25 Astonishing Health Benefits of Gernoderma Lucidum - (Updated)

Ganoderma lucidum is the botanical name for a mushroom more commonly known as (Lingzhi or Reishi), which has been popular in Asian medicine for over 2,000 years and is often called the “mushroom of immortality.” Now gaining recognition in the West, Ganoderma lucidum has become famous for a wide array of impressive, more believable medicinal properties.

Ganoderma lucidum, an oriental fungus, has a long history of use for promoting health and longevity in China, Japan, and other Asian countries. It is a large, dark mushroom with a glossy exterior and a woody texture. The Latin word lucidus means “shiny” or “brilliant” and refers to the varnished appearance of the surface of the mushroom. In China, G. lucidum is called lingzhi, whereas in Japan the name for the Ganodermataceae family is reishi or mannentake

The lingzhi mushroom is a polypore mushroom belonging to the genus Ganoderma. Its red-varnished, kidney-shaped cap gives it a distinct appearance. When fresh, the lingzhi is soft, cork-like, and flat. It lacks gills on its underside, and instead releases its spores via fine pores.

With its growing popularity, many studies on G. lucidum composition, cultivation, and reputed effects are being carried out, and there are data that support its positive health benefits, including anticancer effects; blood glucose regulation; antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiviral effects; and protection against liver and gastric injury.

This mushroom is one of the most studied mushrooms on earth, and has been researched for many years for its amazing health benefits

Here are 25 health benefits of Ganoderma lucidum.

1. Cancer Prevention

It has been demonstrated that Ganoderma lucidum boosts immunity and fights the proliferation of cancer cells. Ganoderma can suppress the growth of tumors in people with cancer. It can reinforce the membranes in cancerous cells to keep the tumor from spreading. For this reason, they are often used in efforts to prevent cancers.
Some laboratory studies have also shown Ganoderma lucidum may prevent cancer metastasis.
The mechanisms by which the mushroom does this are as yet unknown and it seems they may target many different stages of cancer development. They may inhibit angiogenesis (the formation of blood vessels made to supply nutrients to the tumor), or perhaps they inhibit the migration of the cancer cells and metastasis. It is also thought that they work by inducing and enhancing apoptosis of tumor cells. In any case, Ganoderma lucidum extracts are already being used in some commercial pharmaceuticals to suppress cancer cell proliferation and migration. 
Studies on breast cancer cells have found that combining Ganoderma lucidum with green tea augments the mushroom’s power to retard the growth of cancer cells. It also helps to reduce the risk of cancer and even helps fight the disease incredibly. 
It has more than 154 types of antioxidants, and contains beta-glucan, lentinan, organic germanium synergize together and become the best weapon against cancer, this helps your body at protecting cells and destroying cancer cells.

2. Immune System Support 

Ganoderma lucidum may be useful in boosting the immune system. In studies on patients with advanced tumors, Ganoderma lucidum was prescribed for thirty days and the results found a significant positive effect on the immune system with an increase in T lymphocytes and decreased CD8 counts. Patients had fewer side effects from chemotherapy and radiation, and their post operative recovery was smoother. The polyphenols, flavonoids, beta-glucans and lentinan mainly found in reishi help stimulate the immune system, boosting the health to fight against infection.

IMMUNITY AGAINST AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES: The effect of lentinan and other polysaccharides such as beta-glucan in reishi regulate our immune system, thus combating diseases such as psoriasis, vitiligo, lupus, arthritis, etc.
Research has also found that ganoderma lucidum, when used on a regular basis, increases antioxidant levels.

3. Cardiovascular Health

Ganoderma lucidum has been prescribed for centuries to people suffering from stress and angina. Studies in China found that Ganoderma lucidum promotes blood flow and lowers oxygen consumption in the muscle of the heart. Japanese scientists have made similar findings, and ascribe these benefits to a chain of acids belonging to triterpenes, a group of natural compounds known to reduce high blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and prevent blood clots. 
Reishi also helps prevent heart disease and stroke. Effective for controlling blood pressure, improving circulation, reducing blood fats and preventing arteriosclerosis because it has natural adenosine and triterpenoids ganoderic acid.
A Russian study also found that Ganoderma lucidum showed significant preventive abilities against plaque build-up on artery walls.

4. Relieves Respiratory Conditions

Ganoderma are also beneficial for people suffering from asthma and other respiratory conditions because it seems to have a healing effect on the lungs. Reishi’s anti-inflammatory properties allow triterpenoids and germanium to relax muscles that support the bronchial tubes, reducing the severity of asthma. In addition to the immunomodulatory effect of resishi’s compounds prevent the onset of the turmoil.

