Ganodermataceae · fruiting body, spores
Reishi
Ganoderma lucidum
Ling Zhi is a classical TCM fungus. Human evidence for cancer, longevity, or infection-prevention claims is not guideline-grade.
Safety first
A fungus, not a plant — included because 'immune tonic' marketing collides with transplant and autoimmune questions. Rare liver-injury reports with some products. Not a CD4 count. Powder can contaminate.
Tradition vs trials
Traditional record. Bensky / Chinese Pharmacopoeia: Ling Zhi calms shen and tonifies Qi in classical language. That is not oncology.
Trial literature. NCCIH-class summaries: insufficient evidence for the marketed uses. Product quality varies widely.
Practical ranges
Educational ranges — not a prescription. Culinary use is not an extract.
fruiting body
Pharmacopoeia decoction ranges exist; extracts are not interchangeable and are not a prescription
Chinese Pharmacopoeia / NCCIH — Educational range only — not a prescription. A licensed clinician individualizes product, dose, and duration.
Pregnancy, nursing, children
- Pregnancy. Avoid unsupervised concentrated products.
- Nursing. Insufficient reliable data; avoid unless a clinician directs otherwise.
- Children. Insufficient reliable data; avoid unless a clinician directs otherwise.
Contraindications
- as a cancer treatment
- unsupervised use after transplant
Key interactions
- immunosuppressants / anticoagulants · caution
Theoretical immune modulation; some extracts have antiplatelet notes. Transplant drugs need a clinician.