What’s Really in Reishi? Decoding the Ganoderma Genus - Birch Boys, Inc.

What’s Really in Reishi? Decoding the Ganoderma Genus

Oct 30, 2024Kaitlin Lawless

For a long time I’ve been interested in writing a blog differentiating species of Ganoderma (reishi mushrooms). At Birch Boys, we have long known that there are both similarities and differences between Chinese “Lingzhi” and our North American Hemlock Reishi (Ganoderma tsugae), and we have been interested in elucidating those differences. Until I dove into the research for this blog, I had no idea how much effort and specificity would be needed to portray even a brief overview of the complex Ganoderma genus. While there are at least 80 species of Ganoderma, the goal of this blog is to cover the most concrete information on the most common Ganoderma mushrooms in the supplement industry.

Click the links if your want to skip to a specific species: True English Ganoderma lucidum, Ganoderma sichuanense, Ganoderma in a wide sense, Ganoderma sinense, Ganoderma multipileum, Antler Reishi, Ganoderma tsugae, Ganoderma oregonense, Ganoderma applanatum, Ganoderma brownii, Ganoderma curtisii, Ganoderma sessile.

Quote from Lloyd regarding Ganoderma mushrooms

“These fungi have been described and named over and over again, until the literature has become an almost unfathomable maze of meaningless and conflicting names” Lloyd (1).

The quote above from Lloyd describes the chaotic taxonomy of the Ganoderma genus quite well. In my research, I truly was led down a maze of conflicting and outdated information. Luckily, there are genetic studies as recent as 2023 that provide some clarity as to what’s what in the realm of reishi, and I’m excited to share with you what I have learned.

The following definitions will be useful for you to review, if you aren’t already familiar:

Phylogeny: The evolutionary history and relationships of an organism.

Taxonomy: The science/study of classification.

Sensu lato or s.l. : “In a broad sense” meaning that several species are being referred to.

Sensu stricto or s.s. : “In a strict sense” meaning that whatever is being referenced is a specific and exact species.

Species complex: Most commonly used to refer to a group of closely related species that have unclear boundaries differentiating the exact species therein.

Morphology: The study of form and structure, both internal and external

History of Lingzhi and Reishi

The earliest written mentions of Reishi date back over 2,400 years ago, to the Han Dynasty of China, but it was also highly desired in China, Vietnam, Japan, India and Korea as early as 4000 years ago. “Lingzhi” is the name used for mushrooms of the Ganoderma genus in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Lingzhi roughly translates to “The mushroom of immortality and spiritual potency” (2). “Reishi” is the Japanese word for the same genus of mushrooms. In general, neither term references a specific species. Rather, they reference the Ganoderma genus as a whole (sensu lato). While these common names originate in Asia, the Ganoderma genus has a cosmopolitan distribution, meaning that many different species of Ganoderma exist all over the globe. Today, you will hear Reishi and Lingzhi being used interchangeably to refer to any mushroom in the Ganoderma genus, sometimes even erroneously with non-Ganoderma mushrooms, regardless of where you are in the world.

The Trouble with the term, "Red Reishi"

It is very common to hear the name, “Red Reishi” used when referencing certain members of the Ganoderma genus. This leads to some issues. The first being that most members of the Ganoderma genus are red in color. The second being that there are actually some complex taxonomical issues regarding the most popular reishi on the market today. It used to be assumed that “Red Reishi” always referred to Ganoderma lucidum. However, Ganoderma lucidum itself has its own nomenclatural issues…

The Trouble with Lucidum

This is where it gets complicated. I mentioned above that the taxonomy of the Ganoderma species is chaotic, and it is. Wildly so. At first glance, Ganoderma lucidum appears to refer to a specific species within the Ganoderma genus. However, that is usually not the case.

