Three Brightly Colored Lingzhi aka Reishi MushroomsLingzhi mushrooms enjoy a worldwide reputation, as the ultimate herbal substance. In Chinese, lingzhi means “herb of spiritual potency.”
Lingzhi mushroom has successfully been used as an herbal medicine for thousands of years and is known as the “Mushroom of Immortality.”
Lingzhi mushrooms are one of the oldest and most effective mushrooms used in traditional Chinese medicine.
They have been effectively used as anti-inflammatories, antivirals, anti-parasitics, anti-fungals, anti-diabetics and anti-hypotensives.They have also been shown to effectively lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.
Lingzhi Mushrooms for Asthma
Numerous studies of Lingzhi mushrooms have established their effectiveness in the treatment of a wide range of diseases and symptoms. The reason I have written about them here (and take them myself), is because of their ability to strengthen the respiratory system and their healing effect on the lungs. It has been shown that Lingzhi mushrooms are particularly beneficial for individuals with asthma, cough and other respiratory complaints.
In an article entitled, “Medicinal Mushrooms”, published in the January/February 1997 Issue of Herbs for Health, written by Christopher Hobbs, a population study conducted in the 1970s is offered as validation confirming this claim.
The article describes a population study conducted on more than 2000 Chinese with chronic bronchitis. They were instructed to consume Lingzhi mushroom syrup over a period of two weeks. Approximately 90% of this population reported significantly improved breathing as well as improved appetite.
Lingzhi mushrooms have also been successfully used in cardiovascular treatment, in bronchitis prevention, in the treatment of high blood pressure, hepatitis, HIV support, fatigue, allergies, chemotherapy support, altitude sickness, and high triglycerides. Due to the presence of triterpenes, lingzhi mushrooms are understood as an adaptogenic, anti-allergenic and anti-hypertensive.
Lingzhi mushrooms are soft, corky, and flat polypores. They have a kidney shaped, red varnished cap. Lingzhi mushrooms lack gills on their underside, and instead depending on their age, have white to dull brown fine pores, which they use to release their spores, the very reason their morphological classification is polypores.
Lingzhi mushrooms are classified into six categories, according to The Chinese Herbal Materia Medica, depending on their respective shape and color. Each of the six categories is said to nourish a different part of the body:
- White Lingzhi Mushroom – Lungs and skin
- Black Lingzhi Mushroom – Kidneys and Brain
- Green Lingzhi Mushroom – Liver
- Purple Lingzhi Mushroom – Joints
- Yellow Lingzhi Mushroom – Spleen.
- Red Lingzhi Mushroom – Heart
Lingzhi mushrooms can be consumed in high doses with other medications due to their generally slight side effects. Lingzhi has been shown to enhance the immune system and lessen nervous tension, which may help normalize and balance the body.
Lingzhi mushroom formulations are easily prepared. Simmering thinly sliced or pulverized Lingzhi mushrooms in a pot of boiling water for two hours is the traditional method. The resulting liquid is normally bitter in taste, with the less active black Lingzhi mushroom tasting less bitter than the more active red Lingzhi mushroom. The liquid can also be used to make an extract in liquid, capsule, or powder form, and be added to a formula decoction.
Some studies have shown that long-term use of Lingzhi mushrooms (approximately 4 months) can result in very mild side effects. These have included stomach upset, nosebleed, and dryness of the nasal passages, mouth and throat. These side effects were completely avoided by discontinuing the use of Lingzhi mushrooms for approximately 1 month after taking them for four months, then taking them again for four months.
Lingzhi mushrooms are available for sale all over the world. Both polysaccharides, and triterpenoids are available as a hot water extract and an alcohol extract. Lingzhi mushroom extracts may also be called reishi, reishi mushroom, ganoderma, ling zhi, and ling-zhi.
Where to buy Lingzhi Mushroom extract:
[UPDATE]: I’ve written an article about an herbal asthma treatment called “ASHMI Clear Breathing With Chinese Herbs” which describes how Dr. Xiu-Min Li of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York combines Lingzhi Mushroom with three other herbs to produce a natural and effective asthma treatment. It’s a good read.
Jose & Mayra says
Thanks for posting this! My wife and I purchased some Lingzhi supplements, along with a couple of others because of you and it seems to be working well.
Thanks again –> and we’ll keep you updated on our progress.
Cody Wells says
@ Jose&Mayra
Thanks for such a nice comment (and for an even nicer pm)! 🙂
I appreciate you stopping by. Please keep us posted on your results with the Lingzhi Mushroom supplements.
Laura says
Thanks for this info. Can you tell us where we can buy the ASHMI medicine? Or, if that’s not available yet, then how much of the 3 ingredients would you need to take in order to get the desired effect? I’ve tried to find sellers online but seem to only be able to come up with one seller who hasn’t updated their availability since 2006!!
Cody Wells says
@ Laura
Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
ASHMI is still not available. Unfortunately, it’s still under patent review(Please see my November 29, 2009 comment below for an important update). My wife & I have been getting by with a homemade version which we put together from the 3 ingredients found in ASHMI: Lingzhi, Kushen and Gancao, plus a couple of other herbs, which are readily available in supplement form.The original formulation for ASHMI is as follows: 20 grams (63%) of raw Lingzhi mushroom (Reishi mushroom) plus 9 grams (28%) of Kushen (Sophora root) plus 3 grams (9%) of Gancao (Licorice root).
