What is 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
Ganoderma is the name given to a genus of polypores, which can be found growing on wood. This genus can easily be differentiated from the other polypores, since it has a double walled basidiospore. Ganoderma genus can be divided into two sections, namely Ganoderma (with a shiny cap surface, like Ganoderma lucidum) and Elfvingia (with a dull cap surface, like Ganoderma applanatum). The recognition of ganoderma can be credited to the fact that it boasts of a number of healing properties and has been known to accord a number of health benefits to its users.
Ganoderma Lucidum is the scientific name for a species of Red Mushrooms and is said to be more powerful than Ginseng. Known as the “Miraculous King of Herbs”, Ganoderma (also known as Lingzhi in China; *Reishi in Japan and Youngchi in Korea) is listed as a Superior Herb in Sheng Nong’s Pharmacopeia, an ancient Chinese Herbal Text dating back over 2,000 years.
