Preventive and Therapeutic Effect of Ganoderma (Lingzhi) on Skin Diseases and Care

Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum, Lingzhi), a kind of mushroom with various bioactivities, is recently revealed to improve skin quality and treat skin diseases. Traditionally, polysaccharides and ganoderic acids have been reported as the major functional metabolites of Ganoderma possessing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions. Based on our research and other studies, Ganoderma extracts, such as Ganoderma polysaccharides, have been used in promoting skin wound healing, mitigating postburn infection, and preventing skin flap ischemia-reperfusion injury. Ganoderma extracts have also been used in skin care, because of their roles in skin photoaging and skin whitening. Meanwhile, the anti-inflammatory effect of Ganoderma in atopic dermatitis and cutaneous sarcoidosis is also elaborated in this chapter. Finally, the potential use of Ganoderma in skin carcinoma is introduced. In brief, the dermoprotective effect of Ganoderma will be summarized in this chapter.