1

2

Letter from the Publisher Amanda Klenner

Reishi is a powerful herbal tonic that has thousands of years of

documented medicinal use, and it is one of the best researched

medicinal herbs. Its earthy flavor, and nutrient-dense powder helps

to support health from the inside out. This wonderful fungus is a

nourishing tonic and an adaptogen, which helps the body moderate

the stress response and stress hormones more efficiently. It has

also been extensively researched for its cancer-fighting effects,

immune system modulation, hormone regulation, as well as

combatting the many conditions underpinned by inflammation, poor

immune response, and hormone imbalance.

The name “reishi” describes a few different species of Ganoderma,

which have similar but slightly different effects. These shelf fungi

are fun to find in the forest, but you might find it easier to purchase

organically grown reishi from a trusted supplier like Mountain Rose

Herbs, or an ethical wildcrafter. Hiking in the forests of Washington

state, I found the occasional Ganoderma, but not enough to supply

even my own daily habit of the mushroom. I rely on purchased

reishi powder for that.

Reishi plays an important role in our family’s life. I have auto-

immune diseases, and my husband also has some chronic health

issues. Reishi, along with some other medicinal mushrooms, play

an important role in supporting our health. We add a tablespoon of

reishi powder to our morning coffee, and take it daily as a tonic and

preventative. We love it, and I hope you will too!

Green Blessings,

Amanda

3

Table of Contents

Reishi Herbal Monograph

Reishi Coloring Page

4

11

Wildcrafting and Processing 12

Adaptogens for Deep Support 20

Reishi History and Mythology 25

Reishi’s Immunomodulatory Effect 33

Wild Mushroom Bone Broth 38

References 44

Glossary of Herbalism 47

Disclaimer 59

4

Reishi Herbal Monograph Kristine Brown

Almost all accounts mention wild reishi to be rare, so imagine my

surprise when, one late autumn afternoon as I strolled out my back

door past the maple tree to my car, I noticed four or five fruiting

bodies of what appeared to be reishi, growing right at my feet! A

few weeks later, I again discovered a colony heartily growing at the

base of a willow tree in the wooded area behind my house. And, so

began my relationship with reishi.

5

That was several years ago, and to this day, each autumn I am

filled with excitement when I discover those first few buds bursting

from the roots of the maple tree.

It is often said that the plants come to us when we need them, so

I was not surprised when my dad, who had been diagnosed with

prostate cancer, called me up several years ago to tell me there

were “strange mushrooms” growing on his old English pecan tree

stump—a visit to my parents’ house confirmed my suspicion that

reishi had turned up.

As for its rareness in the wild, those accounts seem to refer to plants

growing in Asia, most likely due to the history of use. It seems much

more common to find reishi growing here in North America.

Latin names: Ganoderma lucidum (most commonly recognized

medicinally), G. tsugae, G. oregonense, G. carnosum, G.

japonicum, G. resinaceum, and G. capense

Family: Ganodermataceae

Common names: reishi, ling zhi

Distribution, growing, native info: Species of Ganoderma are

found throughout the world; G. lucidum is native to Asia, G. tsugae

is found in the northeastern United States, G. oregonense, in the

Pacific northwest, and G. curtisii in the southeast. Others that grow

around the world include G. carnosum, G. japonicum, G.

resinaceum and G. capense. G. applanatum, more commonly

known as Artist’s Conk, also has some medicinal properties as well,

many similar to G. lucidum et al. Most are found growing at the

base of hardwood trees, especially hemlock, elm, alder, oak, and

chestnut. It is less commonly found on maple and willow. In Japan,

they are found growing on plum trees.2

6

Parts used: Fruiting body, mycelium (less common)

Herbal actions: adaptogenic, analgesic, antibacterial,

antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor,

antitussive, antiviral, cardiotonic, expectorant, hepatoprotective,

hypotensive, immune stimulant, immunomodulator,

radioprotective, and rejuvenative

Energetics: bitter, warming, and drying

Constituents: Adenosine, bitter triterpenes (ganoderic acid S,

ganoderenic acid), ganesterone, lipids, β-glucans, polysaccharides,

phytosterols, coumarin, ash, protein, riboflavin, ascorbic acid,

calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, zinc1,2,3,4

Multi-Protective Herb

Looking over reishi’s medicinal actions, we can get a good sense

that it is protective in many ways. As an adaptogen, it helps our

bodies to handle stress and normalize body functions. Reishi is safe

to be taken long term, helping to build the body up after long or

chronic illnesses and other debilitating ailments. Reishi works to

nourish, tonify, and remove toxins.

For those undergoing treatment for cancer, many studies are now

showing reishi to be useful for helping kill cancer cells. It is now

added to cancer protocols the world over due to its antitumor

action. Studies have shown reishi to inhibit or have strong activity

against many types of cancer cells including breast, prostate,

gastric, bladder, liver, and lung cancer cells.3,4 Reishi’s antioxidant

action may help to prevent cancer as well.

Not only does reishi help to fight cancer, but it also works to protect

against radiation exposure by protecting normal cells from

radiation-induced damage. According to Donald Yance, it is often

7

used in China during chemotherapy and radiation therapy to offset

the side effects.4

Reishi has been used as an antidote for mushroom poisoning, which

may be in part due to the hepatoprotective properties, as some

poisonous mushrooms cause liver and kidney failure.2 As a

hepatoprotective, reishi helps to remove toxins, repair liver

damage, and protect the liver, keeping it healthy and strong.4,5

Those suffering from hepatitis B, as well as eczema, psoriasis and

other skin disorders, which stem from the liver, may find relief

through continued use of reishi.5 In cases of hepatitis that do not

have severe impairment of liver function, reishi has shown

favorable results.5

Immune Stimulant / Immunomodulator

As an immune stimulant and immunomodulator, reishi is wonderful

for working with immune system imbalances, including both hypo-

immune conditions such as HIV or cancer, and hyper-immune

conditions like auto-immune diseases and allergies.4,5 Reishi has

been approved in Japan and China for treating myasthenia gravis.5

Cardiotonic / Hypotensive / Glucose Regulator

Reishi’s cardiotonic and hypotensive actions have been shown to

help with ailments of the heart for health issues such as high blood

pressure, high LDL cholesterol, hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular

disease.2,4,5 Reishi also controls blood sugar levels, helping out

diabetics (type 2), reduces stickiness in the blood which can help

reduce the risk of a stroke, and has shown to improve various

symptoms of heart disease such as edema, dyspnea, palpitations,

and precordial pain.2,5,6

8

Antihistamine and Anti-Inflammatory

Reishi shows the ability to stop serious allergic reactions including

seasonal allergies, animal dander and pollen allergies, and chemical

sensitivities.7 Reishi seems to have a cumulative effect—the more

you consume, the less you need.5

Those suffering from arthritis and other inflammatory ailments may

find reishi to be beneficial to reducing inflammation with its anti-

inflammatory properties. Reishi has also been shown to inhibit

human papillomavirus (HPV) activity.5

Parasympathetic Nervous System Tonic

Reishi has been shown to help promote more restful sleep and

relieve anxiety.2,5 People who consume reishi on a regular basis

tend to fall asleep faster, sleep deeper and feel more rested upon

waking. Some people report their dreams to be more vivid as well.

During waking hours, reishi gives energy, focus, and calmness, and

reduces the effect of caffeine, which helps to manage mental and

physical stress.5

In Asia, athletes often use reishi to enhance their performance as

well as by mountain climbers to combat altitude sickness, by

oxygenating the blood.2,3,4,5

Respiratory Conditions

With its antitussive and expectorant actions, reishi can be used for

treating respiratory ailments. Those suffering from asthma and

bronchitis may find improvement from taking reishi.5

As an antiviral and antibacterial, reishi is great to take for fighting

off many colds and ailments. It has shown to work well against

9

influenza virus type A, herpes simplex virus type 1, Staphylococci,

Streptococci, and Bacillus pneumonia.5

Elixir of Life

Reishi has long been used as an elixir to youthfulness and longevity,

and seems to possess rejuvenative actions.4 Reishi’s other common

name, Ling Zhi, meaning “spirit plant” gives us a clue that it has

long been considered a plant of importance. Others refer to reishi

as the Plant of Longevity and have documented its use in ancient

texts with many references to long life and good health. Given all

the proven uses, it’s not hard to imagine how these actions can

prove beneficial for living a long, healthy life.

