Reishi mushrooms:Phytochemicals.

Red Reishi is primarily composed of complex carbohydrates called water-soluble

high molecular weight Polysaccharides,triterpeniods,Organic
Germanium,Adenosine,proteins,amino acids and Vitamins:
Polysaccharides: Beta-D-glucan polysaccharides(beta-glucan polysaccharides)
Sterols: Ergosterol
Fungal lysozyme
Proteinase
Triterpenes: Ganoderic acids
Other constiuents: Riboflavin, ascorbic acid, and amino
acids,Lipids,Alkaloids,Glucosides,Coumarins,Volatile oil.
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:arginine,tryptophan,D-asparagic acid,glycin,L-Alanine,L-Threonine,L-
Serine,Glutamic acid,Proline and small amount of
Methionine,Leucine,Tyrosine,Phenylalanine.And the necessary amino acids
share over 50% among the total animo acids.Other chemicals including
Mannitol,Mannitol-alpha,Alpha-Trehalose,Stearic acid,Palmitic Acid,lignoceric
acid(CH3(CH2)22COOH),n-nonadecanoic acid,Behenic
acid,Tetracosanol,Hentriacontane and Choline,lycine.

Other constituents:Reishi contains sterols,coumarin,mannitol,alkaloids

polysaccharides,mannitol lactones,organic germanium,adenosine,amino
acids,and triterpenoids called ganoderic acids. Reishi also contains
ergosterols,complete proteins,unsaturated fatty acids,Phosphatidylethanol-
amines,phosphatidylcholine,vitamins and minerals. Reishi is the only known
source of a group of triterpenes known as ganoderic acids, which have a
molecular structure similar to steroid hormones. It has the most active
polysaccharides among medicinal plant sources.Ganoderic acids may lower
blood pressure ands decrease LDL cholesterol.
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Polysaccharides from Reishi Mushroom.

The Chi Zhi or Ganoderma Lucidum fungus

Polysaccharides mainly are water soluble Polysaccharides,Acidic
Polysaccharose,Alkaline polysaccharides.The Reishi Mushroom Polysaccharides
are mainly hybrid Polysaccharides,and mainly composed of several kinds of
monosaccharide,and known as D-glucose,D-xylose,D-mannose,D-galactose,D-
fucose,L-arabinose,L-rhamnose,etc.

One focus for future research is on Reishi spore extracts.In China,it has been
used in injectable form in clinical treatments of various ailments with
success.One of the things it has successfully treated is low energy,and
debilitation following long illness.

Ganoderma contains several kinds of polysaccharides:one water soluble

polysaccharides with anti-tumore properties GL-1,composed of Glucose,xylose
and Arabinose at mol ratio of 18.8:1.5:1.0,comparative molecular weight about
40000.Also contains other polysaccharides with property of blood sugar
lowering,Polysaccharides A,Polysaccharides B,Polysaccharides C,with
comparative molecular weight 23000,74000 and 58000 accordingly,all of them
contains one peptide, peptide of Polysaccharides A shares about 2.6%,part of
polysaccharides composded of Rhamnose,d-galactose and glucose at mol ratio
of 0.4:1.0:0.7.peptide of Polysaccharides C shares about 25.5%,part of
polysaccharides 72.5% composded of glucose (69.6%) and d-
galactose(2.9%),the amino acid composition of the peptide as:Glycine
12.7%,Alanine 12.5%,Serine 11.5%,Threonine 11.1%,D-asparagic acid
9.2%,Glutamic acid 7.6%,Valine 6.6%,Tyrosine 5.5%,Proline 5.2%,Leucine 4.0%
and trace amount of other amino acids.

Except some part Polysaccharides with small

molecular weight soluble in high purity alcohol,most part of the Ganoderma
lucidum Polysaccharide soluble in hot water.The Polysaccharide is one of the
most effective content in the Ganoderma lucidum mushroom and got extreme
attentions,according to reports the Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides display
property stimulate host Non specific resistance,Specific immune response,and
show inhibition on biological activity of tumor,when the molecular weight bigger
than 10000 it showed strong inhibition on biological activity of tumor,the power of
inhibition also related with bifurcation of the polysaccharide chain and the
hydroxyl quantity omn branch chains.The Ganoderma Lucidum Polysaccharide
showed other property and functions including boost immunity,hypoxia
tolerance,clean free radicals,anti-radiation,protect the DNA,RNA and
liver,marrow,blood and proteins,extend life spans.

Another kind of polysaccharides has property of boost the synthesis and

metabolism of nucleic acid protein,named Polysaccharides BN3C,4
homogeneous body derived from this,from identification,proved that BN3C1 is
Dextran(Glucose polymer);BN3C3 is a kind of peptide polysaccharides
composed of glucose,arabinose at mol ratio 4:1,peptide ratio 5.4% and
composded of Cystine,Leucine,Tyrosine,Alanine,Phenylalanine,Valine,Glutamic
acid,gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA) and trace amount of
arginine,lysine,Methionine and histidine.
 Researchers have identified that water-soluble
polysaccharides are the most active element found in Red Reishi that have anti-
tumour, immune modulating and blood pressure lowering effects. Recent reishi
studies have used the amount of water-soluble polysaccharide content in a reishi
product to evaluate its potency. The higher the amount of water-soluble
polysaccharide content the product contains, the more potent it is.

