**2.4** *Ganoderma lucidum*

This mushroom variety commonly known as the Ling-Zhi in China and Reishi in Japan is considered one of the bracket fungi. However, contrary to most species, it is characterized by a long slender stalk attached to the side of the "cap" of the fruiting body [47]. This species is widely distributed in North and South America, Europe, and part of the African dense humid forest, where they grow on the hardwood. The species is very popular and widely used in Chinese and Japanese traditional pharmacopeia in the past 4000 years, for the treatment of multiple diseases of the liver, hypertension, gastric ulcer, arthritis, chronic hepatitis, insomnia, bronchitis, and asthma [9, 48].

A number of anti-cancer bioactive constituents have been isolated from *G. lucidum*, as illustrated in **Figure 4**. These compounds have shown immune-stimulating, antitumor activities [22]. *In vitro* studies have demonstrated that this species possess anti-allergic, bronchitis preventive effect, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial properties against a broad spectrum of bacteria isolate, lowers blood pressure, and has antioxidant properties [49]. Clinical studies have shown the beneficial potential in treating a variety of disorders.