Preparation and Dosage

Being a hard mushroom, it’s best to slice fresh reishi as soon as you

get it home before letting it dry, to make it easier to process.

Tincture: Double extraction. Adults: 80-100 drops, up to 6 times

daily. Children ages 2-6: 20-25 drops, up to 4 times daily. Children

ages 7-12: 40-50 drops, up to 4 times daily.

Decoction: For regular consumption, add 2-4 ounces dried reishi

to 1/2 gallon water, simmer for up to 4 hours until the liquid has

reduced to 1 quart. Adults: drink 3-4 cups daily. Children ages 2-

6: 1/2-1 cup daily. Children 7-12: 1 1/2-2 cups daily.

According to Christopher Hobbs, for mushroom poisoning, decoct

4-7 ounces dried G. lucidum in water, and drink 3-5 cups daily.2

Syrup: Prepare as for decoction above, decocting down to 2 cups.

Add 2 cups raw honey after straining. Store in refrigerator. Adults:

10

1/2 teaspoon, 3 times daily. Children ages 2-6: 1/8 teaspoon, 2

times daily. Children 7-12: 1/4 teaspoon, 3 times daily.

Cautions

Use with caution if you are taking blood thinners.3

Safety and Contraindications

Avoid using with immunosuppressant drugs, including morphine,

due to potential immune enhancement, including organ transplant

recipients using immunosuppressants.8 Use only with autoimmune

disorders under the guidance of a qualified professional. May

potentiate sedative effects of reserpine and chlorpromazine; may

antagonize the stimulant effect of amphetamines; may increase

sleeping time induced by barbital and pentobarbital while

decreasing the sleeping time induced by hexobarbital.8

11

12

Wildcrafting and Processing

Ganoderma Mushrooms

Nina Judith Katz

If you see a beautiful mushroom in the middle of winter, it’s

probably a polypore. When I teach mushroom hunting, I focus on

teaching my students to recognize the broad groups of mushrooms

first. We start with the question, “Is the mushroom gilled or not

gilled?” This distinction takes minutes to learn and provides a great

deal of safety and reassurance to new mushroom hunters, because

13

the deadly mushrooms are all gilled; a mistake made with a

mushroom that is not gilled is more likely to lead to hours of gastric

misery than to liver failure. There are a few other simple rules that

enhance the safety of mushroom hunters.

Always triple check your identification. Use a book or two or

three and check with a more experienced mushroom hunter. In

general, it’s best to use two or more sources to confirm your

identification. The North American Mycological Association has

affiliated clubs in many locations, and these offer not only

affordable mushroom identification classes but also group forays

and identification evenings. On an identification evening, club

members may bring their baskets and spread out their findings

on a table, where the group will sort them by species and identify

them together. It’s a great way to learn new species and gain

confidence in your identification skills.

When in doubt, throw it out. Never sample a mushroom unless

you are 100% certain of its identification and edibility.

Never eat a mushroom raw. (Even the common button

mushroom is safer cooked.)

Eat only a minuscule amount and keep a sample of the

mushroom when trying a new one for the first time. if something

goes wrong and you need to go to the hospital, it will be very

useful to have a mushroom to take with you so that you can find

out exactly what caused the problem. This is equally important

whether you accidentally ate a poisonous mushroom or turned

out to be allergic or sensitive to one that is not ordinarily

poisonous.

14

Gilled Polypore

To tell whether a mushroom is gilled or not, look under the cap. Do

you see a series of thin, radial lines arranged a bit like the spokes

on an umbrella? Look more closely. Are they thin and flat? If so,

they may be gills. Are they arranged in a regular pattern? Gills are

regular, but ridges are not. Do they break off easily? Gills do, but

ridges don’t. Is each one attached to the cap or the stem (stipe) in

exactly the same way as all the others? Again, this typifies gills but

not ridges. Are they all attached to the center of the cap? If not,

are they all attached to the stipe? If they’re gills, they should all be

attached to the same part of the mushroom.

Gills produce spores, which are the mushroom’s equivalent of

seeds. They also hold them, and eventually drop them, allowing the

mushroom to reproduce. Ungilled mushrooms have a variety of

other structures and strategies to hold and disperse their spores.

Polypore mushrooms, also known as bracket or shelf mushrooms,

have tubes instead of gills. The tubes end in pores, which give this

15

group of mushrooms its name. If you look under the cap, you’ll see

the pore surface, which is flat, relatively smooth, and uniform in

color. The spores come out through the pores. Some polypores

have the traditional cap and stem form we usually think of when

we’re talking about mushrooms, but others look like shelves,

brackets, hoofs, or shells. Polypores tend to be fairly hard. Most

often, they grow on logs, stumps, or decaying trees; sometimes,

they grow on living trees, but cause them to decay. A few are

mycorrhizal; this means that they have a symbiotic relationship to

the trees where they grow.

Identifying and Harvesting Ganoderma applanatum, or Artist’s Conk, ranges from 3 to 15

inches wide. It is usually kidney- or fan-shaped and fairly flat, but

occasionally it becomes more hoof-like. The cap is usually brownish

or burgundy in the summer,

with zones in slightly different

shades of the same colors. Off-

season, it may be brownish

gray. Especially when it’s

young, the outer zone may be

white. It grows on dead, dying,

and stressed deciduous

hardwood trees throughout the

United States and much of the

world.

If you think you’ve found Ganoderma applanatum, turn it over. The

spore surface should be cream-colored or off-white. Pick up a twig

and see whether you can draw or write on it. Whatever you scratch

should immediately turn brown, so that you can use it as a canvass

16

or paper if you like. You can use a stick, a needle, or an etching tool

to etch on it. The harder you press, the darker the brown, so you

can achieve different tones. Pressing with your fingers will give you

shading.1 In the winter, it may be harder to scratch, but you can

paint on it. The impressions you make on your fungal canvas will

last; this is what gives the Artist’s Conk its name.

The Artist’s Conk is a cousin of reishi, and the use is very similar.

G. applanatum is both immunomodulant and immunostimulant,

anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-

ulcer. In addition, it both inhibits tumor growth and helps the

immune system attack tumors. It also lowers cholesterol. Both the

mycelium and the fruiting body are medicinally active.2,3 The

mycelium is the rootlike part of the mushroom.

Ganoderma lucidum Ganoderma Tsugae

17

The two Ganodermas known as reishi are G. lucidum and G. tsugae.

Their appearance is very similar, but G. lucidum is rarer. It usually

grows at the base or on the roots of living maples and other

deciduous trees, although sometimes it grows on their stumps. G.

tsugae grows on dead and dying conifers, especially on hemlock

trees, which are the tsuga species; G. tsugae means “the

Ganoderma of the hemlock” or “the hemlock’s Ganoderma.” G.

tsugae sometimes grows on pines and spruces as well, and ranges

from Canada to North Carolina to the mid-west; G. lucidum ranges

from New England to Florida to the Pacific coast.

Both G. lucidum and G. tsugae look shiny, as if they were coated

with shellac. G. lucidum ranges from 1 to 14 inches, while G. tsugae

ranges from 2 to 12 inches. They both sometimes have stipes. The

caps often have zones of different colors, which range from yellow

to dark red, and the outer margin ranges from yellow to white. G.

tsugae tends to be darker. G. lucidum ranges from kidney-shaped

to round or semi-circular, and G. tsuage is more consistently

kidney-shaped or fan-shaped. The pores of both range from white

to brown. The flesh of G. lucidum also ranges from white to brown,

while the flesh of G. lucidum is white. When young and soft, they

are both edible, but they soon become too tough to eat. They are

still valuable medicinals, however. Artist’s Conk, in contrast, is too

tough to be edible even when it’s still young.