If you have visited our Echinacea page, then you are already aware of some of
the powerful properties of polysaccharides (basically large sugar molecules).

Extract of reishi contains about 10% polysaccharides and 5% protein. Some of

these polysaccharides have demonstrated anti-tumor activity.

The polysaccharides, G-I (Beta-D-glucan) and GL-1, for example, have both
been shown to inhibit sarcoma.Evidence also suggests polysaccharide ability to
stimulate macrophage production of interleukins. Interleukins regulate blood cell
production and interleukin-2 (there are at least 12 interleukins) stimulates T-
lymphocytes and is being investigated in the treatment of cancer. Which
polysaccharide, or combination thereof, is responsible for this action is not clear.
The protein portion of the extract contains 17 amino acids.
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Triterpenes from Ganoderma Lucidum fungus.

Triterpenes are another class main effective

chemicals already identified and isolated from the Ganoderma lucidum
fungus,and there are over 100 kinds of triterpenes already isolated from the
Reishi Mushroom,most of them are higly oxidized lanostane derivatives.They are
known and mainly as:Gandenic Acid
ABCDEGILaDMmambmemdmg;Lucidunic Acid
ABCDEFO,Ganoderenic acid,Sanedermic acid,ganosporeic
acid,Ganosporelactone A,B,Ganodermenonol,Ganodermenonol
A,Epoxyganoderiol ABC,etc.

Preliminary studies indicated that ganoderic acids help alleviate common

allergies by inhibiting histamine release, improve oxygen utilization and improve
liver functions. Triterpeniods are bitter in taste and the level of the triterpeniod
content contained in a product can be determined by the bitterness.Users of
Ginkgo Biloba, Horse Chestnut and Valerian will recognize the potential benefits
of terpenes.

Ganoderic acids seem to help lower blood pressure as well as decrease low
density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglyceride levels.These specific triterpenoids also
help to reduce blood platelets from sticking together an important factor in
lowering the risk for coronary artery disease.

The potency of Reishi mushrooms is usually based

on its level of triterpenoids. One can determine the level of this by tasting it. The
more bitter it is, the higher the level of triterpenoids. Because Reishi is a
polypore, (a group of hard, woody, bracket-like mushrooms) it is not eaten, but
cut into pieces and made into a tea. In China, the average dose is 3 to 5 grams a
day. Other popular forms of delivery are the water/alcohol extracts and powders.

For these people it should come as little surprise that the triterpene-rich reishi
mushroom is reputed to reduce hypertension. What may be news, however, is
that the same compounds may also be adaptogenic and anti-allergic.The
Ganoderic acids,C,A and D--in that order--appear to have the greatest anti-
allergic activity, inhibiting histamine release. Ganoderic acids B and D may
reduce hypertension. Studies done on a combination formula of reishi and other
ganoderma species have shown these anti-allergic effects to be perhaps this
medicinal's most promising property. The combination formula has been
observed to have a modulating and stabilizing effect on immunoglobulin levels.
Patients with bronchitis, bronchial asthma, and allergies have all done well on
reishi extract. Triterpene content may explain reishi's ability to alleviate altitude
sickness, as reported by Chinese mountain climbers ascending as high as
17,000 ft.

Reishi mushrooms and mushroom extracts are generally analyzed for specific
triterpenoids called Ganoderic acids. When buying a Reishi mushroom product,
check for the analysis of how much triterpenoids is in the extract or powder.

"There is no standardization yet, either here or in Asia for Reishi. You have to
look for high ganoderic acid-A levels, which indicates high levels of other
ganoderic acids," said Kenneth Jones, a researcher/writer specializing in the
ethnopharmacology of medicinal plants.
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Ganodenic Acid.

Ganodenic Acid belong to triterpenes,the

isolated Ganodenic Acid already over 100kinds,for example Ganodenic Acid
A,B,C,D,E,F,G,I etc.The concentration of Ganodenic Acid varies in different
species of Ganoderma fungus and different sporophore stages,so its bitterness
taste may also different,normally the bitter the fungus the higher content
Ganodenic Acid it contains.The Ganodenic Acid owns strong and powerful
pharmaceutical activity,functions pain relieve,sedation,inhibition release of
histamine,detoxification,liver protection,kill tumor cells etc,it one of the main
conponents of the Ganoderma lucidum fungus.

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Adenosine from Ganoderma Lucidum fungus.

