Reishi
(Ganoderma lucidum)
Reishi is that age old medicine cited thousands of years ago in several texts and scripts as being a tonic for emperors. At one time this mushroom was specifically used under the prestigious vestiges of the ruling class, but it has since made its way into the pantries of us common folk. Traditional and contemporary Chinese medicine admire it as a tonic benefiting vital energy or "Qi", and it popularly prescribed for a multitude of maladies. Reishi is a polypore mushroom, growing in damp, dark forests and the occasional rotting log. Modern day demand has forced its cultivation in Japan, China and the United States which is promising for the wild stands of Reishi.
Constituents
A hearty and abundant medicine with much
promise. Constituents include an array of alkaloids, triterpine
acids, ergosterols, fumaric acid, coumarins, lactone, mannitol, and
many polysaccharides.
Parts Used
The whole mushroom top, with as little
shaft as possible. The larger the mushroom the better.
Typical preparations
Tea decoction from the dried
mushroom, which Chinese medicine usually call for 1-8 grams of dried
mushroom per cup of tea (6-8 ounces) Powdered root sprinkled on food
or in beverages, as a liquid herbal extract (non-standardized), and
as an encapsulated (non-standardized) product from whole mushroom
tops.
Summary
As mentioned above, Reishi was used
historically to treat a multitude of ailments (Far too many to list
here) and was dubbed as the "panacea tonic" or "cure all". Modern
medicine recommends its use as a daily dietary supplement and
currently all of the research on this mushroom has indicated that
regular consumption of Reishi is safe and effective.
Precautions
None recorded
