Ganoderma, Ling Zhi 灵芝

Ganoderma
Ling Zhi (TCM)
Shing sha mang ཤིང་ཤ་ཤ་མང་ (Tibet)

Bulk Ganoderma Ling Zhi at the Chengdu Medicine Market (Adam, 2010)

Botanical name:

Ganoderma lucidum, G. sinensis (syn. G. japonicum)
Other species reportedly used synonymously include G. tenue and G. capense.
A number of different Ganoderma are available on the Chinese market, all sold as varieties of Ling Zhi.
One Chinese classic says “There are 120 species of them”.

Traditional Chinese texts list a number of varieties of Ling Zhi:
–Qing Zhi (“Blue-Green Ganoderma”) from Taishan Mountain
–Chi Zhi (“Red Ganoderma”) from Huoshan Mountain.
–Huang Zhi (“Yellow Ganoderma”) from Songshan Mountain.
–Bai Zhi (“White Ganoderma”) from Huashan Mountain.
–Hei Zhi (“Black Ganoderma”) from Changshan Mountain
–Zi Zhi (“Purple Ganoderma”) from the valley of Gaoxia Mountain

“The above six Ganodermas are ‘herbs for the Immortals.’ They are rare in our secular world. There are many varieties of them. They differ from each other in shapes”. (Tao Hong Jing)

Parts used:

Dried sporophore (Fungii)
The spore powder in now also available.

Temperature & Taste:

Neutral. Sweet

Classification:

G. Sedate the Heart, Mind and Spirit

Uses:

1. Tonifies Qi, Nourishes Blood:

-low energy, poor appetite
-Consumption, Shortness of Breath from deficiency
-traditionally to strengthen the tendons and bones
-Leukopenia; used as an Immune stimulant
-proven effective in Neurasthenia
-“Brightens the Eyes” (Shen Nong Ben Cao)
-“treats Amnesia and strengthens the Memory”. (Tang Ben Cao)

2. Calms Mind and Spirit, Benefits the Heart:

-Insomnia, Palpitations, Forgetfulness
-Fright
-more recently for Hypertension and high cholesterol
-“makes one to be virtuous and benevolent”. (Shen Nong Ben Cao)
-“enhances one’s Will power and makes one bold and brave, and pacifies the Soul”. (Shen Nong Ben Cao)

3. Strengthens the Lungs, Stops Cough and Wheezing:

-Cough, Wheezing from deficiency or Phlegm
-ashes used for pain and obstruction of the Throat (Tibet)

4. Clears Damp, Resists Poison, Resolves Masses:

-Tumors, Cancer
-Scleroderma, Lupus erythematosus
-proven effect in Chronic Hepatitis
-used against Poisons, and for Wounds (Tibet)

Red Ling Zhi
-strengthens the Heart, relieves Chest obstruction
-tonifies the Organs
-increases Wisdom, improves Memory
-“Long-term use of the drug makes one feel happy and vigorous and enjoy a long life like an immortal”. (Shen Nong Ben Cao)

Yellow Ling Zhi
-strerngthens Spleen
-calms the Mind
-“It makes one loyal and trustful, harmonious and happy”.

White Ling Zhi:
-strengthens the Lungs
-good for Cough and Dyspnoea

Black Ling Zhi:
-strengthens the Kidneys
-promotes Urine, treats Urinary retention
-brightens the Eyes, benefits the Ears

Purple Ling Zhi:
-tonifies Essence, treats Consumption
-benefits Tendons and Bones, strengthens the Joints
-treats Deafness

Dose:

Decoction: 6–15 grams
Powder: 1500mg–3 grams.
The spores of Ganoderma Ling Zhi are also used similarly, given in doses of 1–3 grams

Comment:

1. Ganoderma Ling Zhi has similar effects to other wood-rot fungii including Phellinus spp., Ganoderma applanatum, Fomes formentarius etc. It has immuno-stimulating and anti-tumor activity. While this is not a traditional use of Ganoderma Ling Zhi, it is important to note this correlation.
2. Some moderns sources have suggested the White Ling Zhi may be the White Agaric of the West.

