Lingzhi
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| Ganoderma lucidum | ||||||||||||||
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| Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst |
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Língzhī (traditional Chinese: 靈芝; simplified Chinese: 灵芝; Japanese: reishi; Korean: yeongji, hangul: 영지) is the name for one form of the mushroom Ganoderma lucidum, and its close relative Ganoderma tsugae, which grows in the northern Eastern Hemlock forests. These two species of bracket fungus have a worldwide distribution in both tropical and temperate geographical regions, including North and South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia, growing as a parasite or saprotroph on a wide variety of trees.[1] Ganoderma lucidum enjoys special veneration in Asia, where it has been used as a medicinal mushroom in traditional Chinese medicine as a herbal medicine for more than 4,000 years, making it one of the oldest mushrooms known to have been used in medicine. Similar species of Ganoderma have been found growing in the Amazon. [2]
The word lingzhi, in Chinese, means "herb of spiritual potency" and has also been described as "mushroom of immortality".[1] Because of its presumed health benefits and apparent absence of side-effects, it has attained a reputation in the East as the ultimate herbal substance. Lingzhi has now been added to the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia and Therapeutic Compendium.
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[edit] Taxonomy and naming
The name Ganoderma is derived from the Greek ganos/γανος "brightness, sheen", hence "shining" and derma/δερμα "skin",[3] while the specific epithet lucidum in Latin for "shining" and tsugae refers to being of the Hemlock (Tsuga). Another Japanese name is mannentake, meaning "10 000 year mushroom".
There are multiple species of lingzhi, scientifically known to be within the Ganoderma lucidum species complex and mycologists are still researching the differences between species within this complex of species.[4]
[edit] Description
Lingzhi is a polypore mushroom that is soft (when fresh), corky, and flat, with a conspicuous red-varnished, kidney-shaped cap and, depending on specimen age, white to dull brown pores underneath.[1] It lacks gills on its underside and releases its spores through fine pores, leading to its morphological classification as a polypore.
[edit] Varieties
Ganoderma lucidum generally occurs in two growth forms, one, found in North America, is sessile and rather large with only a small or no stalk, while the other is smaller and has a long, narrow stalk, and is found mainly in the tropics. However, many growth forms exist that are intermediate to the two types, or even exhibit very unusual morphologies,[1] raising the possibility that they are separate species. Environmental conditions also play a substantial role in the different morphological characteristics lingzhi can exhibit. For example, elevated carbon dioxide levels result in stem elongation in lingzhi. Other forms show "antlers', without a cap and these may be affected by carbon dioxide levels as well.
According to The Chinese Herbal Materia Medica (本草綱目), lingzhi may be classified into six categories according to their shapes and colors, each of which is believed to nourish a different part of the body. (Red-heart, Purple-joints, Green-liver, White-lungs/skin, Yellow-spleen, Black-kidneys/brain).
[edit] Biochemistry
Ganoderma lucidum is the only known source[citation needed] of a group of triterpenes, known as ganoderic acids, which have a molecular structure similar to steroid hormones. It is a source of biologically active polysaccharides (i.e. beta-glucan) with presumed medicinal properties, and it also contains:
Unlike many other mushrooms, which have up to 90% water content, fresh Lingzhi only contains about 75% water.[citation needed]
[edit] Habitat
In nature, Lingzhi grows at the base and stumps of deciduous trees, especially maple.[5] Only two or three out of 10,000 such aged trees will have Lingzhi growth, and therefore its wild form is generally rare. Today, Lingzhi is effectively cultivated both indoors under sterile conditions and outdoors on either logs or woodchip beds.
[edit] History
Shen Nong's Herbal Classic, a 2000-year old medicinal Chinese book[citation needed] considered today as the oldest book on oriental herbal medicine[who?] states "The taste is bitter, its energy neutral, it has no toxicity. It cures the accumulation of pathogenic factors in the chest. It is good for the Qi of the head, including mental activities... Long term consumption will lighten the body; you will never become old. It lengthens years."
Pen T'sao Kang Mu ("Great Pharmacopoeia"), a Chinese medical book published in the 16th century, also shows a possible link between modern research and folk knowledge when describing the Reishi mushroom: "It positively affects the Qi of the heart, repairing the chest area and benefiting those with a knotted and tight chest. Taken over a long period of time agility of the body will not cease, and the years are lengthened..."[where?]
