How important is our immunity? Many may not be aware of that before this special Spring Festival. However, since the outbreak of COVID-19 cooped us at home, the topic we are talking about most is how to improve our immunity against the virus.

“There is no specific drug or vaccine for the virus so far, and the treatment we use can only temporarily control the disease. Whether a patient could be cured or not depends largely on his or her own immunity,” said Li Lanjuan, a Chinese epidemiologist and an academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering.

Zhong Nanshan, an academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering, also repeated that clinically, there is only supportive treatment that could be provided in the absence of specific drugs. Human body could recover relying on its own strong immune function. That means COVID-19 may be cured if the patient has sound immune function. Therefore, as long as we get better knowledge of our immune system and enhance it further, we could win this battle.

The National Health Commission also said that the population generally lacks immunity to this new coronavirus, and those who are exposed to large amounts of the virus or who have poor immune function are extremely vulnerable. Facing the terrible spread of COVID-19, people began to realize that the ability to enhance immunity has become the key in the absence of specific drugs.

How to make our immunity work better?

In addition to common methods like doing physical exercise, eating properly and taking in balanced nutrition, we could also turn to “precision nutrition" to enhance immunity.

Sun Guifan, vice chairman of Specialized Committee for Precision Nutrition of China Nutrition and Health Food Association and professor of Preventive Medicine Research Institute of China Medical University, released on February 8 an article entitled “Precision Nutrition Helps Prevent and Control the New Coronavirus Infection Series - Science Popularization II: The Role of Nutrition Supplements”, informing the public of 12 kinds of nutritional supplements that help prevent the new coronavirus infection -- lucid ganoderma on the list, a traditional precious herb in China.

In his article, Prof. Sun pointed out clearly that lucid ganoderma can stimulate human immunity, thus directly affecting our ability to fight bacterial and viral infection. Moreover, the lab cell studies have shown that lucid ganoderma extracts can prevent or slow the growth of influenza viruses, HIV, hepatitis b and other viruses, and reverse the immunosenescence and age-related decline in immune system function.

Lucid ganoderma, known as one of the "Nine Magical Herbs" in China, has been medically used in this country for more than 6,800 years, described as "the best of the best" in medical books through generations. In Sheng Nong's Herbal Classic and Compendium of Materia Medica, it is said to have the effects of “supporting the healthy energy”, “benefiting the five internal organs”, “soothing the nerves”, “benefiting the heart and arteries and veins”, “supplementing vital essence”.

Lin Zhibin, Professor at Peking University, has long been engaged in the research on the pharmacological action and mechanism of anti-inflammatory drugs, immunomodulatory drugs and anti-tumor drugs. Prof. Lin Zhibin told us: "The most important role of lucid ganoderma is to strengthen and consolidate body resistance by enhancing the immune function and the function of vital organs, like heart, brain, liver, kidney, and endocrine organs. When they work abnormally, lucid ganoderma can restore their functions.

According to the modern medical clinical research, the seed of lucid ganoderma -- ganoderma spore, contains rich crude polysaccharides, triterpenoids, alkaloids, vitamins, etc.. The types and contents of its active ingredients are far higher than those of lucid ganoderma itself, which ensures better effects in improving immunity, strengthening and consolidating body resistance. However, the surface of ganoderma spore has a double-layered hard chitin cell wall, which is insoluble in water or in acid. 

The active ingredients contained in the ganoderma spore powder are all wrapped inside. The unbroken cell wall makes spore powder difficult to be absorbed by human body, so it is necessary to break and remove the cell wall of ganoderma spore, so as to fully utilize the active substance in ganoderma spore. Currently, there are two kinds of products on the market: the 2nd generation cell wall-broken spore powder and the 3rd generation cell wall-removed spore powder. In comparison, the active ingredient of the 3rd generation ganoderma spore powder product has a significantly higher purity than that of the 2nd generation cell wall-broken product, which ensures better effects.

The ganoderma spore powder and other products also played an important role in fighting COVID-19. Since the outbreak of this epidemic, Zhejiang Shouxiangu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Shouxiangu for short), a manufacturer specializing in ganoderma spore powder and other related immune-enhancing products, has been keeping a close eye on the epidemic situation at Wuhan and providing strong support to the frontline treatment.

To relieve the fatigue and improve the immunity and physique of the frontline personnel, Shouxiangu has donated 9 batches of Shouxiangu branded ganoderma spore powder worthy of over 5 million yuan since January 25. Shouxiangu takes it as its responsibility to take concrete action, whether to support the frontline medical technicians at Wuhan, hospital medical staff in other regions, or the staff working on epidemic prevention and control in local cities, communities and streets

As a responsible and caring enterprise, Shouxiangu, in addition to donating ganoderma spore powder, has also sent mouth masks, disinfection water and thermometers to public service agencies such as street offices, urban management teams, public security police stations and property management offices.

President Li Mingyan said that everybody need to work together and help each other to overcome difficulties under the current outbreak. In the coming days, Shouxiangu will closely follow the course of the disease and provide more assistance to both the public and medical staff.

Confronted with this new coronavirus, some people may panic about the shortage of Shuanghuanglian. Now, there is good news coming from the national authoritative experts Prof. Sun Guifan and Prof. Lin Zhibin that lucid ganoderma and ganoderma spore powder can also improve our immunity against virus attack.