroom is able to reduce immune system activity when the system is overstimulated, and bolster the immune system when it is weakened. In general, Ganoderma lucidum increases the amount of active immune system cells.
Though further research is needed to confirm these effects, Ganoderma lucidum shows promise for a wide variety of cancer-related therapies. It has been shown to be an effective adjunct therapy, which means it improves health when taken alongside other medications, for breast cancer, hepatitis, fatigue syndrome, and prostate cancer. There are not many promising supplements with anti-cancer properties available over-the-counter but Ganoderma lucidum appears to be one of them.
What are other names for Reishi
- Reishi
- Lingzhi
- Yeongji
- Mannamtake
- Mushroom Of Immortality
- Antlered Reishi
- Rokkaku-Reishi
- Ganoderma Spores
- Ganoderma Lucidum
- 10000 Years Mushroom
Dosage information
The standard dose of Ganoderma lucidum depends on the form of the supplement.
A general Ganoderma lucidum extract does not separate the triterpenoids and the polysaccharides present in the mushroom, which make up the ethanolic and water-soluble extracts, respectively. The standard dose for the basic extract is 1.44g – 5.2g. The most popular dose is 5.2g, taken in three doses of 1,800mg.
The standard dosage for the ethanolic extract is 6mg.
The water-soluble extract should be dosed similarly to the basic extract.
The basic extract is essentially dehydrated mushroom powder, which makes it about 10 times as potent as the actual mushroom. This means that 5g of extract is similar to about 50g of whole mushroom.
Examine Database: Reishi
Research Breakdown
Examine Database References
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Symptoms - Noguchi M, Kakuma T, Tomiyasu K, Yamada A, Itoh K, Konishi F, Kumamoto S, Shimizu K, Kondo R, Matsuoka KRandomized clinical trial of an ethanol extract of Ganoderma lucidum in men with lower urinary tract symptomsAsian J Androl.(2008 Sep)
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Symptoms - Noguchi M, Kakuma T, Tomiyasu K, Kurita Y, Kukihara H, Konishi F, Kumamoto S, Shimizu K, Kondo R, Matsuoka KEffect of an extract of Ganoderma lucidum in men with lower urinary tract symptoms: a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized and dose-ranging studyAsian J Androl.(2008 Jul)
- Neurasthenia Symptoms - Tang W, Gao Y, Chen G, Gao H, Dai X, Ye J, Chan E, Huang M, Zhou SA randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study of a Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide extract in neurastheniaJ Med Food.(2005 Spring)
- Adrenaline - Chu TT, Benzie IF, Lam CW, Fok BS, Lee KK, Tomlinson BStudy of potential cardioprotective effects of Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi): results of a controlled human intervention trialBr J Nutr.(2012 Apr)
- Total cholesterol - Wachtel-Galor S, Tomlinson B, Benzie IFGanoderma lucidum ("Lingzhi"), a Chinese medicinal mushroom: biomarker responses in a controlled human supplementation studyBr J Nutr.(2004 Feb)
- Proteinuria - Futrakul N, Panichakul T, Butthep P, Futrakul P, Jetanalin P, Patumraj S, Siriviriyakul PGanoderma lucidum suppresses endothelial cell cytotoxicity and proteinuria in persistent proteinuric focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) nephrosisClin Hemorheol Microcirc.(2004)
- Immunity - Xiao Chen, Ze-Ping Hu, Xiao-Xia Yang, Min Huang, Yihuai Gao, Wenbo Tang, Sui Yung Chan, Xihu Dai, Jinxian Ye, Paul Chi-Liu Ho, Wei Duan, Hong-Yuan Yang, Yi-Zhun Zhu, Shu-Feng ZhouMonitoring of immune responses to a herbal immuno-modulator in patients with advanced colorectal cancerInt Immunopharmacol.(2006 Mar)
- Immunity - Wicks SM, Tong R, Wang CZ, O'Connor M, Karrison T, Li S, Moss J, Yuan CSSafety and tolerability of Ganoderma lucidum in healthy subjects: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trialAm J Chin Med.(2007)
- Immunity - Gao Y, Zhou S, Jiang W, Huang M, Dai XEffects of ganopoly (a Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide extract) on the immune functions in advanced-stage cancer patientsImmunol Invest.(2003 Aug)
- CD3 Lymphocytes - Zhang Y, Lin Z, Hu Y, Wang FEffect of Ganoderma lucidum capsules on T lymphocyte subsets in football players on "living high-training low"Br J Sports Med.(2008 Oct)
- Colorectal Cancer Risk - Oka S, Tanaka S, Yoshida S, Hiyama T, Ueno Y, Ito M, Kitadai Y, Yoshihara M, Chayama KA water-soluble extract from culture medium of Ganoderma lucidum mycelia suppresses the development of colorectal adenomasHiroshima J Med Sci.(2010 Mar)
- Anxiety Symptoms - Zhao H, Zhang Q, Zhao L, Huang X, Wang J, Kang XSpore Powder of Ganoderma lucidum Improves Cancer-Related Fatigue in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Endocrine Therapy: A Pilot Clinical TrialEvid Based Complement Alternat Med.(2012)
- Blood Flow - Kwok Y, Ng KF, Li CC, Lam CC, Man RYA prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the platelet and global hemostatic effects of Ganoderma lucidum (Ling-Zhi) in healthy volunteersAnesth Analg.(2005 Aug)