Ganoderma lucidum, also known as reishi or lingzhi, has been used for over 2000 years as a medicinal remedy. Today it can often be found as an ingredient in herbal supplements or nutraceutical products.

G. lucidum extract boasts anti-hyperglycaemic, cholesterol-lowering and antioxidant properties. Furthermore, it was shown to prevent neointimal thickening in an ischaemia-reperfusion isolated perfused rat heart model as well as inhibit hepatic 5-HT synthase activity in vitro.

1. Dizziness

Ganoderma lucidum coffee is a type of mushroom coffee made up of powdered reishi mushrooms mixed with instant or ground coffee, designed to increase energy, improve sleep quality and fight neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. Unfortunately, due to a lack of scientific studies regarding Ganoderma Lucidum coffee supplements the long-term effects remain unknown.

Reishi mushrooms (commonly referred to as lingzhi or Ganoderma Lucidum) are an oriental fungus with woody textures and glossy surfaces, popularly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for improving health and prolonging lifespan. You may come across them in capsules, tablets, extracts, powders or teas.

Reishi’s pharmacological effects can be traced back to its primary metabolites: polysaccharides and triterpenoids. Of these polysaccharides, ganoderic acid stands out among them due to its various medicinal benefits: it can act as an antitumor agent, antidiabetic treatment, immunomodulator, liver protector, anti-inflammatory agent, as well as being used chemopreventively.

Aqueous Ganoderma Lucidum extract has been reported to reduce blood glucose in diabetic rats and mice by increasing Ca ion influx into pancreatic B cells. Furthermore, preclinical trials demonstrated its antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and immunostimulant activities.

2. Nausea

Some individuals may experience nausea after taking Ganoderma Lucidum. This could be because it contains antidiarrheal compounds like Linoleic Acid and Polysaccharides which may act as antidiarrheals and cause stomach upset and diarrhea; for more information or advice about your nausea visit your healthcare provider before taking Ganoderma Lucidum.

Ganoderma lucidum has not undergone sufficient studies to demonstrate its safety for long-term use, such as prevention of cancer or neurodegenerative disease, as well as whether or not it can assist with cardiovascular issues.

G. lucidum ethanol extract was shown to significantly decrease lipid peroxidation levels while simultaneously increasing antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, and superoxide dismutase (Rajasekaran and Kalaimagal 2012). Furthermore, daily administration of G. lucidum ethanol extract prevented ischaemia-reperfusion isolated rat heart models (Wachtel-Galor et al 2004b).

Before starting any herbal supplement regimen, including Ganoderma Lucidum, it’s wise to consult with your healthcare provider first. Blood thinner medications could potentially increase bleeding risks or alter their effects significantly.

3. Vomiting

Ganoderma lucidum is a polypore mushroom with a kidney-shaped red cap, commonly referred to by various names such as lingzhi and reishi. As part of Chinese herbal medicine, this mushroom may offer multiple health benefits – though beware any potential side effects associated with taking this herb, including vomiting. Vomiting could indicate your body has responded adversely.

Polysaccharides found in this compound include a-d-glucans and a-d-mannans, both known to have immunomodulating properties, while Ganoderans boast antioxidant activity as well as free radical-scavenging capabilities, with polysaccharide-protein complexes showing antiviral activities (Xu and Kao, 2011).

G. lucidum has been demonstrated to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in animal studies, but clinical trial results remain inconsistent due to different preparations being sourced from various species of mushroom (Wachtel-Galor et al, 2011). More large controlled clinical trials should be performed to confirm these findings; patients taking medications should avoid G. lucidum as this herbal supplement could interfere with them and lead to potentially dangerous side effects.

4. Heartburn

Ganoderma Lucidum (Lingzhi) has long been used as an effective natural remedy. A basidiomycete fungus, it has many health advantages such as anticancer, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects.

Some individuals may experience heartburn after drinking Ganoderma coffee. Therefore, it’s essential that this beverage be enjoyed in moderation to avoid this potential side effect.

