Orthomolecular - Mycotherapy - Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)

Question 1

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)

Answer 1

Reishi is referred to as “the mushroom of eternal youth” and has been used for over 2000 years in the traditional medical systems of China, Japan, Korea and other Asian countries for its health-promoting effects.

• It is considered a ‘tonic’ in Chinese medicine, or an ‘adaptogen’ in Western medicine.
• Important constituents include primarily polysaccharides (e.g. beta-glucans) and triterpenes (ganoderic acids), but also lectins, sterols and B vitamins.
  Adaptogens = help increase the body’s resistance to stress, preserve energy / resilience
  Tonic = regenerate, replenish, rebuild energy / resilience

Question 2

Immune-boosting

Answer 2

Therapeutic uses:
* Increases the number and activity of numerous immune cells including T-lymphocytes, macrophages and NK cells.

Question 3

Anti-viral

Answer 3

Therapeutic uses:
* The triterpenes inhibit the replication of the Epstein-Barr and hepatitis B viruses.
* They also inhibit reverse transcriptase in HIV
(Reverse transcriptase = virus infects host cell and copies its RNA into DNA and utilises the host cell to replicate)

Question 4

Anti-cancer

Answer 4

Therapeutic uses:
* It induces apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells) and inhibits angiogenesis.
* Evidence suggests it can inhibit tumour metastases by limiting attachment to endothelial cells.
* The beta glucans strengthen the immune system contributing to its anti-cancer properties.

Question 5

Anti-inflammatory

Answer 5

Therapeutic uses:
* Triterpenes provide an anti-inflammatory (reduces the activity of NF-kB) and anti-histamine action.
* The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of reishi are thought to provide it with its healthy ageing properties.

Question 6

Anti-coagulant

Answer 6

Therapeutic uses:
* Ganoderic acids inhibit platelet aggregation, thinning the blood.
* Supportive in cardiovascular disease.

Question 7

Benign prostatic hyperplasia

Answer 7

Therapeutic uses:
* It is a 5α-reductase inhibitor meaning that it blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) (more potent), preventing abnormal prostate growth.

Question 8

Stress and sleep

Answer 8

Therapeutic uses:
* Triterpenes have a sedative action and calm nervous system activity, supporting sleep and relaxation.

Question 9

Blood-sugar regulating

Answer 9

Therapeutic uses:
* Ganoderic acids increase insulin secretion and decrease cellular resistance to insulin.
* Useful in cases of insulin resistance such as Type 2 diabetes and PCOS.

Question 10

Dosage

Answer 10

• Reishi dosage range: 3–9 g / day (doses of up to 15 g / day are used in some circumstances).
• Start at the lower of the dosage range and gradually increase with tolerance.
• Use as a powder in food, tea or capsules for higher dosages.
• It is a bitter, woody-tasting mushroom that is considered non-edible.

Question 11

Reishi interactions:

Answer 11

• Combining high dose reishi with anticoagulant drugs may increase the risk of bleeding.