ID :
207251
Thu, 09/15/2011 - 08:16
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/207251
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LING ZHI 'CAN HELP DIABETIC PATIENTS'
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 15 (Bernama) -- The mushroom Ling Zhi, or 'Ganoderma lucidum', is a famous Oriental herb.
When Ling Zhi is cultivated, it gets a very glossy, shiny appearance that almost looks like it has been lacquered.
Its appearance has caused many to ignore this mushroom, despite its many health benefits.
Ling Zhi's medicinal properties have been known since the reign of the Shu Dynasty in China some 2,400 years ago. During that time, only those from the royal family could afford the herb, as Ling Zhi was difficult to obtain and very expensive.
There are tales of those looking for Ling Zhi scaling mountains or going deep into the forest.
Today, however, thanks to modern biotechnology, there is no need to resort to such measures. Ling Zhi is now commercially cultivated in many countries, including China, Japan and the United States.
"In Malaysia, not many people cultivate Ling Zhi, as the market is not really encouraging," Dr Noorlidah Abdullah told Bernama recently.
Dr Noorlidah, a biology professor at Universiti Malaya's Science
Faculty, said the liquid extract from Ling Zhi is good for health.
She said Ling Zhi contains polysaccharides that can strengthen the body's immune system and can help prevent cancer.
The mushroom is also effective in combating allergies, inflammation,
viruses and bacteria, she said.
"When our immune system is low, cancer cells can easily form, she said, adding Ling Zhi also has higher anti-oxidant properties than other mushrooms.
"Anti-oxidants can break down the free radicals formed in the body. These free radicals can cause damage to cell membranes and DNA. Therefore, when an attack occurs, the body is exposed to cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and other illnesses.
"These diseases happen as a person ages, because of the lack of
anti-oxidants in the body. If one consumes Ling Zhi from an early age, the mushroom can protect the body from many diseases," she said.
She added that Ling Zhi is good for the lungs and liver, as it boosts detoxification of the body.
Dr Noorlidah said Ling Zhi has also given some hope to diabetics.
By consuming Ling Zhi, a diabetic suffering from a gangrenous limb or digit may avoid amputation, said P.G. Cheng, operator of Ganofarm Sdn Bhd.
Cheng, who has a science degree, has been involved with the cultivation of Ling Zhi for about seven years.
She said she noticed Ling Zhi's properties from her own interaction with diabetic patients.
"There was one man in Alor Setar whose leg was almost amputated because of diabetes," Cheng recalled. "After using Ling Zhi, however, the wound healed and his leg recovered. He needed no amputation."
Cheng, who operates a Ling Zhi farm in Tanjung Sepat, said the mushroom can also help patients with hypertension and eczema (a skin disorder).
Cheng said studies have shown that Ling Zhi boosts a person's immune system against HIV/AIDS.
"There is a study that discovered that the quality of life in HIV/AIDS patients can improve after taking Ling Zhi," she said.
The high price of Ling Zhi has caused many to shy away from buying it in the past. Cheng began cultivating the mushroom on her own, doing away with the middlemen in an effort to cut costs, and Ling Zhi products are available in her shop at affordable prices.
"Previously, Ling Zhi products were available only from certain agents, and they were expensive. That is why I chose to plant it, and to produce various products. That way the price can be reduced."
She used to sell the fresh form of the mushroom, but did not do well. She now turns Ling Zhi into herb-based products.
Cheng expressed regret that some have resorted to selling fake Ling Zhi.
"The actual Ling Zhi will taste bitter when it is boiled," she said.
"Once I went to the market and came across a trader who claimed to be selling Ling Zhi.
"It looked like genuine Ling Zhi, but when I asked the trader whether it tasted bitter, he said no. From his own words I knew that the Ling Zhi he offered was not genuine," she said.
When Ling Zhi is cultivated, it gets a very glossy, shiny appearance that almost looks like it has been lacquered.
Its appearance has caused many to ignore this mushroom, despite its many health benefits.
Ling Zhi's medicinal properties have been known since the reign of the Shu Dynasty in China some 2,400 years ago. During that time, only those from the royal family could afford the herb, as Ling Zhi was difficult to obtain and very expensive.
There are tales of those looking for Ling Zhi scaling mountains or going deep into the forest.
Today, however, thanks to modern biotechnology, there is no need to resort to such measures. Ling Zhi is now commercially cultivated in many countries, including China, Japan and the United States.
"In Malaysia, not many people cultivate Ling Zhi, as the market is not really encouraging," Dr Noorlidah Abdullah told Bernama recently.
Dr Noorlidah, a biology professor at Universiti Malaya's Science
Faculty, said the liquid extract from Ling Zhi is good for health.
She said Ling Zhi contains polysaccharides that can strengthen the body's immune system and can help prevent cancer.
The mushroom is also effective in combating allergies, inflammation,
viruses and bacteria, she said.
"When our immune system is low, cancer cells can easily form, she said, adding Ling Zhi also has higher anti-oxidant properties than other mushrooms.
"Anti-oxidants can break down the free radicals formed in the body. These free radicals can cause damage to cell membranes and DNA. Therefore, when an attack occurs, the body is exposed to cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and other illnesses.
"These diseases happen as a person ages, because of the lack of
anti-oxidants in the body. If one consumes Ling Zhi from an early age, the mushroom can protect the body from many diseases," she said.
She added that Ling Zhi is good for the lungs and liver, as it boosts detoxification of the body.
Dr Noorlidah said Ling Zhi has also given some hope to diabetics.
By consuming Ling Zhi, a diabetic suffering from a gangrenous limb or digit may avoid amputation, said P.G. Cheng, operator of Ganofarm Sdn Bhd.
Cheng, who has a science degree, has been involved with the cultivation of Ling Zhi for about seven years.
She said she noticed Ling Zhi's properties from her own interaction with diabetic patients.
"There was one man in Alor Setar whose leg was almost amputated because of diabetes," Cheng recalled. "After using Ling Zhi, however, the wound healed and his leg recovered. He needed no amputation."
Cheng, who operates a Ling Zhi farm in Tanjung Sepat, said the mushroom can also help patients with hypertension and eczema (a skin disorder).
Cheng said studies have shown that Ling Zhi boosts a person's immune system against HIV/AIDS.
"There is a study that discovered that the quality of life in HIV/AIDS patients can improve after taking Ling Zhi," she said.
The high price of Ling Zhi has caused many to shy away from buying it in the past. Cheng began cultivating the mushroom on her own, doing away with the middlemen in an effort to cut costs, and Ling Zhi products are available in her shop at affordable prices.
"Previously, Ling Zhi products were available only from certain agents, and they were expensive. That is why I chose to plant it, and to produce various products. That way the price can be reduced."
She used to sell the fresh form of the mushroom, but did not do well. She now turns Ling Zhi into herb-based products.
Cheng expressed regret that some have resorted to selling fake Ling Zhi.
"The actual Ling Zhi will taste bitter when it is boiled," she said.
"Once I went to the market and came across a trader who claimed to be selling Ling Zhi.
"It looked like genuine Ling Zhi, but when I asked the trader whether it tasted bitter, he said no. From his own words I knew that the Ling Zhi he offered was not genuine," she said.
