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Reishi Mushroom
10-4 Extract
Min. 10% Polysaccharides, 4% Triterpenes
50 Caps - $42.95
60 Caps - $20.95
Reishi is the premier longevity herb in Classical Chinese Medicine and is the medicinal mushroom/herb most often used as a general health tonic. It is considered to be in the highest class of tonics.
The Red Reishi fruit body (Ganoderma lucidum) has the most complex constituent profile of any of the well known medicinal mushrooms (or their mycelium). Like many medicinal mushrooms it contains polysaccharides, ergesterols, and adenosine compounds. However, unique to this species are the "ganoderic acids" or "triterpenes". Contained within the hard, shiny red surface of the mushroom, these are the compounds beneficial for liver and cardiovascular health.
It is this more complex constituent profile that leads to the many uses mentioned for Reishi in the literature from both Classical Chinese Medicine and the modern clinical research. Reishi is used for conservation and promotion of good health but is also used in many cases of age-related conditions and to support liver health.*1
Research has also shown that Reishi extracts oxygenate the blood.*2 Reishi is currently used by many mountain climbers to combat altitude sickness and is contained in many of the performance-enhancing herbal formulas used by competitive athletes.
How Supplied
60 Vcaps, 150 Vcaps
400 mg per Vcap
Indications
Immune modulation,* hepatic support,* healthy cholesterol,* fatigue, and cardiotonic.*
Instructions For Use
Two to five capsules two times daily.
Reishi Toxicity, Cautions, Contraindications
No toxicity or side effects are reported in the available literature, however some clinicians have reported occasional mild digestive upset and skin rashes in sensitive individuals. These are usually of short duration. People with a sensitivity to fungi and mushrooms should proceed carefully when using Reishi mushroom products. Due to Reishi's reported platelet aggregation-inhibitory activity,* caution may be advised for those patients using anticoagulants or preparing for surgery. Due to Reishi's reported hypoglycemic activity,* caution may also be advised for those patients using hypoglycemic medication. Also, immuno-modulating substances should be used with extreme care or avoided completely in organ transplant patients utilizing immuno-suppressive agents.
Clinical Research
Reishi is one of the most widely researched natural remedies in Asia, with most of the research centering on three actions: hepatic support,* immune modulation,* and cardiovascular-regulation.* However, very few of these studies or the abstracts have been translated into English.
Traditional Use And Preparation
Reishi is mild and warming in nature, with a bitter taste. It is used to nourish, tonify, remove toxins, and disperse accumulation. It is used as a tonic for symptoms of weakness or debility and a sedative for dizziness and insomnia due to neurasthenia and hypertension.3
All available references from TCM show Reishi being prepared as a hot-water extraction/decoction except one, where it is prepared as a tincture with rice wine for stomach ailments.4
Active Constituents
Ganoderic acids (Triterpenes), Polysaccharides, Ergosterols.
Extraction Information
Heat-extracted concentrates from both the mushroom (fruiting stage) and the mycelium (vegetative stage) are available as commercial products. However, many of the triterpenes and other important constituents that benefit cardiovascular health* are found only in the mushrooms, not the mycelium.5 Further, all of the clinical studies investigating immuno-modulating properties* have used hot water or hot-water/alcohol extracts, as hot water extraction is necessary to ensure bioavailability of the active compounds.6 Our 20:1 fruit-body extract is carefully processed at low temperature with both water and alcohol to ensure the presence of all the important bioactive compounds.
Description
Latin ... Ganoderma lucidum
Chinese ... Ling zhi
Japanese ... Reishi
Common Name ... None
Ganoderma lucidum belongs to the family Polyporaceae, grows exclusively
on hardwoods, and is found throughout the warmer areas of Asia and
some of the warmer areas of North and South America. The fruiting
bodies are hard and woody, reddish-orange to black in color, and have
a shiny, varnished appearance on the surface of the cap. The mushroom
caps are kidney shaped, 3-6 inches in width, with a slender stalk
that attaches to the indentation in the side of the cap. The under
side is cream colored and porous
References
- Jianzhe, Y., Xiaolan, M., Qiming, M., Yichen, Z., and Huaan, W., Icons of Medicinal Fungi from China. Science Press, Beijing.1987.
- Chang, H.M., and But, P. Pui-hay. Pharmacology and Applications of Chinese Materia Medica, Vol 1. Singapore: World Scientific.1986.
- Xie, Z., Huang, X., Lou, Z., Li, S., Zhou, L., Yuan, S., Yang, Z., Tang, Z., Dictionary of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The Commercial Press Ltd., Hong Kong.1988.
- Liu, B., Bau, Y., Fungi Pharmacopoeia. Kiniko Press. 1980.
- Willard T., Reishi Mushroom, Sylvan Press, p. 143-44. 1990.
- Upton, R., et al. Reishi Mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) Standards of Analysis, Quality Control, and Therapeutics. American Herbal Pharmacopoeia. p. 9. Sept. 2000.
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