1. Choose professionally-extracted ganoderma products



It is not wise to choose, to buy raw ganoderma slices, to boil down to produce the essence. Firstly, it is difficult to obtain high-quality raw ganoderma as it is impossible to determine its quality by looking, touching, tasting or smelling it. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), mass spectrophotometer or other professional means are essential to establish the quality of ganoderma. Without good material, the effective components of ganoderma cannot be extracted even if it is boiled down over a long period. Expertise is required for ganoderma extraction since the effective components cannot be extracted readily. For example, using the traditional braising method, three bowls of hot water with ganoderma slices (about 30g) sold on the market will be concentrated into one bowl (about 150cc) of essence.

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After examination, this essence will be found to have a very low triterpenoid content (equivalent to approximately 1/3 of a 450mg ganoderma capsule sold on the market). Only products using the ganoderma fruiting-body as their sole raw material, after having the effective components extracted completely by undergoing professional processing, including extraction, concentration and drying into powder, can demonstrate the true efficacy of ganoderma. These products have the additional benefit of being convenient to administer.



2. Long term administration is required

Hippocrates (B.C. 460-377), considered to be the father of western medicine, clearly stated, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” This coincides with the idea that “medicine and food are homologous” in traditional Chinese medicine. Unlike western medicine, ganoderma cannot show its effects immediately following oral administration. Since it is the ultimate herbal medicine amongst all others, its efficacy proceeds step by step. Besides, as Rome was not built in a day, so were most diseases not developed overnight. So, ganoderma must be taken for at least one month for it to have an effect. A human clinical trial on anti-oxidation serves as an example. Only after months was the efficacy of ganoderma in advancing the anti-oxidation capability of the blood and improving liver function and other effects demonstrated. Consequently, long-term administration is a requirement.

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3. Prevention is better than treatment

Gradual proliferation, death and replacement of cells in the human body take place and are not under conscious control and individuals cannot detect the weakening and death of their cells such as brain nerve cells, kidney cells, lung cells and cardiovascular cells. Once cells die and cannot be replaced by new cells, it is possible to recognize symptoms of memory deterioration, inability to urinate, difficulty with breathing and chest pain. Such warnings are ‘alarm calls’ in recognition of the fact that the internal organs have suffered too much damage to be cured. Nowadays, popular medical practice is to use preventative medicine, focusing on the cells in the body to provide protection. This involves the prolongation of survival rates of a variety of cells in the human body, from heart cells, kidney cells, spleen cells to lung cells, extending the lifespan of the organs (i.e. making them last longer) and facilitating a healthier life.

By strengthening the ability to clear free radicals, ganoderma can protect and extend the life of cells forming in organs and thereby extend the lifespan of those organs. Many long-term users of ganoderma are surprised to discover that they become more energetic than before taking ganoderma. The frequency of catching colds decrease; their excretion has been made easier and smoother; improvement in observable symptoms has been observed. Many improvements occur without the individual being aware of them. In the clinical trials on anti-oxidation, most participants did not feel any benefits initially but, after 3 months of taking ganoderma, they reported better mental health than before taking the product. An explanation of this is that the participants’ blood and liver had undergone great transformation. The ultimate aim of preventive medicine is achieved - to keep the body healthy and fit.



4. Sufficient dosage

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Because ganoderma is absolutely safe, a limit on dosage becomes unnecessary. The rule of thumb is: the lower the dosage the longer it takes for ganoderma to take effect while the higher the dosage, the faster and more prominent the effect takes place. However, higher dosage is required under certain situations; for instance, when using ganoderma as an auxiliary to anti-tumor treatment, long-term high dosage is necessary to demonstrate efficacy and reduce excruciating side-effects. An effective starting dose is needed since the toxic residues, accumulating in the body for years as hidden swellings, need to be metabolized and excreted. This effective “thorough cleansing” of the body requires sufficiently high circulating levels of the effective components of ganoderma. Once control of the condition is gained after taking a high dosage of ganoderma over an extended period of time, the dose should not be suddenly reduced or stopped as this could nullify all the previous benefits of treatment. It is preferable to reduce the dose gradually and continue at a lower dosage in order to retain the benefits of treatment. After a period of time on a lower dose, it may be beneficial to return to a high dosage for a short period to allow the body to undergo a “thorough maintenance” so as to keep it in its optimal state.



5. Better effect if taken before a meal



Ganoderma should be taken before meals as this allows the gastric juice to digest the effective components of ganoderma triterpenoids (triterpenoids are water insoluble). Dissolution accelerates the absorption of the effective components of triterpenoids. Other effective components, such as those of polysaccharides or adenosine, are also absorbed more efficiently without the presence of food in the stomach. This means that the effect of ganoderma is quicker if it is taken before meals. If there are problems in the digestive system (e.g. after surgery on the stomach the presence of a stomach ulcer), ganoderma can be taken after meals, or in smaller doses spread throughout the day, to avoid any local irritation on the damaged gastric wall. The optimal time for dosing is either before meals or 30 minutes to 1 hour after meals.



6. Use in combination with other medical therapy


It is the right concept to see a doctor and receive adequate medical therapy when you are ill. However, it is also true that the direct and rapid effects of conventional western medicine may be followed by serious side effects. Taking ganoderma in combination with western medicines will draw out the positive effects of the medicines while, at the same time, reduce side effects.

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For example, current cancer chemotherapy causes severe side effects but many cancer patients who have used ganoderma in combination with chemotherapy have reported that this has reduced these intolerable side effects considerably. It is worth remembering that ganoderma is necessary both before and after surgery. Before the operation, the body needs to be maintained in an optimal physical state in order to manage the ensuing trauma (operation) and ganoderma provides overall physical improvement. A post-operative concern is the risk of infection and inflammation, stimulate platelet coagulation, and thereby make substantial contributions to postoperative recovery. The decision to undergo a surgical procedure heralds an attack on the body and so constructive preparation at this time will strengthen the endurance of the body against the inevitable attack, facilitating faster recovery after the surgery. Ganoderma is a paramount guardian both before and after the operation.

By protecting the cells, tissues and organs, ganoderma serves as the best auxiliary remedy to most medical therapies. The treatment associated with sickness, such as auto-immune diseases, liver diseases, cancers, hemopoietic system diseases and AIDS, all cause severe, often unbearable, side effects. Ganoderma is the prime choice to reduce these side effects and accelerate the body’s recovery.