Ganoderma lucidum and Professor Zhi-Bin Lin

Ganoderma is a genus of polypore mushrooms and includes about 80 species. Ganoderma is characterized by basidiocarps that are large, perennial, woody brackets, also called “conks.” Ganoderma lucidum, also known as lingzhi, is the most commonly cultivated type of Ganoderma in China, and has been used for medical purposes for more than 2,000 years (Figure ​(Figure1).1). Lingzhi is used in China for a great variety of purposes, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sleep disorder, hepatitis, leucopenia, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and cancer. It is also widely used to promote health in those under a “sub-health” status (Lin, 2011).