Ganoderma sinense (Black Reishi)
A rare, dark-purple bracket fungus known in Chinese medicine as 'Zi Zhi' — unlike Ganoderma lingzhi, this is a genetically distinct species, with its own, smaller body of research: a chemotherapy-support drug registered in China, plus preliminary data on protecting the heart from anthracycline cardiotoxicity.
Number of studies
2
Safety
Requires caution
Time to effects
Hematological effects were assessed in Chinese clinical trials after several weeks of concurrent use with chemo/radiotherapy.
Who it's for
Table of contents
TL;DR
A rare, dark-purple bracket fungus known in Chinese medicine as 'Zi Zhi' — unlike Ganoderma lingzhi, this is a genetically distinct species, with its own, smaller body of research: a chemotherapy-support drug registered in China, plus preliminary data on protecting the heart from anthracycline cardiotoxicity.
- →The polysaccharide GSP, registered in China since 2010 as an adjunctive drug, eases leukopenia caused by chemo/radiotherapy
- →Preliminary, mostly preclinical data on antioxidant action that may protect the heart from anthracyclines
- →Traditionally used in Chinese medicine as a liver-supporting tonic
| Latin name | Ganoderma sinense J.D. Zhao, L.W. Hsu & X.Q. Zhang |
|---|---|
| Family | Ganodermataceae |
| Active substances | GSP polysaccharide (beta-glucan) |
| Form | Registered drug (China) / powdered mycelium in multi-Ganoderma blends |
| Evidence level | Preliminary — a registered drug in China, but scarce published clinical data |
| Interactions | Chemotherapy and oncology drugs (only under medical supervision), anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs |
| Status | Not available as a registered drug in Poland/EU; present only as a component of multi-Ganoderma supplements |
Understand
Overview
Ganoderma sinense is a dark-purple bracket fungus growing mainly in China, known in traditional Chinese medicine as Zi Zhi. Unlike Ganoderma lingzhi, which is essentially the same material as most 'reishi' sold today, G. sinense is a phylogenetically confirmed, distinct species. Nearly all available raw material comes from cultivation.
The extracted polysaccharide (GSP) has been a registered adjunctive drug in China since 2010, used alongside chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Research is also underway into a potential cardioprotective effect — protecting heart muscle cells from anthracyclines. Available reviews note, however, that despite GSP's formal registration, published clinical trial data remain very scarce.
Who might this help? Mainly readers interested in the background of Chinese medicine tradition, and — solely as a topic to discuss with a treating oncologist — patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy, in whom GSP is being studied in China as an adjunctive drug easing leukopenia. There's no standardized dosing available in Poland, and the registered GSP drug isn't available in the EU. Cardioprotection data remain preclinical for now.
Where it's found
Occurs almost exclusively in China, rarely in the wild — nearly all available raw material today comes from cultivation on sawdust substrate or hardwood logs.
History of use
In the classical Chinese classification of lingzhi mushrooms, which distinguishes varieties by the color of the fruiting body, the purple-black variety referred to as 'Zi Zhi' corresponds to today's phylogenetically confirmed Ganoderma sinense. It was traditionally used as a liver-supporting tonic.
Mechanism of action
The main compound studied is the polysaccharide GSP, based on beta-glucans, credited with antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and — in preclinical studies — protective effects on cardiomyocytes exposed to oxidative stress caused by anthracyclines. This mechanism rests mainly on in vitro studies and animal models.
In preclinical models, GSP's cardioprotective action has been linked mainly to reducing oxidative stress markers in cardiomyocytes, rather than to a direct effect on the anticancer mechanism of anthracyclines — which is why it's being considered as a companion therapy rather than a substitute for supervised cardiac protection.
Extraction and standardization of GSP
GSP, a polysaccharide with a beta-glucan structure, is obtained from the fruiting body or mycelium.
Antioxidant and immunomodulatory action
GSP limits oxidative stress and modulates immune cell activity, which has been linked to easing leukopenia.
Potential protection of cardiomyocytes
In animal and in vitro models, GSP limited damage to heart muscle cells exposed to anthracyclines.
Lack of confirmation in humans
Despite the drug's formal registration in China since 2010, very few clinical studies in humans are available.
Evidence: early-stage — based on 2 studies in this database.
Benefits
Common myths
MythBlack reishi (Ganoderma sinense) is just a dark, more exclusive variant of ordinary reishi.