18

Preparation and Extraction In Traditional Chinese Medicine, practitioners either pulverize these

mushrooms or prepare them in very thin slices. You can mix the

mushroom powder with water just off the boil and drink, or use the

slice to prepare a broth to incorporate into a soup or stew. You can

decoct it twice, straining the water from each decoction to use in

your broth.

Most western herbalists prefer to prepare medicinal mushrooms as

a double extract. This means that the material goes through two

complete processes of extraction, one that uses water and heat,

and one that uses alcohol. Opinions vary about the order in which

to do this. The alcohol will help to preserve the water, so tincturing

19

first is simpler. On the other hand, lengthy heating is more effective

for extracting some chitins, and that, in turn, facilitates the rest of

the extraction process.

No matter what order you choose to do things in, the first (and

often hardest) step is to break or cut up the mushroom as finely as

possible; this increases the points of contact between the

mushroom and the menstruum. Because Artist’s Conk is so tough,

slicing and pulverizing it may be a bit challenging, but do your best.

If you’re using a blender, try to use one with a good warranty. The

other Ganodermas are a bit softer, especially when young, so they

should be easier to cut.

Once you’ve broken up the mushrooms as finely as seems

reasonable, put them into a pot made of steel, cast iron, glass, or

clay, and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to a simmer and

continue simmering for a couple of hours; the liquid should reduce

at least to half. Strain the liquid into a large jar for storage, and add

a splash of vodka or brandy to preserve it, because the second part

of the extraction will take several weeks. Put it into the refrigerator

as well, just to be on the safe side.

Place the marc, or the mushrooms that are left in your strainer, into

another jar and add slightly more vodka or medicinal grade alcohol

than needed to cover them. The alcohol should be at least 90 proof

(45%). Shake well. Let the tincture macerate for 6 weeks or longer.

Shake daily. When you’re ready, strain the tincture and combine it

with the water that you set aside.

At this point, I recommend decocting the marc again for soup broth.

Sample it before you toss it into your soup. If the flavor is strong,

strain it for broth and then add another round of water to decoct

yet again; if it’s weak, you’re finally done.

20

Adaptogens for Deep Support Angela Justis

Adaptogens have become quite popular and for good reason! These

herbs are useful for helping to address a common problem in our

current society—chronic stress and its debilitating effects. What is

an adaptogen? The classification “adaptogen” is a relatively new

one to herbalism. It was first used in the 1940s by Russian scientist

Nikolai V. Lazarev.1 Though the classification is new, the use of

adaptogens in herbal medicine is not new at all. Adaptogenic herbs

such as Asian ginseng, ashwagandha, eleuthero, holy basil, and

reishi have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic

medicine for thousands of years.1

21

Herbalist Kiva Rose eloquently sums up the main use of adaptogens

with this statement: “The primary point of an adaptogen is to

actively promote homeostasis.”2 And indeed, adaptogens help us to

better tolerate stress and they aid the body in maintaining healthy

homeostasis. Adaptogens are herbs that have a normalizing,

nontoxic, and nonspecific effect, helping the body to better respond

to stress.1,2,3 Research of adaptogens has found that these plants

support homeostasis through balancing the response of the

neuroendocrine-immunological axis to stress, in particular helping

to soothe and balance both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis

(HPA) and the sympathoadrenal system (SAS).4 Chronic stress on

these systems leads to the development of issues such as insomnia,

fatigue, depression, anxiety, and more.4

The health benefits of adaptogens are wide-ranging. Some

particular benefits include:1

Provide support for those dealing with adrenal fatigue and

exhaustion.

Promote longevity and encourage healthy aging.

Soothe anxiety, depression, and sleep issues especially when

associated with cortisol irregularities.

Improve brain function and athletic performance, and decrease

fatigue.

It is important to note that adaptogens are not meant to be used

as a bandage for the injuries that a high amount of chronic stress

brings to our lives. Adaptogens are useful as part of a holistic style

of living, including lifestyle changes, stress management, and

dietary considerations. They should not be used to make it possible

to endure ever increasing amounts of stress. As stated by herbalist

Paul Bergner, “adaptogens do not give you free energy, if you use

22

them to support overreaching, instead of to support rest, recovery,

and nourishment, they will enable a deeper level of burnout.”5

Each adaptogenic herb has a myriad of properties as well as

energetics specific to it. Many of these herbs provide a positive

effect on overall health, having beneficial actions such as

immunomodulator, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, nervine, and

amphoteric.1 When considering adaptogens, it is useful to

understand the actions the specific herb imparts and to take a deep

look at the constitution of the person who will be receiving the herb.

Five Commonly Used Adaptogens You’re going to learn all about reishi in this issue, so I’ll leave that

one to the other authors to tell you about. Here are five other

common and powerful adaptogens.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

The root of this herb has been used traditionally in the Ayurvedic

tradition. This adaptogen is calming and soothing, helping to ease

nervousness and promote sleep in cases of insomnia stemming

from long-term adrenal stress.1,6 Other actions include: tonic,

immunomodulator, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory,

antispasmodic, nervine, sedative.1,7

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceous)

Astragalus is used to help deeply build the immune system, having

an affinity for the lungs and spleen.8 It is wonderful to include the

root in teas, syrups, and soups during the winter months to bolster

the immune system. However, astragalus is contraindicated during

the acute phase of infection.1 Look to it instead as a useful

23

preventative, and while rebuilding during convalescence. Other

actions include: immunomodulator, hepatic, antioxidant,

cardiotonic, antiviral.1,7

Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus)

The original herb studied in Russia for its adaptogenic properties,

this plant can help to increase athletic performance, soothe the

over-stressed individual, and strengthen the immune system.

Rosemary Gladstar says that eleuthero is “one of our best herbs for

increasing endurance and stamina and for building and enhancing

our resistance to stress factors, whether emotional, physical, or

psychological.”8 Interestingly, regular consumption can be useful

for folks who suffer from extreme reactions to heat during the

summertime. Other actions include: antioxidant, immune tonic.1,8

Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum, O. gratissimum)

This lovely, vigorous member of the mint family has been used for

thousands of years as a calming herb that that promotes longevity

and is seen as “being capable of bringing on goodness, virtue, and

joy in humans.”1 It finds use in promoting digestive and respiratory

health as well as stimulating the immune system.9 Other actions

include: antimicrobial, carminative, expectorant,

immunomodulator, antioxidant, antidepressant, neuroprotective,

nervine, anti-aging.1,9

Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis)

The berry bears all five flavors: sour, salty, sweet, bitter, pungent—

all at once! Try it—you’ll be amazed. David Winston explains that,

according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the presence of all five

24

flavors indicates that schisandra “benefits the five yin organs: the

liver, kidneys, heart, lungs, and spleen.”1 Schisandra is used as an

adaptogen that helps to protect and nourish the liver, as well as

bolster the immune system.7 It is both stimulating and calming to

the nervous system at the same time.1 Other actions include:

antioxidant, cholagogue, immunomodulator, hepatoprotective,

anti-inflammatory, nervine, astringent.1,7

25

Reishi History and Mythology Gina Gibbons

It has long been said that medicinal mushrooms connect us to the

immortal aspect of their medicine. Though it is primarily the fruiting

body (the mushroom) that we use for medicine, the mycelium

(roots of a mushroom) are essential. They bring nourishment from

dirt and trees and other organic material, to grow the medicinal

mushrooms we cherish so much. Mycelia bring forth Earth’s wisdom

in a way that is accessible to we surface dwellers.

