Discover the 21 Benefits of Ganoderma Lucidum.

Ganoderma lucidum, commonly known as reishi mushroom, is a purple-brown mushroom with a long, thin stem, brown spores, and a shiny, fan-shaped cap.

The fungus grows on decaying logs and tree trunks. While Ganoderma lucidum is native to North America, Japan, and China, it is produced in several other Asian countries. Reishi mushroom has many health benefits, but talk to your doctor before taking them.

Components of the Ganoderma lucidum

This fungus is composed of alkaloids, triterpene acids, ergosterols, fumaric acid, coumarins, lactone, mannitol, and many polysaccharides.

Minerals such as potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium, iron, zinc, copper, silica, sulfur, sodium, manganese, strontium, and germanium.

Terpenes, steroids, phenols, nucleotides and their derivatives and glycoproteins.

Lectin, enzymes, and long-chain fatty acids.

21 Health Benefits Of Ganoderma Lucidum

1.- Prevents Parkinson’s disease

The antioxidants in reishi mushrooms help prevent cell damage in the brain, which is one of the causes of Parkinson’s disease.

Whoever consumes the fungus regularly is very unlikely to develop this disease.

2.- Fight cancer

In 2004, studies were published discussing the effects of Ganoderma lucidum on cell growth, cell cycle, and cell death in human prostate cancer cells.

The results of the study showed that Ganoderma lucidum prevented cancer cells from multiplying in a dose- and time-dependent manner.

The reishi mushroom did this by decreasing the expression of proteins (cyclin B and Cdc2) that allow cancer cells to expand uncontrollably and by increasing the expression of a protein, p21, that suppresses cancer cell growth.

Furthermore, Ganoderma encouraged the death of prostate cancer cells.

The study concluded that Ganoderma lucidum may play a role in cancer prevention and treatment.

3.- Relieves Cancer-Related Fatigue

Ganoderma lucidum may offer relief from cancer-related fatigue, and endless tiredness related to cancer and its treatment.

Ganoderma lucidum spore powder showed promise in relieving fatigue in women with breast cancer undergoing endocrine therapy.

Endocrine therapy is a treatment that adds, blocks, or removes hormones to inhibit the growth of certain cancers, including breast cancer.

Women who received Ganoderma spores experienced an improvement in fatigue and a reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression.

4.- Control addictions

The high content of organic germanium and antioxidants improves the function of the nervous system, thus controlling addictions.

5.- Help with constipation

Thanks to a large amount of non-soluble fiber such as hemicellulose, allows the colon to function properly.

This improves digestive functions and allows the elimination of compounds harmful to the body.

6.- Protects the bones

Due to the presence of calcium and vitamin D, in addition to other compounds that help calcium absorption, our bones are improved.

Consuming Reishi mushrooms every day helps preserve bone density.

7.- Ideal for rheumatoid arthritis

Ganoderma lucidum consumption may have a positive effect on rheumatoid arthritis, a long-term autoimmune disease that negatively affects joint health.

According to the researchers the effects of a polysaccharide peptide found in Ganoderma lucidum on cell multiplication and the production of cytokines -inflammatory proteins- in rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts.

Polysaccharide peptide from Ganoderma lucidum successfully inhibited cytokine production and cell proliferation in these fibroblasts.

8.- Reduce stress

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

9.- Protects the liver

In 2002, the polysaccharide Ganoderma lucidum was found to have great potential to act effectively to prevent liver damage.

10.- Control gastritis

The compounds that this fungus possesses allow our defenses to fight efficiently against Helicobacter Pylori.

In addition, the cells of the stomach function better thanks to the synergy of compounds controlling the secretion of acid.

11.- Reduces allergy symptoms

Reishi has analgesic, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic, cardiovascular, and antidiabetic effects.

Phytochemicals are powerful antioxidant compounds found in plants that are believed to prevent disease in humans.

The main active ingredients in reishi are two phytochemicals known as beta-glucan polysaccharides and triterpenes.

