About Ganoderma

Ganoderma is the common name of a species of fungus, Ganoderma lucidum, also known as lingzhi or red mushroom. The fungus is used in many forms of traditional Asian medicine and is believed to have considerable healing powers. Medical studies conducted with the mushroom suggest that it does have some medicinal applications, but the understanding of why it works or what it treats remains a mystery.
The mushroom grows parasitically on the lower trunk of trees, particularly deciduous varieties such as maples. Although it grows all over the world, it is extremely rare in nature, although it is now cultivated for commercial use. In appearance, ganoderma morphs from growth to growth. Typically it is brown or red-brown in color, but many other hues have been observed.



For thousands of years, the fungus has been considered by Asian medical practitioners to be one of the most superior medicinal plants in the world. It was once reserved for use by royalty, said to increase longevity. It is also believed to be anti-inflammatory, immuno-therapeutic and even anti-tumor. One Japanese study injected extract of the mushroom into mice with cancer resulting in a 50% tumor drop after ten days of treatment.