Ganoderma Uses

The Ganoderma mushroom, also known as Reishi mushroom, Lingzhi or the mushroom of immortality, is used in alternative medicine to treat a variety of diseases and conditions, including cancers, autoimmune disorders and infections. While some studies on the efficacy of Ganoderma offer inconclusive results, Ganoderma, either alone or part of an herbal compound, remains a popular resource for those seeking alternatives to traditional medicine.

Ganoderma and Cancers

• Ganoderma has been embraced as a means of strengthening immune functions in cancer patients. According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Ganoderma appears to stimulate the production of macrophages and increase antioxidant capacity. In patients suffering from prostate cancers, Sloan-Kettering reports that lower urinary tract symptoms improve with use of Ganoderma extracts.

Ganoderma and Autoimmune Disorders

• Ganoderma has also been investigated as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. The National Institutes of Health Clinical Trials database reports that Ganoderma, used alone and in combination with herbs such as ginseng, may reduce joint pain and swelling associated with arthritis.

Ganoderma for Infections and Inflammation

• Because of its apparent antioxidant- and immunity-boosting properties, Ganoderma's uses include treating the symptoms of viral infections, herpes zoster, inflammatory diseases and chronic fatigue syndrome. Sloan-Kettering reports that taken alone in supplement form or as part of an inflammation-fighting herbal compound, Ganoderma's active ingredients are also believed to lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

Cautions and Considerations

• The NIH's National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine cautions that Ganoderma extract can cause adverse reactions, including itching, gastrointestinal distress and dry throat. The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database also warns that not all uses of this and other natural medicines are supported by reliable research, and that supplement quality and strength can vary widely. Ganoderma extract may also interfere with some prescribed medications, so Sloan-Kettering recommends consulting health care practitioners about its use.