Artist’s Conk (sometimes referred to as ‘White Reishi’) is a mushroom in the Ganoderma family of fungi, which are known for contributing to a healthy response to non-disease related inflammation. Artist’s conk also offers additional routes to cardiovascular support, several studies have shown compounds from artist’s conk to have positive effects on factors that influence the cardiovascular system. Artist’s conk is high in several wellness boosting compounds such as polysaccharides, polyphenols, ganoderic acids A, D, and G as well as ganoderenic acids B, C and D which contribute to the Ganoderma family’s beneficial effects.

An in vitro study conducted in 2005 delved into the Ganoderma applanatum’s ability to influence nitric oxide, a pivotal player in both cardiovascular well-being and libido regulation in men and women. Artist's conk, in its various extracts – crude, water, and ethanolic (or alcohol) – showcased a noteworthy performance, all of them surpassing the positive control used in the experiment. The ethanolic extracts in particular exhibited a significantly greater impact in vitro, shedding light on the potential of this fungus to influence nitric oxide production. These findings show the merit in further studying artist’s conk’s potential aphrodisiac and libido-stimulating properties.

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Shifting the focus to weight management, which plays a significant role in cardiovascular health, artist's conk reveals another facet of its potential. Artist’s conk alcohol extracts may curtail the development of fat cells in vitro, emerging as a possible future avenue for those navigating weight-related concerns. The compounds responsible for this effect are lanostane triterpenes, 5 of which outperformed the positive control in anti-adipogenic effects in vitro, and two of which also showed an ability to reduce lipid accumulation in vitro.

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Elevated uric acid has the potential to exacerbate cardiovascular issues, and an interesting mouse study from 2018 explores the effects of extracts from artist’s conk on uric acid. The study involved extracting components from artist's conk using both ethanol and water, and administering these extracts to mice with chemically-induced elevated uric acid levels. The results were promising, with both extracts showing significant reductions in serum uric acid levels in the mice, without renal toxicity, which could not be said of the positive control. Additionally, it also assisted in the elimination of the uric acid via the mice urine. The study suggested that artist's conk could potentially regulate uric acid levels by influencing certain proteins in the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract. These findings open doors for further investigation into the compounds responsible for these effects and their potential therapeutic use.

Did you know that stress can have a big impact on your cardiovascular system? There is compelling data showing that not only distress (negative stress, like going through a divorce, money problems or having anxiety at work) but also eustress (positive stress, like going on vacation or getting overly excited) can have a negative impact on your cardiovascular system. All healing mushrooms are adaptogens, meaning they have the capacity to aid the body in having a healthy response to stressors. Mushrooms in the reishi family are particularly renowned for their adaptogenic prowess, ability to balance the mood and their ability to alleviate non-disease-related inflammation. We'll be taking a look at Ganoderma tsugae (also known as North American Red Reishi) and it's potential cardioprotective properties.

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In 2013, researchers hypothesized that the antioxidative effects of hemlock reishi would provide a cardio-protective effect in mice. To quantify this hypothesis, the researchers used a chemical called isoproterenol to induce myocardial injury in mice. Remarkably, the extract of reishi was able to protect the mice from stress induced cardiac injury. These effects were studied and attributed to alcohol-soluble ganoderic acids, which are also found in abundance in artist’s conk as well as many other members of the Ganoderma genus.

Endothelial cells are a crucial part of the vascular system. They are responsible for the creation of new blood vessels and the regulation of exchanges between the bloodstream and surrounding tissues. Even in vitro, endothelial cells will readily create tubelike vascular structures, which is what makes them such an important facet of modern vascular research. There are two interesting in vitro studies that delve into hemlock reishi and endothelial cells. Let’s take a look!

Endothelial Cells and Oxidative Stress - In 2009, researchers studied the in vitro benefits of a peptidoglycan-like substance derived from the reishi mushroom (Ganoderma tsugae). This substance (known as F5-2 in the study) was found to be rich in protective enzymes, particularly those that defend cells against oxidative stress. When tested on endothelial cells, F5-2 was observed to boost the production of antioxidant enzymes, helping the cells resist damage from harmful substances. Overall, this study suggests that the peptidoglycan-like compound from the reishi mushroom has the potential to safeguard and support the endothelial cells in vitro, and may be a worthwhile subject of further in vivo, human research.

Hemlock Reishi, Endothelial Cells and Pollution - An in vitro study from 2016 observed the effects of an extract of Hemlock reishi on cells exposed to very small particulate matter from diesel exhaust. Diesel exhaust contains fine particulate matter that is less than 2.5 microns in size (PM2.5) and is small enough to reach deep into the lungs, absorbing into the bloodstream and potentially causing significant oxidative stress. An increased amount of exposure to PM2.5 is correlated with an increase in heart attacks. The astonishing result of the study showed that rather than allow the PM2.5 particles to permeate the endothelial cells, the addition of hemlock reishi extract caused the endothelial cells to become non-permeable to the PM2.5 particles, preventing the diesel exhaust particulate from wreaking havoc in vitro.

In conclusion, mushrooms and fungi may offer ideal pathways to support cardiovascular and libido health – they certainly warrant increased study and exploration. Happy Valentine’s Day and if you’re interested in trying these fungi out for yourself, check out our double extract (both hot water and alcohol) extracts of Maitake, Artist’s Conk, and Hemlock Reishi below.

BONUS COUPON CODE - Feb 1-16 (2024) only, use code HEART for 25% off 4oz Maitake, Artist’s Conk, and Reishi tinctures.