About Ganoderma What is Ganoderma lucidum?

Lngzh (traditional Chinese: ; Japanese: reishi, ; Korean: yeongji, ) is the name for one form of the mushroom Ganoderma lucidum, and its close relative Ganoderma tsugae. Ganoderma lucidum enjoys special veneration in Asia, where it has been used as a medicinal mushroom in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 4,000 years, making it one of the oldest mushrooms known to have been used in medicine. The word lingzhi, in Chinese, means herb of spiritual potency and has also been described as mushroom of immortality. 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 is listed in the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia and Therapeutic Compendium.

Ganoderma lucidum: The Miraculous King of Herbs

September 26, 2011 Ganopedia

In this new age, people are exposed to all kinds of health problems such as stress, insomnia, headache and loss of appetite. Besides, most of the chronic illnesses are due to the imbalanced body function resulted from toxins. The active components in Ganoderma are suitable for regulating various functions of human body. For thousands of years, Ganoderma lucidum has been considered by the Chinese to have the ability to improve health and increase bodys healing ability to promote longevity. Sheng Nongs Herbal Classic, the earliest monograph on material medica in China has listed Ganoderma lucidum as the highest grade based on its benefits and not been reported for any side effects. Meanwhile, the benefits of Ganoderma were also described by Li Shi Zhen (Ming Dynasty) in another classic medical publication, Compendium of Materia Medica (Ben Cao Gang Mu). According to this classic book, Lingzhi may be classified into six categories based on their shapes and colors, each of which is believed to nourish a different part of the body. Besides the records in ancient Chinese medical books, recent scientific studies of Ganoderma also have revealed its various appealing biological activities. Studies (mostly conducted in China, Korea, Japan and United States) regarding the medicinal and nutritional values of Ganoderma reported that it does indeed contain bioactive ingredients that may be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of a variety of diseases such as hypertension, hypercholesterol, cardiovascular problems, diabetes, hepatitis and several cancers. Furtheremore, Ganoderma lucidum also been reported

to has anti-oxidant activities, anti-inflammatory activities as well as immunomodulating activities.

Active ingredients in Ganoderma lucidum

August 21, 2011 Ganopedia

Can you imagine that inside a Ganoderma that so small in size could contain approximately 400 different types of bioactive compounds? It sounds amazing and unbelievable. The active ingredients of Ganoderma have attracted researchers great interest. There are over 300 reports that have been published concerning the chemical constituents of Ganoderma lucidum and its related species. You may find a lot of information on the active ingredients of Ganoderma lucidum from webs, especially the amazing five active compounds of Ganoderma lucidum which include polysaccharides, triterpenoids, organic germanium, adenosine and ganoderic essence. Among the bioactive ingredients, polysaccharides and triterpenoids play the role of main characters. They are the most abundant components of Ganoderma lucidum that contribute to most of the pharmacological properties. Besides these 5 bioactive compounds, it also contains nucleosides, nucleotides, RNAs, protein, dietary fibers, enzymes, alkaloids, vitamins, essential minerals, steroids, sterols, fatty acids etc.

Ganoderma lucidum Morphology, Taxonomy and Life cycle

August 13, 2011 Ganopedia

Morphology and structure Ganoderma lucidum is a member of the fungus family that naturally grows on fallen trees and logs of other broad leaf trees. It is a kidney-shaped shelf fungus with pores instead of gills on its underside. The upper surface is shiny and dark red. When it is young it has a yellow and white edge and a relatively smooth upper surface. As it matures, the entire upper surface is reddish brown and more scalloped. Ganoderma lucidum composed of the mycelium and fruiting body. Mycelium is the basilar and white villiform which supplies the nutrients needed for growth, while the fruiting body presents in umbrella form including the germ handle and the germ umbrella. Both the mycelium and fruiting body are edible and have various medicinal properties that can be used to prevent and ameliorate many human diseases. Taxonomy and naming The name Ganoderma is derived from the Greek: ganos brightness, shining and dermal skin. The Chinese term Lingzhi was first recorded in the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 CE). In the year 1881, Petter Adolf Karsten named the genus Ganoderma. Ganoderma lucidum can be classified according to taxonomy as below: Kingdom : Fungi Phylum : Basidiomycota Class : Basidiomycetes Order : Polyporales Family : Ganodermataceae Genus : Ganoderma Species : Ganoderma lucidum P. Karst Life cycle of Ganoderma lucidum Matured Ganoderma fruiting body may produce million spores. The life cycle of Ganoderma lucidum is begin with the spore which germinates to produce hypha in favorable conditions. Multiple hyphae fuse together to form a network of threads called mycelium. Eventually, mycelium will grow to produce matured fruiting body and the life cycle of Ganoderma starts again.