Ganoderma lucidum, Reishi in Japanese and Ling zhi in Chinese, is the most important medicinal mushroom; used for over 4,000 years in the East, it was first mentioned in the era of the first emperor of China (221 – 207 BC). It is known as “Mushroom of 10,000 years” and “Mushroom of immortality” because over the centuries it has been attributed the virtue of longevity. Such was the consideration for this mushroom that its wooden reproductions are found in Buddhist temples where they are the object of veneration. Today it is one of the most studied mushrooms in the world; more than 400 compounds have been isolated from mycelium and carpophore of which the therapeutic efficacy has been verified and is among the 10 most important substances existing in nature. Ganoderma lucidum grows in summer as a saprophyte on the strains of different broadleaf species in temperate climate zones. It prefers a warm and humid environment and has a rather slow growth with complete development in about 30 days. The carpophore is kidney-shaped with horizontal growth and when ripe it has the apical surface and the stem covered by a shiny purple red fabric.

– Reishi is the most powerful natural remedy to normalize the functionality of the cardiovascular system. It has an inhibiting action on platelet aggregation, improves blood fluidity and reduces blood pressure. The chronic and generalized lack of oxygen to the tissues is a cause that causes the pressure increase; the organic germanium contained in the mushroom increases the availability of oxygen for the needs of the cells with the effect of being able to slow the heartbeat, induce peripheral vasodilation and a reduction in pressure. It acts as a protector of the heart: the active ingredients of the fungus are able to dilate the coronary arteries and a greater flow of blood brings more nutrients and oxygen with a consequent increase in energy and tone. It improves the function of myocardial cells when they suffer mitochondrial damage especially in people of advanced age. In a study on elderly guinea pigs, the intake of Reishi in the diet improved the functionality of the Krebs cycle with a greater availability of energy. The anti-inflammatory action exerted by Ganoderma lucidum is very useful for preventing or combating cardiovascular diseases that often arise from situations of chronic inflammation of the organism. Its ability to inactivate free radicals, especially superoxide and lipid peroxidation, has been studied. It also reduces the levels of nitrite radicals in the intestine to prevent the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines and protects against acute cardiac toxicity induced by ethanol and some chemotherapy drugs. Reishi is useful for preventing the risk of arteriosclerosis because it reduces the synthesis of cholesterol following the action of the oxygen sterols contained in the mushroom. It also decreases intestinal absorption following the inhibition of the cholesterol esterase enzyme. A study on 170 patients with cardiovascular problems, taking Reishi for 12 weeks, showed a decrease in symptoms, blood pressure and blood cholesterol. Furthermore, the results of the electrocardiogram showed a general improvement in the clinical picture. Reishi is useful for preventing the risk of arteriosclerosis because it reduces the synthesis of cholesterol following the action of the oxygen sterols contained in the mushroom. It also decreases intestinal absorption following the inhibition of the enzyme cholesterol esterase. A study of 170 patients with cardiovascular problems, taking Reishi for 12 weeks, showed a decrease in symptoms, blood pressure and blood cholesterol. Furthermore, the results of the electrocardiogram showed a general improvement in the clinical picture. Reishi is useful for preventing the risk of arteriosclerosis because it reduces the synthesis of cholesterol following the action of the oxygen sterols contained in the mushroom. It also decreases intestinal absorption following the inhibition of the cholesterol esterase enzyme. A study on 170 patients with cardiovascular problems, taking Reishi for 12 weeks, showed a decrease in symptoms, blood pressure and blood cholesterol. Furthermore, the results of the electrocardiogram showed a general improvement in the clinical picture. A study on 170 patients with cardiovascular problems, taking Reishi for 12 weeks, showed a decrease in symptoms, blood pressure and blood cholesterol. Furthermore, the results of the electrocardiogram showed a general improvement in the clinical picture. A study on 170 patients with cardiovascular problems, taking Reishi for 12 weeks, showed a decrease in symptoms, blood pressure and blood cholesterol. Furthermore, the results of the electrocardiogram showed a general improvement in the clinical picture.

