REISHI - Ling Zhi
ganoderma
by Robert Bidleman
Of all the Fu Zheng herbs, Ling Zhi or Reishi Mushroom is the most
mysterious of all. Not only due to it's legendary qualities but also very
much due to it's simple ability to calm the human mind and lend some
clarity in an otherwise muddled existence. Practitioners are especially
outspoken about Reishi. The early Chinese medical texts speak with
genuine reverence about Reishi and it's powers to heal while the Taoists
used it to lighten their selves and to become "capable of spiritual
transcendence". This reference to Reishi is not by any means cultural.
Although it has been known as the mushroom of spiritual potency in Asia,
it has rapidly garnered a large following in the West amongst yoga, Tai Chi
and meditation students. The first textual reports of Reishi record it as a
"Shaman's Mushroom" or "Shaman's Ch'i". In fact it was originally called
"Chih Zhi" or "Red Ch'i" (Chih=red, Ch'i=energy) and the red variety remains
the most sought after for these reasons.
But it is the long chain polysaccharides that have attracted so much research
in China, Japan and now the United States. These immunmodulators increase
RNA and DNA in the bone marrow, increases interferon production, disrupting
viral diseases and "smartening up" up the T-cells and expanding their "memory".
A study in 1982 in Japan showed 100% of test mice had complete
regression in induced tumors. One of the constituents of Reishi which was
studied was Beta-D-Glucan which holds the cell walls of grains intact.
Triterpenes are another aspect of Reishi which has researchers scrambling.
Shown to be the chief agent in Reishi responsible for lowering blood
pressure and blood lipids, triterpenes are found in the fatty acid form as
"lucidenic" and "ganoderic" acids. Ginseng also contains a similar compliment
of these sterols and there is much speculation that these may be one of the
crucial commonalties in longevity herbs.
Reishi and Ginseng also share the adaptogenic effect and protect against
biological, emotional and environmental stresses. Reishi contains
112 known triterpenes which may be the cause of it's anti-hypertensive
action. These triterpenes inhibit ACE, an enzyme (angiotensin converting
enzyme) which many drugs attempt to control (with side effects). Reishi
alleviates allergies, oxygenates the blood, relieves pain, reverses liver
disease and is one of the most potent natural mood elevators known
to man.
The various ganoderma are as follows:
g. lucidum (red)
g. applanatum (brown)
g.tsugae (red)
g. sinense (black)
g. oregonense (dark brown)
The lucidum variety is the well known, modern type of Reishi which is being
cultivated.The quality of the mushroom in terms of the effects are reliant on
the conditions and environment of growth. This is the reason that wildcrafted
Reishi is much preferred. Applanatum is the ancient Ling Zhi of legend, a
stemless shelf mushroom which grows world-wide and has been recorded
in weights up to 12 pounds. It's traditional name "Chih se lao mu chun" means
"The flesh-like ancient source of life mushroom" Tsugae is much like lucidum
except in appearance as it has a high gloss and is a bright orange-red.
Sinense is a dark purple to black variety and is distinctive with it's longer stem
(up to 8 inches).Oregonense is, as it's name implies a native of the western
North America. It has not been studied for medicinal activity but it is assumed
that it also contains similar properties.
Reishi is prepared, traditionally by powdering the mushroom and decocting
at a low (sub-boiling) temperature for two to three hours or untill the original
water level has been reduced by two-thirds.The tea is strained and can be
sweetened with honey (sugar is not recommended). The powder (which is
actually more like a wet "hair-ball") can be reused untill the tea has lost most
of it's color, about three times. It has been recently found that long chain
polysaccharides are utilized much more efficiently if taken within a few hours
of ingesting vitamin C.
Recent use of Reishi for treatment of HIV and cancer as well as
leukemia has spurred research to catch up with the modern
"Folk Medicine" and the surge of positive anecdotal reports.
Reishi is now a recognized treatment (licensed) in Japan and China.
Herbal Hall Adaptogen Article