Chemical analysis has revealed that lingzhi contains high molecular
weight polysaccharides, triterpenes (ganoderic acids), sterols,
coumarin, mannitol, organic germanium, adenosine, amino acids, vitamins,
etc.
In addition to all of the ingredients in the fruit body, lingzhi
mycelium contains higher level of the RNA (which disrupts viral diseases
by inducing interferon production), oleic acid and cyclooctasulfur
(both strong inhibitors of histamine release), LZ-8, (an
immunomodulating protein which significantly reduces but doesn't
entirely shut down antibody production).
Lingzhi contains 800-2,000 ppm of organic germanium, which is 4-5
times more than ginseng. Germanium is a trace element with adaptogenic
functions.
The major components of lingzhi have proven to be a significant
anti-inflammatory and inhibit malignant tumor growth. Its glycosides and
polysaccharides promise to be a new type of carcinostatic agent which
would be helpful in immunotherapy.
Ganoderic acids may lower blood pressure as well as decrease LDL
("bad") cholesterol. These specific triterpenoids also help reduce blood
platelets from sticking together--an important factor in lowering the
risk for coronary artery disease.
While human research has been reported that demonstrates some
efficacy for the herb in treating altitude sickness and chronic
hepatitis B, these uses still need to be confirmed in well-designed
human trials.
Animal studies and some very preliminary trials in humans suggest
lingzhi may have some beneficial action in people with diabetes mellitus
and cancer. Two controlled clinical trials have investigated the
effects of lingzhi on high blood pressure in humans and both found it
could lower blood pressure significantly compared to a placebo or
controls. The people with hypertension in the second study had
previously not responded to medications, though these were continued
during the study.
Lingzhi has shown remarkable efficacy in reducing allergies and
protecting the liver. Ganoderma lucidum is actually the powder inside
the spores of the fungus lingzhi, which are formed as the mushroom
matures. This powder contains high quality protein, with all 18
essential amino acids included. It has a combination of natural vitamins
and critical trace elements essential for the functioning of the immune
system.
Lingzhi has a widespread use as a herbal medicine in clinical
settings. Many Chinese physicians have co-administered lingzhi in cancer
patients receiving conventional chemotherapy and/or radiation
treatment, to build up immune resistance and decrease toxicity. Although
Ganoderma and its derivatives are not pharmaceuticals and have not
undergone rigorous clinical trials to be tested against cancer, there is
abundant in vitro, animal and indirect clinical evidence to support its
supplemental use in cancer.
It has been reported that the extract and polysaccharides isolated
from G. lucidum significantly inhibits the growth of implanted Sarcoma
(S)-180 and Lewis lung-carcinoma in animal models in vitro (Lin, 1996).
Although its anti-tumor activity is beyond doubt, the detailed
mechanisms remain unclear. Some researchers have suggested that its
anti-tumor activity may be mediated to some extent by activation of host
immune functions.
Former heart surgeon Dr. Fukumi Morishige, a leading authority on
vitamin C in Japan, reports that when lingzhi (or reishi in Japanese)
and vitamin C are combined the results against cancer and other diseases
are far better than when Reishi is ingested. This is because the
vitamin makes the polysaccharides more accessible to the immune system.
Lingzhi has long been known to extend life span, increase youthful
vigor and vitality. It also promotes good blood circulation by
eliminating thrombi in the blood streams. As a result, the person feels
renewed vitality. Deterioration of mind and body is arrested. Lingzhi is
indeed a herb with multiple applications.
Clinical observations have indisputable proof of lingzhi's
efficacy against cholesterosis, arteriosclerosis, hypertension, fatty
liver, hemorrhoid, tooth-infections, obesity and various problems that
arise from high serum cholesterol level compounded by a lack of blood
circulation. Lingzhi is also recognized to have some effect in cases of
stroke, cerebravascular accident, coronary insufficiency, myocardial
infarction, phlebitis etc.--problems that arise directly from arterial
blockage.
Furthermore, lingzhi is found to be effective in treatment of
typical dermatitis, bronchitis asthma, allergy rhinitis, chronic
hepatitis etc.--problems related to allergic reactions. Lingzhi inhibits
thrombi to facilitate medication absorption; it also has an additive
effect that strengthens the prostate gland situated between the bladder
and the urinary tract. It has the same effect on the early stage of
diabetes mellitus. Bladder infection is accompanied by the usual thrombi
formation.
Treatments with lingzhi arrest the latter thus eliminating
complications within a short period. Other clinical tests showed that
administering lingzhi instead of insulin can reverse blood sugar level
back to normal after one year.
Its antitumor and immune enhancing properties, along with no
cytotoxicity, raise the possibility that lingzhi could be effective in
preventing oxidative damage and resulting disease. Using agarose gel
electrophoresis, the potential of lingzhi extract as a radio protector
and antioxidant defense against oxygen radical-mediated damage was
evaluated. The results clearly demonstrate that the hot-water extract of
lingzhi shows good radio protective ability, as well as protection
against DNA damage induced by metal-catalyzed Fenton reactions and UV
irradiation. The data suggest that lingzhi merits investigation as a
potential preventive agent in humans.
