By definition, Ganoderma is a “mushroom” from the green and vibrant Mycetes plant kingdom where short and tiny fungi that are unable to manufacture their own food like green plants–through photosynthesis–thrive. Within the plant kingdom, Ganoderma Lucidum belongs to a superior grade. Of all the many edible fungi in the kingdom, the Ganoderma mushroom stands out in its significant medicinal values.
Although Ganoderma may seem trivial to most people for it leads a parasitic life by breaking down and surviving on nutrients of other plants and animals, there is more to this mushroom than meets the eye. Known as the “superior herb,” Ganoderma Lucidum is a rare variety of mushroom credited with the highest medicinal qualities in the Ancient China and is also a subject of many researches by various universities and organizations in the modern times. Also known as “Linghzi” in China–which is considered as an auspicious medicine because of its medical efficacy–and “Reishi” in Japan–which is called, the ‘God’s Herb’, Ganoderma’s worldwide popularity as a powerful medicinal herb continues to increase and is now mass-produced to help combat one of the dreaded diseases of today–cancer.
Ganoderma works best in the treatment of cancer because it helps cleanse the entire body from toxins while it strengthens immunity. It also contributes to the improvement of liver function while it stimulates the regeneration of liver cells–providing a very important supplement for those people who have liver cancer. Aside enhancing liver detoxification, the anti-cancer agents in Ganoderma which include Germanium and polysaccharides. The polysaccharide fraction of Ganoderma is responsible for its anti-tumor efficacy.
The indications for Ganoderma use in cancer include supplementation to reduce side-effects during radiotherapy or chemotherapy, to prolong survival, to improve quality of life, and to prevent occurrence or recurrence. While Ganoderma is used as a supplement during chemotherapy or radiotherapy to reduce side-effects such as loss of appetite, fatigue, hair loss, and risk of infection, it can also reduce the toxic and lessen the pains during the sessions particularly to cancer patients at terminal stages. Aside from helping the immune and endocrine system to prevent tumors, help improve the circulation and eliminate harmful free radicals, other qualities of Ganoderma that help in the treatment of cancer include the inhibition of DNA synthesis of the cancer cells, destroying the terminal enzyme activity of the tumor cells and restrain the spread of cancer cells.
Still, while Ganoderma has been recognized traditionally and scientifically as potentially useful in the treatment of cancer, there is still a notable discrepancy whether it can totally cure the Big “C” because of the lack of clinical trials demonstrating its efficacy. Despite these controversies, studies still suggest that though Ganoderma and its derivatives are not pharmaceuticals and have not undergone rigorous clinical trials to be tested against the disease, there are indirect clinical evidences to support its supplemental use in cancer.
Aside from being the biggest potential in curing cancer, the need to take Ganoderma is still indispensable for many illnesses are caused by the imbalance of body functions due to the accumulated toxins in the body.
Apart from removing the build-up of toxins, Ganoderma also protects and detoxifies the liver, prevents and cures heart diseases while it slows the aging process. It also has positive effect on insomnia, being a cure for high blood pressure and as effective treat diabetes. While it serves as a treatment for chronic bronchitis and asthma, Ganoderma also has effect on hyper susceptibility and is used as a beauty care medicine for the skin.
Terry Dunn is Webmaster of http://www.Ganoderma-Online.com – a Informational Resource about Ganoderma