The evolution of the ability to break down a plant's protective lignin largely stopped the geologic burial of carbon that formed present-day coal deposits - and may provide secrets to making biofuels from inedible parts of plants.

A toughened crosshatch of carbon-based molecules is all that stands between plants and their total destruction at the hands of an array of microbes and fungi. Called lignin, the compound enables redwoods to tower and woody herbs to resist rot. As a result, lignin is the second-most abundant biological compound on the planet - and the bane of would-be biofuel-makers everywhere, blocking their best efforts to make fuels from the inedible parts of plants. It is also the reason for the vast deposits of coal laid down millions of years ago.

Now a new genomic analysis suggests why Earth significantly slowed its coal-making processes roughly 300 million years ago - mushrooms evolved the ability to break down lignin.

"These white rot fungi are major decomposers of wood and the only organism that achieves substantial degradation of lignin," explains mycologist David Hibbett of Clark University in Massachusetts, who led the research published in Science on June 29.

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I've taken Ganoderma Lucidum as a medicinal tea, although in powdered form.  As well as in a 10x extract powder form.  I found it to be very beneficial (the most pronounced effects I noticed when taking it was that I felt more relaxed and at peace, as well as feeling a detox effect).  I am fairly certain in Japan and China Reishi/Lingzhi is used to treat cancer.