The Ganoderma History
Consumed in Japan, China, for over 5,000 years, the mushroom known as Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) has been called “God’s Herb”. Also recognized by its Chinese name, Ling Zhi, Reishi’s reputation for being effective in treating a wide range of ailments moved Chinese Emperors throughout the various Dynasties to order servants to search for wild Ganoderma lucidum mushrooms found atop distant mountains, believing that the consumption of Ganoderma lucidum would grant them eternal youth and enhanced health.
Because of the mushroom’s remote habitat and the scarcity of high-quality specimens, the use of Ganoderma lucidum for medicinal purposes was reserved primarily for royalty and wealthy individuals. It was not until the late 20th century, that this once-rare plant, through diligent cultivation by the Japanese, was it made widely available to the general public.
The original textbook of Oriental medical science, “Herbal Pharmacopoeia”, was compiled by the founding father of Chinese medicine, Shen Nong (Han Dynasty, 206 BC ~ 8 AD) . In it, the legendary herbalist-emperor documented 365 species of plants and classified them into three categories: superior, average and fair. These classifications were based on two main criteria: its benefits, based on consumption on a continual basis, and side effects. For those plants graded as “superior”, the power to harmonize the functions of the body, mind and spirit and the range of ailments they could treat were greater and broader than those of weaker specimens. In addition, they had to have little or no long term side effects.
Among the specimens in this class, G. lucidum was ranked the highest in this classic medical text, even superior to the well known ginseng.
In the “Compendium of Materia Medica” (Ben Cao Gang Mu), which contains hundreds of natural medicines the Chinese have used for thousands of years, celebrated physician and naturalist Li Shi Zhen (1518~1593) described the benefits of G. lucidum : "It benefits the life energy, or "qi" of the heart, repairing the chest area and benefiting those with a knotted and tight chest. Taken over a long period of time, agility of the body will not cease, and the years are lengthened to those of the Immortal Fairies."
Over the ages, Ganoderma lucidum has become ingrained in Oriental art and culture because of its prestigious status in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Since the first Chinese dynasty, paintings, embroideries, buildings, and sculptures of the gods and immortals have depicted G. lucidum as a symbol of divinity, longevity and good fortune. Depictions of G. lucidum are displayed throughout the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace in Beijing as a testimony to its value, and the mushroom’s distinctive shape was a favorite ornamental design feature used by royalty and the wealthy. Even the traditional scepter of the emperors of China was a stylized Reishi, called a "Ru Yi".
Ganoderma lucidum was further immortalized as the ultimate healing substance and spiritual herb of China in the classic Chinese fairy tale, "The White Snake", wherein a mystical heroine stole a magical Reishi plant from the gods to save the life of her human lover. The celestial battle for the Reishi rivaled the battles portrayed in Homer's Iliad and is a story known by virtually every Chinese person.
Qualities
The Reishi mushroom, also known by its formal name of Ganoderma lucidum and its Chinese name Ling zhi, has attained an unparalleled reputation in the Orient as the ultimate herbal substance. For over three thousand years it has been the most sought-after product of nature by mountain sages and by the emperors and empresses of all Eastern nations.
In the first Chinese herbal text (Shennong's Pharmacopoeia) written about 2400 years ago, Ganoderma lucidum was classified as a "superior herb" which is defined as one that "serves to maintain life, promote radiant health and long life" because of its normalizing action, and to cause no side effects, even when used continuously. " That ancient book said that "continuous consumption of Ganoderma lucidum makes your body light and young, lengthens your life and turns you into one like the immortal who never dies." Thus Ganoderma lucidum was traditionally called "the mushroom of immortality."
The Ganoderma lucidum Mushroom grows wild only upon old trees and roots of certain types of trees in remote mountain forests of China, Japan and Korea. Only in the last fifteen years have we seen the cultivation of Ganoderma lucidum, and thus the commercial availability of this amazing health product. Ganoderma lucidum has been the object of intensive scientific studies to discern its many health functions from a modern perspective. Traditionally, Ganoderma lucidum is believed to be a tonic to all of the body's energies.
It was revered as a major tonic to each of the three Treasures, Jing, Qi and Shen. As a Jing (Essence) tonic, Ganoderma lucidum is believed to have major life-lengthening effects when consumed over a long period of time. It is believed to build primal power and to replenish energy spent handling stressful situations. As a Qi tonic, Ganoderma lucidum is used to build energy, although it is slightly sedative in the short run. It is most famous as an herb used to build the immune system.
Many studies done in Japan have shown Ganoderma lucidum to have a powerful effect on the body's overall resistance to disease. While medical research and individual case studies have shown red Ganoderma lucidum to be effective in treating numerous conditions and diseases, it is important to emphasize again that the greatest proven benefit of regular red Reishi consumption is the enhancement of your body’s overall health.
Through purification, improved blood flow, immune modulation, detoxification, rejuvenation, and revitalization, red Reishi can enhance the body's ability to combat a myriad of diseases, particularly those that occur more frequently with advanced age.
Because of the mushroom’s remote habitat and the scarcity of high-quality specimens, the use of Ganoderma lucidum for medicinal purposes was reserved primarily for royalty and wealthy individuals. It was not until the late 20th century, that this once-rare plant, through diligent cultivation by the Japanese, was it made widely available to the general public.