The phytochemicals in reishi are reported to prevent free radical-induced damage in the body, reduce allergy symptoms, treat and prevent hypertension, and stimulate the production of antibodies that support the immune system.

Reishi is also touted as an adaptogen, a substance believed to reduce the effects of mental, physical, and emotional stress.

12.- Helps cardiovascular health

Reishi supports and promotes cardiovascular health.

It lowers high cholesterol levels and improves blood flow to the heart.

Reishi also helps prevent blood clots by keeping the blood thin and preventing it from clumping together, a condition known as platelet aggregation.

13.- Combat benign prostatic hyperplasia

Ganoderma extract improves lower urinary tract symptoms in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

It inhibits an enzyme involved in this disorder.

BPH causes symptoms of frequent urination, nighttime urination, decreased urine flow, and incomplete emptying of the bladder.

14.- Relieves Migraine

Similarly, Ganoderma lucidum has compounds that relax the nervous system along with triterpenoids that control pain and inflammation and help control and combat migraines in the best way.

15.- Immune system stimulant

Some HIV/AIDS or cancer patients use Ganoderma extract to stimulate the immune system, as noted by the MSKCC.

This extract can stimulate the production of various types of white blood cells that help prevent and fight infection, and people with HIV or undergoing chemotherapy are more susceptible to infectious diseases.

Ganoderma also increases antioxidant activity in plasma, beneficial because antioxidants scavenge free radicals that can cause cell damage.

In addition, Ganoderma has antitumor properties.

16.- Endocarditis

Ganoderma extract can help strengthen the body and provide blood pressure support for people with endocarditis, an inflammation of the inner lining of the heart and heart valves.

17.- Protects the skin

The antioxidants in reishi mushrooms protect the skin from the damaging effects of free radicals, which are the cause of wrinkles and skin aging.

Reishi mushroom also helps in the fight against skin cancer.

18.- Control cholesterol

Reishi mushroom helps lower cholesterol levels.

It improves the levels of good cholesterol and bad cholesterol, reducing bad cholesterol, due to the presence of triterpenoids and adenosine.

19.- Fight asthma

The anti-inflammatory properties of triterpenoids and germanium allow the muscles that support the bronchial tubes to relax, reducing the severity of asthma.

In addition to the immunomodulatory effect of its compounds, it prevents the appearance of agitations.

20.- Helps prevent obesity

Reishi mushroom helps prevent obesity by stopping the movement of glucose into fat cells.

People who follow a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and consume reishi mushrooms reduce the possibility of obesity.

21.- Treats autoimmune diseases

Thanks to the effect of lentinan and other polysaccharides such as beta-glucans, the function of our immune system is regulated, thus fighting diseases such as psoriasis, vitiligo, lupus, arthritis, etc.

22.- Prevents Alzheimer’s

Reishi mushroom helps strengthen memory, although there is still no known cure for Alzheimer’s, the reishi mushroom helps slow down the process of reducing acetylcholine in the brain, which is what causes Alzheimer’s.

23.- Control overweight

Reishi mushroom burns fat as the person loses weight.

Naturally stimulates metabolism, due to the synergy of its compounds.

By activating our metabolism our cells begin to use more reserve energy (fat).

Additional Uses for Ganoderma Lucidum

•Delays aging

•Traditional Chinese medicine uses reishi to slow down aging.

•Build disease resistance.

•Reduce inflammation.

•Clean the blood.

•Support liver, kidney, and nerve function.

•Improve strength and endurance.

•Improve lower urinary tract function in men.

•It is also used to treat hay fever, insomnia, fatigue, viral infections, stomach ulcers, depression, and impotence.

However, these uses are based on anecdotal evidence and not solid scientific research.

Warnings of the consumption of the Ganoderma lucidum

Reishi mushrooms may have side effects with prolonged use, according to Breast Cancer.

The organization notes that after using the mushrooms for six months, you may experience itchy skin, blood in your stool, and an upset stomach.

The US Food and Drug Administration does not require dietary supplement manufacturers to test their products before selling.