Ganoderma extract is used in many Asian countries to increase energy, boost the immune system, and for general health. Ganoderma extract supplements come as capsules, tablets, extracts, powders, and teas.
What are the potential uses and benefits?
Ganoderma extract is used to:
- Boost the immune system
- Increase strength and stamina
- Lower cholesterol
- Treat lower urinary tract symptoms (having to pee at night, weak urine flow, peeing more times than usual, and not being able to control urine flow) in males
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G. lucidum was recorded in the ancient Chinese herbal encyclopedia, Shen-Nong-Ben-Cao-Jing. The genus Ganoderma was established by the Italian mycologist Carlo Vittadini in 1831 based on his study of various species of fungi, including Ganoderma, and G. lucidum was the first species in the genus to be described . While there are over 250 species of Ganoderma, 6 species are among the most commonly used: G. lucidum, G. applanatum, G. sinense, G. tsugae, G. capense, and G. boinense .
Ganoderma lucidum, also known as reishi mushroom, has many potential health benefits, including:
- Metabolic disorders: Ganoderma extract may help treat diabetes and obesity by improving insuli* sensitivity, lowering blood sugar, and reducing body weight.
- Immune system: Ganoderma extract may boost immunity by increasing the activity of white blood cells.
- Neurological diseases: Ganoderma extract may have neuroprotective effects, including treating epilepsy, ameliorating Alzheimer's disease, and protecting neural cells in stroke injuries.
- Radioprotection: Ganoderma extract may have radioprotective effects, which could be useful for radiation workers, people handling nuclear emergencies, and people undergoing radiation exposure.
- Cancer: Ganoderma extract may have antitumor properties.
- Inflammation: Ganoderma extract may have anti-inflammatory properties.
Ganoderma extract contains many active chemical components, including triterpenoids, polysaccharides, proteins, amino acids, nucleosides, nucleic acid, steroids, lactones, fatty acids, and organic germanium.
Some potential side effects of Ganoderma extract include:
Dizziness, Dry mouth, Itchiness, Nausea, Rash, Sleeping problems, Stomach upset, and Allergic reaction.
Keywords: Ganoderma lucidum, bioactive compounds, antioxidant, anticancer, cardiovascular diseases, antidiabetic
Ganoderma lucidum extract is made by harvesting the mature fresh seeds at the right time, drying them and then extracting them by hot water (or alcohol extraction), vacuum concentration and spray drying, etc. It is a further concentration and purification of Ganoderma lucidum powder, and the main components are Ganoderma lucidum triterpenoids and Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides. Our company is the first to comprehensively utilize the active ingredients of Reishi mushroom extract.,and we have developed for so many years to explore the great function of mushroms.
Herb Lab Interactions
- Ganoderma extract may prolong INR, PT, and APTT (12).
- Ganoderma extract spore powder was found to elevate the level of the serum tumor marker CA72-4. High levels of CA72-4 have been reported in several malignancies including gastrointestinal, ovarian, endometrium, and lung cancers
* The statements in this section have not been evaluated by the FDA or EFSA.
References
- Wang GH, Wang LH, Wang C, et al. Spore powder of Ganoderma lucidum for the treatment of Alzheimer disease: A pilot study. Medicine (Baltimore). May 2018;97(19):e0636. doi: 10.1097/md.0000000000010636
- Chen HS, Tsai YF, Lin S, et al. Studies on the immuno-modulating and anti-tumor activities of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) polysaccharides. Bioorg Med Chem. Nov 1 2004;12(21):5595-5601.
- Gao Y, Zhou S, Wen J, et al. Mechanism of the antiulcerogenic effect of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides on indomethacin-induced lesions in the rat. Life Sci. Dec 27 2002;72(6):731-745.
- Hsu MJ, Lee SS, Lin WW. Polysaccharide purified from Ganoderma lucidum inhibits spontaneous and Fas-mediated apoptosis in human neutrophils through activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/Akt signaling pathway. J Leukoc Biol. Jul 2002;72(1):207-216.
- Wang SY, Hsu ML, Hsu HC, et al. The anti-tumor effect of Ganoderma lucidum is mediated by cytokines released from activated macrophages and T lymphocytes. Int J Cancer. Mar 17 1997;70(6):699-705.