I have often been asked which is the 'most powerful herb' I use in my practice. To me, such question does not really make any sense, any medicinal herbs is powerful in its own peculiar way. Nevertheless, for Traditional Chinese Medicine pharmacopoeia, herbal remedies follow a hierarchy. On top of the hierarchical pyramid are found remedies which are called Master herbs (Teeguarden). The reason why these remedies are so important in TCM is because they have an adaptogenic property, which means that they increase the non-specific ability of the body (and consequently the mind) to cope with stress. They are usually rich in terpenes (especially triterpenes), which have anti-oxidant, anti- inflammatory and immuno-stimulating properties. Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) is probably one of the best example of a Chinese Master remedy. It is said that Reishi is the mushroom of immortality, enhancing one's living functions, promoting personal development and expression of the Shen (The spirit of an individual, which resides in the physical heart). Reishi is a proper real living pharmacy! With modern research and chemical analysis, an incredible amount of pharmacological compounds have been found in Reishi which are demed responsible for its remarkable health promoting properties.
Among the properties of Reishi we find the following:
Analgesic
Anti-allergic activity
Anti-inflammatory
Antibacterial, against Staphylococci, Streptococci, and Bacillus pneumoniae (perhaps due to increased immune system activity)
Antioxidant, by eliminating hydroxyl free radicals
Antitumor activity
Antiviral effect, by inducing interferon production
Lowers blood pressure
Enhances bone marrow nucleated cell proliferation
Enhanced natural killer cell (NK) activity in vitro in mice
Expectorant and antitussive properties demonstrated in mice studies
General immunopotentiation
Anti-HIV activity in vitro and in vivo
Improved adrenocortical function