Medicinal Mushrooms

Mushrooms and fungi are often associated with decay and death. In fact, mushrooms are some of the strongest health foods available to man.

A form of life that exists symbiotically with humans, mushrooms assist in the disposal and conversion of decomposing organic waste into nutrients that can be absorbed by organisms and converted back into life. Mushrooms are also called fungi. The difference is simple: fungi can grow without flowering; however, if a fungus flowers it grows a mushroom, as mushrooms are simply fungal flowers. They spread spores or seeds to ensure continued growth of the fungus.

Mushrooms can supply humans with food and medicine, mostly helping us by enhancing our immune systems. Penicillin, the first antibiotic, was derived from fungus. Stronger immune systems help us combat illness and the symptoms of stressful situations in life. There are also mushrooms that target specific areas of human health, some of which have been used in ancient healing systems. These are different than the hallucinogenic varieties, with which many of us are familiar. Psychoactive mushrooms can be used for healing, but they have a different mechanism of action.

Cordyceps is a fungal parasite found growing in the larvae of the Ghost Moth, or Hepialus armoricanus, in the mountainous plateau of Tibet. For centuries, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has used these 'parasitized' larvae as a health tonic. In 1993, Chinese runners broke nine world records in Olympic track and field events, attributing their stamina to Cordyceps. Cordyceps is a gentle and harmonious tonic, suitable for long-term consumption, which tonifies both Yin and Yang of the body and stimulates the health of the lungs and the reproductive system. Over a period of months, Cordyceps improves respiratory capacity, enhancing stamina and endurance. Cordyceps will also stimulate the reproductive organs for better functioning during sexual activity, and has been used as a treatment for impotence and infertility.

Most medicinal fungi will help to fortify and balance the immune system. Cordyceps strengthens the immune system's function and aids in its regulation of auto-immune disorders. Cordyceps also decreases the body's inclination to attack itself. For patients with Hepatitis B, Cordyceps has been shown to strengthen the body's immune response against the virus. The fungus has also been shown to be a successful adjunct to chemotherapy and radiation cancer treatments, allowing improved tolerance of these therapies.

Cordyceps was once a rare fungus to find and impossible to grow commercially, making it extremely expensive. In the past twenty years, modern science has cultivated a strain, CS-4, that can be grown in the laboratory and used as a dietary supplement for its beneficial effects. Cordyceps is a lung tonic that is safe for long term use. Suitable for asthmatics and those with bronchitis, Cordyceps has been shown to improve respiratory function. One to two-and-a-half grams of the CS-4 hot water/ethanol extract with 14 percent polysaccharide, 6 percent cordycepic acid and 0.15% adenosine is an effective preparation and dose. The respiratory benefits from Cordyceps may take a month or two to be noticed.

Ganoderma, or the Reishi mushroom, is another important medicinal mushroom. This is an adaptogenic medicine that has historically been referred to as 'Ling Chi,' or the 'Mushroom of Immortality,' as Ganoderma has long been thought to increase one's longevity. This woody mushroom grows in two colors, red and black. It was once extremely difficult to find in the wild but is now commercially cultivated. Ganoderma has more of a tranquilizing effect to accompany its adaptogenic properties. Adaptogens increase over-all health of the body. This mushroom has been shown to increase the health of the cardiovascular system and liver, as well as the immune system. Ganoderma has several important compounds. One group, the polysaccharides, are known to have immune-enhancing properties.

Another group, the triterpenes, are known to have the adaptogenic properties and give Ganoderma its tranquilizing action. Triterpenes also have anti-hypertensive and anti-allergy effects. Triterpenes are extracted from the shiny red surface of the mushroom, not from the stalk; these triterpenes are only located in the flower, if you will, of the fungus. Ganoderma strengthens the immune system and counteracts the negative effects of chemotherapy and radiation cancer treatments on the body. In cases of cancer, Ganoderma has been shown to increase T-cells, the body's defensive cells against cancer, and reduce CD8 counts. Extracts of Ganoderma have been shown to protect the liver from toxic substances, including chemotherapeutic agents.

Ganoderma has also been shown to help with the symptoms of altitude sickness, when taken a couple of weeks before exposure to high altitudes. An extracted preparation with ten percent or greater Beta Glucan works best when consuming one to four grams a day.

Lion's Mane, or Hericium erinaceus, is a fungus used in Asian cuisine. Typically consumed in stir-fry dishes, Lion's Mane has been used in TCM to treat stomach ulcers and digestive disorders. Topically, it is used to stop bleeding and aid in tissue repair. Modern research has shown that substances in some species of Hericium erinaceus can help the body recover from neurological illness. Hericenones, erinacines and amyloban are substances obtained by alcohol/hot water extraction of the fungus. In-vitro studies have shown these substances can promote the growth of the myelin sheath in brain cells. Hericenones found in the fruiting bodies of Hericium erinaceus were shown to promote Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in cultures of astrocytes (nerve cells) from rats.

The combination of extracted hericenones and amyloban is called amycenone. Amycenone has been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier, where it stimulates the production of NGF in the brain. Clinically this has been shown to improve cognitive function. Beta-amyloid peptides have been shown in unusually large quantities in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease; it is believed that toxicity from these peptides leads to the symptoms of Alzheimer's. Amyloban has been shown to suppress the toxicity of beta-amyloid peptides. Amycenone has also been shown to improve the symptoms of bi-polar illness. In some cases, patients that were unresponsive to pharmaceutical treatment became responsive with the addition of amycenone.

It can be difficult to find a reliable supplier for these products. Cordyceps and Ganoderma have more clinical evidence to support their use than Lion's Mane and are easier to find. Paradise Herbs supplies Cordyceps and Ganoderma in the form of standardized concentrates, so results are reproducible. Lion's Mane extract is available from Mushroom Wisdom.