Evidence supporting the use of: Lingzhi
For the body system: Prostate
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Lingzhi (Ganoderma lucidum), also known as reishi mushroom, has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for promoting general health and longevity. In traditional practice, lingzhi is valued for its supposed "tonifying" properties and is sometimes used for male health, including prostate support, though explicit references to prostate health are rare in classical texts. The rationale is based on the mushroom’s alleged ability to strengthen the body’s "qi" and support immune function.
Modern scientific research on lingzhi’s effects specifically on the prostate is limited. Some in vitro and animal studies have suggested that extracts from Ganoderma lucidum may have anti-inflammatory and anti-androgenic properties, which could theoretically benefit conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or prostate inflammation. A few small clinical studies have examined its effects on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with BPH, reporting modest improvements, but the evidence is not robust or widely replicated. No major health authorities recommend lingzhi as a primary or adjunct therapy for prostate health.
In summary, the use of lingzhi for prostate support is rooted primarily in tradition, with limited and low-quality scientific evidence to support its efficacy for this specific body system.
Other ingredients that support Prostate
7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)Alchornea
Allium tuberosum
Alpha phytosterol
anti-aromatase
apigenin
ba ji tian
bee pollen
bee products
berry
beta-sitosterol
Borassus aethiopum
boron
Brassica
Brazil nut
broccoli
campesterol
Chinese mountain ant
Crinum latifolium
cruciferous
Cucurbita
Cynomorium
daidzein
decursin
diallyl trisulfide (DATS)
DIM (diindolylmethane)
Dwarf Nettle
ellagic acid
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
equol (proprietary)
fatty acids
fireweed
fish
flaxseed
gamma tocopherol
garlic
genistein
gokhru
green tea
herbal blend (proprietary)
HMR lignan
hydrangea
Hygrophila
indole-3-carbinol
isoflavones
isothiocyanates
lignans
lingzhi
lycopene
Massularia acuminata
mixed carotenoids
Monounsaturated fat
Nettle
Nigella seed
parsley
Pedalium
Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC)
Phytoestrogens
phytosterols
plant sterols
pollen
pomegranate
pumpkin
pygeum
quercetin
Rhabdosia rubescens
Safed musli
saw palmetto
secoisolariciresinol diglucoside
selenium
Selenocysteine
Selenomethionine
sesame
Shilajit
Sitosterol
Soy
Soy Protein
soybean
sterols
stigmasterol
Triterpenes
turmeric
Typhonium flagelliforme
vitamin D
Walnut
Watermelon
Zinc
Other body systems supported by lingzhi
Adrenal CortexAdrenal Glands
Arteries
Blood
Brain
Bronchials
Capillaries
Circulatory System
Digestive System
Female Reproductive System
Gastrointestinal Tract
Glandular System
Hair
Heart
Hepatic System
Hypothalamus
Immune System
Kidneys
Large Intestines (Colon)
Liver
Lungs
Lymphatics
Male Reproductive System
Mitochondria
Nerves
Ovaries
Pancreas Head
Prostate
Respiratory System
Sinuses
Skin
Small Intestines
Spleen
Stomach
Thymus
