Ganoderma has been used for more than 4,000 years to promote longevity and treat various health conditions including viral infections, tumors and high cholesterol. If you are pregnant, you need to reconsider taking all of your current medicines and herbs, including ganoderma. Seek the advice of a health care professional.
Significance
Ganoderma is also commonly called reishi mushroom, ling zhi and ling chih. No matter what you call it, there is not enough information on ganoderma to determine whether it's safe to take during pregnancy, according to Drugs.com.
Theories/Speculation
Some folks point out that ganoderma is sought out by Chinese women during pregnancy. It's said that "reishi babies" are healthier and calmer, according to "Bountiful, Beautiful, Blissful: Experience the Natural Power of Pregnancy," by Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa and Cindy Crawford. However, health care providers and herbal supplement providers alike do not recommend ganoderma during pregnancy.
Considerations
Some of the potential side effects from ganoderma, such as dry mouth and throat and stomach upset, may be particularly bothersome during pregnancy. Other side effects can include bloody stools, nosebleeds, itchiness and dizziness.
Effects
Ganoderma increases antiplatelet activity in your body, meaning it blocks formation of blood clots, according to "The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide," by George T. Grossberg and Barry Fox. While no specific warnings exist for ganoderma, drugs that slow blood clotting are contradicted during pregnancy, according to the American Council for Drug Education. If nothing else, antiplatelet activity may raise the risk of uncontrolled bleeding for both mom and baby.
History
While reishi, or ganoderma, has a long history of use, appearing in the oldest Chinese medical text, few clinical trials on the mushroom had been conducted as of 2010, according to Drugs.com. That means many of its contradictions, such as interactions with drugs or potential for problems with pregnancy, have not yet been identified.
References
- Drugs.com: Reishi Mushroom
- "The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide"; George T. Grossberg and Barry Fox; 2007
- American Council for Drug Education: Drugs and Pregnancy
- "Bountiful, Beautiful, Blissful: Experience the Natural Power of Pregnancy"; Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa and Cindy Crawford; 2004
- GoVita: Reishi Mushroom
