What was tested
Twenty-six people with borderline elevated blood pressure or cholesterol entered a study of 1.44 grams daily of Lingzhi versus matching placebo. Each treatment period lasted 12 weeks; 23 participants were evaluable. [1]
Blood pressure and body mass index did not change. Insulin and an insulin-resistance estimate were lower after Lingzhi, but carry-over effects prevented complete analysis of triglyceride and HDL results. [1]
How far the result applies
Carry-over means an earlier treatment can influence a later period, complicating the comparison. These mixed findings should not be compressed into a claim that reishi lowers blood pressure. The small study does not establish cardiovascular-event prevention. Funding and conflicts were not established from the abstract. [1]
A hypothetical reading of the evidence
Imagine an effect persists into the next period. The later measurement may no longer represent that period’s treatment alone.
| Detail | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Study result | Limited to its measured outcomes |
| Other preparation | Equivalence not established |
| Broader claim | Needs separate evidence |
Sources for this article
- Study of potential cardioprotective effects of Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi): results of a controlled human intervention trial - PubMed
Source consulted: 2026-09-19. This is a reference resource, not a claim that we conducted the studies or tested a product.