Indications

In Asian medicine Lingzhi is used to calm the shen (spirit), increase heart Qi and tonify heart blood. It also tonifies Lung qi and transforms phlegm. Referred to as the 'mushroom of immortality' because of its ability to promote longevity.

CNS
• overexcited conditions
- insomnia
- anxiety
- poor memory due to stress
• neurodegenerative disorders (preventation)
- senility
- Parkinson's disease
- Alzheimer's disease
• altitude sickness (prophylaxis)

Cardiovascular
• hypertension
• thrombosis
• hyperlipidemia
• angina

Respiratory
• seasonal allergies
• asthma

Immune
• fatigue
• cancer (adjunctive treatment)
- chemotherapy
- radiation
- leukopenia
• viruses
- herpes simplex (HSV)
- shingles
- influenza
- human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- hepatitis B virus (HBV)
- mononucleosis

Reproduction (male)
• prostatic conditions - 5-alpha reductase inhibition activity
- benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH)
- prostate cancer

Gastrointestinal
• gastric ulcers
• hepatitis

Actions

• Immunomodulator
• Adaptogen
• Cardiotonic
• Antiviral
• Antiinflammatory
• Anticancer
• Sedative
• Antihyperlipidemic
• Neuroprotective
• Hepatoprotective
• Nephroprotective
• Antiulcerogenic
• Antihypertensive (Mild)
• Antiandrogenic
• Antiaging
• Antithrombotic

Constituents

• Triterpenes (Ganoderic Acids)
• Polysaccharides ( β -Glucans)
• Adenosine

Posology

• Decoction (dried powdered root): 3-15 g qd

Safety

Caution: Use with anticoagulants (e.g. coumadin), may potentiate effects.

References

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Barnes J, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines, 3rd ed. London: Pharmaceutical Press, 2007.

Bone K. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2000.

Bone K. A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs: Herbal Formulations for the Individual Patient. St Louis, MO: Churchill Livingstone, 2003.

Brinker F. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, 3rd ed. Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications, 2000.

Felter HW, Lloyd JU. King's American Dispensatory. 1898. http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/kings/main.html. Accessed: August 19, 2006.

Hoffman D. Medical Herbalism. Rochester, Vermont: Healing Arts Press, 2003.

Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Beaconsfield, England: Beaconsfield Publishers Ltd, 1988.

Williamson EM, ed. Major Herbs of Ayurveda. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2002