Safety of Ganoderma lucidum supplements
The use of natural products is a growing phenomenon both in Italy and in the rest of the world. Some mushrooms have been used by the Eastern traditional medicine for centuries to improve the general health, increase the immune defenses and as adjuvant for the treatment of chronic diseases. The Ganoderma lucidum, also known as reishi in Japan and língzhī in China, is a mushroom (see Figure) that can be consumed as tea, different types of beverages or nutraceutical preparation. Approved in Italy by the Ministry of Health as nutritional supplement, the G.