There are quite a few adverse effects of Ganoderma lucidum that one should know about before ingesting this beneficial mushroom. This article provides information regarding the same.
Ganoderma lucidum, also known as Lingzhi or Reishi mushroom, is a fungus that is wooden and has a bitter taste. This mushroom has many medicinal properties. It is used for palliative treatment of herpes. It is also said to aid the immune system, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, treat asthma and heart disease, etc. However, as is the case with both commercial drugs and herbal treatments, besides the aforementioned benefits, there are a few side effects of Ganoderma lucidum.
Side Effects
Most of the side effects seen in conjunction with this mushroom are mild, and they include dizziness and dryness of the mouth, throat, and the nose. There may also be mild amount of irritation of the skin, which may manifest as skin redness and rashes. A person may also have headaches. Although in most cases, this mushroom does not lead to internal adverse effects, a person may experience stomach pain, discomfort, and even nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, especially if a person drinks too much Ganoderma lucidum tea or Reishi tea.
One of the major side effects is that ingestion of this mushroom may lead to an abnormal amount of bleeding due to its component adenosine. This may inhibit platelet aggregation at the site of injury. Due to this, there is a blood thinning effect, which may eventually lead to the inability of a wound to close and heal soon. This problem may be very mild, or it may even be serious enough to lead to internal and gastric bleeding. Thus, this mushroom should not be taken by people that are on blood thinning medication or who have a bleeding tendency as this may aggravate the problem due to this particular Lingzhi side effect. People may also suffer from repeated nosebleeds. So, if you happen to be using an anticoagulant or are on anticoagulant therapy, you need to ask your doctor if you should take this mushroom.
Another Reishi mushroom benefit is that it may be able to lower blood pressure. But then, this may also become one of the side effects if you happen to be on a long term therapy for lowering blood pressure. You will need to ask your doctor if it would be wise to take this mushroom in your diet. If the dosage is not taken into consideration while taking this mushroom, then it may lead to dangerously low blood pressure. This mushroom also tends to lower blood sugar, so if you are on medication that helps lower blood pressure, it is best to ask your healthcare practitioner about consuming Ganoderma extract.
One of the major adverse effects of this mushroom is its potential to cause damage to the liver. Although this is rare, there is a chance that over consumption of Ganoderma lucidum may lead to liver toxicity. Also, there is not enough evidence to prove whether it is safe to consume this mushroom when pregnant or lactating, so mothers-to-be and breastfeeding mothers should avoid the consumption of this mushroom.
Disclaimer: This NutriNeat article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.