Depictions of the Reishi mushroom as a symbol for health, are shown in many places of the Emperors residences in the Forbidden City as well as the Summer Palace.[citation needed]
The Chinese goddess of healing Kuan Yin is sometimes depicted holding a Reishi mushroom.[citation needed]
[edit] Scientific studies and therapeutic usage
Lingzhi may possess some anti-tumor, immunomodulatory and immunotherapeutic activities, supported by some studies on polysaccharides, terpenes, and other bioactive compounds isolated from fruiting bodies and mycelia of this fungus (reviewed by R. R. Paterson[6]).
Laboratory studies have shown anti-neoplastic effects of fungal extracts or isolated compounds against some types of cancer. In an animal model, Ganoderma has been reported to prevent cancer metastasis,[7] with potency comparable to Lentinan from shiitake mushrooms. [8]
The mechanisms by which G. lucidum may affect cancer are unknown and may target different stages of cancer development: inhibition of angiogenesis (formation of arterial vessels within the tumour) mediated by cytokines, cytoxicity, inhibiting migration of the cancer cells and metastasis, and inducing and enhancing apoptosis of tumor cells.[citation needed]
Variation between preparations and potential negative side effects may exist. G. lucidum' extracts may be adaptogenic, anti-allergenic and anti-hypertensive due to the presence of triterpenes.[citation needed] Apart from these properties, lingzhi has been found to be anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-parasitic, anti-fungal, antidiabetic, anti-hypotensive, and protective of the liver.[citation needed] It has also been found to inhibit platelet aggregation, and to lower blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar.[2][9][10]
Lingzhi may act as a blood pressure stabilizer, antioxidant, analgesic, a kidney and nerve tonic. It has been used in bronchitis prevention and in cardiovascular treatment, and in the treatment of high triglycerides, high blood pressure, hepatitis, allergies, chemotherapy support, HIV support, and fatigue and altitude sickness.[2][9][11]
Peer-reviewed studies indicate that ganoderic acid has some protective effects against liver injury by viruses and other toxic agents in mice, suggesting a potential benefit of this compound in the treatment of liver diseases in humans.[12]
Several Ganoderma species have been used in traditional Asian medicines for thousands of years.[6] Today, they are being tested for a variety of potential therapeutic application:
- antioxidant activity[17][18]
- hypoglycemic properties[21][22]
- antibacterial properties[23]
- antifungal properties[26]
- reducing blood cholesterol[27]
- inhibiting blood vessel regeneration (angiogenesis)[28]
- antifibrotic properties[29]
- reducing lower urinary tract symptoms [31]
- increasing endurance for vigorous exercise [32]
[edit] Preparation
Lingzhi is traditionally prepared by simmering in water. Thinly sliced or pulverized lingzhi (either fresh or dried) is added to a pot of boiling water, the water is then brought to a simmer, and the pot is covered; the lingzhi is then simmered for two hours.[citation needed] The resulting liquid should be fairly bitter in taste, with the more active red lingzhi more bitter than the black. The process may be repeated. Alternatively, it can be used as an ingredient in a formula decoction or used to make an extract (in liquid, capsule, or powder form). The more active red forms of lingzhi are far too bitter to be consumed in a soup, as long cooked shiitake mushrooms might be.
Alcohol extractions have also been found to have various medicinal effects, including antiviral properties in a number of scientific studies. [33]. From a scientific perspective, lingzhi tinctures may be more effective than lingzhi teas for some diseases, despite the prevalence of teas in traditional Chinese medicine.
[edit] Lingzhi/Reishi Gallery
 Bulk Reishi being sold for tea making purposes in Los Angeles. |
 Reishi mushroom. |
 Reishi mushroom. |
 Reishi mushroom. |
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d David Arora (1986). Mushrooms demystified, 2nd edition. Ten Speed Press. ISBN 0-89815-169-4.
- ^ a b c Medicinal Mushrooms: An Exploration of Tradition, Healing, & Culture (Herbs and Health Series)by Christopher Hobbs (Author), Harriet Beinfield
- ^ Liddell, Henry George and Robert Scott (1980). A Greek-English Lexicon (Abridged Edition). United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-910207-4.
