Evidence supporting the use of: Reishi mushroom
For the health condition: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as a tonic to promote longevity and respiratory health. In TCM, reishi is often recommended for conditions involving cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath, which roughly correspond to modern respiratory diseases including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Practitioners have used it to “nourish the lungs” and reduce phlegm, with historical texts regarding it as a remedy for “deficiency of qi” in the lung system.

However, scientific evidence supporting reishi’s efficacy specifically for COPD is limited. A few preclinical studies suggest that reishi extracts possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects, which could theoretically be beneficial in inflammatory lung diseases such as COPD. Some small clinical trials and case reports indicate that reishi may improve certain respiratory symptoms, but these studies are generally of low quality, lack proper controls, or focus on other respiratory conditions (such as asthma or bronchitis) rather than COPD itself.

Overall, its use for COPD is justified mainly by tradition rather than robust scientific validation. Well-designed clinical trials in COPD populations are lacking, and current scientific evidence is insufficient to draw firm conclusions about its efficacy for this condition. As such, reishi should not be considered a replacement for evidence-based COPD therapies, though it remains of interest for future research.

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