The lingzhi or reishi mushroom fungus (traditional Chinese: 灵芝: Lingzhi; Japanese: reishi; Vietnamese: linh chi, literally "supernatural mushroom") includes several species of fungi of the genus Ganoderma, usually closely related species, Ganoderma lucidum, Ganoderma Ganoderma tsugae and sichuanense.

 

The Lingzhi mushroom, "the mushroom of immortality" because of its extraordinary medicinal properties, enjoys special veneration in East Asia, where it has been used as a medicinal mushroom for over 5000 years.

It is one of the oldest mushrooms known to have been used in medicine. Lingzhi is listed in the "American Herbal Pharmacopoeia and Therapeutic Compendium." It is especially revered in his native China. Indeed, long-term consumption of reishi mushrooms - which is characterized by its almost dark red, kidney-shaped hat and its hard texture - has been linked to reduce blood pressure, improved nerve function, increased stamina, weight loss and much more.

 

1. The Lingzhi fungus and cancerAccording to Drs. Joann Lau and Sanda Zolj, two researchers from the University of Bellarmine, the Lingzhi mushroom contains important polysaccharides and saponins that reduce proliferation of cancer cells in the lungs. The researchers found that this effect is due to apoptosis ("cell death") initiated by the active compounds of the fungus. They concluded that "the detailed biochemical characterization of this ancient herb could hold tremendous promise for the treatment of lung cancer."The anti-cancer and immune stimulating effects of Lingzhi are thought to be largely due to the polysaccharides. Polysaccharides are composed of individual sugar molecules, chained together to form a layer of sugar. The polysaccharides appear to activate macrophages, a type of white blood cell, viruses, bacteria and other larger particulates.Recently, researchers from the Medical University of Shanghai, Shanghai Tumor Hospital, Shanghai and San Chung Hospital have independently isolated the fungus Lingzhi some species of polysaccharides which have been shown subsequently in clinical studies to have anti-business tumor.Other Chinese researchers have also found in animal studies that Lingzhi can increase immunoglobulins and enhance macrophage phagocytic activity.In pharmacognosy, Lingzhi is actually the powder inside the Lingzhi fungus spores that are formed as Lingzhi maturity. The powder collected from the spores, the essence of Lingzhi, consists of 18.5% of high-quality protein with all 18 essential amino acids included, in addition to a combination of natural vitamins and trace -Elements essential to the proper functioning of the immune system, balance polysaccharides.Research Lau and Zolj are reinforced by the research of Dr. Teow Sun Soo at the MARA Institute of Technology in Malaysia. Teow Sun Soo, determined to understand the effects of Lingzhi on various ailments, has conducted clinical trials involving subjects reishi extracts at regular intervals. Teow Sun Soo has not only found that the extract stimulated the immune system of the body fight against cancer, but it could also reduce the harmful side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Teow Sun Soo admitted, however, that the results depend on the type of cancer and the severity of the condition. For the treatment of cancer, Teow Sun Soo recommended taking 50 miligrams at least three times a day. Some cases may require more.

 

2. Lingzhi and diabetesAccording to researchers at the Vascular Medicine Institute at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Lingzhi fungus can lower the level of sugar in the blood of laboratory animals. For their study, which was published in the May 2009 edition of Phytotherapy, the researchers fed 0.03 and 0.3g / kg Lingzhi extract to diabetic mice over a period of one month. The extracts lowered the blood glucose levels of mice in a single week, leading researchers to believe that the fungus inhibits an enzyme used by the liver to produce glucose.Another Chinese study, which was conducted by researchers at the Department of Pharmacology at Peking University in Beijing and published in the issue of the Journal of Natural Products Research Asia in December 2006 dealt specifically with Lingzhi effects on diabetic kidney disease. After a period of eight week test, the subjects had diabetes markers substantially reduced stress of the kidney, and triglyceride levels and lowered blood sugar. The researchers concluded that Lingzhi mushrooms can prevent or stop the progression of diabetic renal complications.Important: Unlike most other medicinal mushrooms that can be eaten cooked, reishi has a hard texture that is difficult to digest, but it is nevertheless possible to cook with. Therefore, if you are interested in using Lingzhi as a drug, consider consuming powdered form.

 

3. Lingzhi and tuberculosisLingzhi is used to stimulate the immune system weakened by tuberculosis. Reishi or Ling Zhi (Chinese) has shown in recent studies to be useful for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, normalization of blood pressure, regulation of the circulatory system and help cure allergies. Lingzhi contains a large amount of polysaccharides which are essential for the proper functioning of the immune system, and are known as effective fighters against the tumor. The Lingzhi mushroom is used as a tonic and sedative. Lingzhi is useful in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), diabetes, liver disorders, hypertension, arthritis, and tuberculosis. The Lingzhi mushroom has a strong antihistamine action that can help control allergies. Lingzhi can also lower cholesterol, prevent blood clots, help prevent the growth of tumors and increase the body's ability to fight unwanted invaders.The Lingzhi mushroom is one of the most popular plants in Chinese medicine. Lingzhi has been used for thousands of years as a miracle cure for a variety of diseases traumatic wounds, inflammation, various ulcers treatment of cancer mushroom extracts. Lingzhi showed exert many beneficial effects which seem to support the historical use of the fungus as an "adaptogen". An adeptogen is defined as a substance that increases resistance to stress and improves the general tone of the body and mind. Besides the fact that the Lingzhi fungus is an anti-cancer property and promotes immunity, the fungus was used to treat: insomnia, bronchitis, sore high altitude, high cholesterol, the chronic hepatitis, cancer, immune system problems and stress.