Lingzhi mushroom, also known as Ganoderma lucidum, holds a special place in traditional medicine in Vietnam due to its numerous health benefits. Let's explore with Agroviet.info the various types of Lingzhi mushrooms found in Vietnam and their potential advantages.
What Is Lingzhi Mushroom?
Lingzhi mushroom, also known by various names such as Reishi mushroom, Immortality mushroom, or Ganoderma lucidum, is a type of bracket fungus belonging to the Ganodermataceae family. It typically grows in high-altitude forested areas, especially in regions with abundant broad-leaved trees.
Lingzhi mushroom is considered a rare and precious medicinal herb. It is documented in ancient Chinese texts like the "Shennong Ben Cao Jing" (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), where it is classified as a superior herb, even surpassing the value of ginseng.
In traditional medicine, Lingzhi mushroom is highly esteemed for its various health benefits and medicinal properties. It has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine and is known for its potential to support overall well-being.
Lingzhi mushrooms come in different varieties, including red, green, yellow, white, black, and purple, each with its unique characteristics and potential health benefits. These mushrooms are often consumed in various forms, such as extracts, teas, capsules, or as an ingredient in health supplements. Research into the health-promoting properties of Lingzhi mushrooms continues to expand, making them a subject of interest in modern science and medicine.
Types of Lingzhi Mushrooms in Vietnam.
Here, we explore the classification of Lingzhi mushrooms:
Based on Origin:
Vietnamese Lingzhi:
Characteristics: Vietnamese Lingzhi is renowned for its natural growth in Vietnam, especially the "Ling Lim Xanh" variety. These mushrooms grow exclusively on the bodies of Lim trees and are often challenging to harvest, making them highly valued.
Physical Features: Vietnamese Lingzhi mushrooms are typically small, with caps ranging from 7 to 10 cm in diameter and a thickness of about 0.5 cm. They have a soft texture and a slightly translucent white underside. Over time, their color shifts from dark brown to black or gray.
Market Price: Prices for Vietnamese Lingzhi mushrooms can vary from 2,600,000 to 3,300,000 Vietnamese dong per kilogram.
Cultivated Lingzhi in Vietnam:
Characteristics: Some Lingzhi mushrooms in Vietnam are cultivated, resulting in larger specimens, approximately 20 cm in size, resembling kidneys with numerous spores on their surface.
Physical Features: Cultivated Lingzhi mushrooms are often more visually appealing, with a brown to pinkish hue and a glossy surface.
Market Price: Cultivated Lingzhi from Vietnam is generally priced between 700,000 to 1,200,000 Vietnamese dong per kilogram.
Korean Lingzhi:
Characteristics: Korean Lingzhi is known for its quality and is characterized by its rounded, slightly distorted appearance, with a diameter ranging from 15 to 30 cm and a weight ranging from 70 to 300 grams. The surface is reddish with hints of brown, and the underside is bright yellow.
Market Price: Korean Lingzhi is priced between 1,500,000 to 4,000,000 Vietnamese dong per kilogram in the Vietnamese market, varying by specific varieties.
Japanese Lingzhi:
Characteristics: Japanese Lingzhi is considered to have high quality and stable medicinal properties. The caps are reddish with a tinge of purple, glossy, and hard. The underside of the caps is bright yellow.
Market Price: Japanese Lingzhi in the Vietnamese market can range around 4,000,000 Vietnamese dong per kilogram.
Chinese Lingzhi:
Characteristics: Lingzhi mushrooms produced using Chinese cultivation methods are often considered lower in quality compared to other global varieties. China focuses on quantity rather than quality.
Physical Features: Chinese Lingzhi mushrooms resemble the Korean variety in terms of size and appearance. They have a reddish hue, and the underside is either brownish or turmeric yellow.
Market Price: Chinese Lingzhi mushrooms typically have lower prices, ranging from 800,000 to 1,400,000 Vietnamese dong per kilogram.
Classification of Lingzhi Mushrooms Based on Color:
Red Lingzhi:
Characteristics: Red Lingzhi mushrooms are deep red in color and are highly regarded for their quality. They are commonly available in the market and are widely consumed. These mushrooms are non-toxic, have a bitter taste, and are known for their medicinal properties.
Health Benefits: Red Lingzhi is believed to support cognitive function, brain health, blood circulation, and can help alleviate symptoms such as breathlessness, chest pain, and discomfort in the chest.
Green Lingzhi:
Characteristics: Green Lingzhi mushrooms are, as the name suggests, green in color. They are non-toxic, have a slightly sour taste, and are known for their medicinal properties. They are particularly used for patients with eye issues or reduced vision.
Health Benefits: Green Lingzhi is believed to improve eyesight, support liver function, detoxify the body, enhance memory, and more.
Yellow Lingzhi:
Characteristics: Yellow Lingzhi mushrooms are bright in color, ranging from light to deep yellow, depending on their age. They have a sweet taste and are non-toxic. They are known for their ability to regulate the body, calm the mind, and treat conditions such as coughs without side effects.
Health Benefits: Yellow Lingzhi is effective in nourishing the respiratory system, supporting lung health, and relieving coughs and congestion.
White Lingzhi:
Characteristics: White Lingzhi mushrooms are white in color, have a balanced taste, and are non-toxic. They have a slightly spicy flavor and are known for their stability in medicinal properties. White Lingzhi is often used for regulating the body, calming the mind, and treating conditions like coughs and nasal congestion.
