Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Ganoderma |
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| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 靈芝 · Ling Zhi |
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| Medicinal Part | Seaweeds and fungi |
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| Efficacy Category | Tonifying |
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| Botanical Origin | The dried fruiting body of Ganoderma lucidum (Leyss.ex Fr.) Karst., Ganoderma sinense Zhao, Xu et Zhang.(Polyporaceae) |
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| Nature & Flavour | Sweet; Neutral |
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| Channels Entered | Heart, Lung, Liver, Kidney |
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What Is Ling Zhi?
Ling Zhi (Lucid Ganoderma) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Primarily produced in eastern and southwestern China, as well as the provinces of Hebei and Guangxi.
Nature & Flavour: Sweet; Neutral
Channels Entered: Heart, Lung, Liver, Kidney
Ling Zhi: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Ganoderma
Botanical Origin
The dried fruiting body of Ganoderma lucidum (Leyss.ex Fr.) Karst., Ganoderma sinense Zhao, Xu et Zhang.(Polyporaceae)
Production Regions
Primarily produced in eastern and southwestern China, as well as the provinces of Hebei and Guangxi.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material is large, thick flesh, lustrous.
Macroscopic Features
Chi zhi: Umbrella-like shaped, the mushroom top is kidney-shaped, semi-circular, or nearly round, 10~18cm diameter, 1~2cm thick. Skin is hard, yellowish-brown to reddish-brown, lustrous, with ringed ridges and radial wrinkles, with thin and flat edges, rolled inward. Flesh is white to pale brown. Stipe is cylindrical, lateral, rarely marginal, 7~15cm, 1~3.5cm diameter, and reddish-brown to purple-brown, lustrous. Tiny spores, yellowish-brown. faintly aromatic odor; bitter and astringent taste. Zi zhi: Skin is purple and paint-like lustrous. Flesh is rusty-brown. Stipe is 17~23cm long. Cultivated ling zhi: Sporocarp is relatively thick and fat, 12~22cm diameter, 1.5~4cm thick. Skin is often covered with abundant powdery yellowish-brown spores.
Traditional TCM Properties
Sweet; NeutralHeartLungLiverKidney
Traditional Functions
Boosts qi and calms the spirit, and stops cough and wheezing.
How Ling Zhi Is Used in TCM
In the Chinese materia medica, Ling Zhi is classified among the Tonifying herbs.
Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.
