Family Name: Ganodermataceae
Botanical Name(s): Ganoderma lucidum
Popular Name(s): Reishi, Reishi Mushroom, Ling Chih, Ling Zhi,
Mushroom (reishi)
Parts Used: The fruiting body of the mushroom.
Habitat: Reishi mushrooms grow wild on decaying logs and tree
stumps in the coastal provinces of China.
Description: It is a bracket fungus bearing large stalked
fan-shaped fruiting body and grows on living or dead wood of deciduous
trees.
Uses: It is a tonic, sedative herb that is expectorant, lowers
blood sugar and cholesterol levels, controls coughing, while relieving
pain and stimulating the immune system. It improves heart and liver
function and has anti-allergy, anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties.
It also helps to lower high blood pressure, as well as high cholesterol
levels.
