For centuries, Asian cultures have used certain mushrooms as a
natural cancer treatment because of these fungi’s ability to lower the risk for cancer through many mechanisms, including supplying germanium, a nutrient that boosts oxygen use in the body and fights free radical damage. In fact, over 200 mushroom species are used in traditional Chinese medicine practices, and 25 percent of these are found to effectively fight harmful tumors.
There is a vast amount of research supporting the health benefits of mushrooms - mostly TREE mushrooms - not the ones that grow on the ground. Many of the tree mushrooms cannot be found in the grocery store or on restaurant menus (except for maitake, shiitake, and button mushrooms). Many of them are natural medicines that come in the form of liquid extracts, capsules or powders or whole dried chunks. Chaga is commonly bought as chunks and is used to make a delicious tea. Reishi is sold in liquid tinctures, capsules or as a powder. Mushrooms that are eaten have very tough cell walls and are hard to digest if not cooked. Thoroughly heating them releases their nutrients, including protein, B vitamins, and minerals, as well as a wide range of novel compounds not found in other foods.
Reishi - King of the Mushrooms
Reishi mushroom has been shown to have benefits on various conditions such as general fatigue and weakness,
asthma, insomnia, and
cough for over a thousand years.
- lung cancer, leukemia and other cancers.
- Antibacterial, antiviral (Herpes, Epstein-Barr), anti-fungal (including Candida) properties
- Anti-inflammatory, useful for reducing symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
- Immune system up-regulation
- Normalization of blood cholesterol levels and blood pressure
- Reduction of prostate-related urinary symptoms in men
- Reduction of anxiety and depression
Unique Ability to Protect your DNAMushrooms are excellent sources of antioxidants in general as they contain polyphenols and selenium, which are common in the plant world. But they also contain antioxidants that are unique to mushrooms. One such antioxidant is ergothioneine, which scientists are now beginning to recognize as a 'master antioxidant.'
A study in the journal
Nature explains the importance of ergothioneine (which is fairly exclusive to mushrooms). Ergothioneine is described as "an unusual sulfur-containing derivative of the amino acid, histidine," which appears to have a very specific role in protecting your DNA from oxidative damage. This means that they protect your DNA. If you don't understand the importance of this, do a little research on environmental damage to DNA. Many doctors offer a variety of genetic testing now.
Interestingly, ergothioneine is an amino acid that contains sulfur, and this particular antioxidant could be a significant boost for for human health because many people are severely deficient in sulfur.
Mushroom are also rich in polyphenols which give fruits, berries, and vegetables their vibrant colors and protect against ultraviolet radiation, pathogens and oxidative damage. In the human body, polyphenols have the following properties:
- Fight cancer cells and inhibit angiogenesis (the growth of blood vessels that feed a tumor)
- Protect your skin against ultraviolet radiation
- Fight free radicals, and reduce the appearance of aging
- Promote brain health, and protect against dementia
- Reduce inflammation
- Support normal blood sugar levels
- Protect your cardiovascular system
- Promote normal blood pressure
This mushroom is particularly good for
cardiovascular health and also offers benefits for cellular health, respiratory health and more.
Reishi is useful for many ailments. It has
immunostimulant properties, calms anxiety, and is used as a general tonic. It is anti-allergenic and antiviral, and is used for hepatitis and heart arrhythmias. Reishi can also be used as an
antidote for poisonous mushrooms. Hobbs writes that the mushroom is “especially suitable as a calming herb for people with anxiety, sleeplessness, or nervousness accompanied by an adrenal weakness.”
Chaga - Queen of the Mushrooms
Chaga is one of the most powerful antioxidants in nature. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phenols contain the compounds betulin and betulinic acid which originate from their host - birch trees. Betulin and betulinic acid have anti-tumor effects which are part of the reason that chaga is well known as an anti-cancer agent. A group of compounds in chaga called lanostanoids also appear to play significant anti-cancer roles. Betulin has also been shown to help control metabolic disorders, such as obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Some compounds in chaga boost immune activity, some specifically prevent cancer cells from replicating, and some cause premature cancer cell death. This indicates that whole chaga should be used rather than isolating a single compound because many agents appear to be active against cancer. People in Siberia that drink the tea daily are known for never getting cancer.
