Ganoderma-Lingzhi (China), Reishi (Japan) and Youngchi (Korea).

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF REISHI: The 2000 year old book, Seng Nong's Herbal Classic, considered to be the oldest book on oriental herbal medicine, classifies 365 species of roots, grass, woods, furs, animals, and stones and separates herbal medicines into three categories.

The first category, called "superior," includes herbs effective for multiple diseases and mostly responsible for maintaining and restoring the body balance; these herbs have no unfavorable side effects. The second category, "middle," comprises tonics and boosters whose consumption must not be prolonged. The third category, "low," usually must be taken in small doses and for specific ailments; this category includes some poisonous herbs.

Reishi, ranked the best of the "superior" medicines, was the most exalted medicine in ancient times.

All studies have shown that reishi has no side effects and can be consumed in high dosages and in parallel with other medications. Prolonged use may actually reduce weight and prolong life. Its main properties are the cleansing of blood, enhancement of the immune system and the lessening of nervous tension. The virtues of reishi are believed to have been known in China, since at least the reign of "Fuxi", a legendary ruler known also as the first of the Three August Ones. Seng Nong, "the Holy farmer", who was the second of the Three August Ones, is said to have discovered the curative virtues of plants by tasting hundreds of species. His book, Seng Nong's Herbal Classic is still today the foundation of traditional Chinese medicine and of all Oriental medicine. Seng Nong's Herbal Classic describes reishi in detail. Six species of reishi, differentiated by color, are mentioned in Seng Nong's classic. Li Shi Zhen, a famous medical scholar in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) introduced the properties of the six species concretely. His work was republished in 1956, and translated into several foreign languages, including Japanese, English, French, German, Russian, and Latin and is regarded a the cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine. To harvest reishi in ancient times, people had to go high up on the mountains and deep into forests. The discovery of reishi, which was very scarce and which was believed to bring eternal longevity, led to widespread festivities. Reishi was so valued it was used almost exclusively by Emperors and by courtesans. Preparation was a long process of boiling the mushrooms for hours or soaking them in alcohol for weeks so as to be able to drink them after its active ingredients dissolved. Today, an estimated 4,300 tons of reishi is produced yearly in the world, with China producing 3,000 tons, followed by Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, USA, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka.