Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi)

LATIN NAME: Ganoderma lucidum

 COMMON NAME(s): Reishi, holy mushroom, ten-thousand-year mushroom, plant of immortality, red Reishi

 PLANT PARTS USED: the fruiting body and mycelium

 FAMILY NAME: Ganodermataceae (formerly Polyporaceae)

 VITALIST ACTIONS/ENERGETICS (how the herb shifts the tissue state—dry, moist, cold, warm, tense, or relaxed. The herbs energetic qualities—warming, cooling, moistening, drying): slightly warm—building and circulating without overstimulation, moistening—supports fluid, counter dryness and depletion, stimulant—restores depleted vitality without excitation

 TISSUES AFFECTED:

·      Immune tissues

·      Endocrine system (adrenals, HPA axis)

·      Blood (quality + immune cells)

·      Liver (alterative terrain support)

·      Nervous system (tonic to depleted states)

From Paul Bergner entry, interpreted through Physiomedicalist lens

 CLINICAL ACTIONS (the herbs biochemical mechanism. How the herb affects specific tissues, receptors, or organs):

·      relaxant—calms tension held in the HPA axis and immune tissues.

·      immune tonic—long-term strengthening of immune and endocrine tissues, build reserve vitality in depleted constitutions

·      immunomodulator—capable of strengthening the immune system (it enhances monocyte, macrophage and T lymphocyte activity) and down-regulating excessive immune system response in patients with immune dysregulation (auto-immune disease) and allergies.

·      alterative— encourages healthy metabolic + immune function

 USES:

·      Qi tonic that increases vital energy

·      Gently restores depleted vitality without excitation

·      Improves distribution of vital force through the system

·      Long-term strengthening of immune and endocrine tissues

·      Supports liver and metabolic balance in the HPA axis

·      Supports aging with loss of vitality

·      Chronic stress with exhaustion

·      Helps move the tissue-state from cold to warm, dry to moist, depleted to nourished, and from tense to relaxed/regulated.

 FORMS USED & DOSE:

·      Tincture: fresh fruiting body or mycelia; consume 20-90 drops, up to three times daily

·      Powder Extract: according to herbalist Donald Yance, “for optimal therapeutic activity (Reishi) should be used in a powdered extract. Consume 1-4 grams of powdered extract daily.

·      Capsules: take 2-6 caps of the fruiting or mycelium, one to three times daily. Take capsules with vitamin C to increase bioavailability.

·      Tea: prepare a decoction; consume 8-12 oz, one to three times daily

·      Honey & Syrup: consume 4-6 ml of Reishi syrup daily

·      Culinary/Broths: simmer in soups for tonic building

Christa Sinadinos—The Essential Guide to Western Botanical Medicine

 COMBINATIONS:

·      For depleted immunity: Reishi + Astragalus + Codonopsis

·      For stress exhaustion/endocrine fatigue: Reishi + Withania + Schisandra

·      For chronic inflammatory terrain: Reishi + Turmeric + Burdock

·      For sleep from depletion: Reishi + Milky Oat + Chamomile (Nervine tonic + nutrient nerve food + relaxant)

·      For post-viral fatigue: Reishi + Eleuthero + Licorice

 CONSTITUENTS: red Reishi mushroom; contains ergosterol, sterols, fungal lysozyme, enzymes, laccase, water-soluble protein, polypeptides, amin acids, sugars, mannitol, betaine… Christa Sinadinos—The Essential Guide to Western Botanical Medicine

 NUTRITIONAL PROPERTIES: red Reishi contains amino acids, riboflavin, calcium, magnesium, sodium, manganese, iron, zinc, copper, germanium, ascorbic acid, and a small amount of protein. Christa Sinadinos—The Essential Guide to Western Botanical Medicine

SAFETY and ADVERSE EFFECTS: side effects are extremely rare; however, symptoms including dry mouth, dry throat, nosebleeds, dizziness, stomach upset, bloody stool, and pruritus (itching) have been noted-following continuous long-term consumption (3-6 months). Some individuals have allergic reactions to the fruiting body and/or spores. Avoid consuming Reishi during an acute infectious illness or menstruation. Christa Sinadinos—The Essential Guide to Western Botanical Medicine

Reishi is an extremely safe herb that may be taken in high doses when needed by the young or old and during pregnancy or whilst breastfeeding. Richard Whelan—Medical Herbalist Dip. M.H. MNZAMH RH [AHG]

CLINICAL SUMMARY: Reishi is a moistening, gently warming vital stimulant that excels in depleted, cold, dry constitutions with signs of immune weakness, endocrine fatigue, and chronic stress. Unlike stimulating immune herbs, Reishi regulates immunity—increasing low vitality while calming overactivity. Its tonic and alterative qualities match the Cook/Ellingwood concept of an herb that builds vitality at the deepest levels, improves metabolic group, and restores equilibrium in weakened organic structures. It works slowly and deeply, ideal for long-term rebuilding.

 PATIENT PICTURE: The Reishi person typically presents as:

·      Chronically tired or depleted

·      Prone to getting sick easily

·      Cold and dry, lacking vitality

·      Mild insomnia from weakness

·      Recovering from long illness or post-viral states

·      Wants steadiness, resilience, and a calmer nervous system

Reishi fits the person who have weakened immune systems, burned out, drained, run down and tired as a result or it may be much more serious; auto-immune conditions, health-sapping allergies or cancer. Reishi fits the person needing a slow, nourishing rebuilding rather than stimulation.

 REFERENCES:

1. Bergner, P. (2019). Materia Medica Quick Reference Guide. (Primary source for vital actions, tissues affected, taste, temperature, humidity, and clinical actions.)

2. Richard Whelan—Medical Herbalist Dip. M.H. MNZAMH RH [AHG]

3.  Christa Sinadinos. The Essential Guide to Western Botanical Medicine. (Used for contraindications, preparation and dose.)