Ganoderma lucidum tea is an immune-enhancing beverage made up of polysaccharides and triterpenoids that may also improve sleep and decrease blood sugar levels.

Lingzhi (also referred to as Reishi or Varnished Bracket Mushroom) is a red-hued species of Ganoderma that thrives on decaying wood logs and stumps, producing tea which has long been utilized in traditional Chinese medicine.

Antioxidants

Ganoderma lucidum mushrooms are grown for both spiritual ceremonies and herbal medicine purposes due to its adaptogenic and immune-enhancing effects. Polysaccharides and triterpenoids from Ganoderma lucidum contain antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory activities which have the ability to inhibit cancer cell proliferation. Beta-glucans present within this fungus have also been found to decrease bodyweight, improve glucose metabolism and enhance immune system response – binding with cell membranes of white blood cells to activate them for greater natural killer cell activity while bioactive compounds found within this mushroom have also been discovered inhibiting coronavirus infection laboratory tests.

Triterpenes are organic compounds with C30 carbon skeletons classified as terpenoids, extracted from G. lucidum’s spores, fruiting bodies and mycelia using solvents such as methanol, chloroform, ether or acetone and can be extracted using different techniques such as normal and reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography to analyze them. Triterpenoids in Ganoderma have also been studied using various techniques including normal- and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography analysis techniques as well.

Studies on animals and humans demonstrate the positive properties of Ganoderma Lucidum; however, few clinical trials have been performed and its safety in people with existing medical conditions or taking medications is yet to be fully established. Furthermore, more research needs to be conducted into whether Ganoderma Tea could be useful as a treatment option for metabolic disorders and coronavirus infections.

Polysaccharides

Ganoderma lucidum contains polysaccharides, an organic group containing sugar-containing chemicals found naturally. They have long glycosidic bonds and high molecular weight; numerous varieties have been isolated from G. lucidum’s spores, fruiting bodies, and mycelia (Xu et al. 2017). Polysaccharides possess antioxidant properties while also functioning as immunomodulators and cancer preventives.

Oxidative stress results from imbalances between production of reactive oxygen species and their removal by free radical scavenging systems within the body, creating excessive levels of reactive oxygen species that lead to damage to proteins, lipids and DNA. Ganoderma lucidum extracts may help mitigate such damage through their ability to inhibit advanced glycation end products formed when glucose reacts nonenzymatically with protein or lipid molecules in our bodies.

Studies on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats demonstrated that a hydroethanolic extract of G. lucidum’s spores and fruiting bodies reduced plasma glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol levels while protecting pancreatic islets – likely because its polysaccharides inhibited hepatic carboxymethylesterase enzyme, which catalyses conversion of triglycerides into cholesterol in liver tissue.

Many branched b-1-3 and b-1-6 D-glucans, glucuronoglucans, mannogalactoglucans, arabinoglucans and polysaccharide-protein complexes have been discovered to possess immunomodulatory properties (Xu et al. 2011). A-d mannans from G. lucidum also possess anticancer properties by inhibiting integrin expression to limit tumor cell adhesion as well as inducing apoptosis in cancerous cells (Xu et al. 2011).

Triterpenoids

Ganoderma lucidum tea contains antioxidants, polysaccharides and triterpenoids which may help strengthen immunity, improve sleep quality, lower blood sugar levels and prevent cancer. Further research needs to be completed before this fungus can be utilized as medicine.

Researchers have discovered that Ganoderma tea contains triterpenes like Ganoderic acids (GA-A, GA-B, GA-C1, GA-C2, GA-H, GA-T and GA-Q), Lucidumol and Ganodermanondiol which exhibit antiviral, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have demonstrated these compounds can reduce lipid peroxidation as well as prevent proinflammatory compound production within the body while simultaneously increasing glutathione peroxidase activity while attenuating inflammation protein production within our bodies.

One study demonstrated how GTE enhanced the anticancer effects of standardized Ganoderma extract on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. When combined, both extracts reduced proliferation as well as invasiveness; additionally they inhibited secretion of Urokinase Plasminogen Activator by these cells.

Ganoderma lucidum, commonly referred to as Reishi or Lingzhi in China, has long been utilized as part of traditional Chinese medicine and more recently as a health supplement due to its immune-enhancing, anti-inflammatory, and sleep-promoting properties. Before making any decisions based on this fungus alone it’s wise to consult a healthcare professional first if taking medications or experiencing preexisting conditions – this applies particularly if pregnant or lactating mothers are involved.