One of the most surprising benefits of chaga is in regards to psoriasis. In a Russian study, the majority of psoriasis patients who took chaga recovered from completely from their psoriasis. They also experienced improvement in digestive health.
Turkey Tail
The
Turkey Tail, or the
Trametes versicolor mushroom, grows in the northern forests of the world and is named for its colorful wavy stripes. It is known for its strong antiviral, antimicrobial and antitumor properties. These properties have been attributed to two polysaccharides, polysaccharide-K (PSK), also known as krestin, and polysaccharide-P (PSP). The Japanese government approved the use of PSK in the 1980s for treating several types of cancers, and it is currently used along with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. PSK was shown to significantly extend survival at five years or beyond in cancers of the stomach, colon/rectum, esophagus, nasopharynx and lung (non-small cell types) in Japanese trials since 1970. See
my article on Natural News about a Turkey Tail study for breast cancer.
Turkey Tail has been widely studied. Some of its purported benefits include:
- Boosts immunity in cancer patients
- Lessens side effects of chemotherapy
- Supports normal cellular growth
- Promotes respiratory health
- May support urinary and digestive health
- Anti-cancer, anti-viral, supports immune health
Cordyceps
This unique fungi boasts a long history of uses to support the immune system, respiratory health, vital energy and more. In fact, Chinese emperors in the past used this mushroom exclusively, thus perpetuating the phrase, "Ancient Chinese Secret"!
- Anti-tumor
- Asthma
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Renal failure
- Stroke damage
- Stamina for athletes and harsh climates
Lion's Mane
A study conducted by the Tohoku University in 2008 explored the effects of mushrooms on nerve growth and has come to a startling conclusion. Specifically, they found out that out of all the edible mushrooms available today,
it is only Lion’s Mane that has positive impact on nerve repair. Additional benefits include the following:
- Neuroprotection and Nerve Growth Factor
- Depression and Anxiety
- Enhanced Memory and Brain Function
- The most traditional use of Lion’s Mane in Chinese medicine is to treat stomach problems. It contains antibacterial properties and provides anti-inflammatory effects. It's also known to regulates blood sugar and cholesterol levels. This makes it ideal for adults who are suffering from diabetes or may have heart problems. The mushroom also helps with detoxification of the body.
Shitake
Liver protective against acetaminophen (e.g.,Tylenol) damage, anti-cancer, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-candida, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, prevents atherosclerosis, improves immunity, kills selective skin cancer cells without harming normal cells, reduces severity of collagen-induced arthritis, inhibits activity of HIV-1, and inhibits growth of breast tumor cells,
Maitake
Anti-tumor, anti-hypertensive, supports immunity, healthy blood sugar, cardiovascular health and metabolic balance.
Button Mushroom
The button mushroom is an excellent low-calorie food, especially for diabetics. It contains a number of valuable nutrients, including protein, enzymes, B vitamins (especially niacin), and vitamin D2. However, there are many other types of mushrooms worthy of consideration if you want to improve your diet.
Integrative oncologist Donald Abrams, M.D., of the University of California, San Francisco Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, noted that many mushrooms have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immune-enhancing, antiviral and possible direct anti-tumor effects. Dr. Abrams said that while more random, placebo controlled clinical trials would be helpful, that we need to rely on information from population studies such as the Australian study, in which investigators demonstrate that mushroom consumption decreases a woman's risk of developing breast cancer, and that drinking green tea greatly enhances the risk reduction. He also warned that
button mushrooms should be thoroughly cooked because they can contain a potentially cancer-causing compound, hydrazine, which is destroyed by cooking.
He recommends not eating large amounts of button mushrooms, but to instead concentrate on shiitake, oyster mushrooms, and other Asian varieties.
