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Friday, May 17, 2013

Using Ganoderma Lucidum Tea As An Alternative Medicine

By Antoinette Quinn


Ganoderma lucidum tea is made from a mushroom that grows in tropical areas. This fungus has been used in China for thousands of years and has many medicinal properties. It is generally cultivated by commercial growers.

Ganoderma is a soft, flat mushroom that has medicinal uses. It goes by many names but is most commonly known as the Reishi or Lingzhi mushroom. There are several different varieties but the red version is the one that is generally harvested for use as an alternative medicine. Rarely found in the wild, the majority of the crop comes from growers.

The Reishi has been studied by both eastern and western medicine. They have identified more than 200 elements. Some of these elements are known to fight cancer and an extract of the ganoderma is included in some commercially produced medicines because it blocks cancer cells. It also boosts the immune system and works as an antiviral so it could be useful for people that are HIV positive. Some of the other uses for this fungus are controlling blood pressure, working as an anti-inflammatory for people that are in pain, and as a way to control blood sugar.

Tropical areas are the best for growing the Lingzhi. It grows on the base of trees and one of its favorites seems to be the Maple tree. However, Lingzhi is only found in the wild on around 2 trees in every 10,000 found so it is not really practical to depend upon a wild crop.

The Reishi mushroom has been used as a medicine in China for thousands of years. Chinese doctors used it to treat everything from treating heart problems to increasing longevity. Tales of this magical mushroom are found throughout Chinese literature.

People in the west have been skeptical of many alternative medicines. Even at that, the Reishi has been taken seriously and many people are buying it in health food stores. The tablet form is often preferred in the west because the tea has a bitter taste. To make a tea you should soak the mushroom in cold water for two to three hours and then boil it. Once it boils then you should let it simmer for about 45 minutes then strain it before drinking the tea. It will be bitter though, so be prepared for that.

The Ganoderma does have some serious side effects. It has a blood thinning ingredient and can affect whether or not your blood clots properly. It also can lead to low blood pressure, dizziness, and headaches. The most common complaint is abdominal distress, such as nausea and diarrhea. The most serious, albeit rare, side effect is that it could damage your liver.

People in China use ganoderma lucidum tea to help with their immune system and they believe it will help them live longer. However, it has started to spread into the western world. Because the tea is bitter many people do not want to drink it but it is also sold in tablet form. There have been reports of serious side effects though, so, as with any alternative medicine you should check with your physician before ingesting any of this fungus.




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