Historically, cultural knowledge of medicinal mushrooms spread from the East to the West. So when Western Europeans in England heard of Chinese Lingzhi, they sought it out. They dubbed a unique Ganoderma mushroom species found in England as Ganoderma lucidum. Then this term, “Ganoderma lucidum” found its way back to the East. The issue here lies in the fact that the English did not find the exact species of Ganoderma that Easterners were referencing. They found their own geographical variant of Ganoderma. So, "Ganoderma lucidum," is actually a European term given to a European species of Ganoderma, not the broad species complex, lingzhi, in the East.

Comic showing a simplified interpretation of the spread of the term,

Author's highly simplified interpretation of what happened

So what is the actual Chinese variant of reishi? Or what ARE the Chinese variants of reishi? Research overwhelmingly points toward a particular fungus, whose name has not been scientifically agreed upon yet. We will refer to it here as Ganoderma sichuanense, which is my personal best guess. The alternate name (which is used interchangeably in scientific literature) is Ganoderma lingzhi. I believe that the former will win this taxonomical competition, because ‘lingzhi’ as a term is currently used in a broad sense, and we don’t need any more terminological confusion to navigate.

This has led to (in my opinion) the most confusing amalgamation of colloquial names I’ve ever heard. We have ‘True English Ganoderma lucidum’ which refers to the actual species of Ganoderma from Europe. Another way to phrase this would be Ganoderma lucidum sensu stricto. Then we have ‘Chinese Ganoderma lucidum’ which can either be referencing the Ganoderma genus as a whole, a group/clade of closely related Ganoderma, or specifically Ganoderma sichuanense. 

So what is actually in ‘Red Reishi’ products? This can be a difficult question to discern. Sometimes companies are aware of these taxonomical issues and label their products accordingly as ‘Ganoderma lucidum s.l’ The “s.l” stands for sensu lato, or ‘in a broad sense.” Other companies who are not aware are likely to label their products with less specificity. It is also common for products to be tested and found to be an entirely different species than what they are labeled as. For example, When 91 specimens labeled as lucidum were investigated, 63 were found to be Ganoderma sichuanense, and all of the rest were found to be other non-lucidum species of Ganoderma (3). I can’t stress enough that none of the 90 specimens labeled as lucidum were in fact true English lucidum.

 

Here’s a guide to the phrases you may see on a supplement facts panel, and what they mean:

Ganoderma lucidum s.l. = Many types of Ganoderma grouped together

Ganoderma sichuanese s.s.= Ganoderma sichuanese aka Ganoderma lingzhi

Ganoderma lucidum s.s. = True English Ganoderma lucidum, referring only to that exact species

Ganoderma lucidum = Nonspecific term

 

Unfortunately, It is even common for published scientific literature to interchangeably refer to these mushrooms due to lack of scientific consensus on the name throughout history. This further complicates research efforts since different species of Ganoderma have different medicinal compounds. Of course, many of these beneficial compounds overlap, but not all do.

At this point in time, studies prior to 2020 that do not differentiate between sensu stricto and sensu lato are irrelevant for my purposes in this blog, as they are not specific enough to aid in a proper comparison. I will also note that studies on lucidum without specificity are the norm, and make up the bulk of the research that exists on Ganoderma. None of this is to say that lucidum sensu lato is worthless or should be avoided. Not at all! The Ganoderma genus as a whole has proven time and time again to have profound therapeutic potential. My intent with this long explanation is to make sure that what I am referencing here in this blog is easily understood, and to explain why I will only be including information from studies that reference the exact species, sensu stricto.

So now that you’ve learned just how complex this genus is, let’s get into the actual information on the most commonly researched sensu stricto species of Ganoderma.

Concrete Information on True Ganoderma lucidum

Other Names: “True Ganoderma lucidum,” “English Ganoderma lucidum,” “Ganoderma lucidum sensu stricto,” “Red Reishi”

True English Ganoderma lucidum, cultivated specimen

Concrete information on true lucidum is difficult to isolate at present. However, the Ganoderma species has a wide variety of properties and benefits, and we can assume that many of those benefits are shared by true lucidum. Since distinguishing between members of the Ganoderma species has become easier since 2023 due to genetic sequencing, I hope that true lucidum-specific information will become available soon.