Medicinal mushrooms have a long history of use in folk medicine.
In particular, mushrooms useful against cancers of the stomach,
esophagus, lungs, etc., are known in China, Russia, Japan, Korea, as
well as the U.S.A. and Canada. There are about 200 species of mushrooms
that have been found to markedly inhibit the growth of different kinds
of tumors. Searching for new antitumor and other medicinal substances
from mushrooms and to study the medicinal value of these mushrooms have
become a matter of great significance. However, most of the mushroom
origin antitumor substances have not been clearly defined. Several
antitumor polysaccharides such as hetero-beta-glucans and their protein
complexes (e.g., xyloglucans and acidic beta-glucan-containing uronic
acid), as well as dietary fibers, lectins, and terpenoids have been
isolated from medicinal mushrooms. In Japan, Russia, China, and the
U.S.A., several different polysaccharide antitumor agents have been
developed from the fruiting body, mycelia, and culture medium of various
medicinal mushrooms (Lentinus edodes, Ganoderma lucidum, Schizophyllum
commune, Trametes versicolor, Inonotus obliquus, and Flammulina
velutipes). Both cellular components and secondary metabolites of a
large number of mushrooms been shown to effect the immune system of the
host and therefore could be used to treat a variety of disease states.
Due to damage by insects and weather, the quality of wild lingzhi
is unpredictable. Only the fruit body can be harvested, when the active
ingredients have already decreased. The dried mushrooms may not have the
potency of the fresh mushroom. After it matures, the fruit body is
hardened by a fiber which makes it more difficult to extract and digest
the active ingredients. The spores are of microscopic dimensions,
similar to the size of bacteria. They are protected by two layers of
hardened cell walls. These cell walls trap the active ingredients inside
and are indigestible.
Although wild lingzhi fruit body and the spores are all effective
products, our ancestors had to use a large quantity of lingzhi to get a
little benefit. As it was impossible to cultivate, this rare mushroom
was available only to emperors.
Modern bio-engineering technology has made lingzhi available to
the general public in large quantities. The quality can be carefully
controlled by providing the best conditions and sufficient nutrients.
Further investigations have discovered that the largest amount of active
ingredients exists in the mycelium, and that the mycelium is more
digestible. The extraction process can be timed at the precise stage
when the mycelium contains the largest amount of active ingredients.
Fresh mycelium is available, and there is no chance for mistaken
identity. Without the obstacles of the fibers, the extraction is more
complete and the extract is more digestible. Therefore, the latest
researches on the medicinal properties of lingzhi are done on the
mycelial extracts.
Lingzhi is now available in capsule or tablet form, which makes it
possible to avoid the bitter taste and standardize the dosage. However,
not all lingzhi capsules are the same. Some capsules are made from the
fruit body, which contain a large quantity of dietary fibers. Some
capsules contain other herbs, which may lead to side-effects. Some
capsules made from the mycelium contain also the grain from which the
mycelium is grown so only a small fraction of the capsule is actually
lingzhi mycelium). The differences can be readily identified by tasting
the powder. Pure lingzhi has an intense, pure bitter taste. The best
lingzhi capsule is the extract of pure lingzhi mycelium without the
grain.
เข้า ใจว่ากลไกการตายของเซลล์มะเร็งแบบที่เรียก Apoptosis คือ เซลล์ตายไปเอง น่าจะเกิดจากเซลล์ช็อคสลบไป (Dormant) …เหตุที่ลดมาก เพราะศักย์ไฟฟ้า (ORP) ลดลงมาก…เหตุที่ลดมากเนื่องจากฤทธิ์ของ e จากวงนอกของ Ge atom นักวิจัยพบว่า Ge ในหลินจือมีโครงสร้างพิเศษที่จะดึงซับ e ทำให้ ORP หรือศักย์ไฟฟ้าเปลี่ยนไป…ดูเหมือนว่าไม่มีกลไกนี้ในยาแผนปัจจุบัน กลไก กำจัดเซลล์มะเร็งนั้น Ge จะเข้าไปจับคู่กับ e ที่ผลิตออกมาจากผนังเซลล์มะเร็ง โดยเฉพาะในระยะของการแบ่งตัว ทำให้เซลล์มะเร็งแบ่งตัวไม่ได้ บางตำราก็อธิบายว่า 4e วงนอกของ Ge atom ไปปรับศักย์ไฟฟ้าที่ผนังเซลล์มะเร็ง ทำให้สนามแม่เหล็กรอบเซลล์มะเร็งอ่อนลง เม็ดเลือดขาวกลืนกินจึงเข้าถึงตัวเซลล์มะเร็งได้ การจะลด e ปรับศักย์ไฟฟ้าก็ต้องใช้ e มากพอสมควร…ก็ต้องใช้ปริมาณ Ge มากพอควร จึงจะต่อสู้กับเซลล์มะเร็งจำนวนมากได้…จึงจะทำให้เซลล์มะเร็งช็อคได้…เป็นคำ ตอบว่าทำไมต้องกินหลินจือสกัดในระยะเริ่มรักษามะเร็งวันละ 60 เม็ด คำตอบ คือ ต้องการฤทธิ์แบบ Shock Therapy นั่นเอง
