These familiar fungi may aid in the treatment of both chronic disorders and everyday ailments.
; In ancient times, China and Japan venerated the mushroom and its plethora of health related benefits, reserving it only for the pleasures of the monarchs and experiments of the alchemists. In the modern West, where mushrooms are well accepted as food, they still are somewhat overlooked when it comes to their curative properties.
Yet, current research suggests that adding more mushrooms to our diets might help to boost the immune system, even helping to prevent chronic illnesses such as cancer and HIV. In addition, mushrooms appear useful in dealing with minor health issues, including low energy levels, feminine problems, and skin irritation.
Shiitake: Fit For a King
While most of us merely savor its subtle flavor, Kenneth Jones in Shiitake: The Healing Mushroom, places the shiitake in a class of its own. In Japan, he says, this variety has been called the "king" or "monarch of the mushrooms," enriching the diet with "a good source of protein, potassium, and, including the stems, zinc, an important element for immune competence."
According to Jones, shiitake also produces an amino acid compound called eritadimine, which accelerates the conversion of low-density LDL cholesterol into high-density lipoproteins or HDL. Furthermore, by potentially preventing clotting and clearing arteries, this "blood tonic for the heart," can reduce the risk of heart attacks.
Christopher Hobbs, writing in Vegetarian Times, reports that the shiitake mushroom may be even more effective in the treatment of the HIV virus than the widely used AZT: In Mushroom Medicine he claims that AZ'T only slows the replication of the virus, while LEM, an extract of shiitake, actually may prevent the early stages of HIV infection. One shiitake-containing formula-MGN3, from Allendale, NJbased LaneLabs-USA, Inc-even increased the life span of terminally ill cancer patients by more than 60%, according to a study conducted by IG1 hachiro Takahara, M.D., at Japan's Sano Surgical Clinic.
Maitake: How to Treat a Woman
In Japan, the massive maitake mushroom is valued both for its rich flavor and, as Timothy Gowen points out in "Miracle Mushroom?" an article in Health Magazine, its usefulness as an all-purpose health tonic. Gowen reports that maitake produces compounds known as beta-glucans-polysaccharides that trigger activity in the immune system and may prevent the spread and growth of cancer. The mushroom also may be helpful to patients with Type II diabetes, a link that is being explored at Georgetown University Medical Center.
On a softer note, maitake extract proves to be a fungus sensitive to femininity, boosting the immune system and potentially preventing persistent yeast infections. Maitake may even have a role beyond the human realm. Hauppauge, NY-based Nature's Answer Pets has incorporated it as an ingredient of its Dog-E-Defense product, which aims at improving overall canine wellness.
Reishi:Alas,No Immortality
In traditional Asian medicine, reishi mushrooms were once believed by alchemists to grant eternal life. Alas, time and reason have leveled this ambitious conviction. Nevertheless, this variety may enrich whatever years we have, by promoting balance between mind and body. In his book Reishi: Ancient Herb for Modern Times, Kenneth Jones dubs this fungus a mushroom for the nerves. In China and Japan, reishi often has been used to treat insomnia and neurasthenia, a type of neurosis that is commonly found in cases of depression and chronic fatigue syndrome.
For those who possess a calmer chemistry but are instead discomforted by hay fever, Health & News Review suggests that reishi functions in the same way as an antihistamine.
Cordyceps: Choice of Champions
Cordyceps increases the secretion levels of the adrenal gland, raising overall stamina and endurance, according to author Kate Gilbert Udall. She reports that Cordyceps sinensis is favored by athletes because it breaks down lactic and acetinic acid, speeding up the recovery period after episodes of over-activity.
Agaricus Blazei Murill: For Hair and Skin
This mushroom is said to possess the highest concentration of beta glucan, which aside from being a possible treatment for cancer and immune deficiencies, is a potential cure for those of us afflicted with vanity. Beta glucan possesses melanin, a protein effective in the production of hair, making it possible to be used for the treatment of hair loss.
Agaricus blazei murill also may be used as a topical aid to skin problems. In her book Medicinal Mushrooms for Immune Enhancement: Agaricus Blazei Murill, Beth M. Ley points out that "the beta glucan content and other agents that speed healing in Agaricus Blazei Murill make it excellent to heal rashes, blemishes, damaged skin and other such imperfections."
AHCC: Multitalented Extract
In The Japanese Medicinal Mushroom Immune Enhancer AHCC, Dan Kennerin bestows the title of "superfood" upon this extract. Instead of addressing one particular disorder, AHCC, or active hexose correlated compound, is a multitalented monosaccharide that may help treat both chronic disorders such as AIDS, heart disease, hepatitis, cancer, and multiple sclerosis, and less severe maladies like wound healing, stomach ulcers, gum disease, fatigue syndrome, and parasites.
References:
Mushroom Medicine by Christopher Hobbs Mushroom Remedy for Chronic Yeast Infections by Sara Altshul To Fight Heart Disease, Stress & Allergy, Try This Ancient Prescription: Mushrooms" by Health News and Review Vol. 4 "Miracle Mushroom" by Timothy Gowen, Health Magazine Shiitake: The Healing Mushroom by Kenneth Jones Reishi: Ancient Herbs for Modern Times by Kenneth Jones Japanese Medicinal Mushroom Immune Enhancer AHCC by Dan Kenner Immune and Stamina Booster: Cordyceps Sinensis by Kate Gilbert Udall Medicinal Mushrooms for Immune Enhancement: Agaricus Blazei Murill by Beth M. LeY
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