Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph
Lingzhi
Ganoderma lingzhi
This monograph compiles 7 pharmacological actions, 10 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 16 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →inferred from antidiabetic action
more plants for blood sugar / diabetes support →detailed sources →inferred from antiviral action
more plants for cold & flu →detailed sources →inferred from antiviral action
more plants for infection (general) →detailed sources →inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →inferred from sedative action
more plants for insomnia / sleeplessness →detailed sources →inferred from antidiabetic action
more plants for metabolic support →detailed sources →inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Generally well tolerated at standard doses. May cause mild digestive upset, dry mouth, or dizziness in some individuals. May enhance the effects of anticoagulant and antihypertensive medications. Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Extended use beyond 6 months is not well studied in humans.
Duke (2002) rates reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) as + and notes immunostimulant, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antitumor, and hypoglycemic activities at the experimental level (score 1). It is a key adaptogen in traditional Chinese medicine, valued for its polysaccharide (beta-glucan) content. Duke notes antiviral (score 1) and anti-aggregant activities. No strong clinical trials existed at time of publication, but lentinan and polysaccharide fractions from related species show immunomodulatory potential. Duke suggests caution in bleeding disorders due to anti-aggregant activity (Duke, 2002).
References
REF-0821, REF-0822, REF-0823, REF-2039, REF-2040, REF-2041, REF-2042, REF-2043, REF-2044, REF-2045, REF-2046, REF-2047, REF-2048References & Sources
- Li, W., Zhou, Q., Lv, B., Li, N. et al (2024) 'Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharide Supplementation Significantly Activates T-Cell-Mediated Antitumor Immunity and Enhances Anti-PD-1 Immunotherapy Efficacy in Colorectal Cancer', Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 72(21), pp. 12072-12082. doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.3c08385 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.3c08385 - Cai, Q., Li, Y. and Pei, G (2017) 'Polysaccharides from Ganoderma lucidum attenuate microglia-mediated neuroinflammation and modulate microglial phagocytosis and behavioural response', Journal of Neuroinflammation, 14(1), pp. 63. doi:10.1186/s12974-017-0839-0 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12974-017-0839-0 - Zheng, G., Zhao, Y., Li, Z., Hua, Y. et al (2023) 'Ganoderma lucidum spore powder and derived triterpenes attenuate atherosclerosis and aortic calcification by stimulating ABCA1/G1-mediated macrophage cholesterol efflux and inactivating RUNX2-mediated VSMC osteogenesis', Theranostics, 13(4), pp. 1325-1341. doi:10.7150/thno.80250 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.7150/thno.80250 - Sohretoglu, D. and Huang, S (2018) 'Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharides as An Anti-cancer Agent', Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, 18(5), pp. 667-674. doi:10.2174/1871520617666171113121246 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2174/1871520617666171113121246 - Seweryn, E., Ziala, A. and Gamian, A (2021) 'Health-Promoting of Polysaccharides Extracted from Ganoderma lucidum', Nutrients, 13(8), pp. 2725. doi:10.3390/nu13082725 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13082725 - Liu, X., Yang, L., Li, G., Jiang, Y., Zhang, G. and Ling, J (2022) 'A novel promising neuroprotective agent: Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 229, pp. 168-180. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.12.276 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.12.276 - Zhu, M., Chang, Q., Wong, L.K., Chong, F.S. and Li, R.C (1999) 'Triterpene antioxidants from Ganoderma lucidum', Phytotherapy Research, 13(6), pp. 529-531. doi:10.1002/(sici)1099-1573(199909)13:6<529::aid-ptr481>3.0.co;2-x Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1099-1573(199909)13:6<529::aid-ptr481>3.0.co;2-x - Zeng, P., Chen, Y., Zhang, L. and Xing, M (2019) 'Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide used for treating physical frailty in China', Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science, 163, pp. 179-219. doi:10.1016/bs.pmbts.2019.02.009 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.pmbts.2019.02.009 - Wu, P., Zhang, C., Yin, Y., Zhang, X., Li, Q., Yuan, L., Sun, Y., Zhou, S., Ying, S. and Wu, J (2024) 'Bioactivities and industrial standardization status of Ganoderma lucidum: A comprehensive review', Heliyon, 10(19), pp. e36987. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36987 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36987 - Xu, Z., Chen, X., Zhong, Z., Chen, L. and Wang, Y (2011) 'Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides: immunomodulation and potential anti-tumor activities', The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 39(1), pp. 15-27. doi:10.1142/S0192415X11008610 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X11008610 - Geng, X., Zhong, D., Su, L., Lin, Z. and Yang, B (2019) 'Preventive and therapeutic effect of Ganoderma lucidum on kidney injuries and diseases', Advances in Pharmacology, 87, pp. 257-276. doi:10.1016/bs.apha.2019.10.003 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.apha.2019.10.003 - Sliva, D (2004) 'Cellular and physiological effects of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi)', Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 4(8), pp. 873-879. doi:10.2174/1389557043403323 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2174/1389557043403323 - Boh, B., Berovic, M., Zhang, J. and Zhi-Bin, L (2007) 'Ganoderma lucidum and its pharmaceutically active compounds', Biotechnology Annual Review, 13, pp. 265-301. doi:10.1016/S1387-2656(07)13010-6 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/S1387-2656(07)13010-6 - Bao, X. et al (2002) 'Structural requirements for the immunological activities of polysaccharides from Ganoderma lucidum', 41(9), pp. 2603--2611. Traditional / reference
Find this source - Jin, X. et al (2012) 'Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom) for cancer treatment'. Traditional / reference
Find this source - Wachtel-Galor, S., Yuen, J., Buswell, J.A. and Benzie, I.F.F (2011) 'Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi or Reishi): A Medicinal Mushroom'. Traditional / reference
Find this source
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