Ganoderma tsugae, also known as hemlock varnish shelf, is a flat polypore mushroom of the genus Ganoderma.
Habitat In contrast to Ganoderma lucidum, to which it is closely related and which it closely resembles, G. tsugae tends to grow on conifers, especially hemlocks.). Retrieved June 15, 2007.
Uses Like G. lucidum, G. tsugae is non-poisonous but generally considered inedible, because of its solid woody nature; however, teas and extracts made from its fruiting bodies supposedly allow medicinal use of the compounds it contains, although this is controversial within the scientific community. A hot water extraction or tea can be very effective for extracting the polysaccharides; however, an alcohol or alcohol/glycerin extraction method is more effective for the triterpenoids.Gary Emberger, Messiah College, Ganoderma tsugae, 2006. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
The fresh, soft growth of the "lip" of G. tsugae can be sautéed and prepared much like other edible mushrooms. While in this nascent stage it is not woody, it can still be tough and chewy.
Medicinal Like G. lucidum, G. tsugae is purported to have medicinal properties including use for dressing a skin wound.Ching-Hua Su1, et al., Taipei Medical University, Sacchachitin, a Skin Wound Dressing Material from Ganoderma tsugae , 2004. Retrieved June 16, 2007. Though phylogenetic analysis has begun to better differentiate between many closely related species of Ganoderma;Soon Gyu Hong, Hack Sung Jung, Phylogenetic analysis of Ganoderma based on nearly complete mitochondrial small-subunit ribosomal DNA sequences, Mycologia July/August 2004 vol. 96 no. 4 742–55. there is still disagreement as to which have the most medicinal properties. Natural and artificial variations (e.g. growing conditions and preparation) may also affect any medicinal value.
Studies in mice have shown that G. tsugae shows several potential medicinal benefits including anti-tumor activity through some of the active polysaccharides found in G. tsugae.Mizuno T, Wang G, Zhang J et al: Reishi, Ganoderma lucidum and Ganoderma tsugae: bioactive substances and medicinal effects. Food Rev Intl 1995; 11(1):151-166Mayuzumi I, Okamoto H & Li J: Antitumor active protein-containing glycans from the Chinese mushroom songshan lingzhi, Ganoderma tsugae mycelium. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 1994; 58(7):1202-1205. G. tsugae has also been shown to significantly promote wound healing in mice as well as markedly increase the proliferation and migration of fibroblast cells in culture.Su CH, Sun CS, Juan SW et al: Development of fungal mycelia as skin substitutes: effects on wound healing and fibroblast. Biomaterials 1999; 20(1):61-68.
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