GANODERMA/REISHI REFERENCES/RESEARCH
GANODERMA/REISHI REFERENCES/RESEARCH
Ganoderma Lucidum (English), Reishi(Japanese), Lingzhi (Chinese)
*Anti-tumor and immunoregulatory activities of Ganoderma lucidum / Reishi and its possible mechanisms. ( Lin ZB, Zhang HN) Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center,Beijing, China. Abstract: Ganoderma lucidum (G lucidum) is a medicinal fungus with a variety of biological activities. It has long been used as a folk remedy for promotion of health and longevity in China and other oriental countries. The most attractive character of this kind of medicinal fungus is its immunomodulatory and anti-tumor activities. Large numbers of studies have shown that G lucidum modulate many components of the immune system such as the antigen-presenting cells, NK cells, T and B lymphocytes. The water extract and the polysaccharides fraction of Ganoderma lucidum exhibited significant anti-tumor effect in several tumor-bearing animals mainly through its immunoenhancing activity. Recent studies also showed that the alcohol extract or the triterpene fraction of G lucidum possessed anti-tumor effect, which seemed to be related to the cytotoxic activity against tumor cells directly. Preliminary study indicated that antiangiogenic effect may be involved antitumor activity of G lucidum.
*The Actions of Reishi Polysaccharides
Ganoderma lucidum / Reishi is officially listed as a substance for treating cancer by the Japanese government.
In comparison to its other properties, Reishi has received the most attention as a source of anti-tumor activity. This action is due to immunostimulating polysaccharides, particularly those known as Beta-D-Glucans.
Dr. Fukumi Morishige, M.D., Dr. Med. Sci., Ph.D., a former heart surgeon and cancer surgeon, did extensive research on the action of Reishi on the immune system. He gave two groups of patients Reishi extracts. In those patients who had shown high readings of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgE, IgM), their counts had lowered, while those who previously had low counts now showed the same antibodies in higher counts.
In 1979, researchers in Poland found that an RNA from Reishi disrupts viral diseases by inducing the production of interferon. This RNA was found in the fruit body of Reishi and in higher levels in the mycelium.
Ganoderma lucidum / Reishi Polysaccharides increase RNA and DNA in the bone marrow where immune cells such as lymphocytes are made. One of the active polysaccharides is called D6. Researchers in Beijing injected it into mice for a week and then monitored the changes in DNA and RNA in the bone marrow. Increases were roughly 50%. Protein in bone marrow also increased by as much as 28.5%.
It is in the bone marrow that the body manufactures B-cells which in turn produce antibodies. It is also where macrophages have some of their earliest beginnings.
Investigators in China found that the polysaccharide part of Reishi causes a marked increase in the action of macrophages to gobble up foreign cells in the abdomen of mice.
Dr. Morishige discovered that vitamin C renders the high molecular weight polysaccharides into oligoglucans of molecular weight about 30,000. He explains that once the oligoglucans are dissolved in the bloodstream, the macrophage, which normally rests until late in the war on abnormal and foreign cells, is called into action at an earlier stage of the battle.
Reishi polysaccharides also augments the responsiveness of antibodies, particularly IgG, by expanding the "memory" of T-cells. IgG constitutes a major class of antibodies in human serum that act to enhance phagocytosis (the cell-gobbling action of certain immune cells) and neutralize toxins.
AIDS treatment news, a newsletter out of San Francisco, talks about research conducted on Fu Zheng treatment of AIDS by Dr. Subhuti Dharmananda and his group. Reishi is one of the herbs that appears to be used successfully.
Another Japanese study showed that long-term application of Ganoderma / Reishi promoted deep, slow-wave sleep in insomniacs. It has also been used to treat neurasthenia, a condition common in chronic fatigue syndrome. Cardiovascular benefits: during the 1980's Japanese scientists identified over 100 ganoderic acids (triterpenes) in Reishi mushrooms. Numerous studies in Japan, Russia and China have demonstrated marked cholesterol lowering abilities of these substances in humans, as well as other circulatory benefits. Ganoderic acids in Reishi extracts have also been found to be highly effective as anti-inflammatory agents, and in the treatment of severe liver problems. There have been extensive work, with considerable success, using Reishi in combination with Vitamin C to treat cancer.
*How to use Ganoderma lucidum / Reishi Polysaccharide
Reishi polysaccharides have high molecular weights of up to 1,050,000, which makes absorptiion by the intestines difficult. Dr. Fukumi Morishige, M.D. found that patients given large doses of Reishi (2-9g/day) had diarrhea, but when a large dose of vitamin C was combined, no diarrhea occurred. Vitamin C renders the high molecular weight polysaccharides to a molecular weight of 30,000 when they are much more readily absorbed by the intestines and bloodstream.
For general health maintenance and prevention:
take 1 Reishi Polysaccharide capsules twice per day on an empty stomach. Also take 1000 mg of Vitamin C per day after breakfast (can take up to 8,000mg per day, at 1,000mg per time).
When a serious illness occurs, increase the dosage to 4 capsules of Reishi Polysaccharide in the morning and 4 Reishi mycelium capsules at night on an empty stomach. Also take 2,000-3,000 mg of Vitamin C per day after meals.
(Some people may experience Vertigo Reaction when they first take Reishi. During the first week, they may experience slight swelling of the head or dizziness. Arthritis patient may experienced a temporary increase in the pain level. This is a cleansing reaction, often called a "healing crisis". Continue to take Reishi and the symptoms will be alleviated within a week)