Medicinal Mushrooms

I've been researching the healing properties of mushrooms for several weeks in order to come up with something that I could give Mama to help her body heal the cancers (and now TB).

As a young teenager I watched science movies that included info about cordyceps mushrooms. Maybe you've seen them, too? You know, the movies that show ants and catepillars that are infected with a fungus, but the insects keep moving until mushrooms pop out of their heads? I think those science movies inspired Aliens. Years later I read about the medicinal properties of those mushrooms and used cordyseps capsules to help with my own health problems.

Many species of mushrooms have been used in folk medicine for thousands of years. The ability of some mushrooms to inhibit tumor growth and enhance aspects of the immune system has been a subject of research for approximately 50 years. Currently, researchers are focusing on mushrooms that appear to offer anti-cancer and immune system enhancing activity, but research is being conducted in many areas including: mushroom polysaccharides and the immune system, antioxidant activity, effects on blood sugar, effects on cholesterol, anti-hormone activity, vitamin D2, anti-viral/anti-microbial properties, and of course, cancer studies.

The following list is a relatively short synopsis of the properties of medicinal mushrooms:

Reishi/Ling Chi - Several species of Reishi have been used in traditional Asian medicines for thousands of years. Researchers have noted Reishi appears to have anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties. Animal studies have noted Reishi may protect the liver and protect against radiation. A randomized clinical study noted Reishi improved urinary tract symptoms in men.

Yun Zhi/Turkey Tail is probably the best documented medicinal mushroom. It is a mushroom which has provided the world with a leading cancer drug. The drug is known as Polysaccharide-K (Kresin, PSK, PSP) and its use is intended to counter-act the immune system depressing actions of common chemotherapeutic drugs. In Japan, the Health and Welfare Ministry (equivalent to the United States' Food and Drug Administration) approved Polysaccharide-K in the 1980s. All health care plans in Japan cover the use of Polysaccharide-K.

Used in conjunction with chemotherapy, PSK has increased the survival time of cancer patients in randomized, control studies. Large clinical trials have indicated it is useful in the treatment of stomach cancer (meta-analysis of 8,009 patients from eight randomized controlled trials),[118] colorectal cancer (randomized, controlled study of 448 patients),[119] small cell carcinoma of the lungs, and non-small cell lung carcinoma.

Maitake/Hen of the Woods is an edible mushroom commonly found on oak trees. Maitake has been researched for possible anti-cancer activity in Breast cancer, Liver cancer and Lung cancer.

In 2009, a phase I/II human trial, conducted by Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center, showed Maitake could stimulate the immune systems of breast cancer patients. In vitro research has also shown Maitake can stimulate immune system cells.

Himematsutake is a species of mushroom that research has shown may stimulate the immune system and exhibit anti-cancer activity. In Japan, Himematsutake is a highly popular alternative medicine, which is used by close to 500,000 people. In Japan, Himematsutake is also the most popular complementary and alternative medicine used by cancer patients. According to the Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center, the number 2 ranked cancer hospital in the US according to U.S. News, "there is some proof showing Himematsutake extract may benefit patients with certain cancers. But more studies are needed to confirm these observations."

Most published research concerning Himematsutake is focused on its potential as an anti-cancer agent of Colorectal cancer, Fibrosarcoma, Sarcoma, Gynecological cancer, Ovarian cancer, Lung cancer, Leukemia, Myeloma, Hepatocarcinoma, Stomach cancer, Prostate cancer, and Skin cancer.

Oyster mushroom naturally contains the statin drug Lovastatin. Research has also shown the oyster mushroom has anti-cancer properties. In vitro research has shown oyster mushrooms can reduce the growth of human breast and colon cancer cells. An in vivo experiment showed a beta-glucan isolated from the mushroom reduced colon cancer growths in rats. An in vivo experiment, demonstrated the mushroom's anti-cancer activity in rats with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine induced cancer.

The White Button, Crimini, and Portobello is the world's most popular edible mushroom, and is known by many names. Researchers at the City of Hope National Medical Center are studying whether this mushroom may inhibit breast cancer development. White button mushrooms may reduce the risk of breast cancer, because they have been shown in vitro to inhibit the enzyme aromatase, which is used by the body to create estrogen. The FDA and the National Cancer Institute have proposed to study U.S. food consumption data to explore whether mushrooms and their vitamin D-2 content may reduce the risk of breast cancer.

In vivo research conducted on mice suggests the white button mushroom may enhance aspects of the immune system. In vitro testing has shown a compound present in the white button mushroom has anti-cancer properties, inhibiting the growth of various cancer cell lines.

Shiitake is a popular culinary mushroom used in dishes around the world. Modern research has indicated that Shiitake mushroom may stimulate the immune system, possess anti-bacterial properties, reduce platelet aggregation, and possess anti-viral properties.

Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) is a compound isolated from Shiitake. In Japan, AHCC is the second most popular complementary and alternative medicine used by cancer patients.

