Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is highly prevalent, with ischemic heart disease and stroke being the two leading causes of mortality throughout the world. Several drug treatments for CVD have been derived from plant sources, such as digoxin and reserpine. Herbal medicines are now becoming more popular, representing a potentially cost-effective class of substances for combating CVD if safe and effective therapies can be identified.
Ganoderma (Ganodermataceae) is a kind of woody mushroom that can be found all over the world.

Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst. (Ganodermataceae) (known as Lingzhi in China and Reishi in Japan) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for over 2000 years for a broad range of indications, including improving general health, wellbeing, and longevity.

The researchers compiled references from major databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Major research on whole plants, plant extracts, and specific active compounds isolated from G. lucidum in relation to major risk factors for cardiometabolic disease.

A variety of commercial products from G. lucidum, such as powders, dietary supplements, and tea, are available. They have been shown to possess a range of activities against CVD, including effects on lipids, blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, and antioxidant and radical scavenging properties (The potential mechanisms for the prevention and therapy of cardiovascular disease with components of G. lucidum are shown below).

Chan, S. W., Tomlinson, B., Chan, P., & Lam, C. W. K. (2021). The beneficial effects of Ganoderma lucidum on cardiovascular and metabolic disease risk. Pharmaceutical biology, 59(1), 1159-1169. [Link]