Artist's Conk (Ganoderma applanatum)
A common, woody bracket fungus famous for the fact that you can draw on it — studied in the lab for polysaccharides and triterpenes, but not a popular dietary supplement.
Table of contents
TL;DR
A common, woody bracket fungus famous for the fact that you can draw on it — studied in the lab for polysaccharides and triterpenes, but not a popular dietary supplement.
- →A preliminary mouse study suggests a possible increase in NK-cell activity and limited tumor growth — an animal model only
- →Extracts show significant antioxidant activity in in vitro tests
- →Laboratory studies describe antimicrobial activity of select extracts
| Latin name | Ganoderma applanatum |
|---|---|
| Family | Ganodermataceae |
| Active compounds | Polysaccharides (exo-biopolymer), lanostane-type triterpenoids |
| Form | Occasionally: dried slices for decoction; no standardized commercial extract |
| Level of evidence | Preliminary — a single animal study and in vitro studies |
| Interactions | Theoretical interaction with anticoagulant drugs (inferred from G. lucidum data) |
| Status | A very common bracket fungus species in Poland; inedible, outside the supplement market |
Understand
Overview
Artist's conk (Ganoderma applanatum) is a species forming hard, perennial, flat, shelf-shaped fruiting bodies on tree trunks. It's one of the most common bracket fungi, parasitizing weakened or dead trees. Its characteristic white pore layer darkens permanently under pressure — hence the English name 'artist's conk.'
Unlike its relative reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), G. applanatum practically doesn't exist as a standardized supplement — it remains primarily a mycological curiosity. A handful of in vitro and animal studies suggest immunomodulatory and antioxidant activity, but there are no clinical studies in humans whatsoever.
Who can this actually help? For now, no one, as a proven way to boost immunity or prevent cancer — the only data suggesting such an effect comes from a single study in mice, not studies in humans. This entry may interest people following early-stage research on Ganoderma mushrooms, as well as mycologists. People taking anticoagulant drugs in particular should exercise caution, because of a theoretical interaction inferred from data on the related reishi.
Where it's found
Artist's conk is one of the most common bracket fungi in Poland and Europe, decomposing wood mainly of deciduous, less often coniferous, trees. It forms hard, perennial, flat, shelf-shaped fruiting bodies, visible year-round.
Mechanism of action
The fruiting bodies contain polysaccharides and lanostane-type triterpenoids, structurally similar to compounds from other Ganoderma species. In animal studies, an exo-biopolymer increased NK-cell activity and complement activity. In in vitro studies, extracts showed antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity against select cancer cell lines.
The mechanism of immune stimulation by fungal polysaccharides is usually explained by activation of pattern-recognition receptors on immune cells, mainly the Dectin-1 receptor on macrophages, leading to cytokine secretion and heightened NK-cell cytotoxic activity. Lanostane-type triterpenoids, structurally similar to the ganoderic acids from G. lucidum, have shown in studies of other Ganoderma species the ability to inhibit enzymes such as 5α-reductase, though for G. applanatum itself these mechanisms haven't been directly verified.
Release of exo-biopolymer and triterpenoids
Compounds extracted from the fruiting body under laboratory conditions.
Activation of innate immunity
Likely via the Dectin-1 receptor on macrophages — a mechanism typical of fungal beta-glucans, not directly verified for this species.
Increase in NK-cell and complement activity
Confirmed in a study in mice with transplanted sarcoma.
Neutralization of free radicals
Antioxidant activity of extracts confirmed in in vitro tests.
Evidence: early-stage — based on 2 studies in this database.
Benefits
Common myths
MythArtist's conk works the same way as reishi.
FactThese are separate species of the same genus; research on G. applanatum is considerably more limited.
Forms & variants
Artist's Conk (Ganoderma applanatum) comes in several forms that differ in bioavailability and use case — the form you pick genuinely matters for how effective the supplementation is.
Dried fruiting body (slices)
Thin slices of the hard fruiting body, dried and boiled as a decoction.
Best for: Mycology enthusiasts
Practice
Frequently asked questions
Practically not in standardized form — it remains mainly of interest to mycologists.
