Compendium of Materia Medica

China has a rich and long history. Ganoderma lucidum has long been part of this history having been recognized for its medicinal purposes and is used since the reign of Emperor Yan. Many records substantiate this as Ganoderma have been focused of many discussions and praise in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Its medicinal properties had been subjected to thousand of years of use and were validated by large amount of testimonies, studies and publications.

Compendium of Materia Medica (Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644)

This monumental work is attributed to the compilation of a legendary doctor and pharmacist Li Shizhen and was published in 1590. It detailed his personal observation during his travel to remote areas of China to collect and study samples of traditional medicines. The compendium includes 52 volumes, detailing a total of 1,892 drugs with 1,160 illustrations and almost 11, 096 prescriptions. This was a multidisciplinary book of botany, pharmacology and therapeutics and is highly authoritative reference during the ancient times. The Compendium of Materia Medica is one of the major backbones of modern application of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Picture: Li Shizhen (1518-1593), Jingzhou, Ming Dynasty

Li Shizhen pointed out in the collection the medicinal benefits from Ganoderma lucidum in utilizing it as food. He noted that Ganoderma can be harvested 3 times a year and its inclusion in the diet can result to long life. Although Ganoderma is believed to be the food of the gods and it is the main reason why gods have immortal life, Li Shizhen showed scientific approach in studying Ganoderma and other herbs as he debunked notions of the herbs in the superstitious aspect. He personally picked and tried Ganoderma and concluded that although it is indeed a potent medicinal herb, associating it with magic and extra human power is baseless.

He also re-classified Ganoderma from the previous classification in the Shen Nong Materia Medica, based on the 5 colors and 5 elements. He noted that “Ganoderma of different colors logically taste differently, but their taste may not necessarily be directly correlated to their color”. One of the more accurate illustrations of Ganoderma during ancient times was drawn by Li Shi-Zhen in the Compendium of Materia Medica.

Picture: Illustration of Ganoderma in the Compendium Materia Medica by Li Shizhen.

Li Shizhen is one of the four ancient medicinal saints in China. He focused on the medicinal research following his family’s medical causes. During his extensive studies using meticulous and scientific approach, he discovered many errors in earlier medical journals ad texts. The Compendium of Materia Medica and his other works made great contribution in the development of current Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

“Four Saints Garden” four white marble sculpture of ancient medical saints with Ganoderma lucidum in the center background. (Ge Hong, Sun Simiao, Li Shizhen, Tao Hongjing) in Alpha Bio-Tech Park, Nantong City China

To learn more about Ganoderma in the Philippines and its roots to Chinese Culture, please read Speaking of Balance (Eastern Han Dynasty.) and Magic Medicines