Artist Conk is a perennial that can live for 40-50 years or longer and grow quite large. Mushroom expert David Arora calls it “the most common conk in our area [USA],” together with Red-belted Conk (Fomitopsis pinicola). [400]

Ganoderma applanatum (Artist Conk) grows on nearly all species of hardwood, and even on some conifers such as Douglas Fir. “The only regions where it seems to be absent are those where there aren’t any trees!” says Arora. [400]

Historically, Artist Conk was sometimes burned, which produced an insect repellant smoke. It also gives off a pleasant scent. [25]

As commonly seen in modern scientific research, the focus of studies on Artist Conk extract has largely been in regards to its anti-tumor potential. Several studies have affirmed that it does exhibit tumor inhibiting properties. [402, 403, 404, 405] A 2008-paper by Jeong et al. reported that a compound isolated from Ganoderma applanatum “significantly inhibited the growth of solid tumor [Sarcoma-180] and increased the natural killer (NK) cell activity.” [401] Natural killer cells are white blood cells that are part of the body’s defense against cancer.

A less commonly studied area when it comes to medicinal mushrooms is their effect on blood glucose levels and diabetic complications. Jung et al. in 2005 reported that an alcohol extract of Artist Conk showed blood glucose lowering properties. [407] This was later confirmed in 2007 when a new study reported an average 22.0% blood glucose lowering effect by a compound isolated from Ganoderma applanatum, as well as a lowering of blood lipids (triglycerides and cholesterol) by 20.3%. [406]

But the primary focus of the 2005 study by Jung et al. was on the Artist Conk extract’s potential as an aldose reductase inhibitor. Aldose reductase is an enzyme commonly considered the culprit to many of the organ complications seen in diabetes. Finding a way to inhibit aldose reductase is believed to be a major key to combat diabetic complications. Three separate studies have concluded that Artist Conk extract is a potent aldose reductase inhibitor. [407, 408, 409] Jung concludes, “These results suggested that G. applanatum [Artist Conk] might possess constituents with anti-diabetic and inhibitory effects on diabetic complications.”

An unusual article published in 2005 reported that a polysaccharide extract from Artist Conk “could strengthen gastric mucosa barrier,” a potentially useful property when treating ulcers. [410] Several other studies have found Artist Conk extract or isolated compounds from Artist Conk to be anti-bacterial, [411, 412, 413] anti-viral, [414] anti-parasitic, [415] immune enhancing, [25] diuretic, [415] and potently antioxidant. [416]

In his book Mycelium Running, medicinal mushroom expert Paul Stamets also lists inflammation and respiratory conditions as areas where research has shown Artist Conk extract to have a beneficial effect. [134]

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. Never use any medicinal mushroom or herb without prior approval by a medical doctor.

Related posts:

1. Food Types Diabetics Should Avoid People who have been recently diagnosed with diabetes may wonder...
2. Diabetes Treatment and Diabetes Management Information Diabetes (mellitus) is referred to as diabetes, which is a...
3. Diabetes and Foot Care Foot problems can become critical in diabetic patients. Hence it...