In 1999, the tree conk Hemlock Varnish Shelf was found to possess “the strongest antioxidant activity of five species of Ganoderma [Reishi] tested.” It was found to have stronger antioxidative activity than Vitamin E. The abundance of antioxidants in Hemlock Varnish Shelf has been confirmed by several other research papers. [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.

Commercially cultivated in Taiwan and exported to mainland China as a medicinal mushroom, Hemlock Reishi has traditionally been used in Chinese medicine to treat inflammatory diseases, particularly asthma and autoimmune conditions.

The single modern study conducted on Hemlock Varnish Shelf extract to treat an autoimmune disease, conducted in 2001, concluded that it “improved the survival rate of lupus.” [800]

When it comes to conditions involving inflammation of lung tissue, three studies have been conducted on Hemlock Varnish Shelf. It has been reported to “exert anti-inflammatory effects on airway responses” [801] in allergic asthma and other forms of broncheoalveolar inflammation. [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]

Ganoderma tsugae extract has also been used in studies on cancer with results that encourage continued research. [808, 809, 810, 811, 812] Breast cancer [816] and lung cancer patients in particular have responded favorably in the studies conducted. [808, 809, 810, 811, 812] A study on cancer metastasis also reported positive results from the use of Hemlock Varnish Shelf. [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 the extracts from Paul Stamets’ Fungi Perfecti, which include synergistic reishi blends such as G5 (Five Ganoderma) and CordyChi. For scientific references to this article, please visit the Ganoderma tsugae page.