Ganoderma
Botanical Description & Habitat
Ganoderma lucidum, G. japonicum
Family
Polyporaceae
Common Names
Reishi mushroom
Ling-chih
Habitat
Found on broad-leaf trees in most of temperate zones of Asia. Is rare. Currently being cultivated on wood chips.
Medicinal Parts
The dried fruit bodies
Historical Properties & Uses
The ganoderma mushroom or fungus is used to prepare "reishi," which is one of the premier Chinese medicinal substances. Some authors rate it as high as number one, though it rarely appears in the most popular Chinese herbal blends. Ganoderma has a bitter taste, and is most often prepared by cooking and making a tea.
Ganoderma is regarded as a powerful tonic for the internal organs, and, as a Qi tonic and sedative, is said to increase vitality and strength of mind. Historically, it has been most commonly used to treat neurasthenia, insomnia, indigestion and bronchitis. Currently, due to recent research on the polysaccharides, it is being considered a popular immune system stimulant.
Modern Chinese doctors frequently use ganoderma in the treatment of liver disorders such as hepatitis and respiratory complaints. It is also sometimes recommended for mild cardiovascular conditions, in order to increase the heart's ability to utilized oxygen and other nutrients.
Method of Action
The major active substances in ganoderma are the triterpenes, the ganoderic acid group. These substances inhibit the release of histamine from mast cells, and are therefore good anti-allergenic chemicals. Undoubtedly, the anti-allergy property of the ganoderic acids relies on more than histamine inhibition, but research in this area is just getting underway.
Another group of active substances, the polysaccharides have been implicated in immune-enhancing action, where it stimulates phagocytosis, increases white blood cell counts, and stimulates the functions of cell-mediated immunity. Hepatitis patients respond well to ganoderma therapy. The fungus is also used to inhibit tumor growth.
Pharmacological and biochemical tests on ganoderma have validated a host of physiological effects: analgesic, anticholinergic, antitussive, cardiotonic, vasodilative, hypotensive, hypocholesterolemic, hypolipidemic, antiatherogenic, platelet-aggregation inhibiting, antithrombin, diuretic, liver-protective, anabolic, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, immunostimulating, antitumor and antibacterial. In addition, it has been shown to be sedative, both peripherally where it acts as muscle relaxant, and centrally on the nervous system; interesting it antagonizes the centrally stimulating effects of caffeine. These CNS actions of ganoderma depend on the presence of adenosine.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
Known Interactions
This oxytocic-like action of ganoderma may produce neonatal jaundice which would interfere with serum bilirubin test results.
Possible Interactions
The pressor effect of this sympathomimetic agent may be markedly potentiated by MAO inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressents.
The estrogen in ganoderma may raise blood glucose levels enough to alter insulin requirements in the diabetic.
Ganoderma, because of its salicylate-like constituents may potentiate PAS toxicity in patients using aminosalicylate drugs. It has also been reported to inhibit platelet aggregation.
Any one or all of the following drugs may be imperfectly absorbed if this herb is being used on a daily basis: tetracycline derivatives, oral anticholinergics, phenothiazine, digoxin, isoniazid, phenytoin, marfarin. The sympathomimetic action of the uterine relaxant ritodine HCl and vasoconstricting property of this herb are additive.
Safety Factors & Toxicity
Ganoderma may cause diarrhea, skin rash or facial flushing in some persons, though it is generally regarded as safe and non-toxic.
Preparation & Administration
Use as with any mushroom or use dried and powdered in amounts of 2-4gm daily.
References
Dharmananda, S. Chinese Herbal Therapies for Immune Disorders, Institute for Medicine and Preventive Health Care, 1988.
Hikino, H. Pharmacology of ganoderma. Oriental Medicine, 10, 26, 1986.
Hokama, Y & Hokama, IL: In vitro inhibition of platelet aggregation with low dalton compounds from aqueous dialysates of edible fungi. Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol 1981, 31:177-180.
Hsu, H: Oriental Materia Medica. Long Beach, Calif. Oriental Healing Arts Institute, 1986.
Kasahara, Y. & H. Hikino. Central actions of Ganoderma lucidum. Phytotherapy Research, 1(1), 17-21, 1987.
Kasahara, Y. & H. Hikino. Central actions of adenosine, a nucleotide of Ganoderma lucidum. Phytotherapy Research, 1(4), 1987.
Kohda, H., W. Tokumoto, M. Saakamoto, et.al. Chem. Pharm. Bul., 33, 1367, 1985.
Liu, G.T., T.T. Bao, H.L. Wei & Z.Y. Song. Some pharmacological effects of alcoholic extracts of Ganoderma lucidum and g. japonicum on mouse liver. Yao Hsueh Pao, 14, 284, 1979.
Mori, K., et.al. Antitumor action of fruit bodies of edible mushrooms orally administered to mice. Mushroom Trop. J., 7, 121-126, 1987.
Mowrey, Daniel B., Ph.D. Exper. Psych., Brigham Young University. Director of Nebo Institute of Herbal Sciences. Director of Behavior Change Agent Training Institute. Director of Research, Nova Corp.
Schauenberg, P. & F. Paris. Guide to Medicinal Plants, Keats Publishing, Inc., New Canaan, Connecticut, 1977.
Shimuzu, A et al., Isolation of an inhibitor of platelet aggregation from a fungus. Canoderma lucidum. Chem Pharm Bull. 1985, 33:3,012-3,013.
Sone, Y., et.al. Structures & antitumor activities of the polysaccharides isolated from fruiting body and the growing culture mycelium of Ganoderma lucidum. Agr. Bio. Chem., 49(4), 2461-2653, 1985.
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