Reishi (Ganoderma tsugae)

 

The Reishi Mushroom has been written about for centuries in ancient Chinese herbal texts. The Reishi Mushroom, also known as (Ling Zhi, Red Reishi or Ganoderma tsugae), is often referred to as the mushroom of immortality.

 

As a bit of an aside: there are two species of mushrooms referred to as reishi- G. tsugae and G. lucidum. We gather and process only the former as they grow wild in our region. Good authorities lump the two, in terms of medicinal properties, under the name-  reishi.

 

We control every aspect of the gatherering and processing of our ForestDryad double extraction. Our extraction agents are: certified organic sugarcane alcohol and deep artesian well water. Although Reishi has been cultivated for over 30 years and many reishi products are based upon those cultivars, our Reishi is exclusively wild gathered in the NE United States. The historical records only discuss the benefits of Wild Reishi, hence our decision to use only wild material.

 

 

Because of its hepatoprotective and immune boosting capabilities, it is a frequently prescribed drug among cancer and HIV patients in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine); particularly for patients under chemotherapy treatment as it is claimed to prevent several side effects of such forms of cancer treatment.    Since Ganoderma tsugae enhances the levels of the brain’s neurotransmitter, serotonin, TCM considers it essential in reducing anxiety, improving memory and concentration, and improving one’s overall mental health. The literature also cites anti-ageing properties, and it can thus be used in reducing the appearance of age spots, blemishes and fine lines.

 

Literally hundreds of peer-reviewed papers address G. tsugae. Here is a small portion of an abstract of a paper focused on myocardial injury stress reduction: “The triterpenoid fraction of G. tsugae, composed of a mixture of nine structurally related ganoderic acids (GAs), provided cardio-protection by inhibiting the ISO-induced expression of Fas/Fas ligand, oxidative stress, and apoptosis.” Other papers address such medical areas such as anti-tumor, wound healing, and significant proliferation and migration of fibroblast cells. These papers focus on the Triterpenoids and the polysaccharide, and glycan components of extractions. Recent papers have also emphasized the life extension aspects of reishi. These mice lived 9% to 20% longer under a Reishi regimen.

 

Throughout the literature we find that the combined hot-water/ alcohol extraction technique we use produces the most favored results.

 

Our  Double extract of reishi  provides , among the  greater than 100 different types of polysaccarides: Beta-D glucans, Gamma -D mannans, Heteropoly saccerides, and Glycoproteins.  Also provided are, among the greater than 200 identified  Terpenes:  Ling Zhi-8, a number of ganodermic acids, and a series of ergosterols.

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