Ganoderma lucidum contains polysaccharides and triterpenoids which have been shown to exhibit antioxidant, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, hypoglycemic, antineoplastic properties. Furthermore, this plant increases white blood cell activity.

Ganoderma extract was recently found to reduce oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by inhibiting tau hyperphosphorylation and activating AMP-activated protein kinase; furthermore it showed cardioprotective properties in an ischemia reperfusion model.

Benefits

Ganoderma lucidum, commonly referred to as Reishi mushroom, is widely respected for its therapeutic benefits and longevity. A powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating effects, its benefits can be attributed to polysaccharides and triterpenoids found within it. Most notable polysaccharides are linked via glycosidic bonds b-1-3-D-glucans which exhibit numerous biological activities including increasing immune function boosting stimulating cytokines inhibiting cell proliferation promoting apoptosis in cancer cells as well as binding proteins thereby blocking signal transduction pathways.

Ganoderma lucidum can also help reduce cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar. One study showed participants who consumed a hydroalcoholic extract of Ganoderma lucidum powder three times a day for 90 days experienced a reduction in serum and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels; additionally it reduced liver synthesis of cholesterol while stimulating production of bile salts which reduce cholesterol absorption.

Polysaccharides may help defend against cardiovascular disease. When given to mice undergoing carotid-artery-ligation, G. lucidum extract reduced lipids, inflammation markers, endothelial dysfunction and vascular integrity were improved through its cardioprotective effect mediated by its polysaccharides and triterpenes; further reducing oxidative stress via reduced peroxidation rates of lipid peroxidation malondialdehyde levels as well as increasing glutathione peroxidase/superoxide dismutase activity.

Ganoderma lucidum has become popular as an herbal medicine in Japan and China due to its numerous therapeutic uses for cardiovascular conditions. Although more evidence supports its efficacy among humans than before, more research needs to be completed before considering Ganoderma Lucidum an effective replacement to existing therapies. As with any alternative therapy or remedy it is always wise to consult a healthcare provider prior to beginning its use as they will be best placed to assess any risks or benefits as well as determine an individual’s safety before administering any dose of Ganoderma Lucidum tea is taken by them or otherwise.

Side effects

Ganoderma lucidum mushrooms offer numerous health advantages when eaten. Their polysaccharides and triterpenoids contain anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic properties as well as immunity-boosting abilities and cancer prevention capabilities. Ganoderma has long been used as medicine in China; some traditional remedies include taking them with honey or in tea beverages while dietary supplements made from these mushrooms have even shown promise against neurological disorders.

Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides contain bioactive compounds such as polyphenols and enzymes, which have a range of bioactive benefits such as helping reduce cardiovascular risks due to high cholesterol. They can also help regulate blood pressure and improve digestion; the polysaccharides come in capsules, tablets or liquid extract forms for easy consumption.

G. lucidum contains numerous polysaccharides that can be extracted from its fruit bodies, mycelia and fermentation liquid to create these polysaccharides, producing different structures and molecular weights in each stage of growth. Fruiting bodies contain higher quantities of glucose while mycelia and fermentation liquid tend to contain galactose-rich structures with greater immunomodulatory potential than fruiting bodies do.

G. lucidum contains numerous triterpenoids which have been demonstrated to have anti-cancer effects, as well as polysaccharides. Triterpenes are organic compounds derived from isoprene units and classified according to functional groups, side chains and molecular weights; those most important in G. lucidum include C30 tetracyclic triterpenoids like ganoderic acids, lanostans ganoderiols ganolactones ganoderals (Baby et al 2015).

Ganoderma lucidum contains numerous secondary metabolites beyond tetracyclic triterpenoids, such as amino acids, fatty acids, and nucleosides. Amino acids play an essential role in human health – they play an essential part in cell metabolism as well as contributing to neurotransmitters, hormones and enzyme production. Furthermore, this fungus provides us with an abundance of minerals like iron, zinc and copper, along with nitrogenous compounds like aspartic acid, glutamic acid lysine methionine cysteine as well as nucleosides.

