Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi, Reishi or Ganorma) has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine as an effective natural solution to many health ailments and symptoms, including stress anxiety insomnia depression and energy deficiencies. Furthermore, studies have also demonstrated its beneficial properties for improving energy and immune functions.

Spore powder from the fruiting bodies of G. lucidum and Lentinula edodes (lion’s mane) fungi can be found widely used as an ingredient for food products, particularly tea drinks and coffee beverages. Furthermore, many herbal supplements and nutraceutical commercial products containing G. lucidum or its extracts can be found as raw materials or additives in the form of dried fungus, extract or tincture form.

Animal and clinical studies have demonstrated the cardioprotective potential of G. lucidum against key risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recent findings using a carotid-artery ligation model demonstrated that administration of G. lucidum ethanol extract can prevent neointimal thickening while increasing activities of antioxidant enzymes such as GPx, GSSG, GSH-Cl, SOD and CAT (Wachtel-Galor et al. 2012). These findings suggest that the anti-angiogenic, immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties of Reishi may provide protection from CVD through various mechanisms; including decreasing lipid peroxidation levels, blocking tau hyperphosphorylation and ab formation inhibition, activating microglia regulation through the NF-kB/MAPK signalling pathway regulation modulation acetylcholinesterase production as well as increasing Adenosine triphosphate levels.