Divine Mushroom - Reishi | Informations

Date of the last update: 16.07.2024

Reishi, also known as lacquerwort, is one of the most prized mushrooms in Chinese and Japanese medicine. In Chinese, it is called ‘lingzhi’, which literally means ‘divine mushroom’. Some statues of the Chinese goddess of mercy and fertility Guānyīn depict a woman holding a Reishi mushroom in her hands. Ancient legends claimed that immortality was immediately obtained after ingesting lacquerwort. Due to its rarity in nature, for many years Reishi was reserved exclusively for emperors and important officials.

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Reishi – history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

The first record of the Ling zhi-like mushroom appears in Chinese writings in the 3rd century BC. There is evidence though to suggest that the mushroom was used medicinally in Korean and Indian cultures as early as more than 4 000 years ago.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Reishi was used as a warming, nourishing, strengthening and toxin-removing medicine. In folk practice, it was prescribed to people suffering from chest tightness to treat heart and respiratory diseases. It was also believed to improve cognitive abilities such as memory and concentration, as well as keeping the physical body in excellent condition. In some cases, it was also used to increase vigor and sexual potency.

Shrouded in legend, immortality could only be achieved by consuming mushrooms found in the wild, while cultivated ones only guaranteed longevity. Nowadays, Reishi has already been popularized in other parts of the world, while Asian countries remain the largest producers. In Poland, the lacquerwort is found in its natural habitat, but is subjected to strict protection.

Learn more: Chinese medicinal herbs: discover ancient healing plants!

Active substances of Reishi

Reishi contains a variety of biologically active substances such as polysaccharides, triterpenes, steroidal compounds, peptides and amino acids, which exhibit physiological and pharmacological effects. Particularly noteworthy are the numerous ganodermic acids (more than 150) belonging to the triterpenes group, which have been isolated from both fruiting bodies and mycelium. It is these acids that give Reishi extracts their unusually bitter taste.

In the body, they exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antibacterial, antiviral and adaptogenic effects. The triterpenoids also have a protective effect on the liver and lower cholesterol and blood pressure. They are also credited with reducing allergy and asthma symptoms by inhibiting the release of histamine.

Another large group of medicinal substances are the numerous polysaccharides, specifically the D-glucans found only in mushrooms with a beta bond of 1.3-1.6, which have immunostimulating and immunomodulating abilities. Polysaccharides strengthen cell structures and support the elimination of toxins from the body. By binding to the naturally occurring germanium in mushrooms, they increase the amount of oxygen in the blood.

Check out also: Medicinal mushrooms: properties

Anticancer use

Reishi has been the subject of research for several decades due to its anticancer properties in preventive use, but also therapeutically due to its cytotoxic effect against cancer cells. Conclusions from preclinical studies indicate that Reishi extracts stop the growth of cells in various forms of cancer, including K562 leukaemia and sarcoma 180. Tumour regression has been observed in animal models, which is attributed to a mechanism of disrupting blood supply to tumour tissues, as well as inducing tumour necrosis and apoptosis, or programmed cell death. Glowworm extracts have found particular use in hormone-dependent prostate and breast cancers, i.e. those whose cause is believed to be hormonal imbalance, particularly during meno and andropause.

Safety of use

A centuries-old tradition of use and animal and human studies confirm the lack of toxic effects resulting from the use of this mushroom. In a study on the toxicological safety of Reishi, no serious side effects were reported in humans; on the contrary, increased antioxidant activity and a reduction in blood lipid levels were observed. Although no adverse effects of the mushroom itself have been observed, this does not mean that the use of extracts derived from it is completely safe. In order to avoid the risks associated with the possible presence of harmful substances such as mycotoxins, fungicides, pesticides or heavy metals, it is essential to have access to high-quality specimens. Mushroom extracts should be subjected to laboratory tests by the manufacturer, or you should make sure, as far as possible, that your supplier is trustworthy. Chemical analyses of raw materials and products from Asian countries often reveal exceedances of acceptable levels of toxic substances or adulteration of products.

It is of great importance to use the right raw material, but also take note of the way it is stored and, above all, the processing of the material. Even with the use of high-quality raw material, consumption of unprocessed Reishi mushroom may not guarantee sufficient bioavailability of health-promoting mushroom chemical compounds, Only the use of appropriate extraction processes of powdered mushrooms allows active substances to enter the bloodstream.

References:

Wasser, Solomon P., 2005. Reishi or Ling Zhi (Ganoderma lucidum). Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements.
Kwieciński, Adam. 2004. Rieshi – nadzieja współczesnej medycyny (str. 18). Wydawnictwo Kwieciński, Jaworze.
Chengshuai Yang, Weichao Lia, Chen Lia, Zhihua Zho, Youli Xiao , Xing Yan, 2018. Metabolism of ganoderic acids by a Ganoderma lucidum cytochrome P450 and the 3-keto sterol reductase ERG27 from yeast.
Toshihiro Akihisa, Yuji Nakamura, Masaaki Tagata, Harukuni Tokuda, Ken Yasukawa, Emiko Uchiyama, Takashi Suzuki, Yumiko Kimura, 2007. Anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor-promoting effects of triterpene acids and sterols from the fungus Ganoderma lucidum.
Daniel Sliva, Miroslav Sedlak, Veronika Slivova, Tatiana Valachovicova, Frank P Lloyd Jr, Nancy W Y Ho, 2003. Biologic activity of spores and dried powder from Ganoderma lucidum for the inhibition of highly invasive human breast and prostate cancer cells.
Jie Liu, Kuniyoshi Shimizu, Fumiko Konishi, Shoichiro Kumamoto, Ryuichiro Kondo, 2007. The anti-androgen effect of ganoderol B isolated from the fruiting body of Ganoderma lucidum.