The use of Reishi as an herbal remedy dates back longer than any other medicinal mushroom in historic literature. The first written record can be found in Shen Nong's Herbal Classic, dating back two thousand years. Reishi (a.k.a. Ganoderma or Ling Zhi) is often considered a panacea " cure-all " in Traditional Chinese Medicine. While it may not be literally accurate to refer to Reishi as a cure-all, the fact that it appears to act as an inflammation modulator may be one of many reasons for its age-old veneration in the Orient.
In fact, Chinese medical practitioners have been prescribing Reishi extract for ages in cases of arthritis, bronchitis and other conditions involving any type of inflammation. Modern research in Asia as well as in America and Europe confirm the validity of these uses. Out of 19 papers used for this article, 17 reported positive results in the use or Reishi extract for arthritis. Only two were studies were inconclusive, both of which were conducted by the same research team.
Regarding anti-inflammatory properties in general, a study out of India (2003) demonstrated that Reishi decreased inflammation in cases of acute or chronic edema by 56% and 60% respectively. An earlier American study (1993) had already shown that, water extracts of G. pentaphyllum and G. lucidum [Reishi] were found to possess significant anti-inflammatory activity. In the references are seven additional papers listed which all conclude that Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) possesses potent anti-inflammatory qualities.
Other research has been conducted on Reishi extract that relate specifically to arthritis. In 2006, Kenneth Blum et al. published findings in support of both the effectiveness and safety of using Reishi extract for "joint health," providing "clinical evidence" to back up their claim.
The same year, another study summarized findings that Reishi in combination with a Chinese herbal remedy known as San-Miao-San demonstrated a positive "immunomodulatory effect" on rheumatoid arthritis. (Immunomodulatory = helps to balance immune response.)
Just how Reishi accomplishes its beneficial influence on arthritis may have been stumbled upon by Ho et al. in 2007 when they discovered that GL-PP [Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide peptide] helped to significantly reduce one of the causative agents of rheumatoid arthritis known as RASF, short for "Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovial Fibroblasts."
Several additional papers have been published that summarize positive results in the use of Reishi against arthritis. One even states that Reishi compares favorably to prednisone (drug used to treat inflammatory diseases), albeit without side effects. On the other hand, a separate study found that supplementing with Reishi helped balance the side effects of prednisolone* that were experienced by some patients, including protein in the urine and cell toxicity. (Prednisolone is the active compound of prednisone, which gets broken down by the liver and converted to prednisolone.)
In conclusion, the majority of research on the use of Reishi extract for inflammation or arthritis appears to support its effectiveness. Please remember that it is very important to always consult a licensed medical doctor before using any herb for medicinal purposes.
Name clarification: The Japanese name Reishi includes many closely related species. By far the most prevalent is Ganoderma lucidum (Common Reishi or Red Reishi), a species rare in the U.S. but common in South East Asia. The English common name for Ganoderma lucidum is Varnished Conk. In China, its known as Ling Zhi.
Several closely related species of Ganoderma also go by the name of "Reishi". Most common of these are the Hemlock Reishi (Ganoderma tsugae) found on Hemlocks in the Appalachian Mountains, and the Chinese species "Black Reishi" (Ganoderma sinense). Less common are Ganoderma resinaceum (sometimes called "Red Reishi," although that name is more often used for G. lucidum), Ganoderma neo-japonicum (no common name other than "Reishi"), and Ganoderma japonicum (Purple Reishi).
In fact, Chinese medical practitioners have been prescribing Reishi extract for ages in cases of arthritis, bronchitis and other conditions involving any type of inflammation. Modern research in Asia as well as in America and Europe confirm the validity of these uses. Out of 19 papers used for this article, 17 reported positive results in the use or Reishi extract for arthritis. Only two were studies were inconclusive, both of which were conducted by the same research team.
Regarding anti-inflammatory properties in general, a study out of India (2003) demonstrated that Reishi decreased inflammation in cases of acute or chronic edema by 56% and 60% respectively. An earlier American study (1993) had already shown that, water extracts of G. pentaphyllum and G. lucidum [Reishi] were found to possess significant anti-inflammatory activity. In the references are seven additional papers listed which all conclude that Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) possesses potent anti-inflammatory qualities.
Other research has been conducted on Reishi extract that relate specifically to arthritis. In 2006, Kenneth Blum et al. published findings in support of both the effectiveness and safety of using Reishi extract for "joint health," providing "clinical evidence" to back up their claim.
The same year, another study summarized findings that Reishi in combination with a Chinese herbal remedy known as San-Miao-San demonstrated a positive "immunomodulatory effect" on rheumatoid arthritis. (Immunomodulatory = helps to balance immune response.)
Just how Reishi accomplishes its beneficial influence on arthritis may have been stumbled upon by Ho et al. in 2007 when they discovered that GL-PP [Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide peptide] helped to significantly reduce one of the causative agents of rheumatoid arthritis known as RASF, short for "Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovial Fibroblasts."
Several additional papers have been published that summarize positive results in the use of Reishi against arthritis. One even states that Reishi compares favorably to prednisone (drug used to treat inflammatory diseases), albeit without side effects. On the other hand, a separate study found that supplementing with Reishi helped balance the side effects of prednisolone* that were experienced by some patients, including protein in the urine and cell toxicity. (Prednisolone is the active compound of prednisone, which gets broken down by the liver and converted to prednisolone.)
In conclusion, the majority of research on the use of Reishi extract for inflammation or arthritis appears to support its effectiveness. Please remember that it is very important to always consult a licensed medical doctor before using any herb for medicinal purposes.
Name clarification: The Japanese name Reishi includes many closely related species. By far the most prevalent is Ganoderma lucidum (Common Reishi or Red Reishi), a species rare in the U.S. but common in South East Asia. The English common name for Ganoderma lucidum is Varnished Conk. In China, its known as Ling Zhi.
Several closely related species of Ganoderma also go by the name of "Reishi". Most common of these are the Hemlock Reishi (Ganoderma tsugae) found on Hemlocks in the Appalachian Mountains, and the Chinese species "Black Reishi" (Ganoderma sinense). Less common are Ganoderma resinaceum (sometimes called "Red Reishi," although that name is more often used for G. lucidum), Ganoderma neo-japonicum (no common name other than "Reishi"), and Ganoderma japonicum (Purple Reishi).
About the Author:
Dr. Markho Rafael works as a herbal researcher and author since the mid 90's, specializing in medicinal mushrooms. Click this link for quality products and free articles on mycomedicinals. References: Go to this page, click on reference number.
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