Ganoderma lucidum, commonly known as reishi or lingzhi, is a woody mushroom whose cap and stem are used in herbal medicine. Lingzhi has significant antioxidant properties, as noted by an article published in the July 23, 2008, issue of the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, with lead author J.W.M. Yuen. Antioxidants help reduce the effects of certain environmental toxins. Consult a qualified health care provider before taking lingzhi as an herbal remedy.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, harmful substances that develop as waste products from the conversion of food into energy. The body also produces free radicals in response to environmental toxins such as radiation and tobacco smoke, according to MedlinePlus. Free radicals are thought to be involved in heart disease, cancer and other illness.
Expert Insight
Clinical research shows that lingzhi increases plasma antioxidant capacity, or antioxidant levels in the blood, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). For instance, during a study published in the February 2004 issue of the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, with lead author S. Wachtel-Galor, researchers evaluated blood and urine samples of 10 healthy volunteers after fasting, after specific intervals after taking 1.1 g of lingzhi and after 10 days supplementation with lingzhi. Lingzhi supplementation was connected with a significant increase in plasma antioxidant capacity.
Potential
Some HIV and cancer patients use lingzhi as an immune system stimulant, according to the MSKCC. In addition, it has been shown to improve lower urinary tract symptoms in men. Certain polysaccharides in lingzhi have shown antitumor and immune-boosting properties. Lingzhi may inhibit tumor invasion and the spread of tumors to other areas of the body, or tumor metastases, notes the MSKCC.
Considerations
While laboratory and animal studies suggest that antioxidants may slow or prevent the development of cancer, research with humans is unclear, according to the National Cancer Institute. As for lingzhi specifically, traditional medicine holds the herb in high regard, and people consume it to increase health and longevity, to stimulate the immune system and to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. However, clinical scientific evidence for its claimed health benefits is lacking, observes an article in the February 2004 issue of the British Journal of Nutrition, with lead author S. Wachtel-Galor.
Safety
Lingzhi side effects may include digestive problems such as nausea and vomiting, along with itching and dry throat and nose, according to the MSKCC. Although laboratory studies have indicated that high doses may cause cellular toxicity, the 2004 British Journal of Nutrition study did not find evidence of toxicity associated with lingzhi. The authors called this reassuring.
References
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Reishi Mushroom
- National Cancer Institute: Antioxidants and Cancer Prevention
- MedlinePlus: Antioxidants
- PubMed.gov: Ganoderma Lucidum Acute and Short-Term Biomarker Response to Supplementation
- PubMed.gov: Ganoderma Lucidum, a Chinese Medicinal Mushroom
- ScienceDirect.com: The Dual Roles of Ganoderma Antioxidants on Urothelial Cell DNA Under Carcinogenic Attack
