Ganoderma mushroom is from the Mycetes kingdom. These are generally short and tiny fungi that are unable to manufacture their own nutrient through photosynthesis like green plants.
They can either Earth breed or lead a parasitic life by breaking down and surviving on nutrients of other plants and animals. However, due to the increasing worldwide popularity of Ganoderma mushroom as medicinal herb, this fungus is now mass produced with scientific cultivation method.
Within the kingdom of Mycetes, Ascomycetes are the lower grade while Basidiomycetes such as Ganoderma Lucidum and mushroom are of a superior grade.
The Basidiomycetes have a very close relationship with mankind. Many are edible and have excellent healing properties. These fungi naturally become the more precious medicinal herb in the Basidiomycetes kingdom.
Generally, mushrooms family can improve immune system by activating Macrophage and Natural Killer (NK) immunity cells. Macrophage is one of our important first line defence against virus, bacteria and foreign substances. NK cells are responsible to kill cancer cells.
Some can even improve allergic conditions such as skin allergy, nose allergy and asthma. Some of the beneficial medicinal mushrooms are:
- Golden needle mushroom (Flammulina velutipes)
- Shitake (Lentinus edodes)
- Maitake (Grifola frondosa)
- Agaricus Blazei (Agaricus blazei murrill)
- Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum)
All these fungi can prevent high blood pressure, diabetes, hardening of blood vessel and even cancer. But of all the fungi, Ganoderma Lucidum significantly stands out in its medicinal values.
However, you may ask…
Among these mushrooms, it is proven that Agaricus Blazei Murill (ABM) has the highest concentration of beta glucan polysaccharides. So, does Agaricus Blazei Murill mushroom has the best anti-cancer effect?
That’s right. ABM is the best mushroom for anti-cancer property. But comparing AMB with Ganoderma Lucidum, which one is better?
Ganoderma Lucidum does not only contains beta glucan for anti-cancer, it also contains Organic Germanium. This precious mineral has been proven to have strong anti-cancer effect too. Having both beta glucan and organic germanium together greatly enhance Ganoderma mushroom ability to fight cancer.
Besides, Ganoderma Lucidum contains Triterpenes to help cleanse our blood vessels from cholesterol and fatty substances.
Ganoderma mushroom even has Superoxide Dismutase (SOD). This enzyme functions as our primary defence line against free radicals in our body. SOD in Ganoderma Lucidum can help to protect against attack from harmful free radicals. This makes Ganoderma mushroom one of the best fungi for anti-free radical and anti-aging.
In a Chinese medical encyclopedia “Ben Cao Gang Mu” (Materia Medica – Detailed Outline of Medicinal Herb), an ancient medical practitioner Lee Shi Zhen in the Ming Dynasty classified Ganoderma Lucidum as a “superior herb”.
He grouped Ganoderma mushroom into six categories by its color and form, namely Green, Purple, Red, Yellow, White and Black Ganoderma. All six types have its own medicinal values and healing effects.
According to the record, “continuous consumption of Ganoderma mushroom makes the body light and young, lengthening life and making one like an immortal who never dies”.
Later, modern medical researches on Ganoderma Lucidum proved the findings of those ancient medical texts. That is why for over 2000 years, Ganoderma mushroom is highly praised in China. The Chinese calls it the auspicious herb, which also influenced their literacy and arts.
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