Biomedical Sciences Research Paper

Reishi Mushroom: The Mushroom of Immortality

From Modern Science to Ancient lore
Written by Daniel Rueger April 29th 2011

Reishi Mushroom: The Mushroom of Immortality From Ancient lore to Modern Science

They Dose themselves with the germ of gold and jade, eat the finest fruit of the purple polypore fungus. By eating what is germinal their bodies are lightened, And so they are capable of spiritual transcendence. Wang Chung (Willard). For thousands of years, the legendary Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma Lucidium), also known by such names as; Ling zhi, Herb of Spiritual Potency, Mushroom of Immortality, Ten-thousand Year Mushroom, Good Omen Plant, Miraculous Chi, Auspicious Herb, Holy Mushroom, among many others, has been sought out by many for its health benefits and the magical powers associated with it. This herb comes from the original roots of Oriental Medicine and is of great historical significance, being depicted in heavenly art work through out the orient (Willard 7-18). In the following pages you will be guided through the ancient lore of this miraculous substance, full of myths and marvelous stories, into our modern day laboratories with brand new leading edge western scientific exploration of the validity of these claims and why this medicine is just as appropriate for our times as it was in the far past, and maybe even more so now then ever before. More then two thousand years ago the legendary emperor Shen Nong (The Divine Farmer) described three classes of herbs in the original classic of Chinese Medicine, The Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, or the The Divine Farmers Materia Medica Classic. In this

classic three classes of herbalism are described. The first class called the Inferior Herbs are used to treat sickness, are associated with Earth, have strong medicinal effects and should not be taken for long periods of time due to side effects. The second class or General Herbs are used for their medicinal and preventative effectiveness. They correspond to Human and are generally safe, but care is needed in prescribing them. The third class, or the Superior Herbs Class are the rulers, and they correspond to Heaven. They are not used as medicines but as longevity herbs to promote long healthy life. These herbs are said to aid in attaining long life, building and protecting the three treasures (Jing, Qi and Shen), giving broad and profound health benefits, bestowing long term cumulative effects and no side effects when used reasonably, bringing balance to ones emotional and psychic energy, thereby improving ones spiritual life as well, and they must taste good enough to use daily and be easily digested and assimilated. These herbs are considered food grade and are used to supplement the diet. Of the 365 herbs,minerals and animal products in Shen Nongs materia medica, Reishi was considered to be number one, surpassing even Ginseng (Teeguarden 67-74). In modern TCM we use Ling Zhi to nourish the heart and calm the spirit. It is believed that when the heart is not adequately nourished the spirit gets restless which manifests as anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, dream disturbed sleep, etc... However, it was used in the past, and is still used today for a multitude of other things. Reishi was said by the ancients to aid in spiritual development and uplift all aspects of ones life. Ron Teeguarden writes that it has routinely been used by mountain hermits, monks, Taoist adepts, and spiritual seekers throughout Asia because it was believed to help calm the mind, ease tension, strengthen the nerves, improve memory, sharpen concentration and

focus, build will power, and, as a result, help build wisdom (89). Today it is still widely believed that this mushroom can improve ones entire life experience by improving ones own inner state of being. For these reasons it is no wonder why the ancient spiritual seekers called it the Herb of Spiritual Potency. I believe these claims to be true from my own experience with this mushroom and from the fact that much scientific evidence shows its ability to bring about balance in a person, this concept of balance being the entire foundation of the spiritual path of Taoism, or the way of the Tao. From what I have found, this balancing ability of Reishi comes from its ability to both raise deficiencies and lower excesses depending on ones personal needs in the moment. Reishi is said to have double directional activity, lowering an over active immune system and raising a deficient one, giving you energy if you are depleted, and calming you if you are hyperactive, raising the sexual energy if it is lacking and settling it if it is to high. I believe this herb has a balancing effect in general and it gives me an overall sense of well being when I use it. Ron Teeguarden states that, Ganoderma has double-direction activity. It significantly improves the functioning of the immune system whether the immune system is deficient or excessive. It is thus called an immune modulator. Reishi does not just stimulate the immune system. It regulates it. This is what makes it so precious. If the immune system is overactive, as in the case of autoimmune diseases and allergies, Reishi can reduce the excesses (88). A peer reviewed journal article I found through pub med validates this claim saying that Most of the studies demonstrated that G lucidum possessed the immune-enhancing action, while some other studies showed that G lucidum also could down-regulate the excessive immune function (LIN1 1389). What a wonder, a naturally occurring medicine infused

with natures wisdom of the ability to adjust up and downward and create balance on both sides. Now being excepted by both the eastern wisdom and the western science as a balance and health bearing substance, I feel that Reishi should be continually studied and utilized more often in western medical practices. LIN1 and ZANG concluded their article by stating that All of the above studies clearly showed the G lucidum possessed immunomodulatory and anti-tumor potentials (1393). Talk about an herb just as appropriate for our time as it was in the times of the ancients, offering us such balance and protection against forces and imbalances that could potentially cause us much harm. Ron Teegaurden concludes his Reishi chapter by saying that Reishi is indeed the supreme protector, protecting us on every levelphysically, immunalogically, mentally, spiritually. It helps us adapt to the world and provides additional power to achieve a superior level of life. When things are so protected and so provided for, we can achieve things that would otherwise be impossible. That is why Reishi has been called the Herb of Good Fortune (89-90). I feel very blessed to live in a time where we have access to both the mystical tales and lore of our ancestors and the scientific evidence to confirm what they were saying. A time where the once rare and auspicious medicines can be obtained by nearly any one due to our modern cultivation techniques, and not reserved for only the royal and spiritual adepts. May we learn to utilize the wisdom of those who have gone before us and infuse this knowledge into our modern world and medicine practices. May we protect ourselves on all levels and learn to find balance in our lives with both ourselves and all of nature. May we be happy and healthy.

Works Cited LIN1, Zhi-bin and ZHANG, Hui-na. Anti-tumor and immunoregulatory activities of Ganoderma lucidum and its possible mechanisms. Acta Pharmacologica Sinica Chinese Pharmacological Society Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nov 2004, 25 (11): 1387-1395. Willard, Terry Ph.D. Reishi Mushroom: Herb of Spiritual Potency and Medicinal Wonder. Washington: Sylvan Press, 1990. Teeguarden, Ron. Radiant Health: The Ancient Wisdom of the Chinese Tonic Herbs. New York: Warner Books, Inc., 1998.