Ganoderma tsugae, commonly referred to as Hemlock varnish shelf mushroom or lingzhi, is an edible mushroom found on deciduous tree stumps throughout Appalachia and harvested by herbalists for consumption.

Studies conducted on mice demonstrated that Ganoderan B, a ligand from Ganoderma triterpenoid complex, increased insulin secretion. Furthermore, animal models demonstrated its hypoglycaemic, antihypertensive, and lipid-reducing effects.

Benefits

Ganoderma tsugae, commonly referred to as the “hemlock varnish shelf”, can be found throughout North America on the roots and trunks of Tsuga hemlock trees. Studies have uncovered its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and adaptogen properties; traditional Native American medicine also utilizes it as an immune booster and adaptogen.

Ganoderma is a woody mushroom genus with over 80 strains, of which Ganoderma lucidum is the most frequently encountered variety in supplements and has long been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine; however, research shows that all forms possess medicinal qualities despite slight variance among strains. Ganoderma tsugae has also been studied extensively as part of this category of medicinal mushrooms.

Polypore mushrooms are a type of mushroom that produce fruiting bodies with tubes on their underside that release spores. Spore production takes place from glandular structures known as the gills that look like furrowed kidney beans or fans and produce these spores; their surface features glossy reddish-brown to dark mahogany hues with patterns resembling varnishing; hence the name “hemlock varnish shelf.” They contain many tiny pores visible through hand lenses.

Studies have demonstrated that extracts of this fungus possess antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Other bioactive compounds found within this fungus include polysaccharides and oxygenated triterpenes derived from its roots; studies on cell cultures have demonstrated some of these triterpenes such as Lucidenic acid or Ganolucidic acid may inhibit HMG-CoA reductase activity similar to that achieved with statin drugs.

Studies involving db/db mice demonstrated that water extracts of Ganoderma tsugae fruiting bodies lowered their blood glucose. It has been suggested that this effect might be attributable to two peptidoglycans, Ganoderans A and B, extracted from this mushroom. Additional research conducted with patients with T2DM demonstrated how taking both Ganoderma tsugae and Cordyceps sinensis together significantly improved both insulin secretion and hepatic glucose output while decreasing cholesterol and triglyceride levels (Klupp et al. 2016).

Ingredients

Ganoderma tsugae, more commonly referred to in North America as Hemlock Varnish Shelf Mushrooms or Red Reishi in the US, is a species of mushroom native to North America. This polypore (multi-spored) mushroom inhabits decaying hemlock wood where it appears as an orangey reddish-brown polypore and decorates its host tree’s bark with an attractive reddish-brown hue. Common in Appalachia where herbalists collect it and sell medicinal supplements derived from their medicinal benefits.

Ganoderma is a genus of medicinal mushrooms with over 100 species, but Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi or Lingzhi) stands out as one of the more popular and well-known species worldwide. Long used in traditional Chinese medicine for its purported antiviral, anti-inflammatory and immune boosting benefits; red colored mushrooms like Reishi are particularly well known worldwide.

Reishi mushroom’s unique polysaccharides may contribute to many of its biological benefits. (1-3)-b-D-glucans found within reishi have been demonstrated to promote production of cytokine which in turn, facilitate the body’s healing response.

Reishi contains polysaccharides as its main constituent, as well as triterpenoids that may contribute to its medicinal effects. Triterpenoids are isoprenoid molecules produced via the mevalonate pathway starting with acetyl-coenzyme A; further modification by oxidation, reduction, cleavage or rearrangement produces more complex structures.

Ganoderma tsugae contains the triterpenoid compound elucidin, which acts as a precursor for bioactive isoprenoid lanostanes and has been shown to inhibit tumor growth and induce death among cancer cells, increase NK cell activity and lower levels of nitric oxide associated with cardiovascular disease and inflammation. Furthermore, Reishi contains an amino acid known as Luciferin which acts as an effective antioxidant and can be found at health food stores as well as some drugstores – tea form or as tinctures can all be purchased.

Preparation

Tea can be prepared using a mixture of Ganoderma tsugae extract, hot water, green or black loose leaf tea and honey/stevia sweeteners to taste, then brewed for five to seven minutes before refrigerating for storage in your fridge. Daily consumption has been reported to reduce cholesterol levels and blood pressure as well as promote weight loss; you could even add ginger/licorice root or other ingredients for flavor improvement! This daily ritual has also been known to treat respiratory diseases and depression and make great refrigerator storage. It does not increase bleeding time or prolong bleed-out times!

Ganoderma lucidum, commonly referred to as Lingzhi or Red Reishi, is one of the best-known medicinal mushrooms. But all Ganoderma species possess medicinal benefits; some more so than others.

Ganoderma tsugae is an immensely popular variety of medicinal mushroom, often found growing on fallen hemlock trees across North America. Commonly referred to as Hemlock varnish shelf, Ganoderma tsugae is one of three varnished (or laccate) Ganoderma species found here.

