Benefit of Reishi Mushroom for Hay Fever Sufferers
The mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) has been used for many centuries in the traditional herbal medicine of China and Japan for its immuno-modulatory and adaptogenic properties.
As well as its general health enhancing action, Ganoderma lucidum has been shown to have specific anti-inflammatory properties. This traditional usage has to been linked to the isolation from the herb of a family of ganoderic acidsm triperpene compounds with a basic lanostane structure which exhibit anti-inflammatory properties:
The compound Ganoderic Acid C, isolated by careful fractionation of a non-polar solvent extract of Ganoderma lucidum was found to account for most of the anti-inflammatory activity from the herb as determined by in-vitro tests such as histamine release from mast cells.
An ethyl acetate extract rich in ganoderic acids was later found by another group of researchers to exhibit both systemic and topical anti-inflammatory activity in standard animal models such as the croton oil induced mouse ear inflammation test.
The currently used topical and systemic anti-inflammatory drugs have serious drawbacks; for example, corticosteroids can suppress pituitary–adrenal function, dangerously unbalance fluids/electrolytes and cause undesirable changes in skin texture, while the salicylic acid derived prostaglandin inhibitors result in severe gastric irritation.
Consequently, the potential use of Ganoderma lucidium (Reishi) supplementation could offer a safe and effective alternative for the reduction of histamine-mediated immune responses.
Case Studies: Hay fever Patients
Patient #1 - 39 year-old male; chronic hay fever sufferer since childhood with little relief from conventional herbal medication.
After 3-4 days supplementation with Ganoderma lucidum there was a marked decrease in drowsiness, itchiness and sneezing. After 10 days the patient was able to mow the grass without significant discomfort. Continued alleviation throughout the season. Repeated benefit the following year. Dose - 3 tablets x 500 mg / day.
Patient #2 - 5 year-old male; developed hay fever age four. Unable to go outside for much of early summer.
Supplementation started; after 1 week 90% reduction in symptoms. No red/sore eyes or sore throat. Only occasional sneezing. Able to play football outside again. Dosage maintained at 2 tablets a day until the end of the season. Dose - 2 tablets x 500 mg / day.
In both cases there was a rapid and significant alleviation of symptoms on commencement of supplementation with Ganoderma lucidum indicating that Ganoderma supplementation may have a role to play in the management of histamine mediated immune responses.
[Information provided by Martin Powell, BSc. Hons., Dip.Ac, Dip.CHM, MRCHM]