The Shennong Bencao Jing ranked lingzhi as a “superior grade” herb, suitable for long-term use to nourish health and extend life. Rather than turning to lingzhi only after falling ill, it is better to look after your health in advance according to your own constitution. Existing research covers lingzhi’s effects on immune function in older people, antioxidant and liver protection in healthy middle-aged people, and health support for athletes. A human trial at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University also found no liver or kidney toxicity in healthy people who took lingzhi for 4 weeks.
This topic includes 6 studies and reports, each linked to its source.
Terms explained on this page (7)
double-blind
Neither the participants nor the researchers know who is taking lingzhi and who is taking the comparison product, which makes the results more objective.
crossover trial
The same people take the test product and the placebo one after the other, with a break in between, so each person is compared with themselves.
triterpenes
A group of bitter-tasting compounds in lingzhi, found mainly in the fruiting body; one of lingzhi’s main active components.
liver enzymes
Blood markers of liver-cell health (AST, ALT). High values usually suggest the liver may be damaged.
placebo
A comparison product that looks and tastes like the real product but contains no active ingredients, used to compare against the real thing.
extract
A product made by drawing out and concentrating lingzhi’s components with water or alcohol. Different extraction methods yield different components.
free radicals
Highly reactive molecules produced by the body’s metabolism or by outside factors such as ultraviolet light; in excess they damage cells.
39 adults with mildly abnormal liver function took part in a , taking 225 mg a day of a lingzhi preparation (7% , 6% polysaccharide peptides). After 6 months, (AST, ALT) fell, oxidative damage markers dropped, and antioxidant capacity markers rose.
Controlled human trialCompares people who took it with people who did not
The same people took the lingzhi preparation and a in turn, so each person was compared with themselves.
What the researchers say
The researchers concluded the lingzhi preparation may help protect the liver.
Source
Chiu HF et al., Pharmaceutical Biology, 2017
Based on the summary in Japan’s HFNet database; the paper’s title describes the participants as healthy volunteers, to be checked against the full paperLast updated: 2026-10-06
Lingzhi eased oxidative stress in aging cells, lowered abnormally high levels of reactive oxygen species in mitochondria and protected mitochondrial function. In a mouse model of UV-induced photoaging, lingzhi extract reduced UV-induced thickening of the epidermis and loss of protein in the dermis.
Changes in mitochondrial function were first observed in aging cells, then confirmed in a skin photoaging model created by exposing mice to ultraviolet A.
What the researchers say
Declining mitochondrial function is one of the key signs of aging in cells and in the whole body.
Researchers applied a gel containing 2% lingzhi to skin wounds in mice; the wounds healed faster, with higher energy levels and lower reactive oxygen species levels in the wound tissue. The researchers believe lingzhi extract can improve mitochondrial function in aging skin and promote wound healing.
Mitochondrial function was first observed in aging cells; then full-thickness skin wounds were made in mice, the gel was applied, and healing was observed.
What the researchers say
This study used a gel applied to the skin.
Source
Tao L, Tai M et al., A Ganoderma lucidum Extract Improves Mitochondrial Function in Aging Skin and Promotes Wound Healing, Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2026, 19
In aging skin-related cells, lingzhi reduced excess reactive oxygen species (a type of ) produced by mitochondria and helped maintain normal mitochondrial function; in mice with skin photoaging caused by ultraviolet light, it also reduced mitochondrial dysfunction, thickening of the epidermis and loss of protein in the dermis.
In aging cells cultured in the laboratory, the researchers measured changes in oxidative stress, mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial number; they then created a skin photoaging model by exposing mice to ultraviolet A (UVA), observed the effects of lingzhi extract, and analyzed the main components of the extract.
What the researchers say
The researchers believe these effects may relate to the abundant in the extract.
By regulating the nervous, cardiovascular, immune and endocrine systems, lingzhi helps the body adapt to changes inside and out, strengthens the constitution and slows aging. Related reports cover studies of lingzhi enhancing immune function in older adults, its antioxidant and liver-protecting effects in healthy middle-aged people, and its health benefits for athletes.
Book on lingzhiSummarized from a published book; verifiable by title and ISBN
Published book · see title and ISBN in the source
How the study was done
A compilation of several clinical and laboratory studies.
What the researchers say
Rather than turning to lingzhi only after falling ill or becoming seriously ill, it is better to look after your health in advance according to your own constitution.
Source
Lin Zhibin (ed.), 灵芝从神奇到科学 [Lingzhi: From Mystery to Science], 3rd ed., Peking University Medical Press, 2018, ISBN 978-7-5659-1844-5, Ch. 13
As reported in the monograph; original sources still to be checkedLast updated: 2026-10-06
In a at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 18 healthy adults aged 22 to 52 took 1.44 g a day of a lingzhi preparation (roughly equivalent to 13.2 g of fresh lingzhi) for 4 weeks. The study looked at antioxidant status, cardiovascular risk, DNA damage, immunity, inflammation and liver and kidney toxicity, among other measures. No liver or kidney toxicity or DNA damage was reported.
Controlled human trialCompares people who took it with people who did not