Ganoderma Lucidum Capsules – Ratings and How to Use

Ganoderma capsules are a popular form of reishi mushroom supplement. Ganoderma lucidum is a mushroom with a long history of traditional use throughout Asia.

The extract from the mushroom has been used for thousands of years to treat respiratory ailments, chronic fatigue, pain, poor concentration and low immunity.

Ganoderma Lucidum capsules are known to contain hundreds of phytonutrients (plant nutrients), some of which are being investigated for possible therapeutic properties.

To date, components of reishi mushroom have been observed to exhibit antiviral, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, chemopreventive and immunomodulating effects in animal and laboratory studies.

The use of reishi mushroom was historically isolated to the wealthy and powerful. It was viewed as an anti-aging compound that would keep the user young and healthy, potentially even increasing lifespan.

Wild reishi grows on decaying tree logs and is extremely rare in the wild. Prior to cultivation, it was largely unknown in the West.

With advances in cultivation, supplementation has increased and taking Ganoderma lucidum in capsule form is a particularly popular supplement option.

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 Capsules

Reishi mushroom may exhibit a number of therapeutic properties, but research is preliminary and studies have by-and-large not focused on human populations.

Nevertheless, the mushroom’s long history of use has attracted scholarly attention and G. lucidum is being investigated for a range of possible therapeutic functions, including its capacity to:

• Act against cancer cells;
• Support cardiovascular health and function;
• Improve glucose use throughout the body;
• Prevent and reverse fatty acid buildup in the arteries;
• Modulate immune function;
• Treat sharp pains (neuralgia) caused by herpes and shingles;
• Reduce hepatitis B in the bloodstream;
• Alleviate insomnia and other sleep disturbances;
• Help the body better cope with stress;
• Reduce the amount of oxygen used by the heart;
• Induce vasodilation and improve circulation;
• Increase energy and metabolism.

Ganoderma Lucidum and Cancer Research

A great deal of contemporary research has focused on the capacity of reishi mushroom to act against cancer cells. Research has been mostly limited to laboratory and animal experiments.

In some of these experiments, constituents of the mushroom have been observed to exhibit a number of anticancer and chemopreventive properties.

Anticancer properties include effects that act against tumors and work to inhibit growth. Chemopreventive effects help to limit the development of new cancers.

In laboratory tests Ganoderma Lucidum pills have been observed to:

• Inhibit tumor development by stopping blood flow to tumors;
• Induce effects that make it more difficult for tumor cells to metastasize;
• Improve the effectiveness of MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) signaling;
• Inhibit the synthesis of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF);
• Support immune modulation;
• Increase antioxidant levels in the blood.

Although some preliminary results have been promising, additional research is required before it is determined what, if any, role reishi mushroom or its constituents can play in cancer treatment.

Active Phytonutrients in Ganoderma Supplements

Ganoderma mushrooms contain hundreds of phytonutrients. Some of these naturally occurring plant chemicals are potent medicinal agents. In particular, reishi mushroom contains three phytochemicals that are largely attributed with the fungus’ medicinal properties: beta-glucans, ganoderic acids and adenosine.

Ganoderic acids and adenosine may play a role in supporting heart health and lipid metabolism. Adenosine has been observed to help break down fatty acid deposits on artery walls, dislodge clotting blood, reduce platelet aggregation, decrease the amount of oxygen needed by the heart and increase the synthesis of hemoglobin. These actions may all support general heart health.

Additionally, ganoderic acids have been observed to enhance fatty acid and carbohydrate metabolism. These actions may help reduce the risk of hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis and other risk factors associated with the development of heart disease.

How to Use Ganoderma Capsules

Ganoderma capsules can be purchased online or from local health food stores. The supplement is more commonly sold as “Reishi Extract” in the USA.

Capsules typically contain 400 mg of extract from the mushroom per pill. The recommended dosage is usually one to two pills a day as an immune system modulator.

Look for supplements that clearly mark the potency contained within the product. For example, a Ganoderma Lucidum supplement marked as containing 4:1 extract will provide an extract that is 4 times the concentration of the raw mushroom.

This extraction factor means that 4 kg of mushroom is used to make 1 kg of powder, which is then measured into capsules for easy administration.

Are there any Side Effects?

Ganoderma lucidum is classified as a so-called “superior” herb in Chinese herbal medicine. Superior herbs are thought to confer a number of medicinal benefits that help normalize the system while not commonly exhibiting severe side effects. Reishi mushroom is generally well tolerated and not associated with negative effects among the majority of users.

However, there have been reports of extremely rare cases in which reishi mushroom powder has been correlated with liver toxicity. Additionally, reishi may interact with a number of prescription and over-the-counter medications and may exacerbate certain health conditions.

Be sure to speak with your doctor to make sure reishi is right for you. Generally reishi mushroom does not bring about strong side effects and if some appear they are usually mild and temporary. Speak with your doctor before supplementing with Ganoderma capsules to make sure the supplement is right for you.

Rate This Article

(8 votes, average: 3.38 out of 5, rated)