Picture source / World Health Organization official website
Through the “virus race” propaganda, the WHO warmly reminded all mankind that some variants of the novel coronavirus “run” faster and are easier to spread among the population than other novel coronaviruses. But whether it’s a virus that runs fast or slow, the way to prevent them from catching up with you and me is the same: wash your hands frequently, wear a mask, maintain social distancing, and avoid gathering in groups.
Beyond these basic precautions, what are some “really reliable,” “easy to obtain,” and “easy to implement” ways to boost our energy to stay ahead in this hill-by-hill marathon? What can we do to add an extra layer of protection so that we can reduce the damage even if we are accidentally infected with the virus?
There have been several research reports or review papers published in international journals, indicating that “Ganoderma lucidum“, which is rich in polysaccharides, triterpenes and immunomodulatory proteins, should help us fight the novel coronavirus.
April 2020 – The Journal of Molecule: Ganoderma lucidum has both anti-virus and immune-regulating components
In April 2020, scientists from Chiang Mai University and the Royal Academy of Sciences of Thailand published a retrospective paper in Molecules.
Based on the currently known research results, they screened out “potential stocks” that may prevent SARS, MERS, COVID-19 and other coronaviruses from numerous fungal ingredients with the aim of “inhibiting virus replication” and “regulating immune response”. As a result, polysaccharides, triterpenoids, and immunomodulatory proteins from Ganoderma lucidum are all listed among them.
Since viruses must rely on cells to survive and proliferate, the so-called “anti-virus” effects are all about “interfering with the virus’ replication process in the cell”, making it impossible for the virus to produce more viruses through the cell.
As for those viruses that are still looking for targets outside the cell – whether it is a virus that has just invaded the body or a new virus that has just been released from the cell – these viruses will be eliminated in the immune system’s inflammatory response. After the virus is cleared, whether the inflammatory response can be terminated as soon as possible to avoid damage to normal cells also depends on the regulation of the immune system.
Therefore, Ganoderma lucidum, which has components that inhibit virus replication and adjust the immune system, seems to be a natural cocktail formula for preventing and curing viruses, providing a double insurance that is worth looking forward to reducing the threat of coronaviruses including the novel coronavirus.
June 2020-”Chinese Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology”: Effect of Ganoderma lucidum in strengthening vital energy and eliminating pathogenic factors and its antiviral effect
Similar to the opinions of Thai scholars, Professor Zhi-Bin Lin of Peking University also published a paper in the Chinese Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology in June 2020, discussing the possibility of preventing and treating COVID-19 by Ganoderma lucidum from both the perspective of TCM in strengthening vital energy and eliminating pathogenic factors and the perspective of western medicine in anti-virus.
February 2021-Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences: Ganoderma polysaccharides can reduce the amount of novel coronavirus in animal lungs.
The report published by the Taiwan Academia Sinica team in PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) in February 2021 confirmed that:
One of the main active ingredients in Ganoderma lucidum, “Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides“, can be antiviral both in vitro and in vivo, providing direct scientific evidence that Ganoderma lucidum helps prevent and treat the novel coronavirus.
First, in in vitro experiments, the researchers first cultured Vero E6 cells and Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide extract (code name RF3) together, and then added the novel coronavirus to observe the number of virus replication and cell survival after 48 hours.
As we all know, the novel coronavirus invades the human body through the ACE2 receptor on the cell. Vero E6 cells from the kidney tissue of African green monkeys can express a large number of ACE2 receptors, so when they come into contact with the novel coronavirus, the virus can easily enter the cells to replicate and proliferate.
The results showed that the Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide extract can reduce the amount of virus replication to half at a low concentration of 2μg/mL without causing cell death.
The researchers then conducted animal experiments: they first infected hamsters with the novel coronavirus and then administered Ganodermalucidum polysaccharide extract orally to the hamsters at a daily dose of 200 mg/kg for 3 days.
