Studies on Ganoderma lucidum. I. Efficacy against Hypertension and Side Effects

The clinical evaluation of lyophilized Ganoderma lucidum extract was performed with 53 patients divided into two groups, by oral ingestion of tablets during the evaluation period of six months. Group I consists of essential hypertensive patients. Group II consists of mild hypertensive or normotensive patients. The patients were instructed to take six tablets containing 240 mg of the extract per day. Biochemical and hematological examination were performed for 21 test items, and the following results were obtained. 1) In regard to hypertension, blood pressure significantly decreased in group I, but did not in group II, thus showing that Ganoderma lucidum has an ameliorating effect on hypertension. 2) In regard to biochemical and hematological effects, the oral intake did not result in any change in the values of any of the 21 test items beyond the normal range, except that total cholesterol decreased slightly and fibrinogen increased slightly. It was therefore concluded that Ganoderma lucidum has blood-pressure lowering effect on patients with essential hypertension and will not have any side effects on patients with essential or border line hypertension during six months oral intake.