Herbs for Health - The benefits of medicinal mushrooms
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- Published on Friday, January 15, 2016
Photo by Kira Paterson. Various forms of these medicinal mushrooms are available at Herbs for Health, including powders and teas.
By Janet Husak and Karen Burton
Herbs for Health
Throughout the ages, mushrooms have been an integral part of human medical systems. The ancients – from Greece, the Middle East, & Asia – relied heavily on them for a large range of therapeutic actions. However, for the past 1,500 years or so, until the discovery of penicillin (another fungus) in 1928, there is scarce evidence of people in the west using mushrooms and other fungi for medicinal use.
Today, medicinal mushrooms are once again playing a prominent role, even making up a whole class of antibiotics in conventional medicine. It shouldn’t be surprising that some mushrooms have strong medicinal properties and the five most popular are: Red Reishi, Cordyceps, Coriolus Versicolor, Chaga, and Oyster.
Red Reishi mushrooms have been considered the most valuable herb of the Orient, even outpacing ginsing. Called the “Herb of Spiritual Potency”, it’s reputation made it one of the most important substances for Emperors to consume, as it is an herb of longevity. Reishi has a wide range of uses and the following are just a few.
Respiratory: Improves allergy-related chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, sinus problems.
Lipids: Significant drops in cholesterol and triglyceride levels after two months.
Cardiovascular: Lowers blood pressure and blood lipid with no side effects. Inhibits narrowing of the arteries and stops thrombi formations (blood clots). Shown to be effective in 80 per cent of myocardial infarction and angina cases while being curative in 25 per cent.
Anti-microbial: Anti-bacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal. Protease inhibitors and other anti-HIV substances have been found in this mushroom.
Cancer: Good success for ovarian cancer.
Preventing metastasis: Protects the body from radiation
Included in cancer supplementation to reduce side effects during chemotherapy or radiation, prolong survival and minimize metastasis, improve quality of life and to prevent occurrence or recurrence. Although the cure of any cancer with Red Reishi alone is unlikely, it is probably beneficial under most cases of malignancy as a supplement for cancer patients to improve quality of life and noted decreased pain in cancer patients.
Immuno-modulating: A wide range of studies have shown an effect on the immune system. Reducing many types of allergies, as well as significant antioxidant effects.
Chaga mushrooms grow primarily on birch trees and contain betulin and inotodiol, two substances that have shown promise in leukemia models. Betulin has been shown to inhibite growth and cause death of melanoma cells. Chaga has been shown to inhibit the growth of cervical cancer cells while also demonstrating an ability to decrease overall cancer cell division, as well as anti-inflammatory, reducing pain sensation.
Cordyceps mushrooms are now used by both Olympian and professional athletes worldwide and is not restricted as an athletic enhancing substance because it is considered a food. It was basically unknown in the western world until it attracted the attention of the general public and health profession in 1993 when a group of Chinese runners broke nine world records in the World Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Germany. It aids people in both getting more oxygen and increasing their endurance by opening up the bronchial tubes while reducing bronchial inflammation and working as an expectorant. Well known to relieve exhaustion, night sweats, sexual impotency and functions as a sedative. Cordyceps will increase immune function, anti-tumor function, reduce cholesterol, increases the size of the spleen and decreases the size of the thymus, as well as increasing both male and female fertility and acts as an aphrodisiac. Improvement in arrhythmia, chronic kidney problems, liver function after hepatitis B and good success with treating tinnitus have all been observed.
Oyster mushrooms lower the concentrations of triglycerides, cholesterol and oxidized LDL due to a naturally occurring statin drug called Lovastatin that is present in these mushrooms. This effect has been compared to the use of Lipitor™ and Crestor™ in function. Studies have shown effects against breast and colon cancers due to its beta-glucan content.
Coriolus (Turkey Tail) mushrooms are also known as the “cloud mushroom”. Approved in 1980 by the Japanese equivalent to the FDA for conjunction with chemotherapy, it is covered by all health care plans in Japan. Both the isolate and the mushroom have been shown to increase survival time of cancer patients. In large studies, it has also been shown to be useful in stomach cancer, colorectal cancer, small cell carcinoma and non-small cell carcinoma. US cancer doctors have said that it looks promising for chemoprevention due to multiple effects on the malignant process and limited side effect of oral dosage. This study, published in Lancet, found these results to be significant.
As you can see, in addition to eons of traditional usage, there has been and continues to be a lot of research done in the area of medicinal mushrooms.
They come in the form of tea, tincture, capsules and powder. The powder and tincture forms cam be added to teas, coffee, juices, blender drinks, sauces and soups. In this form, they blend into ones diet without a problem. The average dosage is between half and one teaspoon, twice daily. For more critical problems and to get a higher dosage, they come in a concentrated capsule form. The general dosage is 2-3 capsules, twice daily.
These super tonics are available at Herbs For Health in Neepawa.