The following is what has worked for my wife and I after quite a bit of experimentation: 600 mg of Lingzhi mushroom (Reishi mushroom) plus 450 mg of Gancao (Licorice root) plus 1,100 mg of Wild Oregano plus 500 mg of Olive Leaf extract, twice a day, every day.
Note: I will be adding articles on Olive Leaf extract and Wild Oregano to azmacare.com shortly.
We personally purchase all of our supplements at a brick and mortar store called the “Vitamin Shoppe”(which is a national chain),located a few miles from our home(their website can be found @ vitaminshoppe.com).[UPDATE]: My wife and I have begun experimenting with different online sources, since they definitely offer better pricing than brick & mortar vitamin shops. For example, amazon.com has excellent prices and shipping costs, but you can also find good deals elsewhere (see below for some suggestions). The cost of the supplements does not add up to very much and the overall health benefits have been tremendous for us. Ever since we started the supplementation our household medication use has plummeted and we’ve saved quite a bit of money.
I can’t promise the same would be true of your experience, but it is certainly worth a try (Be sure to have a discussion with your doctor about any planned supplementation to discuss negative interactions, etc).
I’m surprised that you’ve had difficulty finding online sources. Below you’ll find some online sources which reliably stock and sell a huge assortment of herbs and assorted supplements, including: amazon.com.
Hope that helps.
Cody 🙂
Cody Wells says
UPDATE
@Laura ==> I hope you are still stopping by every once in a while and catch this update to your comment!
Finally, the answer is yes, ASHMI can be purchased, although the formulation is not called ASHMI (please read my article titled “ASHMI Clear Breathing with Chinese Herbs” for more details). I found a product called phytocort, manufactured by a company called Allergy Research Group and marketed under the name Nutricology.
Phytocort is formulated with the original herbs found in ASHMI which are lingzhi mushroom, licorice root (gancao) and sophora root (kushen), plus a fourth ingredient called noni.
My wife and I have stopped taking our “home made” ASHMI and have begun taking phytocort. We have been purchasing it from amazon.com because of the price.
mala says
hey i was just wondering who would i be able to sell ling zhi to because i actually have some and dnt noe what should i do with them..
Cody Wells says
@ mala
Depending on how much you’ve got to sell, I suppose you could try Cragslist or Ebay? I have no idea about any of the laws that govern the sale and distribution of mushrooms, so that’s something you should do research on. The last thing I’d imagine you’d want is to end up getting into any trouble.
storsto says
Excellent ideas here, have emailed my mum so expect a big reply!!
Cody Wells says
@ storsto: Thanks for dropping by. I’m glad you found it helpful & I’m looking forward to it! 🙂
Good Luck!!
~Cody
lucas says
Hello to everyone. I’m lucas and i’ve been taking lingzhi for about 3 years now. Through this 3 years my health have been tremendously better than last time that i’ve been used to fall to high fever all the times. I bought this lingzhi products from the one of the most well know company in lingzhi cultivation that have been existed for more than 15years. The name of the company would be DXN Holdings BHD. Thank you.
Cody Wells says
Thanks for dropping by Lucas. Come back every once in a while & let us know how you’re doing.
~Cody
Hbstam says
I’ve browsed through some of the articles in your web site at this point. I truly enjoy the way you write. I added this blog post, as well as ASHMI – Clear Breathing with Chinese Herbs as bookmarks and will be returning soon.
Cody Wells says
@ Hbstam: Thank you for the kind words & thanks for dropping by! I’m glad you found something helpful.
~Cody
Inso says
Thanks for this article on Lingzhi Mushrooms. I am always glad to read an interesting blog. In addition, apart from the content, the design of your site looks honestly amazing. Bravo.
Cody Wells says
@ Inso: Thanks! I did designed it myself over time. I’m glad you like it & thanks for dropping by!
~Cody
Dolandii says
This is the best blog on herbs for asthma that i’ve ever seen! Bookmarked.
Cody Wells says
@ Dolandii: Thanks for dropping by & thank you!! 🙂
~Cody
Tyson F. Gautreaux says
Between me and my husband we’ve several different, non-medicated asthma treatments (supplements). Have not heard of lingzhi (or ashmi) before stumbling upon your blog. Appreciate the info and will continue to research this. Greta work!!
Cody Wells says
@ Tyson: Thanks for dropping by & you’re more than welcome! I’m glad you found something useful here. Good luck on the research & please drop by & let us know if you find anything interesting for the rest of us.
~Cody
Bill says
I can confirm the widespread claims: Reishi is truly excellent for asthma. I’ve been using the Reishi Primo extract for 6 months now and haven’t felt as good since I was 12 years old. When my asthma started kicking in.
Cody Wells says
Hi Bill,
Thanks for stopping by & I appreciate the comment. I’m glad you were able to find some relief!
Please stop back once in a while & give us an update.
~Cody
Pamela Nichelson says
Great products Mushrooms
John Cakes says
Nice info. I randomly came across lingzhi a few months ago in Taiwan, and I feel fortunate to have done so. It’s definitely given me more energy and given me a general sense of well-being. I was so happy about it I even wrote an article about it on zujava.com.
Cody Wells says
Hi John,
Thanks so much for dropping by. I agree with you. I feel fortunate to have come across lingzhi when I did also.
Thanks again & good luck!
~Cody