Ganoderma lucidum - Research Paper Example

Ganoderma Lucidum;Heath Benefits and Medicinal Uses Ganoderma Lucidum; Health Benefits and Medicinal Uses Guylante Jules Miami Dade College Ganoderma Lucidum;Heath Benefits and Medicinal Uses 2 Abstract Known by many names Ganoderma Lucidum has been used medicinally for over 4,000 thousand years in China as well as by the Mayan Indians of Mexico and Central America.

Indian Himalayan guides have used this mushroom for hundreds of years to combat altitude sickness. More commonly known in North America as Reishi it is one of the most highly sought after medicinal supplements for promoting longevity, general health, and a stronger immune system. In traditional Chinese medicine it is highly regarded and referred to as “the spirit medicine.” .In North America,the use of Reishi has become widespread among immunocompromised individuals looking for natural medicine.

Ganoderma Lucidum;Heath Benefits and Medicinal Uses 3 IntroductionIn ancient times due to its rarity and limited supply, Ganoderma, was usually almost exclusively reserved for royalty, emperors and kings (Ganoderma-online, 2012).Thanks to modern and strain specific cultivation techniques, Reishi is more affordable to produce and its accessible more to the average consumer. There are many potential health benefits and medicinal uses for long term users of Ganoderma Lucidum General Heath Benefits and Medicinal Uses Modern research supports the myriad of naturally occurring medicinal and health enhancing compounds present in the Ganoderma mushroom family.

Reishi consumed as a long-term health supplement is widely used for its ability to prevent many common health maladies that might affect the individual in the future (Staments, 1993). This fungi is well known for its immune system enhancing properties, its ability to ward of infections and regulate blood pressure, increase liver glucose metabolism as well as and normalizing blood glucose levels (Ganodermalucidumfacts, 2013).There are many ways to use Ganoderma such as in extract form, tea or a pill, but drinking Reishi mushroom in coffee form has become a very popular way to consume due the naturally bitter taste of its medicinal compounds similar in taste to plain coffee (Superganoderma, 2013).

Some other potential health and life enhancing properties of consuming of Ganoderma on a regular basis are: (Ganodermalucidum-reishi, 2014):Detoxification Ganoderma Lucidum contains compounds that encourage intra-cellular detoxification by accelerating and energizing cellular processes to help get rid of accumulated toxins within the cell membrane and the nucleus.Ganoderma Lucidum;Heath Benefits and Medicinal Uses 4Cancer Prevention/Immune system By enhancing the user’s immune system and helping eliminate the body from accumulated toxins preventing the body from healing and operating normally, Reishi enhances the ability of the immune system to fight of the cancer cells.

The polysaccharides and Germanium compounds present in the fungal body are largely responsible for the anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties present on Ganoderma Lucidum. Ganoderma is also known for lessening the negative effects of chemotherapy such as nausea, fatigue, appetite loss, toxicity, hair loss, pain and risk of infection. It can help improve the quality of life and well-being of non-terminal and terminal cancer patients as well.High Source of Anti-Oxidants Regular Reishi use helps prevent and minimize free-radical cellular damage by helping prevent cancer, coronary heart disease, enhancing general metabolism and immune function.

The Polysaccharide, polysaccharide-peptide complex, and phenolic components present in Ganoderma Lucidum are responsible for the anti-oxidant effects of the Reishi mushroom.Enhancing Blood Sugar Regulation For patients with diabetes is an insufficiency of insulin produced by the pancreas. This insulin insufficiency results in unregulated high blood glucose levels which are the cause of diabetes. Ganoderma helps regulate blood glucose levels by increasing the utilization of glucose within body tissues.

Ganoderma also enhances pancreatic functioning by helping the body inhibit fatty acid release by acting like insulin, thus helping improve the symptoms of diabetic patients. Ganoderma Lucidum;Heath Benefits and Medicinal Uses 5\ReferencesStamets, P. (1993). Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms. California: Ten Speed Press.Ganodermalucidumfacts.org (2013). Ganoderma Lucidum. Retrieved February 11, 2014 from http://ganodermalucidumfacts.org/ Ganodermalucidum-reishi.com (2014).

Ganoderma Lucidum - Blood Sugar Regulation. Retrieved February 11, 2014 from http://www.ganodermalucidum-reishi.com/ganoderma-lucidum/health-benefits/blood-sugar-regulation.html Gadonerma-online.com (2012). Ganoderma. Retrieved February 11, 2014 from http://www.ganoderma-online.com/Ganoderma.html Superganoderma.com. Health Benefits of Ganoderma Coffee. Retrieved February 11, 2014 from http://superganoderma.com/About_Ganoderma/Health_Benefits_of_Ganoderma_Coffee/