In ancient time, Reishi/Gano/Lingzhi in medicine was considered so auspicious that its medical efficacy has been attested to in the oldest Chinese medical text ( presumed to be over 2,000 years old ). The book, which are known in Japan as "Shinnoh Honsohkyo", is now accepted as being the original textbook of Oriental medical science. In it, 365 kinds of medicines are classified and explained. The medicines are basically classified into 3 categories: 120 of them are declared to be "superior" medicines, another 120 are classified as "average" medicines, and the remaining 125 are placed in the "fair" category. The "superior" medicines are called "God's Herbs" and they are for perpetual youth and longevity - the medicines of the legendary wizards. The "average" category medicines are those which can be taken as a tonic, and those in the "fair" category are taken to remedy specific ailments. One must be careful about the volume taken of the "average" and "fair" category medicines, and should never take them continuously. However, the book states that for "superior" medicines, any amount can be taken as desired on a continuous basis with no unfavorable effects. Of the superior medicines listed in the text, Reishi/Gano/Lingzhi was rated number one. You can see how important and powerful Reishi/Gano/Lingzhi was considered in ancient times. It achieved its ranking in the Chinese text not because of its symbolic importance as a good omen but because of its medicinal properties. Centuries ago, Reishi/Gano/Lingzhi was said to be a medicine that would grant you eternal youth and longevity. But after 2,000 years, Reishi/Gano/Lingzhi has jumped into the spotlight as a specific medicine for cancer. This must be a better irony for those in the modern medical profession who discounted the herbal remedies of Oriental medicine as being " old wives' tales". The families of many cancer patients who have received a diagnostic "death sentence" now seek Reishi/Gano/Lingzhi as the only way left for them.