Lingzhi: From Mystery to Science

Historically, Lingzhi (Ganoderma lucidum) has been viewed as magic herb as well as an auspicious symbol by Chinese. It is, therefore, also known as “Ruizhi”, “Shenzhi”, and “Xiancao” with the meaning of good fortune and mysterious power.

Numerous myths and poems mentioning people’s love, worshiping and beliefs on Lingzhi can be found in Chinese literature since ancient time. It is mentioned in the Book of Mountain and Seas of the Warring States Period (476-221 BC) as well as the Legend of the White Snake. A famous poet Chu, Qu Yuan describe “Sanxiu” (another name for Lingzhi) in his poem Nine Sons, Mountain Ghost. Other mentions of Lingzhi in other well known Chinese poems includes: On lingzhi, Praise of the Godess Luo, Flying Dragon and in Singing Trip of a Han Dynasty.

Taosim played an important role in promoting Lingzhi for either medical purpose or otherwise. The ancient Taoist theory considered Lingzhi as the best among the catholicons, and by consuming Lingzhi, one would never grow old or die.

To date, many Chinese idioms, such as “Ji Xiang Ru Yi” (good fortune and happiness), “Ci Fu Jia Xiang” (bestow blessing and happiness, “Zeng Tian Shou Kao” (blessed with longevity), “Guo Tai Ming An” (country is prosperous and people live in peace, continue to be used by the people reflecting the ingrained “Lingzhi culture”.

Earliest record of Lingzhi

The earliest history of Lingzhi’s discovery and application by Chinese can be dated back 2000 years to the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC) and the Warring States Period (475-221 BC). Shennong Materia Medica has mentioned the earliest pharmaceutical mention of Lingzhi around circa 100 BC. Many other written records in early Chinese history began to study, discuss and report the scientific aspects of Lingzhi in respect to its categorization, habitat, bionomics, herbal nature, medication , etc. they have been frequently referred to in literature and used for further research and applications.

Understanding the biological classification of Lingzhi

Lingzhi is a fungi belonging to Eumycota, Basidiomycetes, Polyporaceae, Ganoderma genus. Only its fruiting body is what has been referred to as “Lingzhi”, historically and worldwide. The Compendium of Materia Medica stated that the Chinese word, “zhi” was originally derived from the shape of the Ligzhi fruiting body. As a plant (rather than an animal), a “grass” portion was added to create the Chinese character that we know today.

The genus Ganoderma includes sub genera Ganoderma (sect. Ganoderma and Phaeonema), Trachyderma and Elfvingia. There are 75 species in genus Ganoderma that can be found in China. But only few, such as G. lucidum, G. sinensi, G. capense can be used for medicinal or food purpose. And only the fruiting body of G. lucidum and G. sinensi are considered medicinal materials by the Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China.

The growth phases of Lingzhi include the stages of spores, mycelium and the fruiting body. The spores are minute single cell, reproductive organ of the fungus. After germination, mycelia are formed. Mycelium is covered with white crystalline material and has a fuzzy hairy appearance. Then the fruiting bodies developed. The fruiting body, or basidioma, is umbrella-shaped fruit. It is a reddish-purple or reddish brown mushroom shaped like an umbrella. When young, its texture is like meat, but turns woody upon maturation. The fruiting body has a cap (pileus) on top of the stem (stipe). From the time of the ancient book of Shennong Materia Medica to the current Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China, the fruiting body has been referred to as “Lingzhi”, not other parts of the fungus.

Lingzhi is traditionally cultivated on logs. However, for ecological concerns, environmentally-friendly and sustainable cultivation methods are now advocated. In fact, to assure products of high quality, using reliable strains and following organic farming practice in cultivating Lingzhi are necessary and prudent for the business.

Adapted from Lingzhi: From Mystery to Science
Zhi-Bin Lin (2009). Lingzhi: from mystery to science.Peking University Medical Press.