Ganoderma applanatum is an edible polypore mushroom with antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties, as well as immune support properties. A popular edible foraged mushroom in China, this mushroom has also been proven to increase learning and memory retention in sleep-deprived rat models and exhibit antitumor and antitetanus activity. Ganoderma applanatum tea can also be made at home and consumed medicinally – this article outlines this method along with scientific research done on it.

Ganoderma mushrooms belong to the subclass Ganodermataceae and consist of polypore fungi with bracket-shaped fruit bodies that grow on living or dead trees’ trunks and roots, featuring double-walled basidiospores with wide genetic diversity. Around 80 species make up this genus; commonly referred to as shelf mushrooms or bracket fungi.

Water extraction combined with alcohol precipitation is an efficient method for Ganoderma extraction, using its polarity to extract active compounds from their solution. Ratio of material to solution, temperature of extraction and time are all variables which affect yield.

Enzymatic extraction is another effective means of mushroom processing, where heat is used to dissolve different components and separate them out for maximum selectivity and faster extraction times. This type of method is well suited to extract both endo- and exo-biopolymers such as polysaccharides and triterpenes.

Microwave-enzymatic extraction is another reliable and cost-effective method to extract Ganoderma polysaccharides, producing high quality products at great efficiency with high purity levels – perfect for biomedical applications.

Solvent extraction methods can also be employed to isolate compounds in Ganoderma. These procedures utilise the polarity of solvents to separate active chemicals from their source spores or fruiting bodies and then purified using chromatography; hot water, organic solvents or dilute acids/alkalis may all serve this purpose well.

Ganoderma provides numerous health benefits and has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine. These effects are largely attributable to its rich supply of immunomodulatory compounds – chemicals like sterols that act to modulate immune systems and inhibit tumor growth, as well as reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms related to autoimmune disorders.

Studies on Ganoderma extracts have examined their anti-inflammatory activity. Lakshmi, Sabulal, Gunalan and Janardhanan (2009) conducted one such research and concluded that an ethanol extract of Ganoderma lucidum mycelium significantly suppressed carrageenan-induced acute and formalin-induced chronic paw edema models; reduced nystatin-induced paw edema; Freund’s adjuvant arthritis symptoms; as well as stress-induced gastric ulcers in rats – results that indicate Ganoderma could serve as an anti-inflammatory agent or even help treat autoimmune conditions. Thus concluding their results indicate Ganoderma could serve as an anti-inflammatory agent and perhaps help treat autoimmune conditions.