Ganoderma sichuanense

Other names: “Chinese Ganoderma lucidum,” “Ganoderma lingzhi,” “Red Reishi”

Ganoderma sichuanense AKA Chinese lucidum

Since G. sichuanense has been misidentified for hundreds of years as lucidum, and only recently has clarification become available due to genetic sequencing, it is difficult to find sources on G. sichuanense specifically. Instead, there is information describing the taxonomical chaos that I presented in the introduction. Of course, that doesn’t mean that sichuanense has little promise. Quite the contrary, it is likely that the vast majority of the well-known benefits of Ganoderma species can be attributed to sichuanense, since the majority of specimens labeled as lucidum have proven to be sichuanense, and the majority of studies on Ganoderma have been on “lucidum”. Until further clarifications are made, I can’t accurately differentiate sichuanense compounds, uses and properties from true lucidum or the lucidum sp. complex. Hopefully, in the next few years, I can update this blog with more substantial information on sichuanense aka lingzhi.

In China, Ganoderma sichuanense polysaccharides have been used in hospital settings as one of few non-hormonal drugs used to treat neurosis, certain autoimmune conditions and musculoskeletal weakness (4).

 

Ganoderma in a Wide Sense

Other names: "Ganoderma lucidum sensu lato," "Ganoderma lucidum sp. complex"

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lingzhi, or Ganoderma lucidum sensu lato, is classified as a superior herb, used to nourish jing, qi and shen (essence, vitality, and spirit)(5). It is said to affect the heart, lungs, kidney, liver and spleen. It also has a rich history of use as a spiritual aid and beauty enhancer. Due to its associations in TCM with the aforementioned organs, reishi mushrooms are commonly used in traditional herbal remedies for ailments such as weakness, gut issues, breathing problems, blood issues, appetite issues and fatigue.

Modern day applications of the Ganoderma genus include uses as a functional food, dietary supplement, pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. Ganoderma products are made from various parts of the organism; fruit body (mushroom), mycelia, and spores. Reishi can be processed in a variety of ways, from simply grinding the fruit body into a consumable powder, to tinctures and more complex liquid extractions incorporating a wide variety of bioactive constituents.

The commonly marketed health benefits of Ganoderma include; supporting cardiovascular health, supporting energy and stamina, prebiotic effects, supporting respiratory health, immunomodulation, and promoting a healthy response to stress.

There are a plethora of noteworthy studies on ‘G. lucidum’, and it can be assumed that many of these are referencing this species complex, although without a direct update to publications, one cannot be positive. These studies cover various potential benefits of these fungi, such as antimicrobial properties, antioxidant effects, immune supporting effects, circulatory supporting effects, cardiovascular supportive effects, liver supporting properties, longevity, and effects on inflammation.

It is clear from centuries of traditional use, anecdotal evidence, and scientific study that the Ganoderma species as a whole can be of great benefit to people. I can only hope that scientific literature agrees on a naming system for these fungi, so that we can share more concrete info in the future.

Ganoderma sinense

Other names: "Black Reishi," "Zizhi", "Purple Lingzhi"

Ganoderma sinense, wild and cultivated specimens

Ganoderma sinense is a member of the reishi family found in China, Japan and Taiwan that can vary greatly in its morphology. Sinense offers similar benefits to the lucidum complex with a few differences. Polysaccharides from sinense are offered as an adjunctive treatment in China, offering therapeutic benefits similar to those of the Ganoderma lucidum complex. While the two share many properties, such as similar polysaccharide profiles and fatty acids, there are notable differences. For example, Ganoderma sinense has lower levels of triterpenes and ergosterol compared to Ganoderma lucidum. However, sinense displays a unique biotransformative ability, demonstrated in liquid mycelial cultures, where it can convert common diterpenes into highly sought-after triterpenes through enzymatic activity.

