Ganoderma Tea: Recipe Preparations & Review of Mushroom Benefits

Ganoderma tea is a health-boosting beverage made from the Ganoderma lucidum fungus.

The mushroom and tea have been used as a medicinal elixir for more than two millennia.

It has a bitter taste that is often made more palatable by adding honey, mint, lemon, ginger and a number of other taste enhancers.

It is thought to act upon the human body holistically, stimulating a number of normalizing actions that support good health.

In China it was historically referred to as the “mushroom of immortality” and is still in high demand by alternative health enthusiasts. Ganoderma lucidum is more commonly referred to by its Chinese name, lingzhi (or Ling Zhi), or reishi mushroom.

These bracket fungi are classified as polypores and release their spores through very small pores on their undersides. The fruiting bodies, spores and mycelium of reishi mushrooms are known to contain a number of medicinal phytonutrients (plant nutrients).

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

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Benefits of Ganoderma Tea

The Ganoderma lucidum mushroom contains hundreds of phytonutrients. Many of these phytonutrients have been observed to exhibit useful health effects.

G. lucidum has been the subject of scientific research for decades and contemporary investigation is revealing a number of the mushroom’s potentially useful characteristics.

Some results have been promising but research is still in the preliminary stages and there is not enough evidence to support specific uses of the mushroom

Nevertheless, reishi mushroom has been observed to exhibit a number of potentially useful effects in both animal and laboratory studies. These effects include:

• Anticancer, anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive;
• Anticoagulant and antiplatelet;
• Hepatoprotective (liver protecting);
• Immune-modulating;
• Antihypertensive;
• Adaptogenic;
• Antidiabetic;
• Analgesic;
• Cardiovascular-enhancing;
• Antibacterial and Antiviral;
• Vasodilatory;
• Detoxifying (especially for the liver and kidneys);

It is not clear if these effects will take place in the human body, or if these effects will confer any therapeutic use in human populations.

Uses of Ganoderma Lucidum Tea

Ganoderma lucidum supplements are used for a wide array of therapeutic purposes with varying levels of success. Currently there is insufficient evidence to support the use of reishi mushroom for any particular medical concern.

In laboratory studies, lingzhi mushroom has been observed to act against some cancer cell lines and help inhibit tumor growth. The antitumor effects of lingzhi may be multi-faceted.

For instance, lingzhi has been observed to strengthen tumor cell walls, which may slow the progression of some tumors. It has also been observed to block blood supply to tumors, which eventually leads to tumor cell death.

Further, some phytonutrients in Ganoderma lucidum tea have been observed to increase immune action against tumor cells by stimulating NK T-cell (natural killer cell) activity.

These plant chemicals may also help stop the progression of existing tumors (known as anticancer effects), and to inhibit the development of new cancers (chemopreventive effects).

Ganoderma Mushrooms for the Immune System

G. lucidum has been observed to exhibit immunomodulating effects in human subjects.

Advocates claim G. lucidum may help moderate immune response by helping it respond vigorously to infection and relax in times of good health.

The mushroom is often used to stimulate the immune system and invigorate the organism. Ganoderma tea has also been observed to improve antioxidant concentrations in plasma samples, which may also support immune health.

Cardiovascular Health

Reishi mushroom extract has been observed to lower “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and stored fats (triglycerides) levels and may help elevate “good” cholesterol (HDL) levels. These outcomes may promote cardiovascular health.

Extract has been correlated with reduced incidence of atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia. Lowering risks for coronary artery disease and heart disease is considered to have a positive effect on one’s quality of life.

Ganoderma Tea Preparation Instructions

The three most medicinally potent constituents of G. lucidum are adenosine, beta-glucans and triterpenes. Triterpenes, such as ganoderic acid, require alcohol tincturing for extraction. Adenosine and beta-glucans are well extracted using hot water. It is helpful to reserve the mushroom pieces from the recipe below.

These reserved mushrooms can be tinctured in 100-proof alcohol for at least eight weeks in a tightly sealed jar (like a Mason jar) to extract the ganoderic acid contained in reishi. By employing both a hot water decoction and an alcohol tincturing to the mushrooms, you will derive their full phytonutrient constituents.

To make Ganoderma tea, place raw or dried reishi mushrooms in a simmering pot at roughly a five-to-one ratio of purified water to mushroom pieces. Make sure to cut the mushroom into small pieces to effectively extract its nutrients.

Allow the mixture to simmer for a minimum of two hours. Gently stir the concoction every ten to fifteen minutes. Strain the mushroom pieces and, if desired, set aside for the tincturing process. Take the remaining liquid and enjoy as a hot or cold tea.

The phytonutrients in Ganoderma tea may act as potent medicinal agents. Please talk with your doctor about reishi tea supplementation before beginning to help ensure your safety and health.

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