Adenosine is active biological substance composed of Nucleoside and
purine.The Ganoderma Lucidum or Reishi Mushroom fungus contains various
kinds of adenosine derivatives,they all has strong pharmaceutical activity,and
showed function lower blood viscosity,inhibit platelet aggregation,increase the
concentration and ratio of hemoglobin 2,3-diphosphoglycerate,could increase
blood oxygen delivery capacity and speed up blood micro circulation,increase the
oxygen delivery capacity of blood system to internal organs heart and brain.The
adenosine is a class substance with very strong biological activity,and also one
main constituents of the Ganoderma lucidum fungus or reishi mushroom.
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Other Constituents from Ganoderma Lucidum fungus.

There is some brief function notes of some

other constituents from the Ganoderma Lucidum fungus or Reishi Mushroom:

Ganosporelactone A(CAS No.138008-04-5,Molecular Formula:C30H40O7):The

Ganosporelactone show functions lower cholesterol;

Ganosporeic acid A:functions lower transaminase level;

Ganodine(CAS No:133086-81-4,Molecular Formula:C11H17NO2):The Ganodine

show anti-inflammatory effects.

Adenosine(A,Ado):sedation,and functions anti-hypoxia;

Oleic acid:could inhibit the histamine released by mast leukocyte due to 48/80
and 2318 synthetical chemicals,it also showed membrane stability function.

Ganoine:obviously increase coronary blood flow of anesthetized dogs,lower

Coronary resistance and myocardial consumption of oxygen(MOC),increase
utility rate of the myocardium,improve changes of the electrocardiogram of acute
myocardial ischemia.

Ganoderma lucidum dietary fiber:the dietary fiber of Ganoderma lucidum fungus

could lower cholesterol level,prevent atherosclerosis,constipation,diabetes,high
blood pressure or hypertension,cerebral thrombosis.

Mannitol,Ergosterol:these substance show ability may regulate neutral fat

synthesis or decompose of the adipose cell.
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Mechanism of Action:How Reishi Mushroom Works and

its Properties.

Active constituents in Reishi Mushroom are

sterols, coumarin, mannitol, polyssacharide and triterpenoids called ganoderic
acids.The latter helps lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol (LDL) and
triglycerides, and works as an anticoagulant. All of these benefits contribute to a
healthy cardiovascular system. Reishi Mushroom has antibacterial, antiviral
properties and anti-tumor activity to prevent cancer.

The triterpenes and polysaccharides seem to have the most biological activity. A
number of its polysaccharides have demonstrated antitumor and
immunostimulating activities

Why is Reishi so special?

The status of Reishi in the health food industry is unparalleled. It is the

culmination of the knowledge and wisdom of the East and West for 5,000 years.
Its effectiveness as a health food and as a highly potent medicine have been
demonstrated by over 30 years of modern scientific research in China and
Poland. Backed by 5,000 years of accumulated experience, Reishi can safely
claim to be totally free from side-effects. The wide range of health benefits we
can receive from Reishi is also unmatched. As it was so rare, Reishi was
available only to emperors in ancient times. The first emperor of China, Shih
Huang Ti, sent a fleet with 250 yourng men and 250 young ladies to oversea
islands in search of the herb of longevity, which is Reishi.
 Reishi is the king of adaptogens. It is superior to Ginseng. Adaptogens share
three important properties:

1. Non-toxic and free from side-effects.

2. Non-specific, acting on the entire body.
3. Normalizes physiological functions.
4. Properties: Ganoderma lucidum: Sweet and slightly bitter in flavor, mild in
nature, it is related to the channels of the heart, spleen, lung, liver and kidney.
5. Functions: Nourishes and pacifies the mind, benefits qi and blood, arrests
coughs and asthma.

Reishi contains 800-2,000 ppm of organic germanium, which is 4-5 times more
than Ginseng. Germanium is a trace element with adaptogenic functions.
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Reishi's Medical Properties:

In the 16th Century pharmacopedia Ben Cao

Gang Mu, which contains hundreds of natural medicines the Chinese have used
for thousands of years, compiler Li Shi Zhen described the uses of Reishi. "It
positively affects the life energy, or qi of the heart, repairing the chest area and
benefiting those with a knotted and tight chest." He wrote that it also increases
intellectual capacity and banishes forgetfulness. "Taken over a long period of
time, agility of the body will not cease, and the years are lengthened to those of
the Immortal Fairies."

In the Orient, Reishi is considered a Fu Zhen herb (immune modulation).

Presently, Reishi has various applications including lowering or raising blood
pressure, stimulating liver actions, blood cleansing, and acting as an adaptogen
in helping the body fight the effects of stress.

Chinese herbalists prize it for its abilities to regenerate the liver. In high doses,
and to some degree normal doses, Ganoderma maybe classified as a liver
detoxicant and protectant.

In traditional Oriental applications Reishi is also used to treat insomnia, gastric

ulcers, neurasthenia, arthritis, nephritis, asthma, bronchitis, hypertension and
poisoning. It is also being used in treating neuromuscular disorders -- stress-
induced tension, myasthenia gravis and muscular dystrophy -- all with varying
degrees of success.

Toxicity studies show no toxic effects on humans. In research, patients are given
much higher doses, as high as 10 grams of extract per day, with no ill effects