The word Lingzhi (in chinese, Reishi - in Japanese), means "herb of spiritual potency" and has also been described as "mushroom of immortality". Lingzhi is one of the form of Ganoderma lucidum, known for its miraculous health benefits.

Lingzhi has been used in traditional Asian medicine for over 2,000 years. Since ancient times, it has been dedicated to emperiors and royalties. Red Reishi (Lingzhi) has been ranked as a number one most beneficial and nature's rarest herb even before Ginseng, because of its following qualities:

1. It is non-toxic and can be taken daily without producing any side effects.
2. When it is taken regularly, it can restore the body to its natural state, enabling all organs to function normally.
3. Immune modulator - regulates and fine tunes the immune system.

Lingzhi is the only known source of a group of triterpenes, known as ganoderic acids, which have a molecular structure similar to steroid hormones. It is a source of biologically active polysaccharides with presumed medicinal properties, and it also contains:

• ergosterol
• coumarin
• mannitol
• lactones
• alkaloids
• unsaturated fatty acids
• vitamins and minerals.

Unlike many other mushrooms, which have up to 90% water content, fresh Lingzhi only contains about 75% water.

Numerous studies of lingzhi, mainly in China, Korea, Japan and the United States, have shown its effectiveness in the treatment of a very wide range of diseases and symptoms. But the studies have not given any explanation of exactly how lingzhi has so many diverse effects, because none of the known active components taken alone have produced results as powerful as the intake of lingzhi itself, suggesting synergy is important. For example, reports of lingzhi's effect on stamina, appetite, and other human conditions are largely anecdotal and haven't been studied scientifically. It is perhaps more comprehensible at this time to explain lingzhi's "miraculous powers" from the traditional Chinese medicine point of view.

Observations have shown that lingzhi generally has only slight side effects and can be consumed in high doses, in parallel with other medications. Its main properties are adaptogenic which mean that it is nontoxic, it works in a generalized manner on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the neuroendocrine system. Its actions are alterative, enhance the immune system and lessen nervous tension. These properties are conducive to normalizing and balancing the body (homeostasis and allostasis), and as a result, lingzhi is able to help the body cure a multitude of disease states from within.

There has been research showing lingzhi an effective supplement during chemotherapy or radiotherapy to reduce side-effects such as fatigue, loss of appetite, hair loss, bone marrow suppression and risk of infection. Ganodermas was shown effective against fatigue, hair loss, and bone marrow suppression. There is similar clinical evidence for other glucan BRMs applied in the setting of cancer chemotherapy or radiotherapy, lending further support to the supplementation of Ganoderma in combination with cytotoxic cancer therapies. The recommended dose should be in the range of five to ten grams of fruiting body or equivalent per day.

For scientific studies done on Reishi please see the Research section.