Ganoderma lucidum, commonly called reishi mushroom, is a fungus that grows on tree stumps and logs throughout parts of Asia, mainly in China. Ganoderma has many different medicinal properties, and you can take the herbal remedy to treat conditions ranging from high blood pressure and diabetes to altitude sickness and infections. Talk with your physician before taking ganoderma, because it may interact with certain medications or cause dangerous effects if you have certain medical conditions.
History
Traditional Chinese Medicine has used ganoderma for thousands of years in remedies for treating coughs, asthma, insomnia and fatigue, says the University of Michigan Health System. Chinese and Japanese herbalists regarded reishi mushrooms as containing "magical" healing properties, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center says. Ganoderma was sought after by traditional healers for its life-prolonging properties, earning reishi the nickname "mushroom of immortality."
Benefits
Today, ganoderma is primarily used as an "adaptogen herb," meaning that it helps your body cope with stress, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center says. You can also use reishi mushrooms to treat high cholesterol, fatigue, high blood pressure, viral infections, HIV and AIDS, says the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Ganoderma may stimulate your immune system and increase your physical strength or stamina. You may use reishi to treat diabetes, altitude sickness and hepatitis as well, the University of Michigan Health System says. Ganoderma might even help to treat multiple sclerosis and ulcers, as well as treat or prevent cancer, the University of Pittsburgh says.
Function
Reishi mushrooms contain triterpenes and beta-glucan polysaccharides, constituents that help stimulate the immune system and suppress excessive blood clotting, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. These active constituents in ganoderma offer antihypertensive, anti-tumor and anti-allergic actions as well. They can also reduce blood levels of LDL, or bad cholesterol, the University of Michigan Health System says.
Medical Evidence
A 1985 controlled clinical trial and another in 1996 found that reishi mushroom effectively reduced blood pressure in people with hypertension, says the University of Michigan Health System. A 1998 review of human clinical trials and animal studies determined that ganoderma may have beneficial effects in people with cancer and diabetes. A 1999 test tube study found that ganoderma stimulated lymphocyte production in the immune system and had anti-tumor actions, the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center says. Several other test tube studies conducted in 1995, 2001 and 2002 found the same immunomodulating effects from reishi mushroom, adds the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Also, a preliminary study published in 1998 found that substances in ganoderma could fight HIV. Another 2000 study found that a polysaccharide isolated from reishi mushroom had antiviral activities, the University of Pittsburgh says.
Dangers
The most common--but still rare--side effects you may experience after taking ganoderma extract are dry mouth, nosebleeds, stomach upset and dizziness, says the University of Michigan Health System. Because reishi mushroom can affect your blood's ability to clot, you shouldn't take the herbal remedy if you have a bleeding-related condition such as hemophilia, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center says. You should also avoid taking ganoderma right before or after having surgery or giving birth, because of bleeding risks.
Interactions
Similarly, you shouldn't take reishi if you're taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications, or blood-thinners, due to bleeding risks, the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center says. Also avoid taking ganoderma if you take certain antihypertensive medications to lower your blood pressure, immunosuppressant drugs or chemotherapy agents, due to the risk of negative interactions.
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