How can tiny mycelia possibly give us such benefits? The truth is

that these itty-bitty thread-like structures are incredibly vast. The

26

largest mycelial network that has been discovered to date is in

Oregon and spans over three miles! Mycelia have the ability to

influence the micro-functions of our bodies, while connecting us to

the entire cosmic blueprint of the Earth itself. The medicine that

mushrooms offer us as human beings is simply an extension of the

medicine that they offer the entire ecosystem of our planet.

Incredibly intricate and resilient, mushrooms perform a key function

of alchemy within forests, as they help to decay excess or dead

matter and convert it to a fertile foundation for new life to spring

forth. Without mushrooms, life on earth perhaps would not exist,

or it would look very different at least. On an energetic level, these

earthy little medicines have the ability to connect us to the vast

intelligence contained within the planet and help our bodies to align

with that life force.

Reishi and Immortality

No other mushroom has come to represent the immortal benefits

of fungi more than the vibrantly colored reishi. As far as we know

from historical records, reishi was the first mushroom to be utilized

for its medicinal benefits, and its names across the world can give

us an idea of how special it truly is. The Latin name of one species,

Ganoderma lucidum speaks to its appearance: Gan means “shiny,”

and lucidum means “brilliant.” Reishi has been called by many

names though: In China, it is referred to as Ling Zhi or Ling Chu,

meaning “the mushroom of immortality,” and “the resurrection

plant,” respectively. Other names translate to, “the king of herbs,”

and “spirit mushroom.” The Japanese call it reishi or mannetake,

the latter meaning, “10,000-year-old mushroom.” Beyond Asian

cultures, reishi was used by the Romans, who referred to it as “the

food of the Gods.” In ancient Egypt, it was claimed to be a gift from

27

Osiris.1 In Vietnamese, its name translates to “supernatural

mushroom.”3

One key facet to reishi’s long-standing value is perhaps its ability

to improve memory. The ancient Chinese text, Shen Nong Ben Jing,

states that reishi is “useful for enhancing vital energy, increasing

thinking faculty and preventing forgetfulness. It can refresh the

body and mind…”2 Why this is so essential to longevity may lie in

the Taoist belief that illness is caused by past transgressions. The

ability to keep one’s memory clean and clear was directly related to

one’s ability to live a long and healthy life.

Common Species

There are two main varieties of Ganoderma, lucidum and tsugae.

G. lucidum is the more tropical species that prefers harder woods,

while G. tsugae can be found in temperate rainforests, often on

hemlock trees. Research comparing the DNA of the two species,

done in 1995, revealed very little difference between the two. But

to further complicate matters, more recent research has revealed

that Ganoderma lucidum from Asia was in its own separate group

from Ganoderma lucidum, found in Europe and the Americas.2

Within G. lucidum, there are two types of fruiting bodies: one that

is more common, with a wide and shelf-like shape, and the other,

Rokkaku-Reishi, which was highly sought after for its fanning,

antler-like shape. This latter variety was commonly depicted

throughout ancient Chinese art and royal furniture detail. Other

varieties of Ganoderma include G. oregonensis and G. applanatum.

28

A Royal Fungus

Ganoderma was once only available to wealthy and high-class

citizens. In early Chinese texts, it is one of the most revered herbs,

with a rich folklore, rare and prized. It was said that if one found a

reishi mushroom, they were meant to keep it to themselves and not

tell anyone about it, a sort of personal magic or talisman. In Asia,

during ancient times, rulers would send out scouts to search among

ancient plum trees looking for these glossy gems. It is said that for

every 10,000 trees they looked upon, only three would contain

reishi.2

Spiritual Medicine

According to Taoist legends, priests would experiment with reishi in

their magical elixirs and potions that were thought to grant eternal

youth and immortality. During the 1st Century, Taoist priests were

known to cast spells and mix up magic mushroom brews, practicing

early versions of alchemy and chemistry. Known to us today more

commonly as shamans, or witches, these priests were summoning

the power of nature to help cure the sick. They were simply known

as doctors then. Wang Chung, a philosopher contemporaneous to

these shaman priests, speaks to their use of medicinal mushrooms

in this poem:

They dose themselves with the germ of gold and jade

And eat the finest fruit of the purple polypore fungus

By eating what is germinal, their bodies are lightened

And they are capable of spiritual transcendence.2

Reishi has been widely used by many in China as a good luck charm

or talisman, and it clearly has enjoyed a long history of spiritual

29

significance. In his highly informative book on ancient and modern

uses for medicinal mushrooms, Healing Mushrooms: Effective

Treatments for Today’s Illnesses, author Georges Halpern explains,

“In pen-and-ink drawings, tapestries, and paintings, subjects

sometimes wear jewelry or jade pieces made in the image of the

reishi mushroom.”2 The curved shape of ruyi, ancient Chinese

sacred and ceremonial “talking sticks” dating back to the Han

Dynasty, was also inspired by the shape of the reishi mushroom

fruiting body. And, Kuan Yin, the Chinese goddess of healing and

mercy is sometimes depicting holding a reishi mushroom.2

30

Folk Tales and Art

China’s first emperor, who was said to have been deeply interested

in the idea of attaining immortality, specifically sought after reishi

as part of his secret medicine. Over 21 centuries ago, Emperor Ti

of the Chin Dynasty heard about the impressive benefits of reishi.

In a heartbreaking folk tale with a surprising ending, he outfitted

an entire fleet of ships to sail east, where he’d heard there was a

large growing population of it. On the ships were 300 strong men

and 300 beautiful women, who were instructed to bring the

mushrooms back to the emperor. Sadly, the ships were lost at sea;

the castaways were washed up on the shore of an uninhabited

island and founded a little nation called Japan!2

Reishi is found spanning many centuries in Chinese and Japanese

art, literature, furniture, clothing, crowns, and even on top of royal

staffs. Often, sculptures of sages and holy men are pictured with it

or pointing to it. Truly symbols of royalty, long life and good health,

reishi is found throughout the Forbidden City (the emperors’

residency from 1420 to 1912) on the doors, archways, and railings.

Topping the emperors’ traditional scepter was no other than a

carving of the reishi, and an image of reishi can also be observed

on one emperor’s robe.

There is a popular Chinese fairy tale known as White Snake, which

refers to a “resurrection plant.” Many believe the plant mentioned

in the story, but not specifically named, is reishi. It is a popular

story known by most all Chinese youth. The story goes that:

Lady White travels to the faraway Kulun Mountain to obtain the resurrection plant and revive her

deceased husband. By demonstrating her love for her husband, she is able to win the plant, and

her husband lives again.2

31

Another legend has it that Reishi is protected by both snakes and

tigers, and can be found only by sages.

Modern Cultivation

The general popularity and historical worship of reishi has led

humans to artificially cultivate it, to give supply to the ever-growing

demand. Finding reishi in the wild, especially in Asia, was extremely

rare, even centuries ago.

Now, reishi is grown on inoculated logs or in plastic bags filled with

sawdust or another waste/salvage material. The log method takes

almost six months to generate a fruiting body, but the spores are

larger, the active constituents greater, and the quality seems to be

32

higher overall. This does ultimately waste wood, though, and is not

ideal as far as deforestation goes. The bag method at least utilizes

waste products that would otherwise be discarded (examples

include corn cobs, sawdust, and cottonseed hulls). The growing

process is much faster in bags, but one must be aware that there

is possibility for contamination—the agriculture waste that is used

may contain heavy metals or pesticides. Another, less time-

consuming process has been developed, in which the mycelium is

grown and fermented in a large tank that contains liquid. It seems

to deliver a much more consistent quality and gives a higher yield

for the time with less production costs and waste.4

The miraculous Reishi has fascinated and hypnotized humans for

centuries. These beautiful organisms gift us with their potent, yet

gentle medicine. Invoking a sense of wonder, mushrooms are truly

the hidden threads that hold together entire ecosystems. Like the

forests they support, they share with us a powerful medicine of a

deep and profound nature that has the ability to address the hidden

or unseen nature of our imbalances. By connecting with and

consuming these literal death-eaters we are connected to their vast

intelligence, as well as our own. We transmute what has served its

purpose and use that as fuel to propel our bodies, minds, and spirits

into a new, fresh way of experiencing the world. Centuries ago,

these shiny beauties represented the royal and life-giving nature of

the forest. Today, they still offer us this medicine, while we can

humbly admit we are still just getting to know their infinite mystery

and truly incredible intelligence.

