The English common name for the tree mushroom Ganoderma applanatum is ‘Artist Conk,’ due to the fact that the light pores on its underbelly stain brown when etched, thus supplying a nature-made canvas for artists.

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]

Our ancestors would burn Artist Conk because it produced not only a pleasant odor but an insect repelling smoke as well. [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.

An area more unique to the research on this particular mushroom species is its influence on blood sugar levels and preventing diabetic complications. A 2007 study concluded that an isolate from Artist Conk lowered blood sugar levels by an average of 22.0% and blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) by 20.3% [406] The lowering effect on blood glucose levels by an alcohol extract of Ganoderma applanatum had been previously reported by Jung et al. in 2005. [407]

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.”

Looking at other research on Artist Conk, a 2005 study reported a polysaccharide extract of Artist Conk as strengthening the gastric mucosa barrier, useful in cases gastric ulcers. [410] Other papers have reported Artist Conk extracts as anti-viral, [414] anti-bacterial, [411, 412, 413] anti-parasitic and diuretic, [415] antioxidant, [416] and immune boosting. [25]

Additionally, world renowned medicinal mushroom expert Paul Stamets also includes inflammation and respiratory conditions as two more areas where scientific research on Artist Conk extract have yielded positive results. [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.

Dr. Markho Rafael has worked with natural health since finishing Chiropractic University in 1996. He currently focuses on medicinal fungi, working with the extracts of Paul Stamets, including the synergistic MycoSoft Gold Formula with Artist Conk. For scientific references to this article, please visit the Ganoderma applanatum research page.