Ganoderma lucidum - Reishi Mushrooms

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Ganoderma lucidum - Reishi Mushrooms

 

Ganoderma lucidum (Ling Zhi) is documented to have wonderful medicinal value.

Reishi mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine as a herbal

medicine for more than 5,000 years, making it one of the oldest mushrooms known

to have been used in medicine.

 

The word ling zhi, in Chinese, means " herb of spiritual potency " and is

considered the " mushroom of immortality " . It has attained a reputation in the

East as the miracle mushroom due to its many health benefits and absence of

side-effects. Ling zhi has been added to the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia and

Therapeutic Compendium.

 

Ling zhi has a diverse amount of other species and mycologists are still

researching the differences between each particular Ganoderma lucidum species.

Ganoderma lucidum is the only known source of a group of triterpenes, known as

ganoderic acids, which have a molecular structure similar to steroid hormones.

It is a source of biologically active polysaccharides, ergosterol, coumarin,

mannitol, lactones, alkaloids, unsaturated fatty acids and vitamins and

minerals.

 

The reishi extract has been shown to be effective in treating migraine

headaches. It is believed that oxygen shortage in the brain (hypoxia) is at the

core of the pathogenesis of a migraine attack.

 

As an anti-inflammatory agent, the extract is effective in substantially

alleviating the problems and pain related to rheumatism or osteoarthritis and

gout.

 

In treating hypertension or hypotension the extract has been shown to be highly

effective in a very large number of cases treated. In the more successful cases

blood pressure is back to normal within 2 months.

 

The extract has been found effective in reducing and in some cases eliminating

asthma attack.

 

The extract is effective in reducing blood sugar levels and the amounts of

insulin required for diabetic patients.

 

The extract is effective in regaining stamina and energy or debility due to

prolonged illness especially for cancer patients after undergoing radio and/or

chemotherapy. They are able to eat and sleep well.

 

The extract is effective in clearing up a large variety of skin allergic

conditions either due to food or airborne allergens.

 

Ganoderma extract has been found to be useful in detoxifying the kidneys and

improving its overall function. Patients receiving hemodialysis should find that

the duration and frequency of the treatment could be reduced.

 

The extract has been shown effective in reducing or eliminating excessive

menstrual pain and irregularities.

 

Ganoderma extract has been found effective in addressing a variety of

cardiovascular problems. It improves the circulatory system with excess oxygen.

It also decreases the conditions of angina pectoris and palpitation.

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac

http://www.peacefulmind.com/anti-aging.htm

Therapies for healing

mind, body, spirit

 

 

References

 

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(Herbs and Health Series)by Christopher Hobbs (Author), Harriet Beinfield

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Steven Clavey, Erich Stoger, and Andrew Gamble (2004)

4. ^ David Winston and Steven Maimes Adaptogens 2007

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(Herbs and Health Series)by Christopher Hobbs (Author), Harriet Beinfield

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Steven Clavey, Erich Stoger, and Andrew Gamble (2004)

7. ^ David Winston and Steven Maimes Adaptogens 2007

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mechanisms of ganopoly, the refined polysaccharides extracted from Ganoderma

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Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou Ganoderma spores may regulate the levels of

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cell cycle arrest an apoptosis in MCF-7 human breast cancer cell. Int J Cancer

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29. Hsu MJ, Lee SS and Lin WW. Polysaccharide purified from Ganoderma lucidum

inhibits spontaneous and Fas-mediated apoptosis in human neutrophils trough

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