Pharmaceutial name: Ganoderma
Botanical name: Ganoderma lucidum
Family: Ganodermataceae
Common name: Ganoderma, Reishi Mushroom, Ling Zhi
Properties: Sweet, neutral
Channels entered: Heart, liver, lungs

Actions and indications: Nourishes the Heart and strengthens qi and blood to treat Heart and Spleen deficiencies that manifest as insomnia, forgetfulness, fatigue, listlessness and poor appetite, dispels phlegm, stops cough and arrests wheezing. Symptoms include coughing caused by cold, coughing with profuse sputum, accelerated respiration, chronic asthma and difficulty sleeping due to dyspnea, traditionally been used to strengthen the body and tonify qi, treats qi and blood deficiencies with weak digestion, poor appetite, listlessness, loose stools, fatigue, dizziness and soreness of the lower back.

Contraindications: none known

If you have any questions about the safety of any herb used in Chinese medicine, consult with Dr. April L. Schulte-Barclay, DAOM, LAc