Ganoderma lucidum, also known as reishi mushroom, is an important fungus in Chinese herbal medicine. It has antiviral and liver protective functions, making it effective against hepatitis B. A report in the journal Phytomedicine shows that ganoderma can lower blood sugar levels, making it useful against diabetes. Research in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology concludes that the plant sterols in ganoderma lower blood cholesterol. And according to the journal Acta Pharmacologica Sinica, ganoderma is a potent immune system modulator and is toxic to cancer cells. Because of its tough, leathery texture, ganoderma extract is best taken as a tincture or as a decoction.
Tincture
Step 1
Shake the bottle of ganoderma tincture well before opening it.
Step 2
Measure 40 drops of the tincture with an eye dropper.
Step 3
Add the tincture to ½ oz. of water.
Step 4
Stir the mixture well.
Step 5
Drink this mixture three times each day.
Decoction
Step 1
Chop ½ oz. of dried ganoderma into tiny pieces.
Step 2
Place the pieces in a stainless steel pot.
Step 3
Pour 3 1/2 cups of cold water over the ganoderma and let it soak for two to three hours.
Step 4
Turn the heat to medium to bring the water to a boil slowly.
Step 5
Lower the heat when the water starts boiling.
Step 6
Cover the pot and let the mixture simmer for 45 minutes.
Step 7
Remove the pot from the heat and let the mixture cool.
Step 8
Take a metal strainer and pour the decoction through the strainer and into a glass jar.
Step 9
Drink 1 cup of the decoction three times each day.
Step 10
Store the remaining mixture covered in the refrigerator.
Tips and Warnings
- Make enough decoction for an entire day. Add more water if necessary after the mixture cools to make sure you have enough for three cups for the entire day. Always start with cool water so all the plant constituents will be extracted.
- Ganoderma is generally safe to use, but talk to your doctor if you have allergies. Do not take ganoderma if you are taking blood-thinning medication. Do not take ganoderma if you are diabetic and already taking medication to lower blood sugar.
Things You'll Need
- Tincture of ganoderma lucidum
- Eye dropper
- Measuring cup
- Dried ganoderma
- Water
- Stainless steel pot with cover
- Metal strainer
- Glass jar with lid
References
- Phytomedicine: Novel hypoglycemic effects of ganoderma lucidum water extract...; May 2009.
- Applied and Environmental Microbiology: Effect of 26-oxygenosterols from ganoderma lucidum...; July 2005.
- Acta Pharmacologica Sinica: Anti-tumor and immunoregulatory activities of ganoderma lucidum...; November 2004.
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