Reishi Benefits and Side Effects  
zhion@zhion.com
Reishi [Lingzhi, Ganoderma lucidum] mushroom is a popular
supplement with an impressive array of reputed health benefits.  
Reishi mushrooms grow wild on decaying logs and tree stumps in the
coastal provinces of China. Reishi mushroom grows in six different
colors, but the red reishi is the popular.  Reishi has been shown to
have benefits on variuos conditions such as general fatigue and
weakness, asthma, insomnia, and cough for thousand years. Reishi's
Chinese name ling zhi means the herb of spiritual potency.  Reishi
contains sterols, coumarin, mannitol, polysaccharides, and
triterpenoids [ganoderic acids].

HEALTH BENEFITS AND SIDE EFFECTS OF REISHI; RESEARCH
FINDS

Antioxidative activities
Reishi [Ganoderma Lucidum] mushroom extract demonstrated anti-
oxidative activities against heart toxicity in mice in a dose-dependent
manner.
[Wong KL et al Antioxidant activity of ganoderma lucidum (reishi) in acute
ethanol-induced heart toxicity. Phytother Res. 2004 Dec;18(12):1024-6.]

Immunocompetence
Reishi was safe to horses with respect to the CBC and blood
biochemistry data after the reishi dosing. Reishi (ganoderma
lucidum) increased the percentage of CD5+, CD4+ and CD8+ T-
lymphocytes and the amount of specific antibody production in
horses.
[Lai SW et al, Influence of ganoderma lucidum on blood biochemistry and
immunocompetence in horses. Am J Chin Med. 2004;32(6):931-40.]

A fraction (F3) of a reishi polysaccharide extract was shown to
activate the expression of IL-1, IL-6, IL-12, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha,
GM-CSF, G-CSF and M-CSF.
[Chen HS et al, Studies on the immuno-modulating
and anti-tumor activities of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) polysaccharides. Bioorg Med
Chem. 2004 Nov 1;12(21):5595-601]

Blood pressure, LDL and Coronary artery disease
Ganoderic acids (of reishi) may lower blood pressure and LDL (the
bad cholesterol}. These specific triterpenoids may also help reduce
blood platelets from sticking together -an important factor in lowering
the risk for coronary artery disease. Two controlled clinical trials have
shown that reishi could lower high blood pressure significantly .
[The
people with hypertension in the second study had previously not responded to medications,
though these were continued during the study. Kammatsuse K, Kajiware N, Hayashi K.
Studies on Ganoderma lucidum: I. Efficacy against hypertension and side effects. Yakugaku
Zasshi 1985;105:531–3. Jin H, Zhang G, Cao X, et al. Treatment of hypertension by ling
zhi combined with hypotensor and its effects on arterial, arteriolar and capillary pressure and
microcirculation. In: Nimmi H, Xiu RJ, Sawada T, Zheng C. (eds). Microcirculatory Approach
to Asian Traditional Medicine. New York: Elsevier Science, 1996, 131–8.]

Altitude sickness and Hepatitis B
Reishi may have some efficacy in treating altitude sickness and
chronic hepatitis B.
[Hobbs C. Medicinal Mushrooms. Santa Cruz, CA: Botanica Press,
1995, 96–107]

Glomerulosclerosis
Reishi [ganoderma lucidum] may suppress endothelial cell
cytotoxicity and proteinuria in 14 patients of glomerulosclerosis.
Futrakul
N et al, Ganoderma lucidum suppresses endothelial cell cytotoxicity and proteinuria in
persistent proteinuric focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) nephrosis, Clin Hemorheol
Microcirc. 2004;31(4):267-72.

Diabetes Mellitus
Reishi may have some benefits for people suffered from diabetes
mellitus.
[Jones K. Reishi mushroom: Ancient medicine in modern times. Alt Compl Ther
1998;4:256–66 [review].]

Zhang HN and Lin ZB, Peking University, Beijing, investigated the hypoglycemic
effect of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (reishi extract) in the normal
fasted mice and the possible mechanism. They found that reishi extract could
lower the glucose level in a dose-dependent manner however the reishi extract
had no effect on islets insulin content.
[Zhang HN et al, Hypoglycemic effect of
Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides, Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2004 Feb;25(2):191-5]

Cancer
Reishi has been shown to have potiential benefits on the treatment
or prevention of certain cancers.  Reshishi has demonstrated
anticancer activities in experiments with cancer cells.
[Sliva D, Methodist
Research Institute, IN, Ganoderma Lucidum (Reishi) in cancer treatment, Integr Cancer
Ther. 2003 Dec;2(4):358-64.]

