Reishi
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)
Brief Background:
Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum), also known as ling zhi in China, grows wild on decaying logs and tree stumps. Reishi occurs in six different colors, but the red variety is most commonly used and commercially cultivated in East Asia and North America.
Ganoderma lucidum has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 4,000 years to treat liver disorders, hypertension, arthritis and other ailments. In modern times, the available data from human trials together with evidence from animal studies suggest that Ganoderma lucidum may have some positive benefits for cancer patients, as well as patients with liver disease.
Expert Opinion and Historic Precedent:
Some experts believe that Ganoderma lucidum promotes longevity and maintains vitality of the human body. Reishi’s major benefit appears to be its immunomodulating action, improvement of liver functions, and improvement and restoration of the normal functions of the respiratory system. In the 16th Century pharmacopedia Ben Cao Gang Mu, reishi was described as being able to affect the life energy, or qi of the heart, repair the chest area, increase intellectual capacity and banish forgetfulness.
Reishi is also believed to reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and has an anti-platelet aggregation effect, which may make it useful in coronary heart disease and prevention.
It is believed that Ganoderma lucidum has antioxidant effects, which contributes to the overall well being of patients.
Ancient Chinese and Japanese shamans have held reishi in high regard. They believe reishi has the power to prolong healthy existence and maintain calmness during meditation.
The reishi mushroom is a derivative of the Far East with its usage dating back to Ancient China. Royalty would utilize this precious mushroom in the hopes of obtaining immortality and promoting calmness and thought. Chinese medicine now includes therapy with reishi for fatigue, asthma, insomnia, and cough.
Reishi is currently being used for immunomodulation, the treatment of post herpetic neuropathy, hypertension, blood disorders as an anticoagulant, and for chemotherapy/radiation protection.
I really enjoyed reading this posting.Many thanks.
Man, talk about a fantastic post! I’ve stumbled across your blog a few times within the past, but I usually forgot to save it. But never again! Thanks for posting the way you do, I truly enjoy seeing someone who really has a viewpoint and isn’t really just regurgitating junk like nearly all other writers today. Keep it up!