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 anti-cancer and immune-stimulating properties. For example, complex sugars known as beta-glucans have been shown in laboratory experiments to inhibit the growth 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 human .
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
No scientific evidence supports this use.
Research Evidence
Clinical studies suggest Reishi mushroom can enhance the immune responses and increase the antioxidant capacity in the blood.
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. The active constituents are thought to include both beta-glucan polysaccharides and triterpenes
(1). Reishi mushroom is used as an immune stimulant by patients with HIV or cancer. Extracts of Reishi can stimulate macrophages and alter the levels of TNF and interleukins
(8) (10) (11) (12). In clinical studies, Reishi increased plasma antioxidant capacity
(14) (15) and enhanced immune responses in advance-stage cancer patients
(13). Reishi was also shown to inhibit platelet aggregation
(2) (4) (9). Studies done in rats have shown that reishi extract may alleviate chemotherapy-induced nausea
(17). Adverse events reported include dry nose and throat, nausea, vomiting and other GI symptoms. Theoretically, Reishi can interfere with the actions of immunosuppressants, anticoagulants, and certain chemotherapeutic agents.
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 constiuents: 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. A number of its polysaccharides , such as beta glucans, have demonstrated antitumor and immunostimulating activities
(3). The adenosine in Reishi is thought to be responsible for the inhibition of platelet aggregation
(2) (4). Extracts of Reishi have demonstrated the ability to stimulate macrophages and to alter the levels of TNF and interleukins
(8) (10) (11) (12). Reishi can increase plasma antioxidant capacity
(14) (15) and has been shown to enhance immune response in advance-stage cancer patients
(13).
Adverse Reactions
Reported: Dry throat and nose, GI upset, itchiness, nausea, vomiting
Herb-Drug Interactions
Anticoagulant / Antiplatelets: Reishi may increase the risk of bleeding.
(9)Antihypertensives: Reishi may cause additive hypotensive effects.
Immunosuppressants: Reishi can enhance the immune responses.
(13)Chemotherapeutic Agents: Reishi can increase plasma antioxidant capacity
(14)
Lab Interactions
May prolong INR, PT and APTT
(9)
Literature Summary and Critique
References
- Huang K. The Pharmacology of Chinese Herbs, 2nd ed. New York: CRC Press; 1999.
- Hobbs C. Medicinal Mushrooms, 3rd ed. Loveland (CO): Interweave Press; 1996.
- 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;15:13-22.
- Shiao MS, et al. Natural products and biological activities of Ganoderma lucidum. Am Chem Soc 1994;342-54.
- van der Hem LG, et al. Ling Zhi-8: studies of a new immunomodulating agent. Transplantation 1995;60:438-43.
- Mizuno T, et al. Reishi, Ganoderma lucidum and Ganoderma tsugae: Bioactive substances and medicinal effects. FD Rev Inter 1995;11:151-66.
- Furusawa E, et al. Antitumor activity of Ganoderma lucidum, on intraperitoneally implant Lewis lung carcinoma in synergistic mice. Phytother Res 1992;6:300-4.
- Hsu MJ, Lee SS, Lin WW. Polysaccharide purified for Ganoderma lucidum inhibits spontaneous and Fas-mediated apoptosis in human neutrophils through activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/Akt signaling pathway. J Leukoc Biol 2002;72:207-16.
- Tao J, Feng KY. Experimental and clinical studies on inhibitory effect of ganoderma lucidum on platelet aggregation. J Tongji Med Univ. 1990;10(4):240-3.
- Gao Yihuai, et al. Mechanism of the antiulcerogenic effect of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides on indomethacin-induced lesions in the rat. Life Sci. 2002 Dec 27;72(6):731-45.
- Wang, Sheng-Yuan, et al. The anti-tumor effect of Ganoderma lucidum is mediated by cytokines released from activated macrophages and T lymphocytes. Int J Cancer. 1997 Mar 17;70(6):699-705.
- Chen HS, et al. Studies on the immuno-modulating and anti-tumor activities of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) polysaccharides. Bioorg Med Chem. 2004 Nov 1;12(21):5595-601.
- Gao Y, et al. Effects of ganopoly (a Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide extract) on the immune functions in advanced-stage cancer patients. Immunol Invest. 2003 Aug;32(3):201-15.
- Wachtel-Galor S, et al. Ganoderma lucidum ('Lingzhi'); acute and short-term biomarker response to supplementation. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2004 Feb;55(1):75-83.
- 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. 2004 Feb;91(2):263-9.
- Futrakul N, et al. Ganoderma lucidum suppresses endothelial cell cytotoxicity and proteinuria in persistent proteinuric focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) nephrosis. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc. 2004;31(4):267-72.
- Wang CZ, et al. Effects of ganoderma lucidum extract on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in a rat model.
Am J Chin Med 2005; 33(5):807-15.