It was found that the amount of virus in the lungs of hamsters was only about half that of the untreated group (given water), and the weight of the hamsters remained at the same level as before the infection without a sharp increase or decrease. This means that the Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide extract can not only effectively inhibit the growth of the novel coronavirus in hamsters but also has a high degree of edible safety.
It is really not simple that Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides can stand out in this research. Because this is the result of comparison with 2,855 human or animal drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and nearly 200 water extracts of Chinese herbal medicines that are effective in treating viral infections.
Finally, Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides are the only medicinal components that can truly exert antiviral effects in the body without causing cell death or weight loss.
Moreover, polysaccharides are only one of the active ingredients in Ganoderma lucidum. If both polysaccharides and triterpenoids in Ganoderma lucidum are added to fight the virus, what will happen?
May 2021-”International Journal of Medicinal Fungi”: Ganoderma lucidum‘s balancing effect helps recovery and avoids severe illness
In May 2021, in view of the pneumonia symptoms and vascular changes caused by the novel coronavirus, a retrospective paper published in the “International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms” by scholars from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Jahangirnagar University in Bangladesh and the Agricultural Extension Division Mushroom Development Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture of Bangladesh analyzed the feasibility of a variety of fungi active ingredients to treat and prevent severe illness and concluded that Ganoderma lucidum seems to be the most suitable drug for all humans to fight against COVID-19 among various mushroom species.
For patients with novel coronary pneumonia to recover in the direction of health rather than worsening in the direction of severe disease, it seems that only Ganoderma lucidum, which is rich in a variety of active ingredients, is best at maintaining the balance between the ACE (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme) and ACE2 (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2) and the balance between enhancing the immune response (anti-viral) and suppressing the inflammatory response (protecting cells).
February 2020-China Nutrition and Health Food Association: Ganoderma lucidum can help prevent and treat novel coronavirus infections
“The second popular science series article on precise assistance in the prevention and treatment of novel coronavirus infections in terms of nutrition – the function of nutritional supplements” published by China Nutrition and Health Food Association announced to the public 12 kinds of nutritional supplements that help prevent and cure novel coronavirus, including Ganoderma lucidum.
The article clearly pointed out: Ganoderma lucidum has an immune-stimulating effect, which can directly affect its ability to fight bacterial and viral infections.
It seems that the race between humans and the novel coronavirus will not end in a short time. The mutant virus that runs fast does not seem to be Delta alone.
If you want to stay ahead without being caught up by the virus, eat more Ganoderma lucidum that is “scientifically certified”! Ganoderma lucidum, which is traceable, safe, reliable and contains polysaccharides and triterpenes, should not let you down.
[Data Source]
1. Suwannarach N, et al. Natural Bioactive Compounds from Fungi as Potential Candidates for Protease Inhibitors and Immunomodulators to Apply for Coronaviruses. Molecules. 2020, 25(8): 1800. doi:10.3390/molecules25081800.
2. Zhi-Bin Lin. Strengthening vital energy and eliminating pathogenic factors and the antiviral effect of Ganoderma lucidum. Chinese Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology. 2020; 34(6): 401-407.
3. Jia-Tsrong Jan, et al. Identification of Existing Pharmaceuticals and Herbal Medicines as Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2021 Feb 2;118(5):e2021579118. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2021579118.
4. Mohammad Azizur Rahman, et al. Rationalization of Mushroom-Based Preventive and Therapeutic Approaches to COVID-19: Review. Int J Med Mushrooms. 2021;23(5):1-11. doi: 10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.2021038285.
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About the author/ Ms. Wu Tingyao
Wu Tingyao has been reporting on first-hand Ganoderma lucidum information since 1999. She is the author of Healing with Ganoderma (published in The People’s Medical Publishing House in April 2017).
★ This article is published under the exclusive authorization of the author, and the ownership belongs to GANOHERB
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★ The original text of this article was written in Chinese by Wu Tingyao and translated into English by Alfred Liu. If there is any discrepancy between the translation (English) and the original (Chinese), the original Chinese shall prevail. If readers have any questions, please contact the original author, Ms. Wu Tingyao.
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