- ^ R. S. Hseu, H. H. Wang, H. F. Wang and J. M. Moncalvo (01 Apr 1996). "Differentiation and grouping of isolates of the Ganoderma lucidum complex by random amplified polymorphic DNA-PCR compared with grouping on the basis of internal transcribed spacer sequences" (Abstract). Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 62 (4): 1354–1363. PMID 8919797. http://aem.asm.org/cgi/content/abstract/62/4/1354.
- ^ (National Audubon Society; Field guide to Mushrooms,1993)
- ^ a b Paterson RR (2006). "Ganoderma - a therapeutic fungal biofactory". Phytochemistry 67: 1985–2001. doi:.)
- ^ Lee, SS., Chen, FD., Chang, SC., et al. (1984). In vivo anti-tumor effects of crude extracts from the mycelium of ganoderma lucidum. J. of Chinese Oncology Society 5(3): 22-28.
- ^ Suga, T., Shiio, T., Maeda, YY., Chihara, G. (1994). Anti tumor activity of lenytinan in murine syngeneic and autochthonous hosts and its suppressive effect on 3 methylcholanthrene induced carcinogenesis. Cancer Res. 44:5132-
- ^ a b Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, Third Edition by Dan Bensky, Steven Clavey, Erich Stoger, and Andrew Gamble (2004)
- ^ David Winston and Steven Maimes Adaptogens 2007
- ^ David Winston and Steven Maimes Adaptogens 2007
- ^ Li YQ, Wang SF (2006). "Anti-hepatitis B activities of ganoderic acid from Ganoderma lucidum". Biotechnol. Lett. 28: 837–841. doi:.
- ^ Yuen JW, Gohel MD (2005). "Anticancer effects of Ganoderma lucidum: a review of scientific evidence". Nutr Cancer 53 (1): 11–7. doi:. PMID 16351502.
- ^ Hsu SC, Ou CC, Li JW, et al. (October 2008). "Ganoderma tsugae extracts inhibit colorectal cancer cell growth via G(2)/M cell cycle arrest". J Ethnopharmacol. doi:. PMID 18951965.
- ^ Lin ZB, Zhang HN (November 2004). "Anti-tumor and immunoregulatory activities of Ganoderma lucidum and its possible mechanisms". Acta Pharmacol. Sin. 25 (11): 1387–95. PMID 15525457.
- ^ Kuo MC, Weng CY, Ha CL, Wu MJ (January 2006). "Ganoderma lucidum mycelia enhance innate immunity by activating NF-kappaB". J Ethnopharmacol 103 (2): 217–22. doi:. PMID 16169168.
- ^ Kim MY, Seguin P, Ahn JK, et al. (August 2008). "Phenolic compound concentration and antioxidant activities of edible and medicinal mushrooms from Korea". J. Agric. Food Chem. 56 (16): 7265–70. doi:. PMID 18616260.
- ^ Wu Y, Wang D (November 2008). "A New Class of Natural Glycopeptides with Sugar Moiety-Dependent Antioxidant Activities Derived from Ganoderma lucidum Fruiting Bodies". J. Proteome Res.. doi:. PMID 18989955.
- ^ Wang X, Zhao X, Li D, Lou YQ, Lin ZB, Zhang GL (September 2007). "Effects of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide on CYP2E1, CYP1A2 and CYP3A activities in BCG-immune hepatic injury in rats". Biol. Pharm. Bull. 30 (9): 1702–6. PMID 17827724. http://joi.jlc.jst.go.jp/JST.JSTAGE/bpb/30.1702?from=PubMed.
- ^ Shi Y, Sun J, He H, Guo H, Zhang S (May 2008). "Hepatoprotective effects of Ganoderma lucidum peptides against D-galactosamine-induced liver injury in mice". J Ethnopharmacol 117 (3): 415–9. doi:. PMID 18406549.
- ^ Zhang HN, Lin ZB (February 2004). "Hypoglycemic effect of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides". Acta Pharmacol. Sin. 25 (2): 191–5. PMID 14769208.
- ^ Yang BK, Jung YS, Song CH (November 2007). "Hypoglycemic effects of Ganoderma applanatum and Collybia confluens exo-polymers in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats". Phytother Res 21 (11): 1066–9. doi:. PMID 17600864.