A Japanese research group extracted triterpene acid, lucidenic acid
P (1a), and two triterpene acid methyl esters, methyl lucidenates P
(1b) and Q (2b) from the fruiting body of the fungus Ganoderma
lucidum (reishi). All of the compounds from reishi extracted showed
potent inhibitory effects on Epstein-Barr virus early antigen induction
(96-100% inhibition at 1 x 10(3) mol ratio/TPA).
[Lucidenic acids P and Q,
methyl lucidenate P, and other triterpenoids from the fungus Ganoderma lucidum (reishi)
and their inhibitory effects on Epstein-Barr virus activation. J Nat Prod. 2003 Dec;66(12):
1582-5]

Colon cancer Hong KJ et al, Texas Tech University, found that reishi
extract causes no cytotoxicity in human colon carcinoma HT-29 cells
at doses less than 10000 microg/ml. Increasing concentrations of
reishi extract reduced prostaglandin E2 production, but increased
nitric oxide production. Together with other data, reishi extract has
been shown to have pro-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory functions,
as well as inhibitory effects on cytokine expression during early
inflammation in colonic carcinoma cells.
[Effects of Ganoderma lucidum on
apoptotic and anti-inflammatory function in HT-29 human colonic carcinoma cells.
Phytother Res. 2004 Sep;18(9):768-70.]

Breast Cancer Reishi (ganoderma lucidum) inhibited proliferation of
breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells by downregulating Akt/NF-kappaB
signaling.
[Jiang J et al,Ganoderma lucidum suppresses growth of breast cancer cells
through the inhibition of Akt/NF-kappaB signaling. Nutr Cancer. 2004;49(2):209-16.]

Prostate Cancer Reishi inhibits cell proliferation in a dose- and time-
dependent manner by the down-regulation of expression of cyclin B
and Cdc2 and by the up-regulation of p21 expression for the human
prostate caner cells PC-3. The reishi inhibition of the cancer cell
growth was also demonstrated by cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase.

[Jiang J et al, Ganoderma lucidum inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in human
prostate cancer cells PC-3, Int J Oncol. 2004 May;24(5):1093-9]

Ulcer
New Zealead researchers observed the anti-ulcer activities of reishi
on the rat. They extracted the water-soluble polysaccharide from
reishi mushroom (ganoderma lucidum) and inhibited the
indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal lesions successfully in rats
with the reishi extracts.
[Gao Y et al, Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide fractions
accelerate healing of acetic acid0induced ulcers in rates. J Med Food. 2004 Winter;7(4):
417-21]
________________________________________________
DOSE
Reishi can be taken either as 1.5 grams per day of the crude dried
mushroom, 1-1.5 grams per day in powdered form.
[Hobbs C. Medicinal
Mushrooms. Santa Cruz, CA: Botanica Press, 1995, 96–107]

SIDE EFFECTS
Side effects from reishi can include dizziness, dry mouth and throat,
nosebleeds, and abdominal upset.

Commercial Reishi Products
Unicity Bio-Reishi Coffee-claimed to be enriched with the purest form
of Ganoderma (reishi) extract. Unicity Bio-Reishi Coffee contains 20
sachets in a box.
Lingzhi Black Coffee-claimed to contain premium black coffee,
ganoderma extract (i.e. reishi extract) and artificial sweetener. Price
$9.99 (21g X20 sacs) at Econoherbs.
Lingzhi Roasted Coffee (Zhi Café) -claimed to contain coffee beans
and ganoderma (i.e. reishi). Price $8.99 (6g X20 sacs) at
Econoherbs.
Amato Instant Reishi Tea – claimed to contain Unsaturated fatty
acids, polysaccharides, ß-D-glucan, Ergosterol, Pro vitamin D2,
Carotene, Minerals, complete proteins. Price $43 (3g X 30 sachets)
at kyotan