33

Reishi’s Immunomodulatory Effect Stephany Hoffelt

Reishi is perhaps the most intensely studied medicinal mushroom

(although mushroom is technically the wrong word to use in

describing it). The mushroom, or fruiting, body is only one lifecycle

stage of a fungal organism properly referred to as basidiomycete.

The lifecycle of this fungal organism begins as a spore released by

the fruit body (mushroom) lands in the proper growing substrate.

This spore germinates and sends out thread-like filaments called

hyphae which then grow into the larger mass of filaments we call

the mycelium. The “fruit” the mycelium produces at maturity is the

mushroom.

34

Both the fruiting body and the cultured mycelium of reishi are

categorized as immunomodulators by many herbal clinicians. The

word immunodulator is rather vague, and I am never satisfied when

I see it applied blanketly to an agent that builds protection against

seasonal illnesses. I like to know why something might work.

Also, the research on reishi generally employs the following more

pharmacological understanding of this term: An immunomodulatory

agent simply makes some sort of immunologic adjustment. It can

either stimulate immune function or supress it.

Phytochemicals can be considered immunomodulatory for many

different reasons. Immunomodulators might initiate processes

which boost specific defences or calm overactive immune

responses. Many researchers consider anti-inflammatories and

antioxidants to be immunomodulators.1

β-glucans and triterpenoids are two broad categories of

constituents present in G. lucidum which work together to initiate

or repress a variety of innate and adaptive immune processes. This

is one of those times when we want to appreciate the whole plant

effect. However, as some constituents are believed to have specific

actions, the best way of explaining these actions is to break it down

into small, somewhat manageable chunks.

β-D-glucans

β-D-glucose polysaccharides are naturally occurring in the cell walls

of certain bacteria, yeasts, fungi, algae, lichens, and cereal. They

are shaped quite differently from one another. Fungal β-glucans

have short β 1, 6 glucan-linked branches coming from a β 1, 3

glucan backbone as opposed to oats and barley, in which are linear

chains of β 1, 4 glucan (cellulose) interspersed with β 1, 3 glucans.

35

These chains of D-glucose polysaccharides are linked together by

β-type glycosidic bonds. Simplified, this means they are bonded

together in a way that makes them difficult to denature and

consequently poorly absorbed in the body. It is believed that very

little of the fungal β-glucans are taken in through digestion. They

likely travel through the gastrointestinal system unchanged until

they reach the layer of enterocytes protecting the intestines. Here,

special transport proteins carry them to gut-associated lymphoid

tissue (GALT) cells which bind with fungal β-glucans, triggering

immunological responses. This leads researchers to believe that the

systemic effects of these polysaccharides are a secondary effect of

their influence on epithelial tissue in the gut.2

Receptors on the surface of macrophages (PRRs) bind with

pathogen-associated molecular patterns in the tissue. Researchers

theorize β glucans stimulate immune-system function by binding

with these receptors present on cells of the innate immune system

activating the complement system, and consequently enhancing

the function of natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages. For

example, β 1, 3 has been shown to bond with a receptor on the

surface of macrophages known as dectin-1.3 Fungal β glucans bonds

with complement receptor 3 (CR3) receptors on neutrophils and NK

cells initiating a similar response. The reason for this might be as

simple as the fact that certain bacteria such as P. aeruginosa, also

produce β glucans.4

Triterpenoids

There are literally hundreds of triterpenoids present in reishi, most

in the form of ganoderic acids and lucidenic acids. These terpenoids

contribute strongly to reishi’s influence on inflammatory pathways.

Some researchers believe that the focus on β-D-glucans in the early

36

years of research has resulted in these constituents being

underestimated.

Ganoderic acids have been known to a variety of actions related to

boosting immunity. Ganoderic acids A and B are probably the most

widely characterized as they are the most frequently attributed with

anti-tumor cancer properties, but others are becoming more widely

discussed.5

Triterpene extracts have been shown to improve humoral immune

response by inducing TNFα production.6 TNFα is pro-inflammatory

cell-signaling protein called a pyrogen which means that it can

provoke the inflammation interleukin-1 (IL-1) which induces TNFα

release by endothelial cells.6 This leads researchers to believe that

the triterpene extracts are triggering an immune cascade that

strengthens the body’s ability to fight off invading pathogens,

independent of the β glucans.

Immune responses are not always pro-inflammatory, ganoderic

acids C & D have been shown to have a stabilizing effect on mast

cells, preventing their degradation and subsequent release of

histamine, which may have the effect of supressing the allergic

cascade and inflammation prompted by allergens.7 Ganoderic acid

C1 has been shown to reduce peripheral white blood cells known as

(PBMCs) in asthma patients.8

The latest research seems to be focusing on these triterpenes’

interaction with orphan nuclear reactors. Nuclear receptors act as a

switch, turning on gene expression when bonded with their ligand.9

The farnesoid X (FXR) is responsible for gene expression related to

the “physiological maintenance of bile acid homeostasis including

the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism,” protecting the body

against metabolic syndrome and its symptoms.10 Researchers have

37

proposed five G. lucidum triterpenes to be ligands to the FXR,

including ergosterol peroxide, lucidumol A, ganoderic acid TR,

ganodermanontriol, and ganoderiol F.11

New research like this may shed more light on the efficacy of

traditional herbal preparations. It is certain that, as research

progresses into the synergistic nature of the way these compounds

work, we will have a clearer understanding of the mechanisms by

which reishi preparations support our immune system.

38

Wild Mushroom Bone Broth Carol Little, RH

Full of nourishing goodness, bone broth is a wonderful healing food.

Add medicinal mushrooms and create a powerful, life-enhancing

broth.

Have you ever heard of it? Have you made it? Save your meat

bones, and get ready for a culinary adventure! I make this at least

twice a year for my family and have recommended it in my herbal

practice for many years.

I first learned of this particular brew, from dear friend and herbalist

Kate Gilday, who lives in the Adirondacks. Kate has been a great

inspiration for me over the last 20 years. She operates an herb shop

called Woodland Essence. Kate and her company collect many of

the mushrooms they sell from the nearby forest, and otherwise use

only top-quality medicinal mushrooms from trusted local suppliers.

39

This kicked up bone broth is a super-nutritious, nourishing,

immune-enhancing broth which herbalists suggest for people post-

chemotherapy and other cancer treatments, or for folks who are

very debilitated due to ongoing chronic illness. My family and I

enjoy this broth with medicinal mushrooms weekly and I believe it’s

another route to supporting immune system health! One doesn’t

need to need this broth to enjoy it and benefit from it.

Medicinal Mushrooms Healing Broth Before we get started, I make this in a large stainless steel stock

pot or in a large crock pot. This particular recipe requires steeping

the bones and mushroom mix for 3 days. When I use this stove-top

method, I simmer all day and turn off for a few hours overnight and

then simmer some more! When I can, I make use of my large crock

pot and allow it to sit on the counter atop a thick board, for the

required 56 to 72 hours. Choose whichever method makes the most

sense to you.

