The Miracle of Medicinal Mushrooms

Most people fall into two categories when it comes to mushrooms, particularly as pizza toppings. You either love them or hate them! This is a decision usually made fairly early on; one doesn't often acquire a taste later in life for "fungi." Mushrooms are however, gaining genuine respectability beyond culinary circles. This high regard stems from the fact that they make a serious contribution when examining their medicinal properties, rivaling those of the medicinal herbs.

Mushrooms have played an important role in the age-old remedies of Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine. Today, they are becoming an important healing modality for treatment protocols of alternative practitioners. In the United States allopathic medicine, following the lead of the Japanese, is investigating these large fungi. As reported in the Chicago Tribune (15 Aug 99) twenty cancer centers throughout the United States are all investigating the medicinal possibilities of mushrooms; and in Canada there are another dozen or so centers doing likewise. In Japan there are currently three licensed anti-cancer drugs, two of which are mushroom derivatives. The Wisconsin State Journal (04 Aug 99) reported on a mushroom native to Wisconsin that may prove useful in the treatment of herpes, influenza A and other viruses. A recent article in the journal Herbalgram (no. 54) reported exciting possibilities using mushrooms as effective anti-bacterial agents which are proving effective against antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria!

The list of mushrooms available, comprises more than just Reishi and Shiitake with which many people are more familiar; but also mushrooms such as Cordyceps, Enokitake, Lion's Mane, Maitake, Royal Sun Agaricus, Yung Zhi and various combinations. All these mushrooms have traditionally been used to address cancerous conditions and to boost immune function - they have these properties in common. Aside from these two primary applications each individual species advances significant contributions to the natural pharmacy.

The rising star seems to be Cordyceps sinensis, the caterpillar fungus. Cordyceps is indigenous to the Himalayan region and while extremely beneficial to humans it is unfortunately a parasite to a couple of unsuspecting species of caterpillars, hence its name. Cordyceps has broad spectrum applicability. It is considered an "adaptogen" much like ginseng. That is to say it brings the various body systems into "balance" and normalizes physiology. Traditionally it is used as a respiratory tonic, liver tonic, cardiovascular tonic; it reduces stress, it is reported to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure, it acts as a sexual potentiator and increases energy.

Many people have begun using the mushroom as a non-steroidal athletic enhancer; this following reports from the 1993 Chinese National Games where nine women runners shattered nine world records, attributing their performance to good training and the use of Cordyceps mushroom. Athletes from Asia used cordyceps in the most recent Olympic games.

Maitake (Grifola frondosa) has been used in Japan for thousands of years and has only been cultivated since the late 70's. It is considered both a gourmet mushroom (rich in vitamin D) and a medicinal, used to combat cancer, stimulate the immune system, increase T-cell effectiveness and lower cholesterol. It looks very promising in HIV and its related conditions. It has been shown to lower the blood pressure as well as demonstrate liver protection in the case of hepatitis. Maitake has also been shown effective in the treatment of Candida! This is particularly interesting because many people assume they must avoid mushrooms if they are troubled with yeast. However, this is not true.

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidim) is a powerful detoxifying mushroom, especially in conditions related to the liver! In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) it is regarded as the "supreme tonic" and "if taken faithfully will insure longevity." It has been used successfully in managing hypertension and like cordyceps it is also considered an adaptogen.

Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) is another of those miracle fungi with a host of beneficial properties. It has been used throughout Asia for thousands of years and is one of the most thoroughly studied. It is nutritionally very potent, loaded with beneficial vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Like all the others it is a powerful anti-cancer agent and immuno-stimulant. It also demonstrates antimicrobial capabilities especially in antibiotic resistant organisms, provides a high degree of protection for the liver, and has been shown to lower cholesterol and blood lipids in animal studies. Studies in Japan have shown positive results in patients with inoperable gastric cancers. Other studies indicated it was effective in chronic hepatitis (also Japan). Like Maitake, this mushroom is also effective in treating Candida infections.

Yung Zhi (Trametes versicolor) also known as Turkey Tail, accounts for nearly one-quarter of the entire treatment regimen for ten different cancers in Japan! Derivatives from the polysaccharides of Yung Zhi are administered intravenously as well as the whole mushroom given orally. Injection into tumor sites has shown a marked decrease in tumor growth. In animal studies it has shown increased white blood cell production/activity and useful specific to recovering from burns. More recent studies show promise for conditions involving viral conditions such as HIV. In the folk medicine of Mexico and Latin America it is reported to be effective for impetigo and ringworm.

One important issue to keep in mind is the natural science of the mushroom. Because of the way it grows the mushroom is a terrific environmental scavenger. It can pick up heavy metals readily and is therefore suspect depending on where it is grown and harvested. Many of the mushrooms that are available to natural food stores come from overseas and many of those are contaminated, particularly with lead. In some environs mushrooms are being used as "bio-remediators," organisms used to clean toxic sites. The Eclectic Institute mushrooms available at the Wedge, are grown on the west coast, in accordance with California's organic standards and are extremely clean. They may be found as a tincture utilizing certified organic grape alcohol and as freeze-dried capsules, requiring no solvents or preservatives at all.

The mushroom is an extremely interesting organism with a long, colorful history, having been used by priests, healers and assassins. The Lord Buddha himself is reported to have died as a result of mushroom poisoning. Now 2,500 years after his death, the West is just beginning to appreciate the many gifts this strange, wonderful organism has to contribute to the health of humanity.