We hear a lot about mushrooms but how many are aware of the fact that mushrooms too have a number of different forms! Have you ever heard of Ganoderma Lucidum mushroom? I’m sure most of you are unaware of this wonder mushroom. It contains more than 400 trace elements to maximize the body’s own healing abilities.
Commonly known as reishi mushroom, genoderma is the most alkaline food in the world. Its scientific name is Ganoderma Lucidum and it is species of red mushrooms. It has a documented history of over 200 years and is the most revered herb in traditional Chinese medicine. Ganoderma or reishi mushroom was earlier referred to as “Herb of Spiritual Potency” and the “Ten Thousand Year Mushroom”. Wealthy people in ancient times used this wonder mushroom in the hope of obtaining immortality and calmness.
Now this wonder herb is called the “King of the Herbs”. Ganoderma is believed to promote health and longevity. It has been long used in Chinese medicine for treating a number of diseases like body aches, cancer, and liver diseases. It is also prescribed for various psychiatric and neurological diseases.
Reishi mushroom is available in six different colors, but the red variety is most commonly cultivated and used. Reishi mushroom is not used for cooking as it has an extremely bitter taste. You may not find it in your grocery store or supermarket. They are only used for medicinal purposes.
Ganoderma was earlier grown only in the wild, but is now cultivated in special farms and gardens. It is cultivated using the tissue culture method. The process uses centrifugal separation technique to retain the nutrients.
Ganoderma contains a whopping 400 nutrients! The nutrients present in this amazing herb promote health and vitality. Some of the important nutrients are polysaccharides, antioxidants, adenosine, protein and alkaloids. It contains potassium, phosphorus, calcium, Vitamin A, C, E, D and B complex vitamins.
Researchers in China and Japan have found that the ganoderic acid present in ganoderma improves blood flow and lowers oxygen consumption in the heart muscle. It also lowers cholesterol and inhibits platelet clumping, which often leads to heart attack. Ganoderma prevents the buildup of plaque in the arteries. Plaque restricts blood flow by narrowing the passage within the arteries, resulting in atherosclerosis. A study has found that consuming ganoderma for 2 weeks can significantly lower blood pressure.
Ganoderma extract can significantly inhibit different types of allergic reaction, including asthma and dermatitis. Tritpenes, a compound found in ganoderma provides anti-viral and anti-allergic effects. It inhibits the histamine release, making the herb potentially useful for allergies. Polysaccharides improve the ability of antibodies to fight bacteria and viruses that cause allergic reaction. Ganoderma is useful for treating allergies caused due to atopic shock, dermatitis, hay fever, hives, and food and drug allergies.
This potent herb protects the liver from damage caused due to physical and biological factors. It also treats alcohol induced fatty liver and cirrhosis. Ganoderma can help people in the early stages of alcoholic liver diseases especially those who have not experienced severe loss of liver function. It also helps patients suffering from hepatitis B and elevated liver enzymes. Hepatitis B is quite difficult to clear from the body and its recurrence after treatment is high. The powerful compounds present in ganoderma accelerate the clearance of drugs and chemicals stored in the liver. The antioxidants present in ganoderma combats the free radicals, promoting liver regeneration.
Ganoderma eliminates the toxins accumulated in the body due to excess intake of medicines and junk food. It promotes the efficient synthesis of bile and fatty acids, promoting faster detoxification of the chemicals from the body. Moreover, it enhances the body’s ability to take in more than 1.5 times oxygen. Ganoderma rapidly oxygenates the body and adjusts its pH value.
Kidney disease includes chronic nephritis, diabetic renal syndrome, and nephritis. It occurs due to high blood sugar and cholesterol levels in the body. Overloaded kidney prevents the blood from reaching the renal capillaries. This causes fatigue, urine retention and uremia. Ganoderma lowers proteinuria and cholesyerolemia, maintaining proper renal function.
Chinese herbalists have traditionally recommended Ganoderma for its sleep promoting properties. Regular usage of ganorderma can promote a slow wave of sleep.
In Japan, dried Ganoderma is recommended for the treatment of neuroses caused by environmental stress. A study also found that regular intake Ganoderma can help patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. It provides a calming effect, which is neither a narcotic nor hypnotic.
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