**Taxonomy and Nomenclature:**
– Lingzhi, also known as reishi, is a polypore fungus native to East Asia.
– The debate continues on the true species of the lingzhi mushroom, identified as Ganoderma sichuanense or Ganoderma lingzhi.
– Ganoderma lucidum is the type species of the genus, described by Petter Adolf Karsten in 1881.
– The name Ganoderma has Greek and Latin roots meaning ‘brightness’ and ‘shining skin.’
– The common name ‘lingzhi’ means divine mushroom in Chinese.
**Varieties and Distribution:**
– Ganoderma lingzhi occurs in two growth forms and is found in East Asia on various trees.
– Recent molecular evidence identified a distinct species called G. sessile in North America.
– Lingzhi grows at the base of deciduous trees, especially maples, and can resemble antlers depending on growing conditions.
– Environmental conditions influence lingzhi’s morphological characteristics, with cultivation done on hardwood logs or sawdust/woodchips.
**Medicinal Properties and Uses:**
– Lingzhi contains diverse phytochemicals like triterpenes, polysaccharides, and sterols.
– Different Ganoderma species vary in chemical constituents and may enhance tumor response and stimulate host immunity.
– Lingzhi is traditionally prepared as a hot water extract product and has been used in folk medicine for its health benefits.
– Insufficient evidence supports the use of G. lucidum as a first-line cancer treatment or for cardiovascular disease in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
**Cultural Significance and Historical References:**
– Lingzhi is associated with Taoist temples, hallucinogenic purposes, and as a symbol of nobility in Chinese culture.
– It is depicted in ancient Chinese herbology, art, and literature for health, longevity, and luck.
– Historical references show early use in Neolithic China, documented traditional uses, and its significance in Chinese culture.
– Various Chinese names, English translations, and loanwords for lingzhi reflect its cultural and historical importance.
**Research, Cultivation, and Modern Applications:**
– Lingzhi has been studied for its immuno-potentiating effects, antioxidant properties, and therapeutic biofactory potential.
– Commercial cultivation on substrates like paddy straw and analysis of commercial products composition have been conducted.
– Modern research includes studies on medicinal mushroom tinctures, sustainable construction with mushroom-based bricks, and pharmacological activities of Ganoderma species.
– Taxonomic studies, species clarification, and therapeutic usage assessments contribute to the understanding and application of lingzhi in various fields.
Lingzhi, Ganoderma sichuanense, also known as reishi or Ganoderma lingzhi is a polypore fungus ("bracket fungus") native to East Asia belonging to the genus Ganoderma.
| Lingzhi | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Polyporales |
| Family: | Ganodermataceae |
| Genus: | Ganoderma |
| Species: | G. sichuanense
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| Binomial name | |
| Ganoderma sichuanense J.D. Zhao & X.Q. Zhang (1983)
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| Synonyms | |
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Ganoderma lingzhi Sheng H. Wu, Y. Cao & Y.C. Dai (2012) | |
Lingzhi | |
|---|---|
 | Pores on hymenium |
 | Cap is offset or indistinct |
 | Hymenium attachment is irregular or not applicable |
| Stipe is bare or lacks a stipe |
 | Spore print is brown |
 | Ecology is saprotrophic or parasitic |
 | Edibility is too hard to eat |
| Lingzhi | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Traditional Chinese | 靈芝 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 灵芝 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Its reddish brown, varnished, kidney-shaped cap with bands and peripherally inserted stem give it a distinct fan-like appearance. When fresh, the lingzhi is soft, cork-like, and flat. It lacks gills on its underside, and instead releases its spores via fine pores (80–120 μm) in yellow colors.
In nature, it grows at the base and stumps of deciduous trees, especially maples. Only two or three out of 10,000 such trees will have lingzhi growth, and therefore its wild form is rare.[citation needed] Lingzhi may be cultivated on hardwood logs, sawdust, or woodchips.
The lingzhi mushroom is used in traditional Chinese medicine. There is insufficient evidence to indicate that consuming lingzhi mushrooms or their extracts has any effect on human health or diseases.