Red
Reishi
Ganoderma
lucidum, Ganoderma tsugae
This King of
Mushrooms is a Polypore, or shelf-mushroom. It grows almost exclusively
on the trunks of dead or dying Hemlock trees in this hemisphere,
and usually recurs year after year on the same stumps. It is beautiful,
glossy-red and slightly curved at the margins, easy to spot once
you know what you’re looking for. We usually harvest the mushrooms,
gently cutting the stems without damaging the tree bark and the
mycelium beneath, in late June / early July before they get too
worm-infested. But since mushrooms fruit unpredictably (mostly based
on the moisture around), take some of what you find when it looks
good.
Elemental associations: Air
Phytochemistry: Polysaccharides, triterpenoids, fatty acids (Y.
Murai)
Actions: Anti-allergenic, immunostimulant, hepato-protectant
Specific systems: Immune
This mushroom is another woodland being whose spirit I find to be
very strong and projective. When I find it, spiraling up an old
Hemlock, I can almost hear it whispering the stories of the woods
to me, promising a return to a more balanced, peaceful life. It
has an old and powerful spirit living in it, most definitely worthy
of respect.
Taken internally, Reishi is an incredible re-aligner. It is used
in anti-tumor protocols and helps support the system during chemotherapy,
making it an excellent inclusion to any cancer protocol. It is being
used experimentally for herbal treatment of HIV/AIDS as well as
other auto-immune conditions such as lupus erythematosus.
In my personal experience, I have found no better remedy to treat
asthmatic and allergic symptoms and chemical sensitivities. Even
the most intense seasonal allergies and environmental sensitivities
respond to this mushroom. It should always be considered as a first
line of therapy in allergic complaints.
I believe Reishi accomplishes its wide and powerful actions by its
metabolism in the liver, aligning the action of this organ so essential
in all processes of regulation in the body. Further research on
this mushroom’s effects on liver diseases such as hepatitis
is warranted.
Indications: Cancer, chemical sensitivity, asthma and allergies
of all types, liver disease
Contraindications: None
Preparation/Dosage: The mushroom should be dried to fully convert
its active principles. A decoction can be made with 3 TBS per quart
of water, reduced over 2-4 hours to a pint. A double-extracted tincture
can be made by combining equal parts of a decoction with a tincture
made from 70% alcohol, 20% glycerin, 10% water, at a 1:4 or 1:5.
(The glycerin helps keep the polysaccharides emulsified –
without it, the final product gets ‘clumpy’ and a bit
slimy). Take 5-30 drops of this extract, once or twice a day.
