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Artists Conk

Ganoderma Applanatum

Common Names: Artist's Conk, Artist's Fungus

Medicinal
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About

Ganoderma applanatum, known as Artist's Conk, is a wood-decaying polypore mushroom found worldwide. It has been used medicinally in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. It contains compounds such as triterpenoids and polysaccharides that give it anti-inflammatory, immunostimulating, and antioxidant properties. The hard fruiting body was used historically as a surface for drawing.

Flavors

Bitter

Ganoderma applanatum is often described as having a bitter taste, which is one of the reasons it's not typically used in culinary dishes.

Textures

Hard

The fruiting body of Artist's Conk is hard and tough.

Rough

The fruiting body of Artist's Conk is rough and textured.

Zonate

The fruiting body of Artist's Conk is zonate, meaning it has concentric zones of color.

Fragrances

Earthy

Ganoderma applanatum has a natural earthy aroma.

Woody

Given its growth on old tree roots, it can sometimes have a slightly woody scent.

Physical Characteristics

Caps:

Up to 60 cm wide, fan-shaped with concentric zones. Reddish brown to black.

Gills:

White pores, 5-7 per mm.

Helps With

Immunity

Stimulates immune response through effects on monocytes, T-cells, and cytokine production

Inflammation

Reduces inflammation through inhibition of prostaglandins and histamine release

Antioxidant

Scavenges free radicals and increases levels of antioxidant enzymes

Medicinal Chemistry

Look Alike Species

Ganoderma lucidum

Specie:

Ganoderma lucidum

Edibility:

medicinal

Differences:G. lucidum has bright red cap, G. applanatum is brown to black

Nutrition Facts (Raw)

Serving Size g
Amount Per Serving
Calories
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0 g0%
Saturated Fat 0 g0%
Trans Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg0%
Sodium 0 mg0%
Total Carbohydrate 0 g0%
Dietary Fiber 0 g0%
Total Sugars 0 g
Protein 0 g0%
Vit A 0 µg 0%•B1 0 mg 0%
B2 0 mg 0%•B3 0 mg 0%
B6 0 mg 0%•B9 0 µg 0%
B12 0 mg 0%•Vit C 0 mg 0%
Vit D 0 µg 0%•Vit E 0 mg 0%
Vit K 0 µg 0%•Calcium 0 mg 0%
Copper 0 mg 0%•Iron 0 mg 0%
Mg 0 mg 0%•Mn 0 mg 0%
Phosph. 0 mg 0%•Pot. 0 mg 0%
Selenium 0 µg 0%•Zinc 0 mg 0%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Mushroom Ratings

5.0

Based on 1 Review

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Share your thoughts

If you've consumed this mushroom, share your thoughts with our community

Harnessing Nature’s Power: My Experience with Ganoderma Applanatum

01/29/2025

Josh Shearer

CalmContentFocusRelaxedSpiritualDizzy
I’ve been experimenting with various mushrooms in my wellness journey, and Ganoderma Applanatum, commonly known as the Artist's Conk, has been a game changer for me. I started taking it in the form of a tincture, and I was pleasantly surprised by its calming effects. Within days, I noticed that my anxiety levels significantly decreased, allowing me to focus better and approach daily tasks with renewed energy. Most importantly, I felt a sense of contentment wash over me, making even the most mundane activities enjoyable. I’ve also noticed improvements in my immunity and general well-being. While it does require a bit of time to prepare, the results have been worth it. On a few occasions, I experienced slight dizziness, but nothing too concerning. Overall, I would highly recommend Ganoderma Applanatum to anyone looking for a natural pathway to enhance their mental health. Its unique properties support not just mind but body as well, helping manage inflammation and aiding digestion. The effects are indeed profound, and I believe it has contributed positively to my overall health. I would definitely try it again and encourage friends to give it a shot!

References

  • Comparison between antioxidant activity and bioactive compounds of Ganoderma applanatum (Pers.) Pat. and Ganoderma lucidum (Curt.) P. Karst from Iran

    • Members of Ganoderma genus, belong to Basidiomycota, such as Ganoderma applanatum and Ganoderma lucidum have been noticed in traditional and modern medicine and pharmacology for their medicinal properties and bioactive compounds. The present study is undertaken to determine whether there is difference between chemical properties of G. applanatum and G. lucidum. The fresh mature fruiting bodies of fungi growing on common hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), were collected in Neka, a county in Mazandaran Province, Iran, and their antioxidant activity and bioactive compounds content were examined by spectrophotometer and HPLC method.

    2020

  • Ganoderic Acid and Exopolysaccharide Production by Ganoderma Lucidum from Semi-Solid-State and Submerged Fermentation

    • Production of Ganoderic acid (GA) and Exopolysaccharide (EPS) with using beneficial fermentation strategy has received great attention recently. The aim of present study is comparison of GA and EPS production by G. lucidium in submerge, Semi-Solid and Solid-State fermentation.

