Botanical name and description

Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) is a macrofungus in the medicinal

mushroom family that grows mainly on hardwood trees as decayers, or

symbiotics (3,1), and is known by different names in various cultures. In Japan, it

is commonly called “Reishi,” which translates to “spiritual potency.” In China, it is

referred to as “Lingzhi,” meaning “divine mushroom,” and in Korea, it is called

“Youngzhi,” meaning “mushroom of immortality” (2). The appearance of Reishi is

fan-shaped or semicircular, with a dark red or brown hue, ochre-coloured edges,

and light brown esh, and the name “Lucidum” comes from the Latin root,

meaning ‘bright’, or shiny (1). Reishi grows on the stumps of deciduous hardwoodtrees such as oak, maple, magnolia, or acacia, and is found in temperate climates

such as Europe, Asia, and North America (3). Reishi is dried, ground down, and

turned into tablets, capsules, teas, broths, and tinctures, and is widely used

around the world today for various health conditions and ailments (4).

History and traditional use

Long known as the “mushroom of immortality”, Reishi has been used to promote

well-being and longevity since ancient times in traditional Chinese, Japanese and

Korean medicine (5). The use of Reishi was rst recorded over 2000 years ago in

Shen Nong’s Materia Medica to enhance vitality, strengthen the immune system,

and extend the lifespan (5). Many Emperors and Chinese nobility consumed

Reishi daily as a tonic, especially during times of stress (4). In the Daoist and

Buddhist religions, Reishi was used in many spiritual practices to achieve

immortality and spiritual enlightenment and was often used during meditations

to calm the mind and improve focus (7). The use of Ganoderma lucidim spread

from China to Japan and became an integral part of Japanese medicine for its

anti-ageing properties with the word “Reishi” translating to “10,000-year

mushroom” (7).

Actions and usage today

Today, Ganoderma lucidum is known for its diverse pharmacological properties,

such as anticancer, hypoglycaemic, immunomodulatory, cytotoxic, hypotensive,

anti-inammatory, apoptogenic and antioxidant effects, mainly attributed to its

triterpenes and polysaccharides (2,5). These compounds are primarily

responsible for Reishi’s anticancer actions by suppressing cell proliferation,

metastasis, and invasion, while promoting apoptosis, and stimulating the

immune system (5). Naturopaths and herbalists today use Reishi to treat various

conditions, including neurasthenia, prolonged illness-related debility, insomnia,

anorexia, dizziness, chronic hepatitis, high cholesterol, hypertension, chronic

fatigue syndrome, cancer support and bronchial coughs in the elderly (3).

Additionally, Reishi is used to support conditions such as arthritis, asthma,

diabetes, and lingering pathogens (post-viral fatigue), whether they be viral,

bacterial, or fungal in nature (3).

Science and clinical trialsRecent scientic research has identied around 400 bioactive compounds in

Ganoderma lucidum responsible for the many therapeutic actions recorded (5).

Pharmaceutical researchers are actively investigating the chemical and biological

properties of Reishi for potential new drug formulations based on recent studies

conrming Reishi’s benets for preventing and treating gastrointestinal, and

extraintestinal diseases, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and microbial

infections (7).

In recent studies, Reishi has shown promise in treating metabolic disorders such

as diabetes and obesity due to its blood sugar and cardiometabolic regulating

properties, and there is current interest in its potential role in preventing and

treating coronavirus infections based on the inhibitory effects in-vitro (1,6). Reishi

is considered an untapped natural source of novel bioactive compounds with

signicant value in industry and medicine, particularly in drug development for

infectious diseases in Africa (3). Numerous bioactive components isolated from

Reishi are currently under investigation for their potent antiviral, antibacterial, and

antifungal properties against emerging diseases (3,7).

It all begins with an idea.

I’VE BEEN TRIALLING IT!

It’s close to 6 weeks since I started a herbal alternative to Ozempic® for weight-loss and the results have been very positive thus far. I am on half of the recommended daily dose and have noticed my blood sugar stabilise and food cravings/chatter decrease immensely. This is helping me to make better food choices that are high in protein and healthy fats, and lower in carbohydrates. I have also noticed increased energy and reduced stress levels throughout the day. There are many natural weight loss alternatives on the market but the reality is that most of them DO NOT WORK! However this medicinal plant shares the same mechanisms of action as Ozempic® and other semaglutide based drugs on the market today. Get in quick!

Flick me an email to find out more and make your appointment amy.sartorel@gmail.com

REBATES RETURNING FOR NATUROPATHS

After years of lobbying, private health insurance rebates for Naturopathy are set to be reinstated in Australia. This is exciting news for our profession and for you as a patient. I’ll keep you posted on when this becomes official so you can start claiming rebates again! This marks a significant milestone in restoring fairness, accessibility, and recognition to Naturopathic medicine for our patients. It will depend on your particular fund, but most Australian private health insurance funds will soon include Naturopathy as a part of health extras cover. Stay tuned!