Colds and flu: Reishi helps prevent colds and flu due to the synergy of compounds greatly improving our defenses. They are good for building respiratory strength and curbing a cough.

5. PROTECTION AGAINST KIDNEY DISEASE

Studies in Japan show that reishi has great effects to make our kidneys function better. The synergy of resihi’s compounds help control from nephritis to renal failure.

DIABETES: Reishi improves metabolism in relation to lipids and glucose, and prevents sudden increases in the level of blood sugar, balancing the general metabolism.

BLOOD SUGAR: Sugar in the blood tends to increase with age, but the polyphenols and polysaccharides in reishi helps reduce blood sugar levels.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE: Reishi helps reduce blood pressure due to the purification of blood and promotion of elasticity of arteries.

6. Liver Protection

Ganoderma lucidum is a favorite for use as a liver protectant. In one study of patients suffering from hepatitis B and elevated liver enzymes (SGOT/SGPT) and bilirubin, patients were given ganoderma lucidum for three months. Within a month, significant reduction in SGOT and SGPT were seen, and three months later all values were within a healthy range.
Reishi helps prevent liver failure. The anti-fibrotic and immunological properties in reishi work synergistically to prevent malfunction of the liver.

7. Lower Cholesterol

Ganoderma lucidum mushrooms may help reduce cholesterol by causing the liver to suppress its production.  As far as benefits for the heart, ganoderma can improve the flow of blood to the heart and reduce the amount of oxygen the heart consumes. It can help to lower cholesterol and some of the ingredients may help combat high blood pressure.
Reishi helps reduce cholesterol levels, also improves the ratio of good cholesterol and bad cholesterol, by reducing bad cholesterol level, this is due to the presence of triterpenoids and adenosine.
Researchers at the Nestle Research Center in Switzerland called ganoderma lucidum “a renowned medicinal species”. In their study, oxygenated lanosterol derived from Ganoderma lucidum

8. Antioxidants

Ganoderma lucidum is a potent source of antioxidants. These mushrooms are very strong antioxidants protect the body from the negative effects of free radicals that are formed inside the body by daily exposure to the sun, chemicals, and pollutants. Ganoderma are proven to boost the immune system, especially when taken with other antioxidant supplements.
The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine says it contains one of the highest concentrations of antioxidants in any food. Polysaccharide, polysaccharide-peptide complex, and phenolic components of Ganoderma lucidum have all been proposed to be responsible for their antioxidant strength. However, research has shown that the Ganoderma lucidum peptide (GLP) is the major antioxidant component of the mushroom.  

9. Antibacterial

Studies have reported that Ganoderma lucidum mushrooms may have antibacterial powers, with direct anti-microbial effects against the proceding organisms: Aspergillus niger, bacillus cereus, candida albicans, and E-coli.

10. Antiviral

Preliminary evidence suggests that Ganoderma lucidum may have antiviral benefits. It is reported to exhibit direct anti-viral effects with herpes simplex virus 1, herpes simplex virus 2, the influenza virus, and vesicular stomatitis. Reishi possesses compounds that increase our defenses and the germanium also increases the production of interferon, which is helpful for herpes and other viruses such as hepatitis viruses, papillomavirus, HIV, etc.

HIV: Scientists in Japan have shown that reishi mushroom lentinan significantly improves our immune system and helps reduce HIV attacks against the healthy cells of the immune system. This means is that reishi can help stop the spread of HIV.  .

11. Anti-inflammatory

Ganoderma have anti-inflammatory properties and are therefore used sometimes for patients who have Alzheimer’s and heart disease. This is based on the idea that inflammation plays a part in each of these conditions. The pain that accompanies other inflammatory conditions like neuralgia and arthritis may also be lessened by ganoderma supplements. Reishi has compounds that relax the nervous system together with the triterpenoids that control pain and inflammation.

12. Radiation Protection

Research indicates that ganoderma lucidum mushrooms augment the effects of radiation therapy while acting directly against the tumor. This is done by easing the symptoms of Chemotherapy such as Nausea, Vomiting, headache, fever , hair loss and infections.
Investigation also reveals ganoderma lucidum helps to strengthen the immune system, to better manage radiation therapy and chemotherapy treatment and assists to improve the quality of life of the patient. It has also been found to ease symptoms of chemotherapy, such as nausea, vomiting, headaches, fever, infection, weight loss and hair loss.

