ganoderma lucidum and ganoderma tsugae

Ganoderma  lucidum and Ganoderma tsugae:  G. lucidum  and  related  species  have the longest historical  usage  for  medicinal purposes, dating  back  at least  four millennia (Zhao  and  Zeuny,  1994).  In Japan it is called  Reishi  or  Mannetake  (10,000 year  mushroom)  and in  China and Korea it  is variously  called  Ling  Chu,  Ling Chih  and  Ling  Zhi   (Mushroom  of  Immortality).  It is the  mushroom  most  depicted in  ancient Japanese, Korean  and Chinese Art and  has been extensively  depicted in  Chinese royal  tapestries.  Reishi  is  also  widely  used in the Orient as  a talisman to  protect a  person or  home against  evil.   The  fungus grows in  many  parts of  the world and in  Japan is  to  be  found  mainly  on  old  plum  trees.  Originally, rare  and  expensive it  can  now  be  artificially  cultivated, which makes it more  accessible  and affordable.

history of medicinal mushrooms

MEDICINALLY  IMPORTANT  MUSHROOMS 

Synopsis Many  edible and  non-edible  mushrooms have  long  been used worldwide, especially  in  the Orient,  for  medicinal  purposes.  This  Chapter  gives a brief  summary  of  the  most important and widely  used species.  In  each case  their  historical  and current traditional  use  is  considered  together, where  appropriate, with their  commercial  and  modern  medical  applications.   Important pharmaceutical  products with proven medical  applications have been derived  from  Ganoderma  spp.,  Lentinus  edodes, Schizophyllum  commune, Tremella  fusiformis, Trametes versicolor, and  Grifola  frondosa,  and  more  recently  Phellinus    and  Hericium  erinaceus