Health Benefits: White Lingzhi is believed to have a soothing effect on the respiratory system, making it beneficial for coughs and clearing nasal passages.
Black Lingzhi:
Characteristics: Black Lingzhi mushrooms have a dark, tawny color and are typically non-toxic, just like most other Lingzhi varieties. They have a salty taste and are valued for their efficacy in treating kidney and liver-related symptoms, urinary issues, and regulating blood circulation.
Health Benefits: Black Lingzhi is used for kidney and liver health, promoting healthy urine flow, and it is especially known for its potential in preventing cancer.
Purple Lingzhi:
Characteristics: Purple Lingzhi mushrooms have a deep purple color, a sweet taste, and are non-toxic. They are often used to support joint and bone health and are also prized for their skin-nourishing properties.
Health Benefits: Purple Lingzhi is believed to be beneficial for joint and bone health, and it is also used for skin care and beautification.
Here's a classification of Lingzhi mushrooms based on their form:
Whole Lingzhi:
Characteristics: Whole Lingzhi mushrooms maintain their original shape, which can vary depending on the specific type of Lingzhi. They can be found in various shapes, including round, cap-like, or horn-shaped. However, they are less commonly used due to the time-consuming extraction process required.
Usage: Whole Lingzhi mushrooms are typically used for traditional preparation methods, which involve a more extended extraction process.
Sliced Lingzhi:
Characteristics: Sliced Lingzhi mushrooms are a convenient option as they are pre-sliced and ready for use. They are typically cut horizontally using a knife or scissors, ensuring uniform slices.
Usage: Sliced Lingzhi is widely used in various applications, including herbal teas, soups, and supplements, as they are easy to handle and prepare.
Lingzhi Powder:
Characteristics: Lingzhi powder is made by finely grinding Lingzhi mushrooms into a smooth powder. This form of Lingzhi is convenient for extraction and preparation, but it may require filtering to remove any residual particles.
Usage: Lingzhi powder is versatile and can be incorporated into a wide range of recipes, including beverages, smoothies, and as a supplement for its potential health benefits.
Choosing the form of Lingzhi mushrooms depends on individual preferences and the intended use. Whole Lingzhi may be preferred for traditional applications, while sliced Lingzhi and Lingzhi powder offer convenience and versatility for modern culinary and wellness purposes.
Selecting high-quality red Lingzhi mushrooms involves considering several key factors. Here are some tips on how to choose the best red Lingzhi mushrooms:
Mushroom Size:
Characteristics: Opt for red Lingzhi mushrooms that are of moderate size, typically with a diameter ranging from 16 to 17 centimeters.
Explanation: Red Lingzhi mushrooms that fall within this size range are generally considered ideal, as overly large mushrooms may have a lower concentration of active compounds.
Surface and Color:
Characteristics: High-quality red Lingzhi mushrooms have a smooth and glossy surface, often covered with a reddish-brown powder. Look for mushrooms with at least four edges, and a deeper red color that transitions into a rich brown shade. The top surface should be a dark red, while the underside should have a bright yellow color with white scratch marks.
Explanation: These color and surface characteristics are indicative of a well-developed and potent Lingzhi mushroom.
Thickness:
Characteristics: Typically, red Lingzhi mushrooms have a thickness ranging from 1.5 to 2 centimeters, although this can vary depending on their natural habitat or cultivation method.
Explanation: The thickness of Lingzhi mushrooms can vary, but those with moderate thickness are generally preferred, as they tend to be more robust and nutrient-rich.
Aroma and Taste:
Characteristics: Red Lingzhi mushrooms have a distinct, pleasant aroma that remains even after extended storage. They exhibit a mild bitterness when tasted in water, which is characteristic of Lingzhi mushrooms.
Explanation: Lingzhi mushrooms should maintain their aroma and mild bitterness even when stored for an extended period. They should not develop unpleasant odors or flavors.
Spore Count:
Characteristics: Choose Lingzhi mushrooms with a high spore count, as most of their medicinal properties are concentrated in the spores.
Explanation: Lingzhi mushrooms with abundant spores are considered more potent and beneficial for health.
Moisture Content:
Characteristics: Lingzhi mushrooms with the right moisture content tend to have a longer shelf life. You can test this by gently tapping two mushrooms together; if you hear a crisp, firm sound, it indicates that the mushrooms have lower moisture content and are in a dry state.
Explanation: Mushrooms with lower moisture content are less susceptible to spoilage and can be stored for longer periods.
In conclusion, Lingzhi mushrooms, with their various types and potential health benefits, are highly regarded in traditional medicine. To make the most of their qualities, it is essential to choose high-quality Lingzhi and consider its source carefully. Whether in supplement form or as fresh mushrooms, Lingzhi offers a potential boost to overall well-being and health when integrated into a balanced lifestyle.
Lingzhi mushrooms come in different varieties, including red, green, yellow, white, black, and purple, each with its unique characteristics and potential health benefits. These mushrooms are often consumed in various forms, such as extracts, teas, capsules, or as an ingredient in health supplements. Research into the health-promoting properties of Lingzhi mushrooms continues to expand, making them a subject of interest in modern science and medicine
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