Lingchi is a basidiomycete, lamellaless fungus belonging to the family of polyporaceae. It is also known as Lingzhi (in Traditional Chinese Medicine), Reishi, Mannentake and Ganoderma Lucidum. It is commonly referred to as “God's Herb” or “King of Herbs”. In fact, Lingzhi translates to “herb of spiritual potency” in Chinese.
Lingchi is found in densely wooded mountains of high humidity and dim lighting. A large woody mushroom, it flourishes on the dried trunks or logs or stumps of decaying plum, guercus serrata or pasonia trees. It is said that out of 10,000 such dead woody sources, only 2 or 3 may be found to have lingchi growth. No wonder it is so scarce!
Fortunately, lingchi is now being cultivated commercially under special conditions making it easily available in the market.
Lingchi is systematically applied in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Its place both as a medicine and as a dietary supplement is well-documented in Chinese pharmacopoeia since over 2000 years. The oldest Chinese medicinal text, known in Japan as Shinnoh Honsohkyo, accepted as a master text of Oriental medical science, classifies around 365 medicines into 3 categories: superior medicines, average medicines and fair medicines.
The superior category of medicines prescribed to prolong youthfulness, are referred to as “God's Herbs”. These medicines may be prescribed for long periods of time as their ingestion causes no side-effects. Lingchi is rated the most potent medicine in this category, say the numero uno medicine.
As an elixir of life, lingchi is known to increase vigor and vitality, largely achieving this through improved blood circulation by eliminating thrombi (blood clots or clumps that result from coagulation of blood) in the blood streams. Lingchi is effective against a wide range of diseases that arise from high serum cholesterol level compounded by a lack of blood circulation such as cholesterosis, arteriosclerosis, hypertension, fatty liver, hemorrhoid, tooth-infections, obesity, stroke, cerebravascular accident, coronary insufficiency, myocardial infarction and phlebitis, basically problems that arise directly from arterial blockage.
The intake of lingchi has no associated side-effects hence it is considered a highly effective preventative dietary supplement.
As an antitumour agent, scientists are researching the high concentration of polysaccharides found in high quality red lingchi specimens. Of the currently available anti-cancer agents, many are derivatives of natural substances, for instance paclitaxel (Taxol), and camptothecin (Hycamtin). In the case of lingchi, it is the presence of polysaccharides that links it to cancer remission, and why it is being increasingly prescribed as an aid to patients recovering from cancer.
The high concentration of polysaccharides also helps normalize blood-sugar levels and strengthen the immune system. Lingchi is also found to be effective in the treatment of problems related to allergic reactions such as typical dermatitis, bronchitis asthma, allergy rhinitis and chronic hepatitis.
Note: If you take regular medication for any medical condition, it is advisable to consult a doctor before starting on lingchi.
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