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Ganoderma Lucidum and Lingzhi Tea
Ganoderma lucidum, more commonly referred to in Chinese as ling zhi, is an essential element of traditional Eastern medicine and used extensively within supplements, extracts and tea blends.
Therapeutic effects of CBD oil are attributable to its active compounds, including volatile triterpenoids with C30 skeleton structures and volatile triterpenoids containing anthraquinones. Rare reports have implicated it as the source of hepatotoxicity; however, in most of these instances other diagnoses were also possible.
Benefits
Ganoderma lucidum, commonly referred to as Lingzhi or Reishi in traditional Chinese medicine, has long been recognized for its therapeutic benefits. According to this ancient practice, Lingzhi or Reishi has long been believed to help improve health, promote longevity and boost immunity against disease; some even refer to it as the divine mushroom or “king of mushrooms.” It can be taken by people suffering from immune system deficiencies, cancer patients, heart disease and other chronic illnesses as an immune-booster.
Mushroom extracts contain numerous bioactive compounds, such as polysaccharides, ergosterol, coumarin, organic acids, water-soluble protein fatty acids peptides and enzymes; their extracts have demonstrated antitumor, antihepatotoxicity antimalarial and hypoglycemic activities; freeze-dried extracts tend to retain more beneficial components – one study discovered that freeze-dried G. lucidum extract containing polysaccharides, lucidenic Acid DM and 12-acetyl Lucidenic Acid F had superior antioxidant activity when compared with heat-dried extract.
Numerous small, short term placebo controlled trials using G. lucidum spore powder have been conducted, and none of the cases reported clinically apparent liver injury. Nonetheless, several reports of hepatitis from herbal supplements warrant caution and require further assessment prior to use.
The mushroom contains many enzymes, including superoxide dismutase and lysozyme, that aid the body’s natural detoxification processes. Furthermore, beta-glucans – long chains of sugar molecules that store moisture inside skin cells to keep skin hydrated from within – have also been proven effective. Finally, antioxidants fight free radicals that damage healthy cells leading to disease while its high concentrations of glucosamines and germanium support immune system responses, making this mushroom an excellent way to both prevent and treat many conditions.
Side Effects
Lingzhi tea (also known as Reishi tea) is an herbal beverage widely touted for its ability to reduce stress levels, boost immune functions, support healthy sleeping patterns and promote liver health. Furthermore, Reishi has also been reported as helping with weight loss by alleviating oxidative stress in the body, lowering heart disease risk and helping with weight management. While Reishi Tea should generally be well tolerated by most individuals before use. Please do be aware of certain side effects you should keep an eye out for before beginning use.
Reishi tea contains beta-glucans, which are soluble molecules found in plants, fungi and certain bacteria that help increase skin hydration by making cells plumper and more plump and supple. They can also reduce wrinkles by counteracting free radical damage to cell membranes causing oxidative stress on the skin surface and decreasing wrinkles, fine lines and blemishes by counterbalancing free radical production that damages cell membranes causing oxidative stress in the form of wrinkles etcetera.
Reishi tea can be an excellent natural way to improve one’s health and strengthen immunity, yet is not recommended for children or pregnant women due to its indigestible spores that could potentially cause nausea, vomiting or diarrhea as side effects.
Ganoderma lucidum, commonly referred to as lingzhi or reishi in China and Japan for centuries as part of traditional medicinal systems is now being recognized worldwide for its possible health benefits and can be obtained over-the-counter (OTC) as an herbal supplement in tablets, capsules, extracts and powder forms.
Reishi mushrooms are widely recognized for their antioxidant capabilities, helping neutralize free radicals in the body and stop them from damaging cells. Furthermore, studies have demonstrated their anti-inflammatory and anti-autoimmune benefits; furthermore they contain water-soluble proteins, dietary fiber, minerals and plant compounds thought to benefit human health.
There have been multiple instances of hepatotoxicity linked to herbs and dietary supplements such as Reishi tea. Liver injury from Reishi ranges in severity from mild, asymptomatic elevations in serum aminotransferase levels; clinically apparent hepatitis that clears quickly upon discontinuing; to severe hepatitis and liver failure.
Dosage
Reishi can be found in various dietary supplements sold as extracts or blended with herbs and functional mushrooms such as chaga, turkey tail and cordyceps to form multiingredient products. A common dose ranges between 500 mg to 3 grams daily for best results. Reishi mushroom polysaccharides and triterpenoids have been proven to provide immune support, promote normal liver function, antiviral activity as well as many other potential advantages – making reishi an adaptogen in its own right!
Reishi has been shown to be well tolerated in multiple small, short term placebo controlled trials with few to no reported adverse side effects. Reishi was shown to significantly decrease viral load for patients living with Hepatitis C, while it may have other beneficial properties including immunostimulatory, hepatoprotective and even beneficial effects against conditions like arthritis, asthma, high cholesterol/blood pressure levels and diabetes.
Reishi mushroom, also known by its Chinese name of “divine mushroom,” has long been recognized for its spiritual properties and traditional uses as an immortality herb to enhance health, promote longevity, prevent illness and restore youthful vigor. Furthermore, chemotherapy treatments often combine it to boost its antitumor and immunosuppressive capabilities.
Reishi is typically well tolerated herbal remedy; however, in rare instances it has been linked with clinically apparent liver injuries that vary in severity ranging from minimally symptomatic elevations of serum aminotransferases that resolved rapidly upon discontinuing use to severe cases such as hepatitis or even death. Unfortunately the mechanisms and components responsible remain unknown.
Reishi is a fungus found on tree stumps and bases in nature as well as logs and sawdust in cultivation, where it’s harvested and dried to make medicinal teas or supplements in capsule or powder form. Reishi can help boost immune systems while supporting liver function. Reishi contains B vitamins, vitamin D and minerals as well as protein fiber and fatty acids; making it an important addition to herbal tea blends for improving both.
Ingredients
Ganoderma lucidum, commonly referred to as Reishi or Lingzhi mushrooms in Chinese history. Due to their rarity and reverence among practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine, Reishi or Lingzhi mushroom was highly prized in ancient China’s “bible of medicines”, Shennong Ben Cao Jiao (or Materia Medica).
Reishi mushrooms are white-rot basidiomycetes that typically grow on tree trunks or stumps in forests of central Asia, known as Reishi mushroom forests. Reishi has long been revered as a spiritual herb due to their ability to enhance mental clarity, strengthen immunity and extend longevity. Reishi has also been found to improve cardiovascular health, protect liver health and regulate blood sugar levels among diabetic patients.
Lingzhi tea is an effective functional food, boasting water-soluble proteins, dietary fiber, minerals like calcium, potassium, magnesium, sulfur and phosphorus; plus vitamins such as riboflavin and thiamin – components believed to contribute significantly to its many health benefits.
Mushroom fruiting bodies contain triterpenoids derived from isoprene units with C30 skeleton structures, as well as secondary metabolites including volatile alcohols, aldehydes, acids and esters that contribute to its bitter flavor as well as possess antitumor, immunostimulatory and hypolipidemic activities.
Studies examining the effects of Reishi on immune function have been extensive, showing it can increase natural killer cell activity and boost antibody production in cancer patients, while at the same time decreasing tumor growth in experimental animals and inhibiting leukemia cell proliferation.