Main Combinations:

Dioscorea Shan Yao was said to be the best guiding drug for all 5 types of Ganoderma.

1. Insomnia, Palpitations, Forgetfulness:
i. Ganoderma Ling Zhi with Dang Gui, Zizyphus seed Suan Zao Ren
ii. Ganoderma Ling Zhi with Acanthopanax Ci Wu Jia, Schisandra Wu Wei Zi, Zizyphus seed Suan Zao Ren
2. Fatigue and weakness:
i. as a stand-alone herb, 3 grams per day for 1–2 months had an effectiveness of around 85%.
ii. and pale complexion from Qi and Blood deficiency, Ganoderma Ling Zhi with Astragalus Huang Qi, Dang Gui
iii. with poor appetite and loose stool, Ganoderma Ling Zhi with Atractylodes Bai Zhu, Codonopsis Dang Shen, Poria Fu Ling, Citrus Chen Pi.
iv. in the elderly, Ganoderma Ling Zhi with Rehmannia Shu Di Huang, Lycium Gou Qi Zi (Goji), Cornus Shan Zhu Yu, Dodder seed (Tu Si Zi)
v. severe, Ganoderma Ling Zhi with Ginseng, Cordyceps (Dong Chong Xia Cao), Lycium Gou Qi Zi (Goji),
3. Tonic for the Heart and Mind, to enhance mental function and strengthen in chronic weakness, Ganoderma Ling Zhi, Walnut, Ginseng, Lycium Gou Qi Zi, Achyranthes Niu Xi, Dodder seed (Tu Si Zi), Cinnamon, Schisandra Wu Wei Zi
4. Chronic Cough and Wheezing:
i. from Qi Deficiency, Ganoderma Ling Zhi with Codonopsis Dang Shen and Licorice
ii. Ganoderma Ling Zhi with Codonopsis Dang Shen, Schisandra Wu Wei Zi, Ginger, Pinellia Ban Xia
iii. Lung and Kidney deficiency, Ganoderma Ling Zhi with Cordyceps (Dong Chong Xia Cao), Walnut
5. Consumption, Wasting, Ganoderma Ling Zhi with Ginseng and Rehmannia Sheng Di Huang
6. To increase Immunity, Ganoderma Ling Zhi with Astragalus Huang Qi
7. As a general Health Tonic:
i. Ganoderma Ling Zhi, Cannabis seed, Chinese Wax Gourd seed (Bai Gua Zi), Chinese Cassia bark. (from Zu Zhi Cai)
ii. Ganoderma Ling Zhi, Ginseng, Lycium Gou Qi (“Goji berry”)
iii. Ganoderma Ling Zhi, Schisandra Wu Wei Zi, Ginseng (mixed into an Electuary with Honey)
8. Tumors:
i. Ganoderma Ling Zhi with Poria Fu Ling, Astragalus
ii. Ganoderma Ling Zhi with Dodder, Polypody

Cautions:

None noted
Some sources say it should not be used in diseases of Excess.

Click the above Tabs for more information on this medicine

1. Anti-inflammatory
2. Antioxidant
3. Antibacterial
4. Anti-histamine:
5. Anti-tumor, Anti-Cancer
–reduces fatigue, anxiety, depression in cancer patients
6. Hepato-protective; used for chronic Liver disease and Hepatitis
7. Cardiotonic: hypotensive and anti-thrombotic; improves ECG and decreases shortness of breath in heart patients.
8. Immunomodulating: enhances NK cells
9. CNS sedating effect; effective for mild insomnia and anxiety.
10. Neuroprotective.
(Medicinal Mushrooms A Clinical Guide – 2nd Ed., Powell, 2014)

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