Biologically, they belong to different categories:
- Yunzhi (Coriolus Versicolor)
Polyporales, trametes
Also called Caiwen Yunzhi, Duose Yunzhi
Common name: Qian Ceng Mo (千層蘑)
- Lingzhi (Ganoderma lucidum or Glossy ganoderma),
Ganodermataceae, Ganoderma Karst
Also called Hongzhi, Chizhi, Danzhi, Xiancao, Ruicao
There are differences in appearance:
Yunzhi
Lingzhi
There are differences in active ingredients:
The active ingredient in Yunzhi is Polysaccharide Peptide (PSP); those in Lingzhi are Gandoderm lucidum polysaccharide and ganoderic acid(triterpenoids). Coriolus Versicolor essence is the PSP extracted from the mycelia of Coriolus Versicolor COV-1 that possesses a specific range of molecular weight distribution and specific chemical structure, and is among the very few PSP that can be orally taken. It is a Chinese proprietary medicine that has been approved by the State based on proven efficacy in clinical trials.