How It Works
Bottom Line: Reishi mushroom has antioxidant properties and may enhance immune responses.
Reishi mushroom has been shown to contain complex sugars that have anticancer and immunestimulating properties. For example, complex sugars known as beta-glucans have been shown in laboratory experiments to inhibit the growth and metastasis of cancer cells. When animals were fed beta-glucans, certain aspects of their immune system become more active. Limited data from clinical studies suggest Reishi mushroom can strengthen the immune responses in humans.
In addition, reishi mushrooms contain sterols that can act as precursors to hormones in the body, along with substances called triterpenes that may have blood pressure-lowering and anti-allergy (anti-histamine) effects. Reishi mushrooms have also been shown to slow the process of blood clotting.
Purported Uses
To treat fatigue
No scientific evidence supports this use.
To lower high cholesterol
No scientific evidence supports this use.
To treat HIV and AIDS
Laboratory studies suggest that reishi mushroom may stimulate certain aspects of the immune system, but there is no proof from clinical trials that reishi can help the immune system fight infections such as HIV.
To lower high blood pressure
Laboratory studies suggest that reishi mushroom may lower blood pressure, but there is no proof from clinical trials that reishi has this effect in humans.
To stimulate the immune system
Laboratory studies suggest that reishi mushroom may stimulate certain aspects of the immune system. A small clinical trial shows that reishi can enhance the immune responses in advanced-stage cancer patients. More studies are needed before it can be used as a cancer treatment.
To reduce inflammation
Laboratory studies suggest that reishi mushroom may have anti-histamine effects, but there is no proof from clinical trials that reishi has this effect in humans.
For increased strength and stamina
No scientific evidence supports this use.
To treat viral infections
There is no evidence to support this.
Research Evidence
Clinical studies suggest Reishi mushroom can enhance the immune responses and increase the antioxidant capacity in the blood.
Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS)
LUTS is common in older men and usually involves problems with bladder filling or voiding. In a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study, 88 men with slight-to-moderate LUTS were given a Reishi extract (6 mg daily) or placebo for 12 weeks. Reishi extracts more greatly improved LUTS than the placebo. Also, no severe adverse effects were reported. Larger, long-term studies are needed to see if Reishi extracts can improve urinary flow in men with more severe LUTS.
Warnings
Prolonged consumption of Reishi mushrooms may impair blood clotting.
Reishi may interact with certain drugs, including certain chemotherapeutic agents, anticoagulants, and immunosuppressants.
This product is regulated by the FDA as a dietary supplement. Unlike approved drugs, supplements are not required to be manufactured under specific standardized conditions. This product may not contain the labeled amount or may be contaminated. In addition, it may not have been tested for safety or effectiveness.
Do Not Take If
You are taking warfarin or other blood thinners (Reishi may increase the risk of bleeding).
You are on chemotherapy (Reishi may make some chemotherapy drugs less effective).
You are using immunosuppressants (Reishi can stimulate immune responses).
You are taking medication for high blood pressure (Reishi may have additive effects).
Side Effects
Dry throat and nose
Stomach upset
Itchiness
Nausea
Vomiting
Scientific Name
Ganoderma lucidum
Common Name
Ling zhi, ling chi, lin zi, mushroom of immortality
Clinical Summary
Derived from the cap and stem of the mushroom, Reishi mushroom is used as an immune stimulant by patients with HIV or cancer. The active constituents are thought to include both beta-glucan polysaccharides and triterpenes (1). Extracts of Reishi can stimulate macrophages and alter the levels of TNF and interleukins (2) (3) (4) (5). Reishi also inhibited platelet aggregation (11) (12) and improved lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men (9) (10).
Studies done in rats have shown that Reishi extract may alleviate chemotherapy-induced nausea (13). In clinical studies, Reishi increased plasma antioxidant capacity (6) (7)and enhanced immune responses in advance-stage cancer patients (8).
Adverse events reported include dry nose and throat, nausea, vomiting and other GI symptoms. Also, in vitro studies suggest that high doses may induce cellular toxicity (14). Theoretically, Reishi can interfere with the actions of immunosuppressants, anticoagulants, and certain chemotherapeutic agents. Furthermore, Reishi polysaccharides inhibit CYP2E1, CYP1A2, and CYP3A, potentially interfering with the metabolism of drugs that use these pathways (15).
Purported uses
Fatigue
High cholesterol
HIV and AIDS
Hypertension
Immunostimulation
Inflammation
Strength and stamina
Viral infections
Constituents
Polysaccharides: Beta-D-glucan
Sterols: Ergosterol
Fungal lysozyme
Proteinase Triterpenes: Ganoderic acids
Lipids
Alkaloids
Glucosides
Coumarins
Volatile oil
Other constituents: Riboflavin, ascorbic acid, and amino acids
(1)
Mechanism of Action
The triterpenes and polysaccharides seem to have the most biological activity. The triterpenes are reported to have adaptogenic and antihypertensive, as well as anti-allergic effects. In addition, they may inhibit tumor invasion by reducing matrix metalloproteinase expression (16) and tumor metastases by limiting attachment to endothelial cells (17). A number of its polysaccharides, such as beta glucans, have demonstrated antitumor and immunostimulating activities (18). Reishi beta glucans can induce the maturation of normal and leukemic monocytes into dendritic cells (19). The adenosine in Reishi is thought to be responsible for the inhibition of platelet aggregation (11). Extracts of Reishi have demonstrated the ability to stimulate macrophages and to alter the levels of TNF and interleukins (2) (3) (4) (5). Reishi can increase plasma antioxidant capacity (6) (7) and has been shown to enhance immune response in advance-stage cancer patients(8). Furthermore, Reishi extracts can inhibit 5á-reductase, an important enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone and is upregulated in benign prostatic hyperplasia (9).