Ganoderma multipileum

or, "Antler Reishi"

Ganoderma multipileum, grown in non-antler form

Ganoderma multipileum also known as Antler Reishi, has been found in China, Taiwan, Thailand and Pakistan. A fun fact about this fungus is that it is heliotropic, meaning that it will reach for the sun, similarly to plants. Multipileum is quite similar in anecdotal benefits and relation to sichuanense, but with a few interesting differences.

The first difference is that this mushroom more readily grows in antler-like formations when grown in high CO2/ low O2 conditions than other members of Ganoderma.

What's responsible for the antler formations? Mushrooms need oxygen, just like humans do, and in order to form their spore-bearing surfaces, they must have plentiful oxygen. When oxygen is deprived, the fruiting bodies grow ‘leggy’ in their search for oxygen. The assumption is that the energy and compounds that would have gone to creating spores and reproducing in the presence of oxygen, are now concentrated in the leggy antlers of the oxygen-deprived fungus. Due to this assumption, antler reishi are highly sought after and widely cultivated.

Ganoderma lingzhi grown in antler form

Despite its popularity as a supplement, I was unable to find information quantifying the difference in constituents between multipileum grown traditionally and multipileum grown in antler form. In fact, I can’t find any studies directly comparing constituents of multipileum to any other member of the Ganoderma genus. However, I was able to find recent research from 2019, showing that highly oxygenated growth conditions lead to a higher concentration of triterpenoids and phenolic compounds. That finding does not support the belief that reduced oxygen leads to a higher medicinal value, but until it multipileum is tested and studied, we cannot be certain (6).

Several scientific studies are available on Ganoderma multipileum. Most of which focus on its applications in technology and medicine. One fungal enzyme that is produced in multipileum, laccase, has been studied for its ability to remove harmful chromium from the environment, highlighting multipileum’s promise as a good source of bioremediating agents (7). Another study found that multipileum is a good source of zinc nanoparticles, which have applications in biology and other fields (8).

Some studies affirm that multipileum is the correct, modern name for Chinese lucidum/sichuanense, but these studies are outdated and have since been disproven. Multipileum, true lucidum, and sichuanense are all separate species (9).

Ganoderma martinicense

A close relative of multipileum that shares its heliotropic properties is called Ganoderma martinicense which is native to Martinique in the Caribbean, but also grows in the Southwestern United States. Studies focusing on martinicense are lacking, but due to its similarity to multipileum its medicinal benefits can be assumed to be similar to the lucidum complex. 

Ganoderma tsugae

Other names: "East Coast Reishi" "Hemlock Reishi", "Hemlock Varnish Shelf", "Song Shan Lingzhi", "North American Reishi"

Ganoderma tsugae specimens from Birch Boys Inc

Ganoderma tsugae, is native to the forests of North America, where it fruits biannually during late summer. Also known as North American Hemlock Reishi, G. tsugae grows only on conifers (primarily on Hemlock trees in the U.S. and various other conifers around the globe). This fungus also prefers a cooler temperature than G. sichuanense. Hemlock Reishi was originally identified in the Northeastern U.S. in 1902, and has not experienced the taxonomical and phylogenetic chaos associated with the Ganoderma lucidum s.l. complex. Instead, G. tsugae has remained steadfast in its name, properties and taxonomy since its discovery. While tsugae doesn’t have an extremely wide distribution, there is at least one variant that has been identified in China, G. tsugae variant jannieae. Due to its steadfast taxonomy, the research available on tsugae tends to be more concrete than the literature available on other members of the Ganoderma genus. ‘Tsugae’ refers to tsugae, we can be sure of this.

