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Knowledge baseHerbs

Ling Zhi靈芝

GanodermaGanoderma

Also known asReishi Mushroom · Lucid Ganoderma

Category
Herbs that Nourish the Heart and Calm the Spirit
Nature
neutral
Taste
sweet
Channels entered
Heart, Liver, Lung
Secondary channels
Kidney, Spleen, Pericardium
Dosage
3–15 g

Usual doses

Dosage
3–15 g
Powder
1–3 g
Serious disorders
4–5 g
Tincture
0.5–2.5 ml

Actions & indications

Tonifies Heart Qi, nourishes Heart Blood and calms the Spirit
Heart Blood and Heart Qi Deficiency failing to nourish the Spirit with insomnia, fright, palpitations and forgetfulness (can be used as a stand-alone herb)
Tonifies the Lung Qi, transforms Phlegm and stops cough and wheezing
  • Cough and wheezing in patients with Deficiency Cold or Phlegm Dampness (can be used as a stand-alone herb)
  • Wheezing due to Lung and Kidney Deficiencies
Tonifies Qi and nourishes Blood
Deficiency consumption with shortness of breath, lack of appetite and either icy extremities or irritability with a dry mouth

Contraindications

  • Use cautiously in Excess conditions.
  • It may produce skin rash, diarrhea, or facial flushing.

Incompatibilities

Avoid combining with Rx. Dichroae Chang Shan or Hb. Artemisiae Scopariae Yin Chen Hao.

Combinations

Notes

  • According to some sources, it strengthens the Middle Jiao, tonifies Jing, sharpens vision and intelligence, inhibits tumor growth, detoxifies, and dispels accumulations.
  • It is typically used on its own, prepared as slices, syrup, tincture, or injectable fluid.
  • It is known as “the food of the immortals.”
  • It is classified by some sources as a Qi tonic.
  • One source states that it removes toxins.
  • Being a dense, woody fungus, it must be sliced before decoction to release its constituents, and soaking it in warm water beforehand also helps.
  • Purple Ganoderma has a sweet, Warm, non-toxic nature. It addresses deafness, eases joint movement, calms the Spirit, boosts Yuan Qi, strengthens sinew and bone, and improves complexion.
  • Crimson Ganoderma is bitter, neutral and non-toxic, addressing chest clumping, tonifying the Middle, and sharpening intelligence to guard against forgetfulness.
  • Taken over the long term, it lightens the body and slows aging.
  • It builds immune function over time while also stimulating it immediately, helping prevent cancer and treat it in early stages.
  • It stands as perhaps the foremost — possibly the only — anti-allergic remedy capable of addressing the full spectrum of type I-V hypersensitivity disorders.
  • It offers protection against unproductive stress.
  • It has served as an aid to journeying and meditation.
  • Used alone, it tonifies Qi and Blood.
  • More recently it has been applied to chronic fatigue, angina pectoris, hepatitis, high cholesterol, hypertension, bronchitis, altitude sickness, forgetfulness, immunodeficiency, and leukopenia.
  • For chronic Stomach disorders, 1.5g is cut into pieces, soaked in wine, and taken daily.
  • Rz. Dioscoreae Shan Yao is said to act as a guiding herb for Ling Zhi.

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