Adverse Reactions
Reported: Dry throat and nose, GI upset, itchiness, nausea, vomiting
Herb-Drug Interactions
Anticoagulant / Antiplatelets: Reishi may increase the risk of bleeding
(12).
Antihypertensives: Reishi may cause additive hypotensive effects.
Immunosuppressants: Reishi can enhance the immune responses
(8).
Chemotherapeutic Agents: Reishi can increase plasma antioxidant capacity, and in theory, it can interact with chemotherapeutic agents that rely on free radicals
(6).
Reishi polysaccharides inhibit CYP2E1, CYP1A2, and CYP3A, potentially interfering with the metabolism of drugs that use these pathways
(15).
Lab Interactions
May prolong INR, PT, and APTT
(12).
Literature Summary and Critique
Gao Y, et al. Effects of Ganopoly ( Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharide Extract) on the Immune Functions in Advanced-Stage Cancer Patients. Immunol Invest 2003;32(3): 201-15.
Thirty-four patients with advanced-stage cancer of various tissues were given 1800 mg of oral Ganopoly three times daily before meals for 12 weeks. Cytokines, T-cell subsets, and natural killer activity were measured to assess the effects of Ganopoly. Researchers found a significant increase in T-cell populations and NK activity at the 12-week period compared to baseline although the mechanism is unclear. More studies are needed to confirm these observations.
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.
Because G. lucidum extracts have shown variable 5á-reductase inhibition, 88 men with slight-to-moderate lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) were given the G. lucidum extract (6 mg daily) that maximally inhibited 5á-reductase or placebo for 12 weeks. Improvements in LUTS as assessed by the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and urine flow variables were determined. In addition, prostate volume, residual urinary volume after voiding, and adverse effects were also measured. Participants who received the G. lucidum extract had improved IPSS as compared to the placebo group. In addition, no severe adverse effects were reported. Larger, long-term studies are required to determine if G. lucidum extracts could further improve LUTS as well as urinary flow in men with more severe LUTS.
References
1. Huang K. The Pharmacology of Chinese Herbs. 2nd ed. New York: CRC Press; 1999.
2. Chen HS, Tsai YF, Lin S, et al. Studies on the immuno-modulating and anti-tumor activities of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) polysaccharides. Bioorg Med Chem. Nov 1 2004;12(21):5595-5601.
3. Gao Y, Zhou S, Wen J, et al. Mechanism of the antiulcerogenic effect of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides on indomethacin-induced lesions in the rat. Life Sci. Dec 27 2002;72(6):731-745.
4. Hsu MJ, Lee SS, Lin WW. Polysaccharide purified from Ganoderma lucidum inhibits spontaneous and Fas-mediated apoptosis in human neutrophils through activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/Akt signaling pathway. J Leukoc Biol. Jul 2002;72(1):207-216.
5. Wang SY, Hsu ML, Hsu HC, 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.
6. Wachtel-Galor S, Szeto YT, Tomlinson B, et al. Ganoderma lucidum ('Lingzhi'); acute and short-term biomarker response to supplementation. Int J Food Sci Nutr. Feb 2004;55(1):75-83.
7. Wachtel-Galor S, Tomlinson B, Benzie IF. Ganoderma lucidum ("Lingzhi"), a Chinese medicinal mushroom: biomarker responses in a controlled human supplementation study. Br J Nutr. Feb 2004;91(2):263-269.
8. Gao Y, Zhou S, Jiang W, 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.
9. Noguchi M, Kakuma T, Tomiyasu K, 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.
10. Noguchi M, Kakuma T, Tomiyasu K, et al. Effect of an extract of Ganoderma lucidum in men with lower urinary tract symptoms: a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized and dose-ranging study. Asian J Androl. Jul 2008;10(4):651-658.
11. Hobbs C. Medicinal Mushrooms. 3rd ed. Loveland (OR): Interweave Press; 1996.
12. Tao J, Feng KY. Experimental and clinical studies on inhibitory effect of ganoderma lucidum on platelet aggregation. J Tongji Med Univ. 1990;10(4):240-243.
13. Wang CZ, Basila D, Aung HH, et al. Effects of ganoderma lucidum extract on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in a rat model. Am J Chin Med. 2005;33(5):807-815.
14. Gill SK, Rieder MJ. Toxicity of a traditional Chinese medicine, Ganoderma lucidum, in children with cancer. Can J Clin Pharmacol. Summer 2008;15(2):e275-285.
15. Wang X, Zhao X, Li D, et al. Effects of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide on CYP2E1, CYP1A2 and CYP3A activities in BCG-immune hepatic injury in rats. Biol Pharm Bull. Sep 2007;30(9):1702-1706.
16. Chen NH, Liu JW, Zhong JJ. Ganoderic Acid me inhibits tumor invasion through down-regulating matrix metalloproteinases 2/9 gene expression. J Pharmacol Sci. Oct 2008;108(2):212-216.
17. Li YB, Wang R, Wu HL, et al. Serum amyloid A mediates the inhibitory effect of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides on tumor cell adhesion to endothelial cells. Oncol Rep. Sep 2008;20(3):549-556.
18. Mao T, van De Water J, Keen CL, 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.
19. Chan WK, Cheung CC, Law HK, 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.