With Ganoderma tsugae’s discovery in 1902, it does not taut as long standing of a history as the lucidum complex, but still has many noteworthy benefits, some of which overlap with lucidum s.l., like immune support, healthy stress management, respiratory support, and cardiovascular and circulatory support. Where tsugae stands out from the crowd is in its calming, relaxing and sleep-supporting and meditative properties - likely due to a bioactive benzofuran found within this fungus called Ganodone.

Today, Ganoderma tsugae is a very popular reishi variant in the U.S. and is also widely used around the globe, though perhaps not as much as the lucidum complex. It is used to support the immune system, support healthy stress levels, improve sleep, support a positive mood, support respiratory health, support the cardiovascular/circulatory systems, support skin health and as a meditative/spiritual aid. Like the vast majority of fungi, it is available in a variety of supplement-forms from simple, ground powders (low bioavailability) to complex double extractions which are the best way to reap the more profound benefits of fungi.

There are a variety of noteworthy studies describing potential effects of compounds within tsugae. One in-vitro (cell culture) study described a peptidoglycan-like compound that was shown to have a protective, antioxidant effect on endothelial cells (10). Another study tested the effect of triterpenes from G. tsugae on stress-induced myocardial injury in mice. The study found that hemlock reishi had a protective effect on the mice hearts by relieving oxidative stress (11). An in-vitro study from 2007 found that a triterpene from tsugae, Tsugaric acid, had a protective effect on skin cells, reducing the damage caused by UVB light (12). A compound found in tsugae called Sacchachitin has been shown to support healthy wound healing topically in vivo, and is undergoing clinical trials (13, 14). In another study, North American Reishi was found to improve the cognitive abilities of rats with artificially induced aging. The study showed that compounds from tsugae prevented the loss of dendritic branches in the rat neurons, increased protective proteins, reduced oxidative stress and lowered compounds that can harm the rat’s brain (15). A study conducted in vitro as well as in vivo on mice, showed that compounds from tsugae may inhibit and kill drug-resistant lung cancer cells in call cultures and mouse models (16). There are a number of studies indicating that compounds from reishi can have beneficial effects on the respiratory system in vitro and in vivo (17, 18, 19). In a similar animal model and cell culture study, it was shown that extracts of tsugae may inhibit colorectal cancer cells (20). An in vitro study on an alcohol extract of tsugae showed that it may reduce the growth and spread of prostate cancer cells (21). Obviously there are some profound results in these studies. It is important to note that these are studies that have been conducted in vitro (or in a cell culture in a lab, not in a human body) as well as on animals, so there is further research needed to confirm these findings. None of the statements in this blog have been evaluated by the FDA and Birch Boys products are not the products being studied. We bring these studies to light to showcase the broad potential of this healing fungus, and to assist in other’s research, who may be having trouble finding a compendium of information specifically on tsugae. Supplements are not intended to treat, cure, prevent or diagnose any disease.

Ganoderma oregonense

or, "West Coast Reishi"

Ganoderma oregonense specimen, wild

Kuo, M. (2019, January). Ganoderma oregonense. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/ganoderma_oregonense.html

Ganoderma oregonense, or West Coast Reishi, is very similar to its East Coast sister, Ganoderma tsugae, with a few notable differences. Firstly, tsugae grows only on the Eastern Hemlock whereas oregonense grows on conifers in Western US. Oregonense is also larger than tsugae. Another difference is that oregonense can tolerate higher growth temperatures than tsugae, which prefers the cool, humid climate of the Northeast (22). While there is little dedicated research on Ganoderma oregonense, it is assumed to be very similar in benefits to G. tsugae due to their similarities. There have been two unique meroterpenoids, found within G. oregonense, aptly named oregonensins A and B (23). Oregonensin A was shown to have antioxidant properties. Another use for this mushroom is in food, its new growth is white and tender and can be used in place of meat in cooking. It has a bland flavor that is great for dressing up with your favorite seasonings.