– Ganoderma lucidum is a powerful immunostimulant that increases the immune response at all levels and promotes the restoration of the balance altered by external factors or by degenerative diseases. It has the ability to modulate the body’s defense response and induces the proliferation of all cells responsible for direct action against pathogens. In the oncology field, Reishi is useful because it stimulates the production of NK cells and T lymphocytes with cytotoxic action against cancer cells and reduces the metastatic risk. Reishi hinders tumor angiogenesis as verified by a study conducted on patients with prostate cancer and stimulates the production of interferon which has anticancer and antiviral effects. The different beta-glucans and the numerous triterpenes of the fungus are capable of inducing apoptosis on a large number of cancer-causing cell lines and therefore it is not the specific action of a single molecule, but rather a complex of principles that intervene in a broad spectrum in synergy between them. Several studies on guinea pigs given mushroom extracts as food or by injection demonstrate efficacy in inhibiting the growth of experimentally induced sarcomas and tumors of the prostate, liver, lung and colon between 80 and 90%. Scientific studies have shown that it reduces the side effects of traditional cancer therapies, improves the quality of life of patients and can increase survival times. rather, a complex of principles that intervene on a broad spectrum in synergy with each other. Several studies on guinea pigs given mushroom extracts as food or by injection demonstrate efficacy in inhibiting the growth of experimentally induced sarcomas and tumors of the prostate, liver, lung and colon between 80 and 90%. Scientific studies have shown that it reduces the side effects of traditional cancer therapies, improves the quality of life of patients and can increase survival times. rather, a complex of principles that intervene on a broad spectrum in synergy with each other. Several studies on guinea pigs given mushroom extracts as food or by injection demonstrate efficacy in inhibiting the growth of experimentally induced sarcomas and tumors of the prostate, liver, lung and colon between 80 and 90%. Scientific studies have shown that it reduces the side effects of traditional cancer therapies, improves the quality of life of patients and can increase survival times. experimentally induced lung and colon. Scientific studies have shown that it reduces the side effects of traditional cancer therapies, improves the quality of life of patients and can increase survival times. experimentally induced lung and colon. Scientific studies have shown that it reduces the side effects of traditional cancer therapies, improves the quality of life of patients and can increase survival times.

– Reishi also has important effects on the nervous system: it increases cognitive faculties, counteracts memory loss and acts deeply to rebalance psycho-physical well-being. It is used for insomnia problems and in the East it is prescribed in cases of nervous exhaustion and to reduce anxiety. Many studies have recently been carried out on patients with different neurodegenerative diseases to evaluate whether Reishi can also be useful in such disabling diseases. Chronic inflammation due to multiple factors has been found to be the common phenomenon in many neurodegenerative diseases. Ganoderma lucidum can be useful because it has been found to be effective as an anti-inflammatory in many metabolic alterations. In addition, other scientific studies have shown that the fungus improves the functionality of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, stimulates the antioxidant action against free radicals and other biochemical reactions that inactivate neurotoxic molecules, has a stimulating action on the production of Nerve Growth Factor, protects the neurons from damage due to hypoxia, improves the psycho-physical state and vitality of the elderly and, due to its beneficial properties on the cardiovascular system, improves cerebral circulation. Studies conducted on patients with Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease have shown that the fungus is able to induce an improvement in various physical and cognitive functions; it is therefore considered useful to use this remedy as a prevention for those at risk or to slow down its course.

– Numerous studies highlight the importance of Reishi in carrying out a hepatoprotective action against the toxicity of some chemical substances and the antiviral one for hepatitis B and C. The active ingredients contained in the mushroom stimulate on the one hand the purifying and detoxifying enzymes capable of to reduce the risk of necrosis and hepatic fibrosis, on the other hand they increase the production of antiviral lymphocytes that inactivate the hepatitis viruses. It is useful in all cases of liver failure because it has been shown that, in addition to protecting, it stimulates the regeneration of liver cells with an improvement in its functionality.

– Reishi is also an excellent remedy for allergic diseases because it manages to stop the production of pathological antibodies. It also has an anti-inflammatory action with the reduction of allergic symptoms and inhibits the production of histamine. Four antihistamine compounds and an active ingredient with action very similar to hydrocortisone have been isolated from the mushroom. Pharmacological studies have verified that the anti-inflammatory action of 5 mg of hydrocortisone has similar effects to 50 mg of mushroom. Scientific studies have shown positive results in the case of allergic rhinitis and dermatitis, asthma and autoimmune diseases such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune thyroid.

– Several studies have proven the effectiveness of the fungus to reduce benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer. Ganoderma lucidum inhibits the enzyme responsible for the transformation of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone which, if present in excess, is responsible for the enlargement of the prostate and its possible tumor degeneration.

– Reishi allows for a greater supply of oxygen to the tissues, improving respiratory functions. Germanium is not a very common element in nature and Reishi has the ability to absorb and metabolize it in its cells. The high concentration of organic germanium and other compounds present in the fungus improve the absorption of oxygen in the pulmonary alveoli and its transport to the cells of our body. Historically it has been used, like Cordyceps sinensis, to alleviate all the symptoms of altitude sickness, when the altitude becomes high and the availability of oxygen decreases. Chinese climbers managed to reach the summit of Everest without cylinders with the help of the mushroom. It is also very useful for improving sports performance, because it increases the capacity for physical effort,

– Like other mushrooms, Ganoderma lucidum has hypoglycemic and lipid-lowering effects. It acts at the pancreatic level, regulates insulin secretion and improves its functionality. The administration of 5.4 grams per day of mushroom for 3 months allowed to obtain a reduction in glycated hemoglobin and fasting glycemia with an attenuation of glycemic peaks.

– In the East, Reishi is commonly used in many cosmetic preparations because it has various beneficial effects on the skin. Promotes the synthesis of skin melanin, improves peripheral microcirculation and reduces skin lesions and acne. It therefore favors shine, elasticity and softness to the skin.