Ganoderma lucidum, commonly referred to in China as lingzhi and considered the mushroom of immortality, is a medicinal mushroom rich in water-soluble proteins, dietary fiber, minerals and vitamins that has proven itself beneficial in managing cardiovascular disease (CVD) as well as hepatotoxicity.

Ganoderma lucidum extracts have been shown to significantly lower cholesterol levels by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase activity, as well as having antihyperglycaemic and hypoglycaemic properties via its effects on hepatic PEPCK activity.

Benefits

Ganoderma mushroom tea is made from the extract of G. lucidum fungi, commonly referred to in China and Asia as Reishi or Lingzhi in Chinese medicine, and is a popular health supplement due to its many healing properties. Reishi, known in traditional Chinese medicine as Lingzhi, has long been used as an aid to improving general health and wellbeing, treating cancer and high blood pressure disease and even relieving stressors such as occasional anxiety attacks while increasing immunity levels.

Reishi mushrooms contain many bioactive compounds with therapeutic benefits such as ergosterol, polysaccharides, glycoproteins and amino acids that may contribute to its antitumor, immunomodulatory and antioxidant activities (Bishop et al. 2015). These active components may contribute to its antitumor, immunomodulatory and antioxidant activities (Bishop et al. 2015).

Triterpenes are one of the key bioactive components found in reishi. Triterpenes are naturally-occurring organic compounds containing isoprene units and can be divided into various categories depending on their molecular structure and chemical group – these include volatile triterpenoids/sterols/essential oils/less-volatile diterpenoids and carotenoids.

Reishi contains two main triterpenes: Ganoderic acid and Ganoderma lucidum glucoside. Both of these compounds have demonstrated potent antioxidant activity by inhibiting lipid peroxidation, decreasing cell damage due to cytotoxicity, DNA damage and cell mutations, increasing viability and proliferation, among other beneficial activities.

Reishi contains several flavonoids, including quercetin, epicatechin, gallic acid and kaempferol – compounds believed to be responsible for increasing energy levels and relieving fatigue. A recent study demonstrated that Reishi extracts have the highest total phenolic content among tested mushrooms which may contribute to its potent anti-aging and immune-enhancing properties (Kozarski et al. 2012).

Reishi mushrooms are thought to have hypoglycemic, lipid-lowering and cardioprotective effects. Water extracts of its fruiting body and two of its peptidoglycans (ganoderans A and B) were shown to have hypoglycaemic activity in mice by increasing insulin secretion, decreasing hepatic glucose output and increasing adipose and skeletal muscle glucose disposal; additionally in carotid artery-ligation models daily oral administration of Reishi ethanolic extract prevented the development of Neointimal thickening due to its antioxidant and polysaccharide content (Wachtel-Galor et al. 2004b).

Ingredients

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum or Lingzhi) is an extensively-studied functional mushroom known for its therapeutic benefits. This well-researched mushroom has many therapeutic uses, from brain enhancing properties to relieving occasional stress levels to strengthening immunity systems, improving cardiovascular health, lowering blood pressure levels and cholesterol levels and stimulating natural defense mechanisms in the body. Reishi also contains beta glucans which strengthen these defense mechanisms further.

Reishi is an indispensable medicinal herb in traditional Chinese medicine and one of the highest valued herbs known as “The Herb of Spiritual Potency and “Medicinal Wonder”. Reishi was among the first plants listed in Shennong Ben Cao Ji (also referred to as Materia Medica).

Reishi has long been used in eastern and western medicine as a herbal tonic, offering various medicinal benefits including high blood pressure reduction, cancer treatments, hepatitis treatment, liver disease treatment and nervous disorders, among others. Reishi contains strong antiviral properties as well as antioxidants to fight free radicals and help reduce oxidative stress.

To create Ganoderma mushroom tea, combine dried Reishi mushrooms with boiling water and allow to simmer for around one hour before straining and serving hot or cold. You may add honey for additional sweetness or other natural sweeteners according to taste; your Reishi mushroom tea can last several days in the fridge!

Precautions

Reishi mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum) have long been recognized in traditional medicine as “mushrooms of immortality.” Also referred to as lingzhi, these medicinal fungi act as an effective immune modulator, nerve tonic and hormone balancer herb. As an antioxidant it helps relieve stress and fatigue while improving sleep quality and increasing energy levels; its beta glucan constituents promote healthy skin through natural moisturization properties.

Reishi has long been used to treat inflammation-based conditions like bronchitis and asthma, by helping increase resistance against histamine reactions which cause allergic reactions in these conditions. Reishi may also provide benefits to people suffering from chronic respiratory conditions like emphysema or fibromyalgia.

Reishi is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, but has also proven helpful with treating chronic heart disease and high blood pressure. Reishi helps lower cholesterol, improve circulation and promote heart health – as well as aiding diabetes treatment by helping regulate blood sugar levels.

Reishi tea’s primary benefits lie in its ability to boost immunity and sustain healthy liver function. This is possible thanks to its rich source of antioxidants such as polyphenols, glucosamine and alkaloids as well as its abundance of lectins, fatty acids amino acids and lignans which work to combat environmental toxins such as heavy metals. Reishi can even offer protection from environmental toxins.

If you are considering giving Ganoderma tea a try, be sure to follow the dosage recommendations on its label and consult your physician first if any preexisting medical conditions exist. Furthermore, pregnant and breastfeeding women should not consume this product while depression/bipolar disorders as well as those suffering from immune dysfunction should consult a doctor first before using this supplement. Lastly this product may not be appropriate for individuals suffering from autoimmune disorders as this supplement could compromise immune systems.

Bottom Line

Ganoderma lucidum (known in China and Japan as lingzhi or reishi) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for two millennia. Commonly referred to as the “soul mushroom”, its health benefits have included cancer treatments, immunomodulation, antiviral activity and even chronic fatigue syndrome treatment. Additionally, this powerful mushroom has also been utilized for treating autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, high blood pressure and hypertension among others.

This study investigated the effect of Ganoderma lucidum and Cordyceps sinensis combined on blood glucose levels among participants with metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome refers to a collection of risk factors which increase heart disease risk as well as diabetes risks, with hemoglobin A1c levels as the co-primary outcome measures and fasting plasma glucose (FPG).

Ganoderma lucidum and Cordyceps sinesis are classified as Class 1 drugs by the American Herbal Products Association Botanical Safety Handbook40 and have been determined safe. Both substances are also included as safe in the current Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Unfortunately, the current trial did not discover a statistically significant reduction in either primary endpoint, although its small sample may have altered results significantly if power calculations had been increased accordingly.

The study demonstrated that combined treatment was well tolerated by participants. No serious adverse events were reported among treatment groups and most minor adverse events were mild in nature. Hematological and biochemical blood parameters were monitored throughout the 16-week trial with no pathological abnormalities being noted.

The authors of the study suggest that higher dosages of reishi extract, perhaps up to 9 grams daily, might be more beneficial than 2.5 g. They suggest future trials evaluate its ability to lower cardiovascular risk factors in people with metabolic syndrome; furthermore, no tests were done regarding its impact on other health outcomes like lipid levels or liver function – these areas need further investigation.