Allergic Rhinitis (Hayfever)

Ganoderma lucidum shows excellent results in the management of allergic rhinitis, its polysaccharides suppressing the pro-inflammatory, Th2-mediated immune state responsible for the hypersensitivity to the particular allergen(s) while several of its triterpenoid ganoderic and lucidenic acids have direct anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine action1-6. It thus addresses both the symptoms and the underlying imbalance of the condition and can be used in either a prophylactic or therapeutic mode.

CLINICAL NOTE
Biomass is often effective in mild cases while triterpene-rich extracts have stronger anti-histamine activity for more severe cases (1-3g/day).

REFERENCES
1. Anti-allergic constituents in the culture medium of Ganoderma lucidum. (I). Inhibitory effect of oleic acid on histamine release. Tasaka K, Akagi M, Miyoshi K, Mio M, Makino T. Agents Actions. 1988;23(3-4):153–156.
2. Anti-allergic constituents in the culture medium of Ganoderma lucidum. (II). The inhibitory effect of cyclooctasulfur on histamine release. Tasaka K, Mio M, Izushi K, Akagi M, Makino T. Agents Actions. 1988;23(3-4):157–160.
3. Effectiveness of Dp2 nasal therapy for Dp2- induced airway inflammation in mice: using oral Ganoderma lucidum as an immunomodulator. Liu YH, Tsai CF, Kao MC, Lai YL, Tsai JJ. J Microbiol Immunol Infect. 2003;36(4):236–242.
4. The use of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) in the management of Histamine-mediated allergic responses. Powell M. Nutritional Practitioner Magazine. 2004:26–30.
5. Effect of Ganoderma lucidum on pollen-induced biphasic nasal blockage in a guinea pig model of allergic rhinitis. Mizutani N, Nabe T, Shimazu M, Yoshino S, Kohno S. Phytother Res. 2012;26(3):325–332.
6. Suppression of inflammatory and allergic responses by pharmacologically potent fungus Ganoderma lucidum. Bhardwaj N, Katyal P, Sharma AK. Recent Pat Inflamm Allergy Drug Discov. 2014;8(2):104–117.