Reishi ganoderma is a mushroom mainly used for medicinal purposes. Traditional Chinese medicine advocates promote its antioxidant and immune system stimulant properties. Limited research on this mushroom has shown that it has some potential as a complementary therapy for cancer patients, according to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Additional human research is needed on the protocols for use and its side effects. Consult a health professional before using reishi ganoderma.
Uses
Traditional Chinese medicine employs a variety of mushrooms, including reishi ganoderma. In historical practice, common applications were treating hypertension, high cholesterol and fatigue. Modern uses that draw on specific chemical properties of reishi ganoderma include complementary medicine for HIV and prostatitis. It is also an adjunct to chemotherapy for cancer.
Features
The active components in reishi ganoderma are polysaccharides, which include beta-glucans and triterpenes, according Whole Health MD. Beta-glucan is a plant chemical that can act as an immune system modulator and provide your body with antioxidants. Reishi ganoderma's triterpenes may help to regulate cellular processes and produce tumor fighting compounds. Users normally take a minimum of 1 g up to a maximum of 1.5 mg of the dried plant daily.
Common Side Effects
Natural medicine records and scientific studies show that reishi ganoderma may have side effects with prolonged use. The most common adverse effects are dizziness and diarrhea with daily consumption of reishi ganoderma for three months or longer. Reishi ganoderma also has caused dry mouth, skin irritations, bloody stools and nose bleeding, according to Whole Health MD. The specific cause of these reactions is not well understood. If you experience any, stop consuming reishi ganoderma. Pregnant and nursing women should discuss the safety of this mushroom with a doctor before using it.
Key Adverse Interactions
At least two reported deaths indicate potential toxicity for reishi ganoderma, according to Sloan-Kettering. The mushroom's anti-coagulating properties interfere with blood clotting. This is especially dangerous for patients using aspirin therapy or blood thinners such as warfarin. People who take immnosuppressants should be aware that reishi ganoderma mushrooms or extracts increase the immune system function in your body, decreasing the function of the immunosuppressant drugs. Its ability to increase plasma levels of antioxidants will decrease the effectiveness of chemotherapy treatments that rely on free radicals.
Considerations
The purity of reishi ganoderma products varies by source. Consumers using reishi ganoderma should remember that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not test dietary supplements before they reach consumers. It can recall supplements for which it receives negative reports or that harm consumers. Do not attempt to pick your own reishi mushrooms, due to the risk of misidentification and fatalities that occur with the consumption of poisonous mushrooms.
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