In addition, research has shown that AHCC may increase the body's resistance to pathogens as shown in experiments with the influenza virus, west nile encephalitis virus, and bacterial infection. Research has shown AHCC may enhance immune function, may benefit patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and benefit patients with prostate cancer.

Another compound isolated from Shiitake, Lentinan, is used as an intravenous anti-cancer agent in some countries. Studies have demonstrated lentinan possesses anti-tumor properties, and human clinical studies have associated lentinan with a higher survival rate, higher quality of life, and lower re-occurrence of cancer. Clinical research with lentinan includes studies with 78 hepatocellular carcinoma patients, 32 gastric cancer patients, a multi-institutional study of lentinan and gastric cancer, a meta-analysis of lentinan and gastric cancer, 80 colorectal cancer patients, 20 gastric cancer patients, 36 hepatocellular carcinoma patients, and 29 pancreatic cancer patients. The City of Hope National Medical Center is currently conducting clinical trials to determine if a select portion of the Shiitake mushroom, which includes Lentinan, can inhibit lung cancer.

Yamabusitake/Lion's Mane has been researched for possible anti-dementia activity. In vitro experiments with Yamabusitake have demonstrated its ability to stimulate rat nerve cells, stimulate nerve growth factor in human astrocytoma cells, and stimulate myelination. Additionally, a double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial showed that supplementation with Yamabusitake improved cognitive ability.

Enokitake are long, thin white mushrooms commonly used in Asian cuisines. Enokitake mushrooms contain compounds with anti-tumor activity and epidemiological studies in Japan have associated the mushroom with lower cancer rates. In vivo research showed that Proflamin, a compound isolated from Enokitake provided an 85% longer survival time in mice with cancer. Another in vivo study showed that Enokitake demonstrated anti-cancer activity in Swiss albino mice with Sarcoma 180.

Chaga mushroom has the highest ORAC rating (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) of any known natural food. ORAC numbers measure the antioxidant power of foods. Though ORAC ratings will vary as much as 10 to 15 percent depending on the type of testing or the region of the food tested, chaga mushrooms are twice as high or more as the previously highest ORAC rated foods such as Acai berries or Chinese Wolfberries. And those two berries have much higher ORAC ratings then all the other antioxidant foods.

In Russia, Poland, Korea, China, Japan, and Australia, chaga teas and extracts have proven to boost the immune system, reduce hypertension, stop tumor growth and inhibit cancer, especially breast, liver, uterine and gastric cancers. When used along with conventional cancer treatments, it alleviated most of the side effects from those treatments and enhanced the immune system. One has a better chance of surviving chemo with chaga! Chaga even looks promising for treating AIDS.

Chaga mushrooms are high in betulinic acid, which inhibits tumors and cancer cells. Triterpenes that detoxify the liver and also inhibit cancer cell growth and polysaccharides that enhance the immune system and fight viral infections as well as cancer are also abundant in chaga mushrooms.

Cauliflower mushroom and King oyster mushroom contain compounds that may have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects.

Kanbatake/Birch bracket mushroom may possess anti-cancer properties, anti-inflammatory properties, anti-bacterial properties, and anti-viral properties.

Yanagimatsutake/Chestnut mushroom contains compounds that work against the same enzyme which is the target of Advil, Tylenol, and other NSAIDS. An in vitro experiment, revealed the mushroom may offer anti-cancer and immune-stimulating properties.

Tinder conk mushroom contains compounds with anti-cancer activity.

Cordyceps is a parasitic fungus which grow out of insects it has infected. The fungus remains essentially dormant until the caterpillar dies; the fungus then replaces the caterpillar's body with its own material and grows its stalk upward and above-ground. Research has indicated Cordyceps may promote cellular health, have anti-depressant activity, as well as possible anti-cancer activity.

Mesima/Meshimakobu/Song-gen/Sang-hwang have been used for centuries in traditional Korean medicine. A paper published by Harvard Medical School, reported that Mesima is a promising anti-cancer agent.

Paul Stamets of Fungi Perfecti has a marvelous cross-indexed chart of medicinal mushrooms and their therapeutic uses. Here is a small sampling of the info:
Anti-tumor: Himematsutake, Cordyseps, Artist Conk, Reishi/Ling Chi, Oregon Polypore, Maitake/Hen of the Woods, Yamabusitake/Lion's Mane, Chaga, Shiitake, Zhu Ling, Suehirotaka/Split Gill, Yun Zhi/Turkey Tail
Blood Pressure: Cordyseps, Reishi/Ling Chi, Maitake/Hen of the Woods, Shiitake, Hiratake/Pearl Oyster
Immune System: Himematsutake, Cordyseps, Reishi/Ling Chi, Oregon Polypore, Maitake/Hen of the Woods, Chaga, Shiitake, Birch Polypore, Hiratake/Pearl Oyster, Zhu Ling, Yun Zhi/Turkey Tail

Fungi Perfecti sells mixed blends of medicinal mushrooms in capsule form and a few medicinal mushroom teas, too.