Ganoderma applanatum

Other names: "Ganoderma megaloma," "Elfvingia applanata," "Artist’s Conk," "Artist’s Bracket," "White Reishi," "Shu She Lingzhi," "Kofukitake"

Ganoderma applanatum specimens from Birch Boys inc

Ganoderma applanatum, or Artist’s Conk Mushroom, has a wide distribution. It is found on nearly all continents, but is most common in North America. It is a perennial species that decomposes dead and dying broadleaf trees. You can determine its age by taking a cross section and counting the layers present. Each layer is the equivalent of a year of growth, and the layers can have differing concentrations of bioavailable compounds. The entire genetic sequence of DNA from G. applanatum has been isolated and it has been found to be identical in all ways except morphological, to Ganoderma megaloma. Meaning that G. applanatum and G. megaloma are genetically identical, they just look slightly different from each other. Since the entire genome for applanatum/megaloma has been identified, we can be very certain that the specimens used in studies are in fact applanatum.

Due to this species’ wide distribution, it has been used for thousands of years around the world - and for many purposes! One of the most prominent uses of this fungus is as a canvas for art, hence the name, “Artist’s Bracket.” Applanatum, similarly to lucidum tauts a history in Traditional Chinese Medicine where it is used for lung health, mucous reduction, altitude sickness and natural pain relief. In ayurvedic medicine, Artist Conk is called phanasomba or phanas alombe and is used for throat and dental health. It was historically used by indigenous peoples who burned the conks as bug repellent. Further highlighting its versatility, applanatum was used in Sweden to make cork. There is even a reference to it in the book Gorillas in the Mist by Dian Fossey. Dian describes that gorillas see G. applanatum as a delicacy, one that caused many squabbles due to its rarity in their territory (24).

Artist conk mushroom does have a lookalike, and a poisonous one at that. The Tender Nesting Polypore, or Hapalopsis rutilans, is a poisonous polypore that will cause neurotoxicity if ingested. While a seasoned forager is unlikely to confuse artist conk and the tender nesting polypore, novices should get fourth opinions. After all, two of the four poisonings recorded from TNP were after having misidentifying it as beefsteak mushroom.

In modern times, it is still very common to see Artist’s Conk being used as a canvas but is less common in the supplement industry than other Ganoderma members. However, it is used in the medical research industry, lectins from applanatum are used in glucose biosensors for analyzing complicated samples (25). Several commercial flavoring agents can be attributed to applanatum, along with several other fungi. This comes as no surprise, applanatum is also used in Asian cuisine. While it is not edible in its raw form, when cooked, Artist’s Conk can serve as a flavor enhancer for fermented foods and as a tea. In addition to this, recent times have led to the discovery that foot baths in Artist Conk tea are said to soothe the feet of those with gout (26). Despite it not being as popular for wellness as some of the other Ganoderma species, applanatum has been the subject of many studies for its interesting beneficial compounds and unique properties.

In the Ganoderma genus, Artist’s Conk boasts a high concentration of ganoderic acids, one of the key bioactive compounds within fungi of the Reishi species. Many studies have been done on the respiratory supporting effects of ganoderic acids, but none specifically referencing G. applanatum, despite its prevalent historical use for lung ailments. Instead, they reference specific ganoderic acids, like ganoderic acid A or D, which are plentiful in applanatum.