Immune-Boosting Properties

Ganoderma lucidum contains many bioactive compounds with immunomodulatory properties, including polysaccharides and triterpenoids that have immunomodulatory properties on various immune effector cells. Polysaccharides like galactoglucans have been demonstrated to increase immunity cell proliferation while activating natural killer cells. Other research indicates ganoderma beta-glucans may inhibit viral entry by blocking receptors on their surfaces and decreasing nucleic acid synthesis as well as having protease inhibitory activity to halt viral replication and reduce viral virulence factors.

Triterpenoids such as Lucidenic acid E, Ganoderic acid K and Farnesyl Hydroquinones (Ganomycin J and B) have been shown to significantly decrease cholesterol levels by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase – the enzyme responsible for breaking down cholesterol into its constituent components. Ganoderma Lucidum tea’s bitter flavor comes from its triterpenoids’ antihypertensive and lipid-reducing activities, responsible for its bitter taste.

At a randomised, closed-label clinical trial of 84 patients with T2DM and metabolic syndrome, administration of G. lucidum polysaccharides and Cordyceps sinensis for 90 days showed significant reductions in systolic blood pressure, heart rate, triglyceride levels and production of proinflammatory cytokines like IL-1b, IL-6, hsCRP and TNF-a (Rizal et al. 2020). However, further investigation of specific components responsible is necessary – many commercial herbal supplements sold under these names contain water-soluble G. lucidum polysaccharides like Ganopoly; some clinical trials have already used these.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

ganoderma plants have long been utilized in oriental medicine. Commonly referred to as reishi mushrooms, their effects have long been recognized for helping with various conditions and ailments – in particular cardiovascular issues. Research has discovered that these plants contain polysaccharides and oxygenated triterpenoids with hypoglycaemic, antihypertensive, lipid-reducing and antioxidant properties which make ganoderma plants effective treatments.

Reishi tea’s anti-inflammatory effects are due to its polysaccharides, including (1-3)-a/b-D-glucans and a-D-mannans, which have shown to have immunomodulatory and antiviral activities, while also acting to suppress inflammation within the body and protect from oxidative damage.

Triterpenoids, composed of isoprene units, also contribute to reishi tea’s medicinal qualities. Found in its fruiting body of the fungus and extracted for use as medicinal products, triterpenoids may account for much of its bitter taste in Reishi tea – most likely due to their triterpene content which are classified as Lanostans with C30 skeleton structures containing aldehydes, alcohols, esters and ketones containing triterpene molecules

Studies on G. lucidum have demonstrated its hypoglycaemic and antioxidant properties; however, clinical trials remain scarce due to inconsistency among various reishi products and no standardization between studies using various extracts. Hypoglycaemic and antioxidant activity could possibly stem from its ability to inhibit HMG-CoA reductase enzyme deacetylation activity – responsible for controlling cholesterol levels in humans – which regulates these activities.

May Help to Improve Sleep

Sleep is essential to optimal health. Unfortunately, many individuals suffer from insomnia and other forms of disturbed sleeping that lead to chronic fatigue and lack of energy. Ganoderma lucidum mushrooms (commonly referred to as Reishi Mushrooms) may help alleviate sleep disturbance by decreasing inflammation levels and stimulating production of certain hormones that support quality restful restful slumber.

Reishi mushrooms contain numerous health-promoting compounds, such as antioxidants, polysaccharides, and triterpenoids that have anti-fatigue effects. Furthermore, it promotes healthy blood sugar levels while supporting liver health; in addition, reishi may help lower cancer risks by inhibiting tumor growth.

Reishi tea can be created using either powdered extract that can be mixed with hot water or used as a tincture, providing an all-natural and safe method of increasing sleep quality and quantity. Furthermore, its anti-anxiety benefits have also proven their worth in improving sleeping patterns.

123 Chinese patients suffering from neurasthenia were randomly divided into 123 groups for 8-week treatment with Ganoderma lucidum or placebo and observed significant improvements in CGI severity scores and sense of fatigue compared with the placebo group, as well as significant increases in slow-wave sleep (SWS) and non-rapid eye movement (NREM), both linked with relaxation.