The original textbook of Oriental medical science, “Herbal Pharmacopoeia”, was compiled by the founding father of Chinese medicine, Shen Nong (Han Dynasty, 206 BC ~ 8 AD) . In it, the legendary herbalist-emperor documented 365 species of plants and classified them into three categories: superior, average and fair. These classifications were based on two main criteria: its benefits, based on consumption on a continual basis, and side effects. For those plants graded as “superior”, the power to harmonize the functions of the body, mind and spirit and the range of ailments they could treat were greater and broader than those of weaker specimens. In addition, they had to have little or no long term side effects.
Among the specimens in this class, G. lucidum was ranked the highest in this classic medical text, even superior to the well known ginseng.
In the “Compendium of Materia Medica” (Ben Cao Gang Mu), which contains hundreds of natural medicines the Chinese have used for thousands of years, celebrated physician and naturalist Li Shi Zhen (1518~1593) described the benefits of G. lucidum : "It benefits the life energy, or "qi" of the heart, repairing the chest area and benefiting those with a knotted and tight chest. Taken over a long period of time, agility of the body will not cease, and the years are lengthened to those of the Immortal Fairies."
Over the ages, Ganoderma lucidum has become ingrained in Oriental art and culture because of its prestigious status in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Since the first Chinese dynasty, paintings, embroideries, buildings, and sculptures of the gods and immortals have depicted G. lucidum as a symbol of divinity, longevity and good fortune. Depictions of G. lucidum are displayed throughout the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace in Beijing as a testimony to its value, and the mushroom’s distinctive shape was a favorite ornamental design feature used by royalty and the wealthy. Even the traditional scepter of the emperors of China was a stylized Reishi, called a "Ru Yi".
Ganoderma lucidum was further immortalized as the ultimate healing substance and spiritual herb of China in the classic Chinese fairy tale, "The White Snake", wherein a mystical heroine stole a magical Reishi plant from the gods to save the life of her human lover. The celestial battle for the Reishi rivaled the battles portrayed in Homer's Iliad and is a story known by virtually every Chinese person.
Qualities
The Reishi mushroom, also known by its formal name of Ganoderma lucidum and its Chinese name Ling zhi, has attained an unparalleled reputation in the Orient as the ultimate herbal substance. For over three thousand years it has been the most sought-after product of nature by mountain sages and by the emperors and empresses of all Eastern nations.
In the first Chinese herbal text (Shennong's Pharmacopoeia) written about 2400 years ago, Ganoderma lucidum was classified as a "superior herb" which is defined as one that "serves to maintain life, promote radiant health and long life" because of its normalizing action, and to cause no side effects, even when used continuously. " That ancient book said that "continuous consumption of Ganoderma lucidum makes your body light and young, lengthens your life and turns you into one like the immortal who never dies." Thus Ganoderma lucidum was traditionally called "the mushroom of immortality."
The Ganoderma lucidum Mushroom grows wild only upon old trees and roots of certain types of trees in remote mountain forests of China, Japan and Korea. Only in the last fifteen years have we seen the cultivation of Ganoderma lucidum, and thus the commercial availability of this amazing health product. Ganoderma lucidum has been the object of intensive scientific studies to discern its many health functions from a modern perspective. Traditionally, Ganoderma lucidum is believed to be a tonic to all of the body's energies.
It was revered as a major tonic to each of the three Treasures, Jing, Qi and Shen. As a Jing (Essence) tonic, Ganoderma lucidum is believed to have major life-lengthening effects when consumed over a long period of time. It is believed to build primal power and to replenish energy spent handling stressful situations. As a Qi tonic, Ganoderma lucidum is used to build energy, although it is slightly sedative in the short run. It is most famous as an herb used to build the immune system.
Many studies done in Japan have shown Ganoderma lucidum to have a powerful effect on the body's overall resistance to disease. While medical research and individual case studies have shown red Ganoderma lucidum to be effective in treating numerous conditions and diseases, it is important to emphasize again that the greatest proven benefit of regular red Reishi consumption is the enhancement of your body’s overall health.
Through purification, improved blood flow, immune modulation, detoxification, rejuvenation, and revitalization, red Reishi can enhance the body's ability to combat a myriad of diseases, particularly those that occur more frequently with advanced age.
The status of Reishi Mushroom in the health food sector is unparalleled.
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This website is registered and operated by Mr. Balakrishna Palan, an Independent Consultant of DXN Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Malaysia. And DXN does not endorse any information on this site nor does DXN assume any civil and/or criminal liabilities arising out of this website. The information relating to DXN Products and/or DXN itself on this site are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or replace medical advice or treatment. The information presented on this website is for informational purposes only, and is not intended as a medical advice or a substitute for a physician's consultation and/or examination.
This website is registered and operated by Mr. Balakrishna Palan, an Independent Consultant of DXN Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Malaysia. And DXN does not endorse any information on this site nor does DXN assume any civil and/or criminal liabilities arising out of this website. The information relating to DXN Products and/or DXN itself on this site are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or replace medical advice or treatment. The information presented on this website is for informational purposes only, and is not intended as a medical advice or a substitute for a physician's consultation and/or examination.