While the respiratory effects of applanatum have compound-based and anecdote-based evidence, there are also many studies specifically on the properties of applanatum. One in-vitro study on mouse cells notes that several compounds from applanatum inhibit fat accumulation in vitro (27). Over 26 novel meroterpenoids (compounds with a partial terpene structure) have been found inside of applanatum (28) and they have varying effects. One in-vitro study on kidney cells found that one meroterpenoid, applanatumin A, was shown to have anti-fibrotic effects (29). One study tested applanatum’s soothing, and pain-relieving effects on mice, and found that both water soluble and alcohol soluble compounds from Artist’s Conk interact with mouse brain receptors, minimizing pain and anxiety in the animals (30). Another study showed that methanolic and aqueous extracts of applanatum had the ability to support liver health (31). One notable rodent study found that applanatum may effect uric acid in two ways inside mouse bodies, both elevating the loss of purine substances through the urine as well as decreasing the absorption of purine substances in the mouse’s intestinal lining (32). Several studies look into ganoderic acid D, a triterpene found within G. applanatum. One study found that Ganoderic acid D has anti-aging properties, its antioxidative effects protected stem cells from senescence (33). Another study, in vitro and in vivo, on ganoderic acid D found that it may interfere with the Warburg effect (34). It is important to note that these are studies that have been conducted in vitro (or in a cell culture in a lab, not in a human body) as well as on animals, so there is further research needed to confirm these findings. None of the statements in this blog have been evaluated by the FDA and Birch Boys products are not the products being studied. We bring these studies to light to showcase the broad potential of this healing fungus, and to assist in other’s research, who may be having trouble finding a compendium of information specifically on applanatum. Supplements are not intended to treat, cure, prevent or diagnose any disease.

Ganoderma brownii

Other names: "Artist's Bracket," "Artist's Conk"

Ganoderma brownii

Kuo, M. (2024, May). Ganoderma brownii. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/ganoderma_brownii.html

Ganoderma brownii grows commonly on laurel in the Western United States. Brownii is a similar species to applanatum, and is also commonly referred to as the ‘Artist’s Conk.’ However there are some important distinctions between the two species, namely that applanatum tends to be a better choice for art and medicinal purposes. This is due to the fact that brownii has a yellow cast on its pore surface, making the pure white surface of applanatum more suitable for use as a canvas. Another difference is that brownii readily and eagerly grows around foreign matter. In one study, brownii was found to have significantly more foreign matter inside of the fruiting body than applanatum, making applanatum the more suitable choice as a source for bioactive compounds. Otherwise, the studies on brownii are very limited, due to their similarities, we can estimate that brownii may share medicinal benefits with applanatum.

Ganoderma curtisii

Other names: "Golden Reishi," "Yellow Reishi"

Ganoderma curtisii, dried, and young

Kuo, M. (2024, May). Ganoderma curtisii. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/ganoderma_curtisii.html

Ganoderma curtisii was originally found in the southeastern US. It most commonly grows on oak and maple, but can grow on other trees as well. When growing on pines trees, this species is commonly referred to as Ganoderma curtisii variant Meredithiae. It was once speculated that meredithiae was a separate species from curtisii but genetic evidence has not supported the distinction. Curtisii is widely distributed in the Eastern US and has a lookalike (sessile, below). The main morphological difference between curtisii and sessile is that curtisii usually has a stem. At one time there was speculation that Ganoderma curtisii was the same fungus as lucidum, but this has been disproven by molecular analysis. Like multipileum, curtisii can be grown in antler form under the right conditions, but is more commonly grown in a traditional manner, resulting in a stem and cap.

Curtisii or yellow reishi is fairly popular in the supplement industry. Dried specimens, whole mushroom powders, extracts and more are available options. It is also a popular Ganoderma species to cultivate due to its medicinal benefits. One very recent study from March, 2024 investigated several mushroom’s effects on Ewing sarcoma cells in vitro. Of the three species studied, two were found to have an effect on Ewing sarcoma cells, and of those two, curtisii was found to be the better candidate for further research (35). Another study looked at the antimicrobial, cancer cell inhibiting and antioxidant properties of Mexican strains of curtisii. They found that extracts of curtisii were able to kill staphylococcus aureus in vitro. Another finding was that a particular strain of curtisii was able to inhibit several types of cancer cell growth in vitro. They also found that curtisii has strong antioxidant properties. The final study I was able to find that focuses specifically on curtisii investigated its effects on epileptic seizures in rats. The rats were given kainic acid to induce epileptic seizures, and the effects of a specific polysaccharide from curtisii were studied. The findings were that the curtisii polysaccharide reduced seizures in rats, and reduced the amount of cell death and inflammation in the portions of the brain affected by kainic acid (36). It is important to note that these are studies that have been conducted in vitro (or in a cell culture in a lab, not in a human body) as well as on animals, so there is further research needed to confirm these findings. None of the statements in this blog have been evaluated by the FDA and Birch Boys products are not the products being studied. We bring these studies to light to showcase the broad potential of this healing fungus, and to assist in other’s research, who may be having trouble finding a compendium of information specifically on curtisii. Supplements are not intended to treat, cure, prevent or diagnose any disease.

