Reishi Part 1

Medicinal values of Ganoderma Lucidum

Curtis White – September 20, 2023

Ganoderma Sessile. Native Species. Saprobic/Parasitic. Northeast

Reishi

Reishi has many different names associated with this fungus. The Chinese call it Ling Zhi, which means spirit plant or the tree of life mushroom. The Japanese call it Mannentake (10,000 yr mushroom) It was believed the power of Reishi develops the spirit so one can become a spirit being.

Ganoderma lucidum has a long history of medicinal uses in the Far East countries of more than 4000 years due to its healing properties. Recently, G. lucidum has come under scientific scrutiny to evaluate its content of bioactive components that affect human physiology and has been exploited for potent components in the pharmacology, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics industries. For instance, evidence is accumulating on the potential of this mushroom species as a promising antiviral medicine for treating many viral diseases, such as dengue virus, enterovirus 71, and recently coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19). Still, more research studies on the biotherapeutic components of G. lucidum are needed to ensure the safety and efficiency of G. lucidum and promote the development of commercial functional foods.

https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/11/7/1030

One of the main characteristics of the mushroom extract is its ability to strengthen the immune system of the human body and protect the body against cancers. The water- soluble polysaccharides of Ganoderma are usually applied in traditional Chinese medicine for the avoidance of numerous diseases such as

• arthritis,
• gastric ulcer,
• bronchitis,
• hypertension,
• Nephritis. (Inflammation of the Kidney)
• tumorigenic disease. (Capable of forming tumors)
• scleroderma. (Chronic hardening of the skin and connective tissues)

• Ganoderma lucidum has antifibrotic, cholesterol-lowering and hypoglycemic effects. The polysaccharides of the Ganoderma fruiting body have strong antibacterial effects against Helicobacter pylori, which play an important role in causing many stomach ailments . Reishi has over 200 polysaccharides and 150 Triterpenes. Polysaccharides are sugars or sugar derivatives that can be made up of cellulose, starch, beta glucans, chitin or anything else derived from sugar. So in other words, your mushroom supplement can have 65% starch, 5% chitin and 5% beta gluten (the good stuff) and the label can state it has 75% polysaccharides. This DOES cause confusion for the consumer. Starch and cellulose has little to no immune stimulating effect, which means in the above example, you are basically taking a micro dose of the Reishi mushroom.
• Triterpenes have been studied and results have shown positive effects that may show to be beneficial in the treatment of cancer cells. They have shown cytotoxicity, which is a type of immune cell that can kill other cells, including foreign cells, cancer cells, and cells infected with a virus. Because of their natural ability to do this, it may be a vehicle to treat and prevent cancer cells in a natural process, avoiding chemo and radiation.

CHOOSE YOUR REISHI BY CONTENT, NOT THROUGH ADVERTISEMENTS (SERIOUSLY, LOOK PAST THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE ON ADS)

Our body has a gene called the P53 that some scientist call the guardian of the genome. According to Bert Vogelstein a cancer scientist at John Hopkins, states the

P53 is the common denominator to virtually all human tumors. It is almost impossible to develop cancer unless the P53 is inactivated.

The P53 is the center of the complex system of other genes that detect and destroy cancer cells. Once the other genes detect and stop replication, the proteins

attempt to repair the damaged cell. If this is unsuccessful, the P53 steps in and releases the hounds to destroy the cell, preventing the cancerous cell from further growth.

Our body is an amazing medical factory that has all the tools to fight off and defend against invading bacteria, viruses, and other environmental causes.

But for our body to run efficiently, we have to feed it properly. You can take all the supplements, exercise everyday, and this will still not create a healthy

environment within yourself if you eat processed foods everyday, and drink yourself to sleep.

The big little secret of natural medicine is that it does not cure, but it builds your immune system, feeds it what it is craving, and this allows your immune

system to release the natural killer cells, macrophages, and other attack systems that will search and destroy the invading pathogens.

Here are a few studies showing the efficacy of Reishi
1. Water extracts have shown activity against Streptococcus (Yoon 1994)

2. Mice were fed Reishi water extract for 2 days and then injected with E. coli. They had up to a 85% survival rate (The Fungal Pharmacy)

3. Reishi extracts helped infertile men with chronic genital inflammation caused by HPV (Lai 2010)

4. Jie Sun (2004) discovered a bioactive peptide in Reishi that is responsible for antioxidant activity and is absorbed through the intestine at a 70-80% higher rate than amino acids

There are many varieties of the the Reishi, and the latest DNA research has discovered the Ganoderma Lucidum is a non native species to North America. They are found in the west, but is believed to have been introduced in an attempt to harvest them.

Identification of different North American varieties: https://www.mushroomexpert.com/ganoderma.html

G. curtissi—-Yellow highlights and a red stalk growing primarily on Maple in the Southeastern United States

https://www.mushroomexpert.com/ganoderma_curtisii.html

G. oregonense—Reddish brown to purple on short stalks growing primarily on oak and other hardwoods from British Columbia down to northern California.

https://www.mushroomexpert.com/ganoderma_oregonense.html

G. tsugae—Some have a red band while others have a yellow band. West coast is mostly red growing at 6500’ and are fleshy with no stalk. East coast is more delicate with a yellow band and is stalked.

https://www.mushroomexpert.com/ganoderma_tsugae.html

G. sessile—Flat and round, rose red to purple growing off of tree roots in the Southeastern United States

https://www.messiah.edu/Oakes/fungi_on_wood/poroid fungi/species pages/ Ganoderma sessile.htm

Studies in medicinal mushrooms started in the west more than 30 years ago and the Chinese pharmacopeia of Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, or The Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica [dates back 4000 years with the Reishi being mentioned as a medicinal mushroom]

The Reishi mushroom has shown and proven to be effective against many diseases over 4 centuries, and further research will without a doubt prove its effectiveness through modern science. Thankfully, current laws prevent pharmacy companies from patenting a natural medicine, which would make it illegal for us to use Reishi without their permission.

IMPORTANT: The entourage effect is more effective than an isolated extract!!

End Fact:

There have been approximately 150,224 species described out of the estimated 2.2– 3.8 million fungal species worldwide. About 3000 species that belong to Macrofungi are safe for human consumption, such as edible mushrooms.