Dosage

Ganoderma lucidum extract can be taken in various forms – capsules or tablets, liquid or powder form, tea bags or as dried tea leaves brewed like regular tea leaves. Ganoderma lucidum can help boost immunity, treat cancer and combat fatigue while simultaneously improving heart health and controlling blood sugar. People of all ages can use the supplement safely; it should always be discussed with a healthcare provider prior to beginning any regimen involving Ganoderma.

Many studies have been done on G. lucidum for its potential health benefits, though many were observational or pilot studies with limited sample sizes and therefore cannot provide definitive answers as to its effectiveness in treating metabolic disorders and coronavirus infections. Therefore, more clinical trials need to take place in order to prove its efficacy. Furthermore, it remains unknown whether its compounds have similar effects in humans as in animal or cell culture studies – this may limit future research efforts regarding this fungus as an effective remedy against such ailments as metabolic disorders and coronavirus.

Ganoderma contains two lignans known as eugenol and isoeugenol that may contribute to its antimicrobial properties, namely inhibiting viruses in cell culture by blocking entry, intracellular adsorption, nucleic acid synthesis, replication as well as activating their innate immune responses. They have also been reported to enhance macrophage and natural killer cell growth.

Polysaccharides extracted from this fungus have been shown to possess anticancer properties by stimulating macrophages and T cells of the immune system, as well as inhibiting tumor growth through inducing apoptosis, suppressing integrin expression to limit cancer cell adhesion, and impeding angiogenesis.

Lingzhi-8 protein, a mitogen-like compound extracted from the fungus, has also been proven to stimulate cell growth. Studies have demonstrated its effect on neural stem cells and progenitor cells within mice ependymal tubes, increasing transmission function neurons as well as improving learning and memory abilities.

Origins

Ganoderma lucidum is an immunomodulating species of mushroom used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine to treat various conditions, including cancer and inflammatory disorders. Additionally, this medicinal species boasts antitumor activity, anticytopenia inhibition, immune stabilization properties, mushroom poison detoxification activities and mushroom extract detoxification activities [6]. Additionally, its extracts can also serve as dietary supplements to build natural immunity against disease in the body. Typically found in China and Japan but also grown commercially across Europe and America for commercial production; its extracts come in various forms like dried powdered capsules or tablets or liquid extract or tea forms [7 8].

Studies on G. lucidum have demonstrated its antihypertensive, hypoglycaemic, lipid-lowering, and antioxidant effects in animal models (Table 1). Unfortunately, however, results of clinical studies on this herb remain inconclusive; therefore further evaluation using well-defined formulations containing known active compounds should take place before making definitive claims about these properties.

Polysaccharides in this fungus have been demonstrated to enhance major histocompatibility complex (MHC) expression in melanoma cells, improving antigen presentation and increasing cancer immunity. Furthermore, these polysaccharides stimulate activity of innate immune cells such as macrophages and lymphocytes while simultaneously secreting cytokines that promote cell proliferation suppression (Bishop et al. 2015; Sun et al. 2011).

Ganoderma lucidum’s primary advantage lies in its ability to increase antioxidants within the body. Antioxidants help prevent cell damage caused by free radicals that could contribute to cancer or other health problems, while protecting from future damage through free radical production. Ganoderma lucidum contains many bioactive components including polysaccharides, sterols and water-soluble proteins – some with specific functions like mitogen activity that promote cell growth and differentiation within cultured cells – such as Lingzhi-8 which acts like mitogen to promote cell growth and differentiation within cultured cell cultures.

Lingzhi-8 can aid cell growth while simultaneously decreasing cardiovascular disease risk by lowering cholesterol and blood glucose levels. One recent study demonstrated how water-extract of this fungus significantly lowered diabetic mice blood sugar, due to down-regulating of PEPCK gene, which regulates hepatic glucose production. Though these benefits appear promising, more research must be completed in human patients before concluding their significance.