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.