Ingredients

bones from free-range turkey or chicken (or wild venison)

apple cider vinegar (just a splash), or lemon juice if you prefer

pure water

mushroom mixture (see the formula I use at the end of this

article)

organic onions, garlic, carrots, celery

optional: dash of good quality Tamari (low sodium if possible) or

Sea Salt

optional: gelatin from pasture-raised animals

Note: You can purchase gelatin or bones and connective tissue high

in collagen, such as tendon or knuckle bone, from pasture-raised

40

beef. I purchase gelatin online from Vital Proteins, but there are

several others. There may even be a local source near you. Do

ensure that whatever you buy is only from pasture-raised beef.

Crock Pot Directions

1. Put the bones in the crock pot and cover with water.

2. Turn it on high for an hour, and then turn it down to low. Every

crock pot is different, so adjust heat setting as necessary while

the stock cooks. A gentle simmer is okay, but definitely avoid a

'rolling boil'.

3. Add the mushroom mixture and stir.

4. Add water when needed. The liquid should always cover the

bones/mushrooms.

5. Simmer for a minimum of 56 hours.

6. Add the onions and other flavor-enhancing organic veggies.

7. After 72 hours, strain.

8. Reserve the liquid and allow it to cool.

9. Pour the broth into ice cube trays and freeze.

Stovetop Directions

1. Put the bones into a large stock pot and cover them with good-

quality water.

2. Bring it to a quick boil and then turn the heat down.

3. Add the mushroom mixture and stir.

4. Allow to simmer for minimum of 56 hours, adding more water as

needed.

5. Add the onions, carrots, celery, garlic.

6. Simmer for another 20 to 24 hours.

7. Allow it to cool a bit and then strain.

41

8. Reserve the liquid.

9. Pour it into ice-cube trays and freeze.

10. Once the cubes are frozen, dump them into small freezer bags

with labels, or store them in glass containers.

The therapeutic dose of this broth is one cube per day. Just pop one

into a mug and fill the mug the rest of the way with good quality

just-boiled water. Stir to dissolve the cube and enjoy. Other ways

to use these broth cubes? Add to a soup, stew, sauce, or gravy, or

use it as a part of a tasty stir-fried veggie dish.

Mushroom Mix The blend of mushrooms and roots I like to use for my broth, called

Deep Immune Tonic Soup, comes from Woodland Essence, and it is

“based on a traditional Chinese Fu Zheng formula designed to

support, enliven, and strengthen the immune system.” I am sharing

this particular combination, as both Kate and myself, along with

hundreds of other herbal practitioners, use this specific formula.

You can buy it online, or of course you can purchase the ingredients

to make it yourself, or get creative and make your own concoction!

The 12-ounce package contains three types of medicinal

mushrooms, plus four powerful herbal allies:

Red Reishi (Ganoderma tsugae or lucidum)

Cardiotonic, immunosupportive, hepatoprotective, anti-tumor,

adaptogen, antibacterial, anti-allergy, anti-inflammatory, anti-

cholesterol. Adenosine, found in Reishi inhibits platelet aggregation

and thrombocyte formation, increasing blood flow through

vasodilation.

42

Shitake (Lentinula edodes)

Immune modulation, tumor inhibition, adaptogen, anti-viral,

hepatoprotective, lowers serum cholesterol and blood pressure,

soothes bronchial inflammation, cancer preventative.

Turkey Tails (Corioulus versicolor)

Immunostimulant—stimuates T-cell and macrophage activity and

induces interferon release, anti-tumor, antiviral, anti-inflammatory,

antbiotic. Used in hepatitis treatment.

Astragalus Root (Astragalus membranaceous)

Adaptogen, tonifies lungs, blood tonic, adrenocortical restorative,

immune enhancer, liver restorative/protective, anti-tumor,

hypotensive, energy tonic, regulates fluid metabolism.

Codonopsis (Codonopsis pilosula)

Support for digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular and immune

systems. “Quiets the soul,” respiratory restorative, hypotensive,

anti-tumor, liver restorative, radiation protective, treats fatigue,

nutritive blood builder.

Atractylodes (Atractylodes)

General energy tonic, benefits digestion and regulates fluid

metabolism, liver restorative, immunostimulant (enhances

phagocytic function), enhances white blood cell production and

lymphocyte transformation, and increases serum

IgG.

43

Burdock root (Arctium lappa)

Promotes detoxification, removes lymph congestion, reduces

infection and inflammation, regulates immunity and reduces allergy

response, benefits skin.

Here’s to the bone broth revolution, including reishi and other great

healers. I hope you try this recipe and enjoy every sip!

Some other companies selling high-quality medicinal mushrooms

online include:

Willow Harvest Organics in NY, and

Healing Spirits Herb Farm and Education Center

44

References

Monograph

1 Mars, Brigitte. The Desktop Guide to Herbal Medicine. (Laguna Beach

Basic Health Productions, Inc., 2007), 251-252.

2 Hobbs, Christopher. Medicinal Mushrooms. (Summertown: Botanica

Press, 1986), 184-187.

3 Winston, David, and Steven Maimes. Adaptogens: Herbs for

Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief. (Rochester: Healing Arts Press,

2007), 184-187.

4 Yance, Donald R. Adaptogens in Medical Herbalism. (Rochester:

Healing Arts Press, 2013), 538-543.

5 Rogers, Robert. The Fungal Pharmacy: The Complete Guide to

Medicinal Mushrooms and Lichens of North America. (Berkeley: North

Atlantic Books, 2011), 164-185.

6 Wood, Matthew. The Earthwise Herbal: A Complete Guide to Old

World Medicinal Plants. (Berkeley: North Atlantic Books, 2008), 272-

274.

7 Masé, Guido. “Medicinal Mushrooms: a brief history and overview of

principal species.” http://www.vtherbcenter.org/wp-

content/uploads/2012/04/Medicinal-Mushrooms.pdf

8 Brinker, Francis. Herbal Contraindications and Drug Interactions plus

Herbal Adjuncts with Medicines. (Sandy: Eclectic Medical Publications,

2010), 275.

Wildcrafting

Hobbs, Christopher. Medicinal mushrooms: an exploration of tradition,

healing, & culture. Botanica Press, 1995.

45

Lincoff, Gary, and Carol Nehring. The National Audubon Society field

guide to North American mushrooms. New York: Knopf, 1981.

Marley, Greg A. Mushrooms for health: medicinal secrets of

Northeastern fungi. Camden, Me.: Down East, 2009.

McKnight, Kent H., and Vera B. McKnight. Mushrooms of North

America. Norwalk, CT: Easton Press, 1987.

Pacioni, Giovanni. Simon & Schuster's guide to mushrooms. New York:

Simon and Schuster, 1981.

Spahr, David L. Edible and medicinal mushrooms of New England and

Eastern Canada. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books, 2009.

Schwab, Alexander, Monika Lehmann, and Roy Mantle. Mushrooming

without fear: the beginner's guide to collecting safe and delicious

mushrooms. New York, NY: Skyhorse Pub., 2007.

Deep Support

1 Winston, David, and Maimes, Steven. (2007). Adaptogens. Herbs for

Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts

Press.

2 "Terms of the Trade: Adaptogen." The Medicine Womans Roots.

Accessed March 02, 2017. http://bearmedicineherbals.com/terms-of-

the-trade-adaptogen.html.

3 Hoffman, David. (2003). Medical Herbalism. Rochester, VT: Healing

Arts Press.

4 Panossian, Alexander. (2003). Adaptogens, Tonic Herbs for Fatigue

and Stress, Alternative & Complementary Therapies, 9(6):327-331.

5 "Plant Healer Interview: Paul Bergner." The Medicine Womans Roots.

Accessed March 02, 2017. http://bearmedicineherbals.com/plant-

healer-interview-paul-bergner.html.

46

6 "The ancient herb that's been used to fight insomnia for thousands of

years." The Hearty Soul. January 11, 2017. Accessed March 02, 2017.

http://theheartysoul.com/ashwagandha-sleep/?t=THS&W=CC.

7 Tilgner, Sharol. (1999). Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth.

Creswell, OR: Wise Acres Press, Inc.