Dosage & timing
Typical dose
Not established — the species doesn't exist as a standardized dietary supplement
Form
Occasionally: dried fruiting-body slices for brewing, and powder in traditional herbal blends
The information below is for educational purposes only.
Best times to take it
- Not applicable
Safety
Side effects & contraindications
Possible side effects
The fruiting body is hard and woody — not suitable for direct consumption in its typical form
Possible allergic reactions in people allergic to mushroom spores
Contraindications
Allergy to mushrooms and mushroom spores
Pregnancy and breastfeeding — no data
Interactions
Theoretical interaction with anticoagulant drugs — inferred from data on Ganoderma lucidum
Is it worth taking?
Who it's for
- A preliminary mouse study suggests a possible increase in NK-cell activity and limited tumor growth — an animal model only
- Extracts show significant antioxidant activity in in vitro tests
- Laboratory studies describe antimicrobial activity of select extracts
Not for
- Allergy to mushrooms and mushroom spores
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding — no data
Evidence
Worth knowing
A mature fruiting body can release up to 30 billion spores per day for half a year.
The name 'artist's conk' comes from the white pore layer, which darkens permanently when scratched.
Studies
In mice with transplanted sarcoma, administration of an exo-biopolymer from Ganoderma applanatum reduced tumor growth by 39.7% and increased NK-cell activity by 51.6% relative to the control group.
Jeong Y.T. et al., Phytotherapy Research, 2008
Ganoderma applanatum: a promising mushroom for antitumor and immunomodulating activity
Early-stage evidenceJeong Y.T., et al. · Phytotherapy Research · 2008
In mice with transplanted sarcoma, an exo-biopolymer reduced tumor growth by 39.7% and increased NK-cell activity by 51.6% relative to control.
View studyComprehensive Analysis of Bioactive Compounds in Wild Ganoderma applanatum Mushroom from Kerala, South India
Early-stage evidenceRijia A., et al. · Pharmaceuticals (Basel) · 2024
Analysis of wild fruiting bodies showed a rich phytochemical composition, significant antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial action of the extract.
View studySources & bibliography
Citations are illustrative for this demo version and require full bibliographic verification by the editorial team before production publication.
Compare with similar entries
About the authors of this entry
Author
Michał NowakClinical Dietitian
Michał specializes in metabolic nutrition, intermittent fasting and sports supplementation.
61 publications on this site
Medical review
dr Anna KowalczykEditor-in-Chief, Molecular Biology
Anna oversees the editorial process and scientific review of every publication in the knowledge base. She previously researched autophagy and mitochondrial biology.
50 publications on this site
Related entries
4.2Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)
A functional mushroom with more than 2,000 years of history in Chinese and Japanese medicine, studied for its immune-modulating effects — human clinical evidence, however, remains modest and partly contradictory.
4.1King Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii)
The largest species in the oyster mushroom genus, prized in the kitchen for its meaty stem — studied in early research, mostly in animal models, for effects on lipid metabolism and blood sugar.
3.8Birch Mazegill (Lenzites betulina)
A mushroom that looks like a turkey tail bracket but has true gills instead of pores underneath its cap. A handful of real laboratory studies (anticancer and antioxidant, in vitro), zero clinical studies in humans.
3.7Red-Belted Conk (Fomitopsis pinicola)
A common perennial bracket fungus on conifers in Polish forests — the subject of laboratory research into triterpenes, but with no supplement market or human clinical studies.
3.5Ochre Bracket (Trametes ochracea)
A species nearly identical to turkey tail, often mistaken for it in the field. It has a single laboratory study on a fruiting-body extract behind it — no clinical trials whatsoever.
4.5Turkey Tail
The mushroom behind PSK and PSP — the only fungal polysaccharides registered in Japan as drugs supporting chemotherapy. Among the most solid clinical evidence of any functional mushroom, but this is NOT a standalone cancer therapy.
4.4Lion's Mane
A functional mushroom studied for its effect on nerve growth factor (NGF) and cognitive function — human evidence is still preliminary.
Comments (2)
- KW
Kasia W. 2 weeks ago
Very clearly explained, especially the interactions section — I hadn't seen it laid out this well anywhere else.
- MT
Marek T. a month ago
Are you planning to update this with the newest study from this year? I saw an interesting meta-analysis.