Category: adaptogen
Aliases: Ganoderma lucidum, Ling Zhi
Two active classes: ganoderic acids (lanostane-derived triterpenoids — over 150 characterised) and β-(1→3)-glucan polysaccharides. Ganoderic acids show 5α-reductase inhibition and cytochrome-P450 modulation in vitro; polysaccharides drive the immune-modulatory effects via macrophage and NK-cell activation. Traditional 'shen' calming tonic — small human studies on sleep quality with mixed results.