A 1999 research paper reported Hemlock Varnish Shelf (Ganoderma tsugae) to have “the strongest antioxidant activity of five species of Ganoderma [Reishi] tested,” a more potent free radical scavenger than Vitamin E. [831] Other published papers have also reported extraordinary antioxidant levels in Hemlock Varnish Shelf. [827, 828, 829, 830]
Growing on Eastern Hemlocks (Tsuga canadensis) throughout the Appalachian Mountains, Hemlock Varnish Shelf (Ganoderma tsugae) is the local variety of Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma spp.) in the eastern parts of the U.S.
And in fact it shares many medicinal attributes with the better known Common Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), which has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for 2,000 years or more.
Hemlock Varnish Shelf is not limited to the U.S., though, and plenty of Asian research has been conducted specifically on this species of Reishi.
The primary Asian source of Hemlock Varnish Shelf is commercially grown specimens from Taiwan that are exported to mainland China as medicinal mushrooms. The traditional use of Ganoderma tsugae in Chinese medicine is for the treatment of autoimmune conditions, asthma and other conditions involving inflammation.
In modern scientific literature, we can only find one study on the use of Hemlock Varnish Shelf in the treatment of an autoimmune disease. A paper published in 2001 stated: “Improved the survival rate of lupus” [800] with the administration of Ganoderma tsugae extract.
A bit more research has been conducted on asthma and lung inflammation. In 2007, it was reported that Ganoderma tsugae extract produced “anti-inflammatory effects on airway responses” [801] in broncheoalveolar inflammation, including allergic asthma. [802, 803]
A unique and increasingly popular use of Hemlock Varnish Shelf is as a form of skin substitute to aid in wound healing. Sold under the name of Sacchachitin, this Ganoderma tsugae-derived skin substitute has been shown in many studies to help speed up skin healing. It’s been reported that “rapid wound healing” occurs when the injured area is covered by Sacchachitin as compared to gauze. [804] A “wound area covered by SACCHACHITIN completely healed by 21 days, while that covered with cotton gauze did not,” states one paper. [805, 806, 807]
Cancer research has also been conducted on Hemlock Varnish Shelf with encouraging results, [808, 809, 810, 811, 812] in particular in regards to breast [816] and lung cancer. [813, 814, 815] Ganoderma tsugae extract was shown in one study to be helpful in the prevention of metastatic tumors. [817]
As with the Common Reishi, Hemlock Varnish Shelf extract appears to be immunomodulatory [817, 818, 819, 820, 821, 822, 823] – meaning that it will adjust the immune system up or down depending on what is needed. It helps strengthen a weak immune system, [824] but will calm an over-active immune system in cases of inflammation [825] or autoimmune conditions.
Finally, a paper published in 2004 reported that Hemlock Varnish Shelf also possessed anti-fibrotic as well as liver protective properties. [826]
Note: The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a licensed medical practitioner before using any herb (or mushroom) for medicinal purposes.
Dr. Markho Rafael has worked with natural health since finishing Chiropractic College in 1996. He currently specializes in medicinal mushrooms, specifically working with MycoMedicinals from Paul Stamets, which include reishi synergistic blends such as G5 (Ganoderma Five) and CordyChi. For scientific references to this article, please go to the Ganoderma tsugae research page.