Taoist Medicine

High above the misty mountains of ancient China evolved another root of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Taoists’ search for the elusive Elixir of Life leads them to use different kinds of plants, animals and minerals. One of the more famous herbs among the Taoist scholars is Ganoderma lucidum. It is believed that by taking Ganoderma, one would never grow old or die. Shenzhi (heavenly herb) and Xiancao (magic grass) are some of the names Ganoderma were called to honor its magical powers. Although their search for their answer to human immortality ended in vain, their meticulous experiments on plants prove to be invaluable contribution of Taoism to modern TCM.

Ge Hong (284-364)

One of ancient Chinese medical expert and alchemist and is considered as one of the Four Saints of medicine, Ge Hong made great contribution to the promotion and development of Taoist medicine. He had written countless books with stories combining facts and fiction.

He authored Bao Pu Zi, exposing his theories on how to be immortal, one of which is through the religious intake of Ganoderma lucidum and also the mythical story of the Legend of the Gods, wherein the beautiful goddess Magu presented the Queen a brewed Ganoderma as a present for her birthday.

In his another  writing, he described a man carrying a belt of Ganoderma around his waist. It is believed that Ganoderma can protect the wearer against the evil and monsters through the herb’s power. It is also believed that carrying Ganoderma can bring good luck and fortune.

Ge Hong has a lovely wife, Bao Gu who like himself is also a physician. She learned medicine from his husband and practice it using herbs, one of which is through the use of Ganoderma.

Picture: Ge Hong during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, portrayed in his work The Master of Preserving Simplicity. Ganoderma is depicted on his waist, used as belt to ward off evil and monsters and at the same time invites good luck and fortune.

Picture: “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 Tao Hong-Jing