Ganoderma coffee may cause increased blood pressure due to its ability to boost metabolism. Therefore, it is advised that those already diagnosed with high blood pressure or taking any medication consult their physician prior to taking this supplement.

Supplements that are unstudied should raise concern, as there may be unanticipated side effects. Before any supplement can be considered safe for long-term use, extensive studies must first take place over an extended period.

Regular coffee can cause stomach upset, such as acid reflux or discomfort for those sensitive to its acidity. Ganoderma coffee, on the other hand, is less acidic and can help protect gut lining while also creating a drink with reduced digestive impact. Furthermore, its caffeine levels are low enough that those trying to lower their caffeine consumption could find benefit in having some.

5. High blood pressure

Ganoderma lucidum, also known as reishi or lingzhi, is a medicinal mushroom with numerous therapeutic benefits, but not enough studies have been done on it to guarantee long-term safety for long-term consumption. G. lucidum herbal materials might contain components with potential lipid-lowering and antihypertensive effects; however these components have not yet been clearly identified for clinical trials in cardiovascular research settings.

Studies conducted in vitro have demonstrated that G. lucidum extracts contain polysaccharides which bind with cholesterol and block its production by human liver cells, in turn decreasing cholesterol synthesis. These polysaccharides include glucose, xylose, galactose and fucose with various conformations present. Furthermore, the polysaccharide-protein complexes found within this species exhibit immunomodulating and anticancer activities (Xu et al. 2017).

A randomised closed-label study with 38 patients suffering from atrial fibrillation found that polysaccharide peptides of G. lucidum significantly lowered systolic blood pressure, heart rate and LDL-C levels significantly. Furthermore, ethanol extracts of G. lucidum reduced excessive PGE2 production as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1b, IL-6 and TNF-a production in LPS stimulated BV2 microglial cells (Rizal et al. 2020). Furthermore, oxygenated triterpenoids such as Ganolucidic Acid Eta; Ganolucinic Acid K and farnesyl hydroquinones (ganomycin J and B) have also been proven effective at inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase (Shiao 2003). These compounds can be found both within G. Lucidum family as well as medicinal mushrooms such as G.

6. Headache

Ganoderma lucidum, more commonly known in China and Japan as Lingzhi or Reishi, has long been used as part of traditional Asian medicine to promote health and longevity. Nowadays it’s available over-the-counter as herbal supplements in tablets, capsules, powders or tea forms.

Pharmaceutical effects of hemp stem from its triterpenoid compounds. These include lucidenic acids, ganoderic acids and ganoderiols – responsible for its bitter taste as well as various beneficial properties including antihypertensive, lipid-lowering, antiacetylcholinesterase activity inhibition, antioxidant protection and even cancer fighting properties (Wachtel-Galor et al. 2011).

Notably, most of these claims have not been proven by scientific studies and their long-term use is unknown – as such it would not be wise to consume this type of coffee.

7. Liver damage

Ganoderma lucidum is a polypore mushroom belonging to the genus Ganoderma and commonly consumed as food. Additionally, its bioactive compounds such as beta-glucans and proteins contain bioactive properties including antihyperglycemic, antimicrobial, immunostimulant, hepatoprotective properties. Furthermore, this mushroom provides natural sources of phenolic compounds, steroids, and terpenes; additionally its fruiting bodies contain various biologically active substances including LZ-8 which has immunomodulatory activity as well as Ganoderic Acid Df which exhibits hepatoprotective activity in vitro (Hsu and Cheng 2018).

Although G. lucidum has been tested safely in multiple in vitro and animal studies, its safety in clinical trials remains uncertain. Hypoglycaemic effects have only been seen in certain studies and its cardioprotective properties have only been observed by some.

NPRA would like to alert the public that reports have surfaced of kidney and liver-related adverse reactions in some individuals who consume products containing ganoderma, such as Lingzhi coffee. Reactions may be more serious for those with reduced kidney or liver function. If experiencing these symptoms, seek medical assistance immediately. Signs of liver damage include dark urine, loss of appetite and fatigue as well as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of eyes). If these signs appear please discontinue taking Lingzhi Coffee immediately