How do other web-site publishers describe reishi?
Reishi (Ganoderma) is a magical herbal medicine from the
Mysterious East.  Reishi Ganoderma is the highest grade of
mushroom in the world of fungi. For centuries, the Chinese regard it
as "The King of All Herbs" [
Unicitypinoy, May 13, 2005]
Wild Reishi is extremely rare. Only a small quantity of reishi can be
found on a hill. Due to damage by insects and weather, the quality of
wild Reishi is unpredictable. And, the dried mushrooms may not have
the potency of the fresh mushroom.
[coffee-reishi.blogspot.com, May
15, 2005]
Ganoderma lucidum is the scientific name for Red Mushrooms, and is
said to be more powerful than Ginseng. Known as the "Miraculous
King of Herbs", it is called Lingzhi in China; Reishi in Japan and
Youngchi in Korea.
[kayted.com/gano, May 15, 2005]
                          HOME
LINKS: reishi benefits, reishi gano, reishi ganoderma, reishi mushroom coffee,
reishi mushroom extract(s), reishi mushroom tea, reishi mushroom, reishi
research, reishi side effects.
This Article is for your reference only. You should consult your
doctor for any questions. All rights reserved 2008.
MAJOR NUTRIENT

DIET.
SUPPLEMENT
PhytoChemicals
Antioxidants

A-Z Health Foods,  
Products

Acetyl-L Carnitine
Acidophilus
Alfalfa
Almond
Aloe vera
Aniseed
Apple
Arnica
Ashwagandha
Asian Pears
Asparagus
Astaxanthin,
Astragulus
Artichoke
Avena sativa
Avocados
Barley
Banana
Basil
black cohosh
Bladderwrack
Blackberry
Black Currant
Blueberry
Bilberry
Bitter Melon
Borage Seed Oil
Boswellia
Broccoli
Bromelain
Brown Seaweed
Brussels Sprout
Butterbur
Burdock
Cabbage
Calcium
Calendula
Canola oil
Cauliflower
Cat's Claw
Cayenne
Celadrin
Celery
Chamomile
Chaparral
Cherry
Chondroitin
Chitosan
Chlorophyll
Chromium
Cinnamon
CLA
Cocoa
Cod Liver Oil
Coenzyme Q
Coffee
Comfrey
Conj. Linoleic Acid
Colostrum
Colloidal Silver
Corn
Cranberry
Creatine
Curcumin
Dandelion
Devil's Claw
DHEA
Dill
Dong Quai
Echinacea
Eleuthero
Ellagic Acid
Eucalyptus G.
Eve. Primrose Oil
Falcarinol
Fennel
Fenugreek
Feverfew
Folate
Fish Oil
Flaxseed /Linseed
Garcinia C.
Garlic
Galangal
Ghrelin
Ginger
Ginseng
Ginseng/Ginkgo
Ginkgo Biloba
Glucosamine
Goldenseal
Gotu Kola
GRAPE SEED
EXTRACT
Green Tea
Growth Hormone
Stimulants
Goldenseal
Guar Gum
Guggul
Gymnema
Hawthorn
Hoodia
Hop
Horse Chestnut
Horsetail
Huperzine A
Hyaluronic acid
Isothiocyanates
Kava Kava
Kelp
L-arginine
Lavender
Lecithin
Lemon balm
Licorice
Lingonberry
Lutein
Lycopene
Maca
Mango
Marshmallow
Melatonin
Milk Thistle
Mistletoe
N-Acetylcysteine
Nattokinase
Nectarines
Olive Oil
Omegic Fatty
Acids
Onion
Orange
Oregon Grape
Pantethine
Papaya
Passion Flower
PEANUT
Peach
Pepper
Peppermint
Persimmons
Phosphatidyl
serine
Phyllanthus
Potato
Plum
Pomegranate
Probiotics
Policosanol /
Polycosanol
Propolis
Pumpkin
Pycnogenol
Pyruvate
Quercetin
Radish
Red Clover
Red Yeast Rice
Reishi / Lingzhi
Resveratrol
Rhodiola
Rosemary
Royal Jelly
Rutin
S-adenosyl-L-
methionine
Saffron
Saw Palmetto
Schisandra
Selenium
Spinach
Spirulina
Squash
Stinging Nettle
St John Wort
Strawberry
Sweet Potatoes
Taxifolin
Tea Tree Oil
Turmeric [Curry]
Tyrosine
Shark Cartilage
Stevia
Valerian
Walnuts
Watermelon
Whey
Xylitol
Yohimbe
Yucca
5-Hydroxytrpto
phan

Food Industry
Organic Label

HOME
Herb Side Effect
Resource