Ganoderma tsugae
Encyclopedia
Ganoderma tsugae, also known as Hemlock varnish shelf, is a flat polypore
mushroom of the genus Ganoderma
. In contrast to Ganoderma lucidum
, to which it is closely related and which it closely resembles, G. tsugae tends to grow on conifers, especially hemlock
s. Like G. lucidum, G. tsugae is said to have medicinal properties. Phylogenetic analysis of Ganoderma has begun to better differentiate between many closely related species of Ganoderma; however there is still scientific debate as to which species of Ganoderma have the most medicinal properties. In addition, variations within the same species as well as the growth substrate and environmental conditions all the way through to preparation of the Ganoderma tea or extract can have a substantial effect on the medicinal value of the product.
Like G. lucidum, G. tsugae is non-poisonous but generally considered inedible, due to its solid woody nature; however, making ganoderma teas and extracts from its fruiting bodies is an excellent way make use of the medicinal compounds present in Ganoderma tsugae. In the case of extracting the polysaccharides in G. tsugae, a hot water extraction or tea can be very effective; however, to best extract the triterpenoids present in G. tsugae it is best to use an alcohol or alcohol/glycerin extraction method.
Polypore
Polypores are a group of tough, leathery poroid mushrooms similar to boletes, but typically lacking a distinct stalk. The technical distinction between the two types of mushrooms is that polypores do not have the spore-bearing tissue continuous along the entire underside of the mushroom. Many...
mushroom of the genus Ganoderma
Ganoderma
Ganoderma is a genus of polypore mushrooms which grow on wood and include about 80 species, many from tropical regions. Because of their extensive use in traditional Asian medicines, and their potential in bioremediation, they are a very important genus economically. Ganoderma can be differentiated...
. In contrast to Ganoderma lucidum
Lingzhi
The lingzhi mushroom or reishi mushroom encompasses several fungal species of the genus Ganoderma, and most commonly refers to the closely related species, Ganoderma lucidum and Ganoderma tsugae. G...
, to which it is closely related and which it closely resembles, G. tsugae tends to grow on conifers, especially hemlock
Tsuga
Tsuga is a genus of conifers in the family Pinaceae. The common name hemlock is derived from a perceived similarity in the smell of its crushed foliage to that of the unrelated plant poison hemlock....
s. Like G. lucidum, G. tsugae is said to have medicinal properties. Phylogenetic analysis of Ganoderma has begun to better differentiate between many closely related species of Ganoderma; however there is still scientific debate as to which species of Ganoderma have the most medicinal properties. In addition, variations within the same species as well as the growth substrate and environmental conditions all the way through to preparation of the Ganoderma tea or extract can have a substantial effect on the medicinal value of the product.
Like G. lucidum, G. tsugae is non-poisonous but generally considered inedible, due to its solid woody nature; however, making ganoderma teas and extracts from its fruiting bodies is an excellent way make use of the medicinal compounds present in Ganoderma tsugae. In the case of extracting the polysaccharides in G. tsugae, a hot water extraction or tea can be very effective; however, to best extract the triterpenoids present in G. tsugae it is best to use an alcohol or alcohol/glycerin extraction method.