- ^ Moradali MF, Mostafavi H, Hejaroude GA, Tehrani AS, Abbasi M, Ghods S (2006). "Investigation of potential antibacterial properties of methanol extracts from fungus Ganoderma applanatum". Chemotherapy 52 (5): 241–4. doi:. PMID 16899973.
- ^ Li Y, Yang Y, Fang L, Zhang Z, Jin J, Zhang K (2006). "Anti-hepatitis activities in the broth of Ganoderma lucidum supplemented with a Chinese herbal medicine". Am. J. Chin. Med. 34 (2): 341–9. PMID 16552843. http://www.worldscinet.com/cgi-bin/jsearchpii.cgi?pii=S0192415X06003874.
- ^ Wang HX, Ng TB (September 2006). "A laccase from the medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum". Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 72 (3): 508–13. doi:. PMID 16636832.
- ^ Wang H, Ng TB (January 2006). "Ganodermin, an antifungal protein from fruiting bodies of the medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum". Peptides 27 (1): 27–30. doi:. PMID 16039755.
- ^ Hajjaj H, Macé C, Roberts M, Niederberger P, Fay LB (July 2005). "Effect of 26-oxygenosterols from Ganoderma lucidum and their activity as cholesterol synthesis inhibitors". Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 71 (7): 3653–8. doi:. PMID 16000773.
- ^ Stanley G, Harvey K, Slivova V, Jiang J, Sliva D (April 2005). "Ganoderma lucidum suppresses angiogenesis through the inhibition of secretion of VEGF and TGF-beta1 from prostate cancer cells". Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 330 (1): 46–52. doi:. PMID 15781230.
- ^ Park EJ, Ko G, Kim J, Sohn DH (April 1997). "Antifibrotic effects of a polysaccharide extracted from Ganoderma lucidum, glycyrrhizin, and pentoxifylline in rats with cirrhosis induced by biliary obstruction". Biol. Pharm. Bull. 20 (4): 417–20. PMID 9145221.
- ^ Pillai TG, Nair CKK, Janardhanan KK. (2008). Polysaccharides isolated from Ganoderma lucidum occurring in Southern parts of India, protects radiation induced damages both in vitro and in vivo. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology 26(1):80-85.
- ^ Noguchi M, Kakuma T, Tomiyasu K, Yamada A, Itoh K, Konishi F, Kumamoto S, Shimizu K, Kondo R, Matsuoka K. (2008).Randomized clinical trial of an ethanol extract of Ganoderma lucidum in men with lower urinary tract symptoms. Asian Journal of Andrology 10(5):777-785.
- ^ Jung K, Kim IH, Han D (July 2004). "Effect of medicinal plant extracts on forced swimming capacity in mice". J Ethnopharmacol 93 (1): 75–81. doi:. PMID 15182908.
- ^ eCAM 2005 2(3):285-299; doi:10.1093/ecam/neh107 http://ecam.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/2/3/285
[edit] Further reading
- Xie, J.T.; Wang, C.Z.; Wicks, S.; Yin, J.J.; Kong, J.; Li, J.; Li, Y.C.; Yuan, C.S. (2006). "Ganoderma lucidum extract inhibits proliferation of SW 480 human colorectal cancer cells". Exp Oncol 28 (1): 25–9. PMID 1661470. http://www.exp-oncology.com.ua/en/archives/25/490.html.
- Müller, C.I.; Kumagai, T.; O’kelly, J.; Seeram, N.P.; Heber, D.; Koeffler, H.P. (2006). "Ganoderma lucidum causes apoptosis in leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma cells". Leukemia Research 30 (7): 841–848. doi:.
- Gao, Y.; Tang, W.; Dai, X.; Gao, H.; Chen, G.; Ye, J.; Chan, E.; Koh, H.L.; Li, X.; Zhou, S. (2005). "Effects of water-soluble Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides on the immune functions of patients with advanced lung cancer". J Med FoodTimo H. J. 8 (2): 159–168. doi:.
- Lindequist, U.; Niedermeyer, T.H.J. ; Jülich, W.D. (2005). "The pharmacological potential of mushrooms.". Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.. doi:. PMID 16136207. http://ecam.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/2/3/285.