Ganoderma tsugae may appear similar to Lingzhi; however, it should not be confused with it. Ganoderma tsugae grows on hemlock trees whereas Lingzhi may grow on other types of trees.

Ganoderma contains triterpenes with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. One such triterpene is Ganoderic Acid found across all species of Ganoderma while Lucidene can be found predominantly within Ganoderma Tsugae species and has been shown to stimulate interferon production gamma production. Ganoderma tsugae has also demonstrated antitumor and immunomodulatory activity by inhibiting tumor growth by increasing expression of major histocompatibility complex and stimulating phagocytosis while simultaneously exerting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits – as well as having antitumor and immunomodulatory activity against cancer cells while simultaneously exerting antitumor and immunomodulatory activity while exerting antitumor and immunomodulatory activities simultaneously – as well as having anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects as well as antitumor and immunomodulatory activity by inhibiting tumor growth while increasing major histocompatability complex expression and stimulating cancer cell phagocytosis while simultaneously stimulating major histocompatability complex expression and stimulating cancer cell phagocytosis while simultaneously exerting antitumor/immune effects while exerting antitumor/immune actions while stimulating major histocompatability complex expression/expression/phagocytosis activity simultaneously while stimulating production/immune effects simultaneously while exerting antitumor/immune effects/phagocytosisi and immunomodulatory/immune expression/phagocytosis production/phagocytosis stimulation while stimulating production/phagocytosis stimulation/phagocytosis as well as stimulating stimulation/phagocytosis simultaneously; inhibiting increased expression/phagocytosis by stimulating major histocompatality complex expression/phago/phagocytosis/cytosis/phagocytosis stimulation stimulation/phago/phagocytosis/phagotu/tm//phago phagomodulatory activities while stimulating tumor cell/maj/pancytosis etc phagomodulatory/tus activity/phago/phago/phago phagocytosis stimulation as well as increasing major histocytosis/phagcytosis which leads to stimulatesis/phag phagcytosis/phagophagocytosis/phagocytosis stimulation/phagocytosis/phagus stimulation etc phagcytosis/phagus etc phagcytosis by stimulation simultaneously which cells cells or tumor cells as stimulate by stimulating cell activation while at any cancer cells which stimulate/phag phag/phag phag phag phagcytos/phag phag-i-activity stimulate cancer cell/phagcytosis stimulation etc, increasing expression via anti/can increases increased major his/phag, activation. inhibit tumor cell increase expression major his/phag phag. stimulation which allows immune modulatory action etc phag. or both phag phag phag/phag phag phag phag phag phag phag phag phagcytosis activity stimulate phag phag phagcytosis cells increasing expression major his/phag. cell/phag phagcytosis stimulate phagcytosis stimulate phag phag phag phagocytosis stimulation stimulation which stimulate phag phagocytosis stimulation by stimulating cancer cells by activating anti tumor growth/phag / immunity effects by stimulating immune cell by stimulation which are caused by this stimulation stimulation by increasing expression phagocytos/

Safety

Ganoderma lucidum, commonly used as an edible mushroom in herbal remedies, possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune-enhancing properties. Furthermore, its consumption may help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels as well as stimulate natural insulin production in the body.

Ganoderma fungus is typically grown without chemicals, pesticides or hormones and harvested either from nature or purchased as supplements. Ganoderma can be found as part of many herbal tea blends or powdered and added directly into food products for additional nutritional support. Recent research suggests ganoderma may assist in treating diabetes by increasing insulin sensitivity, decreasing blood glucose and decreasing HbA1c (glycosylated hemoglobin) levels while simultaneously improving secretion and decreasing glucagon production levels.

Reishi contains polysaccharides and oxygenated triterpenoids which have been reported to produce many therapeutic benefits, including antihypertensive, lipid-lowering, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. Triterpenoids such as ganolucidic acids and lucidenic acid K as well as the farnesyl hydroquinones ganomycin J and B have also been found to effectively block HMG-CoA reductase enzyme activity similar to how statins work.

Ganoderma tsugae, commonly referred to as the Hemlock Varnish Shelf or Resin Shelf is a closely related species of Reishi that stands out due to its preference for coniferous trees like Hemlock as well as its lacquered red to mahogany cap. Native to North America and recognized for its powerful adaptogenic and health promoting properties.

As with Reishi, Ganoderma Tsugae contains antioxidant and immune-enhancing properties which may help protect against stress and environmental toxins, as well as potentially being an anti-aging agent and treatment option for cancer and HIV/AIDS.

Ganoderma tsugae can be easily grown unlike Reishi mushrooms commonly sold at health food stores. It thrives in various plant waste products like paddy husk, brown rice flour and rubber tree sawdust with minimal to no light needed to grow; some experts advise using special growing medium for best results and quality; this will preserve therapeutic benefits without becoming toxic over time.