Ganoderma lucidum is a type of mushroom known in the Far East for thousands of years for its effectiveness in treating broad range of maladies "miraculously". In some cases, ganoderma or "lingzhi" is treated as "miracle herb" due to historical events in ancient China that mentioned lingzhi’s ability to attain immortality. One of the most remarkable event is a recorded list of greatest herbs of all time by Seng-Nung back in B.C. 2838 in China. In his book, The Four-Canons of Seng-Nung, recorded lingzhi or ganoderma as the most valuable herb followed by Ginseng. Thousands of years later, reishi or ganoderma is still a popular herb today prescribed by many herbalists in China, Hong Kong and Japan to threat various kind of sickness.

Unlike Ginseng, edible portion of lingzhi Mushroom or in scientific name, ganoderm , came in two forms: Fruit Body and Mycelium. Fruit body of the mushroom consists of a cap and stem which looks like a normal mushroom. Mycelium is the substrate or nutrient base of the fruit body which looks like network of fine threadlike filaments that originates from spores. Both entities of the mushroom have been found to have medicinal properties that keep them so popular for thousands of years. The following shows the table of respective active constituents in the fruit body and Mycelium:

Table copied from "lingzhi Mushroom – Herb Of Spiritual Potency And Medical Wonder" by Terry Willard Ph.D., Pg143-144)

lingzhi fruit body

Mycelium growing on wood in nature. Top Right: Mycelium in sterile culture.

IMPORTANT COMPONENTS OF Ganoderm (lingzhi GANO FRUIT BODY)

Ganoderm contains more than 200 active elements which can be categorized into water soluble, organic soluble and volatile soluble compounds. The major elements includes polysaccharide, organic germanium(Ge), adenosine and triterpenoids, each having their own outstanding medicinal effects.

Organic Germanium (Ge): it can increase the oxygen absorbed by the blood up to 1.5 times. It can also promote metabolism and thus help prevent tissue degeneration. According to the research of Dr Kazuhiko Asai, ganoderm contains 800 - 2000 p.p.m. of organic germanium (Ge). This is 4-6 times more than ginseng.

Polysaccharides: it helps cleanse toxic deposit from body, strengthen the natural healing ability of the body, convert abnormal cells to normal cells, and enhance the body's immune system thus improving overall health.

Adenosine: it can lower cholesterol level and amount of free fat, improve blood circulation and regulate the metabolism and hence promote vigor and vitality.

Triterpenoids: it helps enhance the digestive system, reduce cholesterol and neutral fat in the body. It also is effective in relieving pain, removing body toxic, etc.

IMPORTANT COMPONENTS OF GANODERMA MYCELIUM (GANOCELIUM)

Ganoderma Mycelium contains:

• Higher level of the RNA which disrupts viral diseases by inducing interferon production.
• Oleic Acid, an inhibitor of histamine release.
• Cyclooctasulfur, a strong inhibitor of histamine release.
• LZ-8, an immunomodulating protein which significantly reduces but doesn't entirely shut down antibody production.

Ganoderma AS AN ADAPTOGEN

Patients troubled by side-effects from taking drugs like antibiotics, hormonal supplements, etc. often acquired other related illnesses. This problem is under serious debate by the medical profession since 1965. Recently, the Royal Medical Society of Russia, Australia and England developed a new medical concept of ADAPTOGEN, a substance that is:

• Non-toxic (on harmful side-effects),
• Has overall normalizing effect, and
• Not limited to special organs or tissues.

Consuming Ganoderma does not brings you any side-effects like most of the western medicines do, thus making it the ideal choice for continuous consumption.

GANODERMA AND YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM – BUILDING RESISTANCE

For over 4000 years, the Chinese have used various herbs to prevent common diseases. The ancient Chinese knew nothing of bacteria and viruses, yet some of these herbs were described as being able to "strength the interior". Modern scientific research is confirming these observations. Now, thousands of years later, the study of herbs is gaining interest the world over, and the study of herbs which affect the immune system is one of the hottest topics in pharmacological research. Research and clinical trials have further proven the benefits of herbs. GANODERMA - THE KING OF ALL HERBS have been widely researched for its immune functions.

WHAT IS REISHI (GANODERMA / lingzhi)?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) values ganoderma as the highest ranked herb. Among hundreds of recognized herbs classified in Seng-Nung's Herbal Classic, lingzhi is ranked as "Number One" herb, ahead of Ginseng which is ranked as first runner-up herb. For centuries, the Chinese regard it as "The King of All Herbs" for its excellent effects in improving overall health, enhancing stamina and promoting longevity. Recent medical researches has shown ganoderma can help normalized the functions of the body. Consuming ganoderma DOES NOT bring you any side-effect like most of the western medicine do, thus making ganoderma the ideal choice for continuous consumption.

BENEFITS OF CONSUMING GANODERMA INCLUDE:

• Strengthening the natural healing abilities of the body
• Increase oxygen supply to blood systems
• Detoxicate the toxin in the body
• Antioxidant.

QUALITIES THAT MAKES Ganoderma THE BEST HERB

• Lowers cholesterol in the blood and the amount of free fat Reduces blood sugar level; to restore pancreas functions
• Lowers blood lipids and stabilizes red cell membrane
• Due to ganoderma contains Adenosine it can lower platelet's aggulation, and Iyse thrombi and prevent thrombogenesis Improves the function of the cortes of the adrenal glands to maintain endocrine balance. Elevates the natural healing ability of the body, allows the body to establish a strong immune system. Prevents tissue cell degeneration. Prevents senility, maintaining a youthful constitution. Lowers the side effects of antihypertensive drugs. Prevents organs degeneration. Prevents allergy caused by antigens, because it inhibits the histamine releasing mastcell.
• Prevents and treats cancer and inhibits cancer cell metastasis.

1. Normalize to prevent tissue degeneration.
2. Prevent sudden death caused by embolism.
3. Inhibits thrombogenesis and Iyses thrombi on the wall of surrounding tissue and removes blockade of cancer medication, thus increases the effectiveness of these drugs.
4. Relieves pain caused by cancer.

After long term extensive research and experiments have been carried out by Japanese hospitals and research institutes, Ganoderma is found to have positive effects on the following diseases:

• Hypertension and hypotension
• Heart conditions that cause heart attack
• Arteriosclerosis & high cholesterol level
• Symptoms of menopause, unidentified clinical syndrome (neurose)
• Constipation, menoxenia & psychosomatic diseases
• Hepatitis
• Diabetes mellitus
• Gastric & duodenal ulcer
• Allergies
• Asthma
• Rheumatism & arthritis
• Hemorrhoids & varix
• Relief from stress & anxiety