8 Gladstar, Rosemary. (1999). Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbs for

Longevity & Well-Being. Pownal, VT: Storey Books.

9 "Creating a Local Materia Medica: Holy Basil." Herbal Academy.

September 27, 2016. Accessed March 02, 2017.

https://theherbalacademy.com/creating-local-materia-medica-holy-

basil/.

History and Mythology

1 "The Fisher Clinic™." Reishi Mushrooms - The History of Reishi.

Accessed March 02, 2017.

http://www.fisherclinic.com/article_history_of_reishi.html. 2.

2 Halpern, Georges M. Healing mushrooms. Garden City Park, NY:

Square One Publishers, 2007.

3 "Reishi/Lingzhi - Ganoderma lucidum and Ganoderma tsugae."

Reishi/Lingzhi - Ganoderma lucidum and Ganoderma tsugae. Accessed

March 02, 2017.

4 Saifei Li, Caihong Dong, Hua’an Wen & Xingzhong Liu (2016)

Development of Ling-zhi industry in China – emanated from the

artificial cultivation in the Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy

of Sciences (IMCAS), Mycology, 7:2, 74-80

Immunomodulatory

1 Aher, V. D. “Antioxidants as Immunomodulator: An Expanding

Research Avenue.” Int J Curr Pharm Res 3, no. 1 (2011): 810.

47

2 Raa, Jan. “Immune Modulation by Non-Digestible and Non-

Absorbable Beta-1,3/1,6-Glucan.” Microbial Ecology in Health and

Disease 26 (May 29, 2015).

3 Brown, Gordon, and Gordon, Siamon. “Immune Recognition: A New

Receptor for β-Glucans.” Nature 413, no. 6851 (2001): 36–37.

4 Mennink-Kersten, Monique A. S. H., Dorien Ruegebrink, and Paul E.

Verweij. “Pseudomonas Aeruginosa as a Cause of 1,3-β-D-Glucan

Assay Reactivity.” Clinical Infectious Diseases 46, no. 12 (June 15,

2008): 1930–31.

5 Wang, Guan, Jian Zhao, Jianwen Liu, Yongping Huang, Jian-Jiang

Zhong, and Wen Tang. “Enhancement of IL-2 and IFN-γ Expression

and NK Cells Activity Involved in the Anti-Tumor Effect of Ganoderic

Acid Me in Vivo.” International Immunopharmacology 7, no. 6 (June

2007): 864–70.

6 Watanabe, Kenji, Tsuyoshi Shuto, Miki Sato, Kouhei Onuki, Shota

Mizunoe, Shingo Suzuki, Takashi Sato, et al. “Lucidenic Acids-Rich

Extract from Antlered Form of Ganoderma Lucidum Enhances TNFα

Induction in THP-1 Monocytic Cells Possibly via Its Modulation of MAP

Kinases p38 and JNK.” Biochemical and Biophysical Research

Communications 408, no. 1 (April 2011): 18–24.

7 Ko, Horng-Huey, Chi-Feng Hung, Jih-Pyang Wang, and Chun-Nan Lin.

“Antiinflammatory Triterpenoids and Steroids from Ganoderma

Lucidum and G. Tsugae.” Phytochemistry 69, no. 1 (January 2008):

234–39.

8 Hapuarachchi, K. K., T. C. Wen, R. Jeewon, X. L. Wu, and J. C. Kang.

“Ganoderma Lucidum-Are the Beneficial Medical Properties

Substantiated?” Mycosphere 7, no. 6 (2016): 687–715.

9 Spelman, Kevin. “The Orphan Nuclear Receptors: Unrecognized

Targets of Botanical Medicines?” In 2015 Symposium Proceedings.

Granby, CO: American Herbalist Guild, 2015.

48

10 Li, Ling, François Bonneton, Xiao Yong Chen, and Vincent Laudet.

“Botanical Compounds and Their Regulation of Nuclear Receptor

Action: The Case of Traditional Chinese Medicine.” Molecular and

Cellular Endocrinology 401 (February 2015): 221–37.

doi:10.1016/j.mce.2014.10.028.

11 Grienke, Ulrike, Judit Mihály-Bison, Daniela Schuster, Taras

Afonyushkin, Markus Binder, Shu-hong Guan, Chun-ru Cheng, et al.

“Pharmacophore-Based Discovery of FXR-Agonists. Part II:

Identification of Bioactive Triterpenes from Ganoderma Lucidum.”

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry 19, no. 22 (November 2011): 6779–

91.

49

A Glossary of Herbalism Nina Katz

Do you feel befuddled by all of those terms? Are you curious about what a menstruum might be, or a nervine? Wondering what the exact difference is between an infusion and a decoction? Or what it means to macerate? Read on; the herbalist lexicographer will reveal it all!

Adaptogen n. An herb that enhances one's ability to thrive despite stress. Eleuthero, or Siberian

Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) is a well-known adaptogen.

Aerial parts n. pl. The parts of a plant that grow above ground.

Stems, leaves, and flowers are all aerial parts, in contrast to roots and rhizomes.

Alterative n. An herb that restores the body to health

gradually and sustainably by strengthening one or more of the body's systems, such as

the digestive or lymphatic system, or one or more of the vital organs, such as the liver or

kidneys. Burdock (Arctium lappa) is an alternative.

adj. Restoring health gradually, as by strengthening one or more of the body's

systems or vital organs.

Anthelmintic n. A substance that eliminates intestinal worms.

Anthelmin adj. Being of or concerning a substance that eliminates intestinal worms.

50

Anti-catarrhal n. A substance that reduces or slows down the production of phlegm.

adj. Being of or concerning a substance that reduces or slows down the production of

phlegm.

Anti-emetic n. A substance that treats nausea. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is anti-emetic.

adj. Being of or concerning a substance that treats nausea.

Anti-microbial n. An herb or a preparation that helps the body

fight off microbial infections, whether viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasitic. Herbal anti-

microbials may do this by killing the microbes directly, but more often achieve

this by enhancing immune function and helping the body to fight off disease and

restore balance.

adj. Being of or concerning an herb or a

preparation that helps the body fight off microbial infections.

Aperient n. A gentle laxative, such as seaweed, plantain

seeds (Plantago spp.), or ripe bananas.

adj. Being of or concerning a gentle laxative.

Aphrodisiac n. A substance that enhances sexual interest or desire.

adj. Being of or relating to a substance that enhances sexual interest or desire.

51

Astringent n. A food, herb, or preparation that causes tissues to constrict, or draw in. Astringents

help stop bleeding, diarrhea, and other conditions in which some bodily substance is

flowing excessively. Some astringents, such as Wild Plantain (Plantago major), draw so

powerfully that they can remove splinters.

adj Causing tissues to constrict, and thereby

helping to stop excessive loss of body fluids.

Bitter n. A food, herb, or preparation that stimulates the liver and digestive organs through its

bitter flavor. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and Gentian (Gentiana lutea) are

both bitters. Also called digestive bitter.

Carminative n. A food, herb, or preparation that reduces the

buildup or facilitates the release of intestinal gases. Cardamom (Amomum spp. and

Elettaria spp) and Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) are carminatives.

adj. Characterized as reducing the buildup or facilitating the release of intestinal gases.

Carrier Oil n. A non-medicinal oil, such as olive or sesame

oil, used to dilute an essential oil.

Catarrh n. An inflammation of the mucous membranes

resulting in an overproduction of phlegm.

Compound v. To create a medicinal formula using two or more components.

n. An herbal preparation consisting of two or more herbs.

52

Compress n. A topical preparation consisting of a cloth soaked in a liquid herbal extract, such as an

infusion or decoction, and applied, usually warm or hot, to the body. A washcloth

soaked in a hot ginger decoction and applied to a sore muscle is a compress.

Decoct v. To prepare by simmering in water, usually

for at least 20 minutes. One usually decocts barks, roots, rhizomes, hard seeds, twigs,

and nuts.