FactIt's a distinct, phylogenetically confirmed species, with its own name in Chinese medicine and its own line of research.
Forms & variants
Ganoderma sinense (Black Reishi) comes in several forms that differ in bioavailability and use case — the form you pick genuinely matters for how effective the supplementation is.
GSP tablets (drug registered in China)
Not available or registered in Poland or the EU.
Best for: Not applicable to the Polish market
Powdered mycelium/fruiting body in 'multi-Ganoderma' blends
The most common form available in practice.
Best for: Budget, general immune support
Practice
Frequently asked questions
Unlike Ganoderma lingzhi, which taxonomically is in practice the same material as most 'reishi' sold today, Ganoderma sinense is a distinct species with a research base centered on GSP, registered in China.
Dosage & timing
Typical dose
No standardized dosing for standalone dietary supplements on the Western market
Form
Fruiting-body or spore extract — rarely available as a single product, more often a component of 'multi-Ganoderma' blends
Any decision to use it — especially in combination with cancer treatment — should always be discussed with the treating physician.
Best times to take it
- Spread across 2–3 doses during the day, with a meal
What to combine with
Good combinations
Lion's Mane — A common combination in mushroom 'stacks' aimed at immunity
Cordyceps militaris — A popular pairing supporting immunity and energy
Safety
Side effects & contraindications
Possible side effects
Limited independent safety data outside Chinese clinical trials
Possible gastrointestinal discomfort at higher doses
Contraindications
Liver disease — caution
Clotting disorders and planned surgery
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
People undergoing cancer treatment: use ONLY after consulting the treating oncologist
Interactions
Chemotherapy and other oncology drugs — combine only under medical supervision
Anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs
Immunosuppressive drugs
Is it worth taking?
Who it's for
- People interested in the tradition of Chinese medicine
- Cancer patients considering adjunctive supplementation — solely as a topic to discuss with the treating oncologist
Not for
- Liver disease — caution
- Clotting disorders and planned surgery
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- People undergoing cancer treatment: use ONLY after consulting the treating oncologist
Evidence
Worth knowing
In the classical lingzhi classification, the purple-black variety ('Zi Zhi') corresponds to today's Ganoderma sinense.
Studies
GSP has been a registered adjunctive cancer-treatment drug in China since 2010 — yet publicly available, published clinical trial data on it are practically nonexistent.
Jiang Y et al., Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 2017
Overview of Ganoderma sinense polysaccharide — an adjunctive drug used during concurrent Chemo/Radiation therapy for cancer treatment in China
Early-stage evidenceJiang Y, et al. · Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy · 2017
A review describing GSP as an adjunctive drug registered in China since 2010. The authors note that publicly available, published clinical trial data are practically nonexistent.
View studyGanoderma sinense polysaccharide: An adjunctive drug used for cancer treatment
Early-stage evidenceZhang Y, Jiang Y, Zhang M, Zhang L · Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science · 2019
A review chapter summarizing the anticancer, antioxidant and immunomodulatory action of GSP as an adjunctive therapy.
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.
4.0Ganoderma lingzhi (Red Reishi)
A species formally split off in 2012 from the Ganoderma lucidum complex — it, not the European reishi, is what's actually behind most Asian products sold as 'reishi' or 'lingzhi,' including the 'Red Reishi' label.
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.
4.1Cordyceps militaris
A laboratory-cultivated functional mushroom — this is the species behind almost every 'cordyceps' supplement sold today. High, stable cordycepin content, but evidence for improved physical performance in humans is still mixed.
4.1Mesima (Phellinus linteus)
A tree-growing mushroom from Korea and Japan, sold commercially as Mesima — one of the few functional mushrooms with real, randomized clinical trials in humans assessing effects on immunity, not just in-vitro data.
3.7Split Gill (Schizophyllan)
One of the most common mushroom species on Earth, whose polysaccharide (SPG) is a registered injectable drug in Japan used as an adjunct to radiotherapy for cervical cancer. In Poland and the EU it is neither a registered drug nor a dietary supplement.
4.4Lion's Mane
A functional mushroom studied for its effect on nerve growth factor (NGF) and cognitive function — human evidence is still preliminary.
4.3Shiitake
A culinary-functional mushroom rich in lentinan and beta-glucans, studied clinically for immune modulation and lipid profile — one of the best-researched functional mushrooms on the market.
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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.