Therapeutic Value of Reishi
A Medicinal Mushroom with a Long History and Many Health Benefits
Oct 31, 2009
Celebrated for centuries by diverse cultures, the Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) has been heralded for its salubrious effects.
The Chinese and Japanese attribute Reishi, or Ling Chi, with immune-boosting, anticancer, and life-prolonging properties. Himalayan guides make infusions of Reishi to ward off altitude sickness. The Mayans used it to prevent or cure communicable diseases. Even in modern-day North America, Reishi has become a popular medicinal mushroom among persons infected with HIV. (Stamets P. Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms. Ten Speed Press; 1993:367)
Unfortunately, like many natural medicines, Reishi has been largely discounted by conventional physicians in the Western world. It has apparently been too long since Fleming’s fortuitous discovery of the Penicillium mold’s antibacterial properties led to the development of antibiotics.
Popular Uses for Reishi Mushrooms
Although Reishi preparations are reputed to confer a myriad of health benefits, it is most commonly used for the following conditions:
- AIDS and HIV
- Fatigue
- Inflammation (including that associated with autoimmune diseases)
- Hypertension
- High cholesterol
- Common viral infections
- Improving strength and stamina
- Stimulating the immune system
- Improving longevity
Chemical Constituents of Reishi Mushrooms
The majority of the biological activity in Reishi mushrooms resides in polysaccharide and triterpene molecules, but several active components have been isolated; many of these exert their own physiologic effects or act in concert with other constituents:
- Adenosine
- Polysaccharides (beta-D-glucans)
- Ergosterol (a cholesterol-like molecule found in fungal cell membranes; the precursor of vitamin D)
- Triterpenes (Ganoderic acid, etc.)
- Alkaloids
- Volatile oils
- Glucosides
- Lipids
- Coumarins
- Riboflavin
- Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
- Various amino acids
(From Huang K. The Pharmacology of Chinese Herbs. 2nd ed. New York: CRC Press; 1999)
Scientific Evidence for Health Benefits from Reishi Mushrooms
Several of the polysaccharides in Reishi have demonstrated antitumor and immunostimulating activity. (Mao T, et al. Two mushrooms, Grifola frondosa and Ganoderma lucidum, can stimulate cytokine gene expression and proliferation in human T lymphocytes. Int J Immunother 1999;15[1]:13-22)
Extracts of Reishi can induce the maturation of leukemic monocytes – a type of immune cell that has undergone malignant change – into normal dendritic cells. This attests to Reishi’s ability to inhibit or even reverse cancerous changes in some cell lines. (Chan WK, et al. Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides can induce human monocytic leukemia cells into dendritic cells with immuno-stimulatory function. J Hematol Oncol. 2008;1[1]:9)
Reishi inhibits platelet aggregation, a property that is probably due to its adenosine content. (Hobbs C. Medicinal Mushrooms. 3rd ed. Interweave Press; 1996)
Reishi extracts increase plasma antioxidant activity in humans. (Wachtel-Galor S, et al. Ganoderma lucidum ("Lingzhi"), a Chinese medicinal mushroom: biomarker responses in a controlled human supplementation study. Br J Nutr. Feb 2004;91[2]:263-269)
Reishi mushrooms stimulate the activity of macrophages (immune cells that “eat” foreign antigens) and increase the blood levels of immune cytokines. (Chen HS, et al. Studies on the immuno-modulating and anti-tumor activities of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) polysaccharides. Bioorg Med Chem. 2004;12[21]:5595-5601 and Wang SY, et al. The anti-tumor effect of Ganoderma lucidum is mediated by cytokines released from activated macrophages and T lymphocytes. Int J Cancer. Mar 17 1997;70[6]:699-705)
Ganopoly, a preparation of Reishi polysaccharide extract, increases the immune response – measured by natural killer cell activity, cytokine levels, and T lymphocyte populations – in patients with advanced-stage cancer. (Gao Y, et al. Effects of ganopoly (a Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide extract) on the immune functions in advanced-stage cancer patients. Immunol Invest. Aug 2003;32[3]:201-215)
Reishi inhibits the activity of 5-alpha-reductase, an enzyme that potentiates the effects of testosterone. This exerts beneficial effects in conditions where testosterone activity is elevated (e.g., prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH). (Noguchi M, et al. Randomized clinical trial of an ethanol extract of Ganoderma lucidum in men with lower urinary tract symptoms. Asian J Androl. Sep 2008;10[5]:777-785)
Potential Reishi Mushroom – Drug Interactions
While the active constituents of Reishi mushrooms exert favorable effects, they may also interfere with or potentiate the effects of prescription or over-the-counter medications. Some possible interactions include:
- Anticoagulants (“blood thinners,” such as Coumadin, warfarin, aspirin, Plavix, etc.): Reishi may heighten the risk of bleeding and increase PT or PTT.
- Chemotherapeutic drugs: These medications often rely on the generation of free radicals (i.e., increased oxidation) to kill cancer cells. While it is theoretical, some experts feel that antioxidants like Reishi may interfere with cancer treatment.
- Antihypertensives (blood pressure medications): Since Reishi can lower blood pressure, it may interact with medications and cause excessive lowering of one’s blood pressure.
- Immunosuppressants: Reishi may interfere with medicines that inhibit the immune response (e.g., in transplant patients or people with autoimmune conditions)
- Reishi may interfere with the metabolism of medications that are metabolized by the liver, because it inhibits portions of the hepatic cytochrome system.
Research shows that Reishi mushrooms confer a variety of health benefits. Individuals taking medications should consult a physician prior to using products that contain Reishi.