Ganoderma sessile

Ganoderma sessile

Kuo, M. (2024, May). Ganoderma sessile. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/ganoderma_sessile.html

Ganoderma sessile, first described by Murrill in 1902, is an interesting member of the Ganoderma genus. Sessile can be found in the Northeastern US and most commonly grows on the base of both living and dead hardwood trees. Sessile and Curtisii are often grouped together due to a few similar morphological characteristics, but they are distinct fungi. One difference between sessile and curtisii is that sessile most often grows completely without a stem. In fact, the word, “sessile” means “without a stem.” In general, sessile grows very close to the ground and often grows around other plants, highlighting the importance of making sure that any plant inclusions are harmless. Sessile is a promising fungus for cultivators. Not only does it grow quickly, but in one study, sessile was found to grow better in cultivation settings and produce more polysaccharides than both sichuanense and oregonense (37).

Conclusion

While Ganoderma species have long been celebrated for their potential health benefits, significant challenges remain in accurately identifying and classifying these fungi. The ongoing issues with nomenclature and taxonomy—combined with the misidentification of species in past research—underscore the need for further DNA sequencing and more rigorous scientific methods. These efforts are essential to restore the credibility of existing studies and ensure future research is based on accurately identified species. As interest in Ganoderma’s therapeutic potential continues to grow, the scientific community must prioritize resolving these taxonomic discrepancies. Only then can we confidently harness the full medicinal power of Reishi and other Ganoderma fungi, both in traditional practices and modern clinical applications.

This article is limited to the species of Ganoderma which have a meaningful amount of information available online and in print. Of course, we cannot describe all 80+ species here. Some that are missing from this blog are Ganoderma polychromum, G. ravenelii, G. tuberculosum, G. webenarium, G. lobatum, G. zonatum, Tomophagus colossus, G microsporum, G resinaceum, G. subresinosum, G. wrightii, G. praeceptrinum, G. pfeifferi, G. fulgens and many more.

Have access to studies I couldn’t find? Email them to us here!

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Kaitlin Lawless holding a conk of wild chaga

About The Author

Born and raised amidst the breathtaking landscapes of the Adirondack Mountains, Kaitlin Lawless developed a profound appreciation for the natural world from an early age. She is passionate about ecological preservation and permaculture, employing such practices on her homestead. Since childhood, she has studied and been taught about herbalism by the wise women in her life, field guides, and accredited scientific literature. Her expertise in the field of mycology stems from her invaluable training under the tutelage of Garrett Kopp, a licensed NYS mushroom identification expert. Kaitlin is an integral part of the Birch Boys team, as the Assistant to the President, she manages Birch Boys' customer service, B2B, copy, social media and more. This role has afforded her a deep and expansive knowledge of the effects and applications of healing mushrooms. With her broad expertise, Kaitlin has become a trusted source of information for those seeking to harness the power of nature's medicinal offerings.

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Comments (1)

  • Another outstanding, detailed breakdown of a mushroom species by K. Lawless. So much “information” in the health industry is nothing more than product marketing, designed to sell rather than enlighten. Ms. Lawless’ contributions to the Birch Boys blogs never fail to educate the reader and give one real confidence in the quality of the Birch Boys products.

    Bill Rafferty

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