Ling Zhi灵芝
Ganoderma · Reishi Mushroom · Ganoderma · Lingzhi
Overview
The dried fruiting body of the reishi mushroom — red or purple — sliced or powdered. Sweet and neutral, it is a broad, gentle restorative that the earliest materia medica placed in its highest class: it tonifies qi and blood, settles a restless spirit for insomnia and palpitations, and calms a depleted Lung, easing chronic cough and wheezing. Its woody texture means it is decocted longer than a leaf or a flower, and it is taken as a course over weeks rather than reached for in an acute illness.
Nature & Flavor
Sweet · NeutralChannels
Heart · Lung · Liver · KidneyTypical Dosage
6–12 g in decoctionActions
3 core actions
- Tonifies qi, calms the spiritRestless sleep, palpitations, forgetfulness and daytime exhaustion where an underlying deficiency is what keeps the spirit unsettled.
- Stops cough, calms wheezingChronic cough and wheezing from Lung deficiency, with breathlessness on exertion and a weak voice.
- Supports a depleted constitutionPoor appetite, low stamina and slow recovery after illness; widely used in modern practice as supportive care alongside conventional treatment.
In Formulas
Formulas containing Ling Zhi
No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.
Indications & Clinical Uses
- Insomnia, palpitations and forgetfulness from deficiency
- Chronic cough and wheezing with shortness of breath
- Fatigue, poor appetite and slow convalescence
Western Medical Keywords
Searchable condition terms
Contraindications
Cautions
Well tolerated at customary doses; the occasional dry mouth, nausea or loose stools usually settle when the dose is lowered. Two cautions matter in practice: it can add to the effect of blood-thinning medication, so tell the prescriber before starting a course, and anyone with a known mushroom allergy should avoid it. It is supportive care and never a substitute for the treatment of a diagnosed disease — that is especially important where it is taken alongside cancer therapy.
Contraindicated in pregnancy: Take in pregnancy only under practitioner supervision — safety data in pregnancy are limited
For licensed practitioners’ reference only
References
- Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(classical source, public domain).
2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.
Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.