Medicinal mushrooms

Medicinal mushrooms have been long used in Japan and China  to help build stamina, strengthen the immune system and promote general health. Research has indicated that medicinal mushrooms seem to have anti bacterial, anti viral properties, anti inflammatory and liver protecting properties. Four mushrooms variety warrant special attention- Shiitake, Reishi, Maitake and PSK. 

Shiitake (Lentinula edodes): 

Shiitake is widely used in many Asian cuisines. The active ingredient of Shiitake mushrooms is lentinan that is used as an intravenous anti-cancer drug with antitumor properties. Clinical studies have associated lentinan with a higher survival rate, higher quality of live and lower recurrence of cancer. 

Reishi (Granoderma reishi): 

Traditional and Modern Chinese Medicine use reishi to improve vitality, strength and stamina and prolong life. The use of reishi mushroom enhances immune response, alleviates chemotherapy side effects such as nausea and kidney damage and protects cellular DNA by raising antioxidant capacity. Reishi also helps treat allergies, fight tumors, control blot clotting and high blood pressure. 

Maitake (Grifola frondosa): 

Maitake is used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine to enhance the immune system. Studies have shown that it can enhance both the innate immune response to fight infections and the adaptive immune response conferring long term immune enhancement. The active ingredient of Maitake is called the “D fraction” and thought to prevent the spread of malignant tumors. 

PSK (Coriolus versicolor): 

This is one of the most well researched medicinal mushroom in the world. Polysacchride K (PSK) is an immunotherapeutic agent that is a biological response modifier, thus it stimulates the body’s immune function. PSK is routinely used in Japan for postoperative treatments. PSK is also thought to stop tumor growth. Some studies show that it can enhance the effects of chemotherapy and reduce the side effects of radiation therapy.