Decoction n. An herbal preparation made by simmering

the plant parts in water, usually for at least 20 minutes.

Demulcent n. An herb with a smooth, slippery texture

soothing to the mucous membranes, i.e. the tissues lining the respiratory and digestive

tracts. Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra), marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis), and

sassafras (Sassafras albidum, Sassafras officinale) are all demulcents.

adj. Having a smooth, slippery texture that soothes the mucous membranes.

Diaphoretic n. An herb or preparation that opens the pores of the skin, facilitates sweat, and thereby

lowers fevers. In Chinese medicine, diaphoretics are said to “release the

exterior.”• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a diaphoretic.

adj. Opening the pores, facilitating sweat, and thereby lowering fevers.

53

Digestive n. An herb, food, or preparation that promotes the healthy breakdown, assimilation, and

elimination of food, as by gently stimulating the digestive tract in preparation for a meal.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and bitter salad greens are digestives.

adj. 1 Concerning or being part of the bodily system responsible for the breakdown,

assimilation, and elimination of food.

adj. 2 Promoting the healthy breakdown,

assimilation, and/or elimination of food.

Diuretic n. A substance that facilitates or increases

urination. Diuretics can improve kidney function and treat swelling. Excessive use of

diuretics can also tax the kidneys. Stinging Nettles (Urtica dioica), cucumbers, and

coffee are all diuretics.

adj. Facilitating or increasing urination.

Emmenagogue n. An herb or preparation that facilitates or

increases menstrual flow. Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) is an emmenagogue.

Emmenagogues are generally contraindicated in pregnancy.

adj. Facilitating or increasing menstrual flow.

Essential Oil n. An oil characterized by a strong aroma,

strong taste, the presence of terpines, and by vaporizing in low temperatures. Essential

oils are components of many plants, and when isolated, make fairly strong medicine

used primarily externally or for inhalation, and usually not safe for internal use.

54

n. 1 A preparation made by chemically removing the soluble parts of a substance into a

solvent or menstruum. Herbalists often make extracts using water, alcohol,

glycerin, vinegar, oil, or combinations of these. Infusions, medicinal vinegars,

tinctures, decoctions, and medicinal oils are all extracts.

n. 2 A tincture.

Extract v. To remove the soluble parts of a substance

into a solvent or menstruum by chemical means.

Febrifuge n. An herb or preparation that lowers fevers. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), ginger

(Zingiber officinale), and boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) are all febrifuges.

Galactagogue n. A substance that increases the production or flow of milk; a remedy that aids lactation.

Nettle (Urtica dioica) and hops (Humulus lupulus) are galactagogues.

Glandular n. A substance that treats the adrenal, thyroid, or other glands. Nettle seeds (Urtica dioica)

are a glandular for the adrenals.

adj. Relating to or treating the adrenal, thyroid,

or other glands.

Hepatic n. A substance that treats the liver. Dandelion

(Taraxacum officinale) is a hepatic.

Hypnotic n. An herb or preparation that induces sleep.

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and valerian (Valeriana officinale) are both

hypnotics.

adj. Inducing sleep.

55

Infuse v. To prepare by steeping in water, especially hot water, straining, and squeezing the

marc.

Infusion n. A preparation made by first steeping one or more plants or plant parts in water, most often hot water, and then straining the plant

material, usually while squeezing the marc. An infusion extracts the flavor, aroma, and

water-soluble nutritional and medicinal constituents into the water.

Long Infusion n. An infusion that steeps for three or more

hours. Long infusions often steep overnight.

Lymphatic n. A substance that stimulates the circulation

of lymph or tonifies the vessels or organs involved in the circulation or storage of

lymph.

Macerate v. To soak a plant or plant parts in a menstruum so as to extract the medicinal

constituents chemically.

Marc n. The plant material left after straining a preparation made by steeping, simmering, or macerating.

Menstruum n. (Plural, menstrua or menstruums.) The solvent used to extract the medicinal and/or nutritional constituents from a plant. Water,

alcohol, vinegar, and glycerin are among the more common menstrua.

Mucilage n. A thick, slippery, demulcent substance produced by a plant or microorganism.

56

Mucilaginous n. Having or producing mucilage; demulcent. Okra, marshmallow root (Althaea

officinalis), sassafras (Sassafras albidum, Sassafras officinale), and slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) are all mucilaginous.

Nervine n. An herb or preparation that helps with

problems traditionally associated with the nerves, such as mental health issues, insomnia, and pain.

adj. Helping with problems traditionally associated with the nerves, such as mental

health issues, insomnia, and pain.

Pectoral n. A substance that treats the lungs or the

respiratory system.

Poultice n. A mass of plant material or other

substances, usually mashed, gnashed, moistened, or heated, and placed directly on

the skin. Sometimes covered by a cloth or adhesive. A plantain (Plantago spp.) poultice

can draw splinters out.

Rhizome n. A usually horizontal stem that grows

underground, is marked by nodes from which roots grow down, and branches out to

produce a network of new plants growing up from the nodes.

Salve [sæv] n.

A soothing ointment prepared from beeswax combined with oil, usually medicinal oil, and

used in topical applications.

Short Infusion n. An infusion that steeps for a relatively short

period of time, usually 5-30 minutes.

57

Sedative n. A substance that calms and facilitates sleep. Valerian (Valeriana officinale) is a sedative.

Sedative adj. Calming and facilitating sleep.

Simple n. An herbal preparation, such as a tincture or decoction, made from one herb alone.

Simpler n. An herbalist who prepares and recommends

primarily simples rather than compounds.

Spp. abbr. n.pl.

Species. Used to indicate more than one species in the same botanical family.

Echinacea spp. includes both Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea angustifolium,

among other species. Plantago spp. includes both Plantago major and Plantago

lanceolata.

Stimulant n. An herb or preparation that increases the

activity level in an organ or body system. Echinacea (Echinacea spp.) is an

immunostimulant; it stimulates the immune system. Cayenne (Capsicum spp.) is a circulatory stimulant. Rosemary is a

stimulant to the nervous, digestive, and circulatory systems.

Sudorific adj. Increasing sweat or facilitating the release of sweat; cf. diaphoretic.

Syrup n. A sweet liquid preparation, often made by

adding honey or sugar to a decoction.

Tea n. A drink made by steeping a plant or plant

parts, especially Camellia sinensis.

58

Tisane n. An herbal beverage made by decoction or short infusion and not prepared from the tea

plant (Camellia sinensis).

Tincture n. A preparation made by macerating one or more plants or plant parts in a menstruum, usually alcohol or glycerin, straining, and

squeezing the marc in order to extract the chemical constituents into the menstruum.

v. To prepare by macerating in a menstruum, straining, and squeezing the marc in order

to extract the chemical constituents.

Tonic n. A substance that strengthens one or more

organs or systems, or the entire organism. Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a general

tonic, as well as a specific kidney, liver, and hair tonic. Red raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus)

is a reproductive tonic; Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is a respiratory tonic.

Tonify v. To strengthen. Nettle (Urtica dioica) tonifies the entire body.

Volatile Oil n. An oil characterized by volatility, or rapid vaporization at relatively low temperatures;

cf. essential oil.

Vulnerary n. A substance that soothes and heals wounds.

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is an excellent vulnerary.

adj. Being or concerning a substance that soothes and heals wounds.

59

Disclaimer

Nothing provided by Natural Living Mamma LLC, Natural Herbal

Living Magazine, or Herb Box should be considered medical advice.

Nothing included here is approved by the FDA and the information

provided herein is for informational purposes only. Always consult

a botanically knowledgeable medical practitioner before starting

any course of treatment, especially if you are pregnant,

breastfeeding, on any medications, or have any health problems.

Natural Living Mamma LLC is not liable for any action or inaction

you take based on the information provided here.

60

Author Bios