13. Urinary Tract Support

In a 2008 study of 88 men with urinary tract symptoms, researchers found that ganoderma lucidum was significantly superior to placebo in providing symptom relief. As if that weren’t enough, ganoderma lucidum is said to inhibit 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme responsible for converting testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. This means that Gernoderma is a great help in dealing with the prostate problems and all the ills that go with it. According to a study published in the Asian Journal of Andrology, ganoderma lucidum demonstrates more 5-alpha-reductase inhibitory activity than many other medicinal mushrooms and improves urine flow in men with mild-to-moderate lower urinary tract symptoms.

14. Improves Sexual Vitality

Studies reveals that over 2000 years ago in the asian countries, the miracle mushrooms (gernoderma lucidum) has been a solution to sexual problems, especially in males. It is mostly feed to the royal families.

ENERGY: Reishi increases energy in both our body and mind, organic germanium is in the fungus which helps oxygenate cells which in turn enhances the total energy of the body.

15. ANTI-STRESS

The synergistic effects of the compounds found in Reishi allow relaxation of the nervous system and help reduce stress and anxiety, which are becoming the main risk factors for diseases of today.

MIGRAINE: Reishi has compounds that relax the nervous system together with the triterpenoids that control pain and inflammation; this helps control and combat the best of migraines

16. AID WEIGHT-LOSS (BURNING OF EXCESSIVE FATS)

Reishi helps the body with weight loss, burning fat and it naturally stimulates metabolism, due to the synergy of the compounds. By activating our metabolism our cells begin to use more energy reserves (fat). 

Reishi helps prevent obesity by stopping the movement of glucose in fat cells. Those who follow a healthy diet, exercise regularly and consume reishi are less likely to become obese.

17. ARTHRITIS: 

Consequence of being overweight or obese can cause the inflammation of joints, sweelling and stiffness. 

Reishi helps prevent, reduce and combat the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. This is due to the synergy of triterpenoids, organic germanium and immunomodulators, allowing control against inflammation and improves the immune system.

Reishi also preserve bone's density Due to the presence of calcium and vitamin D, and other compounds that help calcium absorption enhancing our bones, Reishi mushrooms helps preserve bone density.

18. ANTI-AGING

Unhealthy colon breeds free radicals that accelerates the aging process, and unhealthy colon can leads to overweight and obesity. That's why such people looks older than their age.

Reishi contains plenty of antioxidants such as polyphenols, flavonoids, vitamin C, etc. that attack free radicals, as well as organic germanium helps cellular oxygenation which means it helps with longevity and to fight against the effects of aging.

Reishi mushroom antioxidants help prevent cellular damage in the brain, which is one of the causes of Parkinson’s disease, those who regularly consume reishi are less likely to develop this disease.

19. CONSTIPATION

Unhealthy colon brings about disorder in the digestive system, part of which is constipation (a situation whereby the bowel movement has been slowed down).

The large amount of insoluble fiber in reishi such as hemicellulose allow the colon to function properly. This improves digestive functions and allows the removal of harmful compounds in the body.

20. Gastritis

Unhealthy colon can cause an inflammation of the lining of the stomach which is characterized by nauseating, loss of appetite and upper abdominal discomfort or pain.

The wonderful compounds in reishi, fight efficiently as our defenses against Helicobacter pylori. Furthermore, the cells of the stomach work better thanks to the synergy of compounds controlling acid secretion.

21. IMPROVES THE SKIN

Unhealthy colon can cause skin problems, because we are the reflection of what we eat.

The Reishi antioxidant protects the skin against the harmful effects of free radicals, which are the cause of wrinkles and aging skin. Reishi also helps to fight skin cancer.

22. FOOD POISONING

Food poisoning is liken to any toxic substance being consumed and many are poisoning themselves knowingly or unknowingly.

Lentinan found in reishi may help the body to kill bacteria that causes food poisoning and kills the toxins produced by these bacteria.

23. ALZHEIMER

Reishi helps strengthen memory, Reishi helps slow down the process of reduction of acetylcholine in the brain, which is what causes Alzheimer’s.

24. ADDICTIONS

Thanks to the synergistic effect of organic germanium compounds as antioxidants, this improves the function of the nervous system, thereby controlling addictions.

25. ALLERGIES

The presence of triterpenoids as antihistamines in reishi effect ganoderic acids which reduces allergies. So if there are allergies, you should seriously consider Reishi consumption regularly.

All the above benefits can be enjoyed in our varieties of  Gernoderma Extract Beverages below.

For the Gernoderma and coffee blend, you have assess to the Edmark Cappuccino

For the Gernoderma and Ginseng Blend in Chocolate Flavour, we present to you the 

Edmark Mocha

For the Sugar-Free Gernoderma Extract, you have the Edmark Cafe 73