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Copyright © 2004 R.G. Srinivasan
Ganoderma, a rare
variety of Mushroom credited with the highest medicinal qualities by the
classic Chinese ‘Seng Nong’ is indeed a subject of much research from the
ancient china of 100 B.C. or earlier to the modern times by various
universities and research organizations. It is also known as Linghzi in
China and Reishi in Japan.
It is said that in the
ancient times anyone who found the rare Linghzi never revealed the place
and kept it a secret of health, longevity and wealth. The Japanese
revered the herb as ‘God’s Herb’ where it is known as Reishi.
Lingzhi in medicine was considered so auspicious that its
medical efficacy has been attested to in the oldest Chinese medical text
(over 2,000 years old). The book, which is known in
Japan
as "Shinnoh Honsohkyo", is now accepted as being the original textbook of
Oriental medical science. In it, 365 kinds of medicines are classified and
explained. Ganoderma is classified as “Superior Herb” or "God's Herbs"
and they are for perpetual youth and longevity. The book states that for
"superior" medicines, any amount can be taken as desired on a continuous
basis with no unfavorable effects. Of the superior medicines listed in the
text, Lingzhi was rated number one. You can see how important and powerful
Lingzhi was considered in ancient times. It achieved its ranking in the
Chinese text not because of its symbolic importance as a good omen but
because of its medicinal properties. Centuries ago, Lingzhi was said to be
a medicine that would grant you eternal youth and longevity.
But after 2,000 years, Lingzhi has jumped into the
spotlight as a specific medicine for cancer. This must be a bitter irony
for those in the modern medical profession who discounted the herbal
remedies and oriental medicine as being “old wives' tales". The families
of many cancer patients who have received a diagnostic "death sentence"
now seek reishi as the only way left for them.
The Linghzi Mushrooms grows only on old tree barks with
specific conditions difficult to replicate.
Till 1971 the herb was so rare that it was hardly sited
except in mountainous areas. Many researchers had attempted to plant
Ganoderma artificially but failed. Till in 1971 directed by Naoi
Department of Agriculture and Professor Zenzaburo Kasai, Kyoto
University
made a breakthrough in its cultivation.
Presently the herb is grown only by 10 countries. The
demand far outstrips supply due to the increasing evidence through various
researches on its efficacy in treating many disease including Cancer, HIV,
Hepatitis, Diabetes, Liver disorders and mainly as a preventive due its
rich anti oxidant and detoxifying qualities. You can check further
resources at
http://globalhealthnetwork.tripod.com
Some of the research in
Japan
indicates that those that have taken Ganoderma for over a year the visit
to doctors dropped into half. There are thousands of research paper
available including on the internet on the subject of the healing
breakthroughs achieved by Ganoderma in various treatments and too lengthy
to discuss here. However we can highlight the research in short.
Summarized from these reports, it is found that Lingzhi
have the following properties:
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Improves cholesterosis,
coronary insufficiency.
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Improves hyper and
hypotensions.
-
Improves nervous
tension, neurosis.
-
Improves chronic
bronchitis, hepatitis.
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Improves
leukocytopenia and reticuloendothelial system.
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Effective in numerous
other ailments.
The three major killers these days are: cancer, cerebrosis
and coronary diseases. The latter two have their etiology closely linked
to the blood circulatory system. Related problems like stroke, heart
block, arteriosclerosis, obesity etc. are all tied to problems in the
blood circulation. One out of three persons dies from one of the above
ailments everyday.
Lingzhi can correct this imbalance and strengthen the
system to prevent further deterioration.
What are noteworthy are its preventive capabilities. For
the 21st century man, stressed out, poisoned by the polluted atmosphere,
wrong food habits and drug induced illnesses of the modern medicine.
While modern medicine has been very effective in treating certain
conditions effectively and immediately, they do not address the holistic
approach of the ancient medicine as a preventive and for regeneration of
wasted tissues and damaged cells.
In conclusion, Ganoderma has been proven to exert
significant effect on diminishing pain, fortifying the body's immune
system and prolonging life. Even though its role in cancer control has not
been determined 100 percent yet.
Ganoderma has a history of 3,000 years, during which time
it is widely used by many people with no reported unfavorable side
effects. It is therefore highly recommend for prevention. I hope that
people from all walks of life will take a concerned interest and share in
development of Herbal treatments. Hopefully, with so much research and
emerging evidence, Ganoderma can bring a brighter outlook to the human
race in the conquest of longevity.
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