Ganoderma Lucidum Benefits – Is the “Miracle” Mushroom Legit?

Ganoderma lucidum benefits are said to include life extension, improved immune system functioning and better regulation of blood sugar.

The health-promoting effects of this mushroom are said to help restore balance to the body’s natural systems as an adaptogen and general tonic.

It is being used to treat anxiety, insomnia, high blood pressure, asthma, allergies, and more by natural medicine practitioners. Researchers have validated some of these claimed benefits, but much is still unknown about the mechanisms of action behind the health benefits attributed to Ganoderma lucidum mushrooms.

While it is considered to be safe with no side effects observed in the vast majority of users, there are some negative outcomes that can occur in patients taking other drugs or supplements or with pre-existing medical conditions.

Reishi Mushroom

Mushroom Supplement

Immune Booster

Heart Health

Longevity

How It Works:

• Traditional Chinese immune modulator
• Promotes healthy blood pressure & cholesterol
• Anti-oxidant used for anti-aging benefits

Dosage:

Between 400 - 1800 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

Top Reishi Products* ❯

View User Ratings* ❯

Ganoderma Lucidum Benefits

G. lucidum is a bracket polypore fungus that is most commonly called reishi or lingzhi mushroom. It has been used as normalizing medicinal agents in Chinese herbal medicine for more than two thousand years.

Reishi mushroom use quickly spread to surrounding Asian countries, including Japan, Korea and Laos, to name a few.

Reishi mushrooms were historically quite rare and a medicinal delicacy reserved for the wealthy. However, in the 1970s and 1980s researchers discovered how to cultivate the mushroom and supplements are now readily available.

Research on the medicinal qualities of the mushroom has also increased. In laboratory and animal tests, reishi mushrooms have been observed to exhibit the following properties:

• Anti-cancer
• Chemopreventive
• Anti-viral
• Immuno-modulating
• Anti-hypertensive
• Anti-diabetic
• Cardiotonic
• Analgesic
• Anti-oxidant
• Anti-allergenic

Reishi mushrooms have not been approved for any specific therapeutic purpose by the FDA in the United States. This natural health product is often used to confer a number of therapeutic effects that contribute to overall health.

Popular Uses for Ganoderma Mushrooms

Ganoderma lucidum mushrooms are thought to provide a number of health benefits. The mushroom is used for: preventing fatigue, regulating sleep patterns, enhancing immune function, supporting kidney and liver health and alleviating the symptoms of respiratory ailments, such as asthma and other bronchial disorders.

Reishi mushrooms contain a number of compounds that may confer health benefits, including polysaccharides (beta-glucans), sterols and triterpenes. In particular, beta-glucans may play a role in stopping the growth and spread of some cancer cells.

Research into the anticancer effects and benefits of Ganoderma lucidum is in the early stages, but some anticancer properties have been observed in animal and laboratory experiments.

Ganoderma Lucidum for Cancer Research

Ganoderma lucidum may benefit immune health. Additionally, preliminary studies indicate reishi mushroom exhibits a number of anticancer effects. These observations have been made in laboratory and animal tests and it remains unknown if reishi will be useful in human treatment.

The impact of reishi mushrooms on cancer progression and development is likely multifaceted. Research is in the preliminary stages, but in animal and in vitro tests, extract of the reishi mushroom has been observed to:

• Increase NK (natural killer) cell cytotoxicity, which can act against tumor cells;
• Reduce chances of metastasis in existing tumor cells;
• Limit invasive tumor actions by hindering metalloproteinase synthesis;
• Promote MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) signaling effectiveness;
• Suppress VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor);
• Increase antioxidant levels in the blood;
• Elevate ovarian sensitivity to cisplatin (a chemotherapy drug):
• Inhibit cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity;

Ganoderma lucidum may prove to be an effective adjunct therapy for current treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy. Preliminary evidence suggests that reishi mushrooms may enhance immune system function, which is crucial in the support of current cancer therapies.

Although some preliminary observations have been promising, human tests are lacking and the therapeutic benefits of G. lucidum remain unsubstantiated. Research is ongoing. Please consult your oncologist or chemotherapist before you begin G. lucidum supplementation.

Ganoderma Lucidum for Life Extension

Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States and is a significant health concern throughout the world. It is estimated that more than 25 percent of Americans will die from heart disease.

Heart disease is a blanket term for a group of diseases and other health conditions that have negative effects on the heart muscle, blood vessels, and their ability to perform vital functions.

The most prevalent cause of heart disease is coronary artery disease, a condition that affects the capacity of blood vessels to efficiently deliver blood throughout the body.

Ganoderma lucidum has been historically used to treat many causes of heart disease. Contemporary research has begun to shed some light on this historical use.

Ganoderma lucidum benefits have been observed to act against the accumulation of fatty acids, cholesterol and the resulting arterial plaque, which can otherwise restrict the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart. It may also enhance lipid metabolism, inhibit arterial plaque accumulation, induce vasodilation and generally improve cardiovascular function.

In addition, G. lucidum has been observed to exhibit antiviral and antibacterial actions, which may help stave off infections that could harm the heart muscle.

Additionally, the mushroom has been observed to:

• Reduce the amount of oxygen the heart requires to function.
• Contain heart-healthy constituents, including adenosine, plant sterols, beta-D-glucan polysaccharides and ganoderic acid triterpenes.
• Lower triglycerides, LDL and total cholesterol.
• Help individuals cope with biological, sociological and environmental stressors. These adaptogenic effects may be due, in part, to reishi’s triterpene constituents.

Ganoderma lucidum health benefits are in part attributed to the adenosine present in this mushroom. The adenosine may work to dislodge blood clots, limit platelet aggregation, improve blood health, increase hemoglobin synthesis, moderate energy expenditures and generally support the health of the cardiovascular and immune systems.

Ganoderma Lucidum Safety Review

Reishi mushrooms have a long history of use. The mushroom is not commonly associated with severe side effects. However, there have been some (very rare) cases of toxicity. Mild side effects may include skin irritation, dry mouth, dry throat, nose bleeds and gastrointestinal upset.

Ganoderma lucidum mushrooms may interact with a number of prescription and over-the-counter medications. In particular, these mushrooms should not be taken in supplement form if you are taking medications for blood clotting, bleeding, diabetic or hypertensive disorders.

These are only some of the possible contraindications. Always consult with your doctor before beginning supplementation for Ganoderma lucidum benefits.

Rate This Article

(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5, rated)