Numerous legends provide a rich and extensive account about Ganoderma lucidum. It was said that in the early days in China, Ganoderma is very rare and hard to obtain. People during the time of the emperors considered it as a treasure greater than any jewel because they believe it provides an incredible source of energy and youthfulness. Furthermore, it was also mentioned that
1. It is the favourite food supplement of the Chinese Royal Family
2. Taoist revered it as "Elixir of Immortality,"
3. The Emperors of the Great Chinese dynasties, including Japanese royalties, drank tea and concoctions of mushrooms for vitality and long life.
4. In the first Chinese Herbal Text (Shennong Pharmacopeia) written about 2,400 years ago, Reishi is classified as a “superior herb,” which was defined as one that “promotes radiant health and long life because of its normalizing action, and (it is also believed) to cause no side effects even when use(d) continuously.” Reishi is traditionally called as “the mushroom of immortality.”
5. The late Hiroshi Hikino, recognized as the world’s authority on the chemistry of Oriental medicinal plants, called Reishi as one of “the most important elixir(s) in the orient.”
6. It also increases intellectual capacity and banishes forgetfulness.
7. Presently in Asia, it ranks parallel to Ginseng in terms of potency.