    2019

  • Optimal culture conditions for mycelial growth and fruiting body formation of Ling Zhi mushroom Ganoderma lucidum strain GA3

    • The objective in this study is to investigate optimal culture conditions for mycelial growth and fruiting body formation of the Ling Zhi mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum strain GA3. The results of the study show that the optimal media and temperature for the mycelial growth are potato, glucose, and agar (PGA) supplemented with rice bran, and 25-30oC, respectively. Strain GA3 is able to grow in a wide pH range, between 4 and 12.

    2019

  • Extracts of Polypore Mushroom Mycelia Reduce Viruses in Honey Bees

    • Waves of highly infectious viruses sweeping through global honey bee populations have contributed to recent declines in honey bee health. Bees have been observed foraging on mushroom mycelium, suggesting that they may be deriving medicinal or nutritional value from fungi. Fungi are known to produce a wide array of chemicals with antimicrobial activity, including compounds active against bacteria, other fungi, or viruses.

    2018

  • Medium composition optimization, structural characterization, and antioxidant activity of exopolysaccharides from the medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lingzhi

    • To contribute towards effective exploitation and utilization of natural antioxidants, response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the medium composition for the production of exopolysaccharides from the medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lingzhi (GLEPS). An optimal medium for GLEPS production was gave through Plackett-Burman design, path of steepest ascent, and Box-Behnken design as follows: glucose (59.62g/L), yeast extract (10.03g/L), CaCO3 (0.2g/L), thiamine (45.13mg/L), KH2PO4 (1.0g/L), peptone (1.5g/L)

    2018

  • Polysaccharides from Ganoderma lucidum attenuate microglia-mediated neuroinflammation and modulate microglial phagocytosis and behavioural response

    • Ganoderma lucidum (GL) has been widely used in Asian countries for hundreds of years to promote health and longevity. The pharmacological functions of which had been classified, including the activation of innate immune responses, suppression of tumour and modulation of cell proliferations. Effective fractions of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GLP) had already been reported to regulate the immune system. Nevertheless, the role of GLP in the microglia-mediated neuroinflammation has not been sufficiently elucidated.

    2017

  • Antitubercular Activity of Mycelium-Associated Ganoderma Lanostanoids

    • In a continuation of our research into antitubercular lanostane triterpenoids from submerged cultures of Ganoderma species, three strains, Ganoderma orbiforme BCC 22325, Ganoderma sp. BCC 60695, and Ganoderma australe BCC 22314, have been investigated. Fourteen new lanostane triterpenoids, together with 35 known compounds, were isolated. Antitubercular activities of these mycelium-associated Ganoderma lanostanoids against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra were evaluated.

    2017

  • Antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extracts made of mushroom mycelia developed in submerged culture

    • The ethanolic extracts of dried biomass made of mushroom mycelium produced in the submerged cultures of eight edible/medicinal macromycete species Ganoderma applanatum, Ganoderma lucidum, Laetiporus sulphureus, Flammulina velutipes, Trametes versicolor, Hericium coralloides, Pleurotus eryngii 2600 and Agaricus campestris were evaluated for their antimicrobial activities. Pathogenic tested microorganisms were represented by five bacteria and two yeasts B.subtilis subsp. spizizenii ATCC 6633, Staphilococcus aureus ATCC6538, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC9027, Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, E.faecalis ATCC 29212, Candida albicans ATCC 10231 and Candida parapsilosis CBS604.

    2017

  • Culture broth of Ganoderma lucidum exhibited antioxidant, antibacterial and α-amylase inhibitory activities

    • Culture broth of Ganoderma lucidum was determined for antioxidant, antibacterial and α-amylase inhibitory activities. The culture broth contained protein as determined by Bradford method equaled to 0.2 mg/ml and total phenol content as 0.078 mg GAE/mg protein (0.557 mg GAE/g extract). It exhibited radicals scavenging activities against ABTS+· and DPPH·radicals with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) less than 1.70 ± 0.02 and 2.28 ± 0.02 µg protein/ml, respectively and reducing power equaled to 4.38 ± 0.02 µmol Trolox/µg protein as investigated by ferric ion reducing antioxidant power method.

    2017

  • The effects of freeze-dried Ganoderma lucidum mycelia on a recurrent oral ulceration rat model

    • Conventional scientific studies had supported the use of polysaccharides and β-glucans from a number of fungi, including Ganoderma lucidum for the treatment of recurrent oral ulceration (ROU). Our aim of the present study was to evaluate whether freeze-dried powder from G. lucidum mycelia (FDPGLM) prevents ROU in rats. Methods: A Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat model with ROU was established by autoantigen injection.

    2017
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