How Medicinal Mushrooms Can Benefit Your Immune System

Thursday, 17 October 2013 13:35 | Posted by Agus Judistira (Manager)

 

Since the dawn of time, humans have foraged for mushrooms for food to use in culinary dishes, as well as to use for medicinal purposes.  In traditional Eastern medicine, mushrooms are the drug of choice and hailed for their medicinal powers.  Three thousand years ago, the Chinese would place moldy soybean curd on skin infections as a healing agent.  Other cultures would place warm earth (which contained certain molds and fungus) on injuries as first aid measures.  Our ancient ancestors understood that different molds and fungus were beneficial to our health, now it is our time to relearn those natural medicines.

Mushrooms and the Immune System

Only recently have Westerners discovered the untapped medicinal source from mushrooms.  In fact, it was not until 1928 did Westerners discover the miracle drug penicillin which was derived from the fungus penicillium notatum.  Without this drug, those “old age diseases” and simple wounds that are so easily treated today would pose a serious threat to our health.  How interesting that penicillin is derived from a fungi.

Medical professions around the world are beginning to to study the  polysaccarides in mushrooms to better understand why they have such a profound healing effect.  Polysaccharides, also known as beta glucans are similar to immune boosting powers found in the medicinal plants of echinacea, and astragalus.   They say the larger these beta glucans are, the more stronger they are on the immune system.  More notably, certain mushrooms, such as shiitake and reishi mushrooms have antiviral and antibiotic properties that could come in handy during a long term emergency, especially if added to a survival medicinal garden.

Because mushrooms are high in antioxidants, essential minerals, anti viral and antibiotic properties, these tasty fungis have been used to treat illnesses and diseases such as (but not limited to), allergies, arthritis, heart disease, relieve menopausal symptoms and most notably, cancer.   All of these mushrooms have high amounts of proteins present in them.  These proteins are better sources for the body compared to meat  proteins due to their impact on our bodies, specifically our nervous systems.  Over time, these health enhancing properties synergize and build up in the body and improve health.  Some of the health fighting properties that create these health improvements include:

• Selenium, a mineral source found in mushrooms works with Vitamin E to produce antioxidants that neutralize free radicals that have been known to cause cellular damage.
• Potassium is another essential mineral source found in mushrooms.  Doctors have suggested that a diet high in potassium could help reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.
• Copper is a mineral source that aids in creating red blood cells.  This mineral works along with iron (also found in mushrooms).
• The proteins in mushrooms are considered superior to meat and vegetable proteins due to their concentrated amounts of amino acids and ease of digestion.
• Polysaccharides enhance the immune system, treat cancer, inhibit symptoms of HIV and other viral and bacterial infections.
• Betulinic acid counters viral and tumor compounds within the body.
• Triterpenes lower cholesterol, improves circulation, detoxifies the liver, treats hepatitis, bronchitis, asthma and coughs.
• Germanium is a free radical scavenger that assists in purifying the blood, normalizes blood pressure and prevents tumors.

Mushrooms achieve these health producing properties from the trees they grow off of.  All the elements and minerals that the tree has taken in over the years has been absorbed in concentrated amounts into the mushroom.  Typically these elements can be made available to us by making a simple tea out of the mushroom.  Many people like to dehydrate their mushrooms and then turn it into a powder for teas or soups.  Also, pre-made capsules of these powdered mushrooms are available in the health department of local stores or in the health food stores in town.  Of course, others have found that they can actually grow these mushrooms in their own homes and are cultivating them for long term use.

How to Prepare Mushrooms For Medicinal Use

Preparing these mushrooms and even preserving them is not difficult in the least.  In fact, multiple medicinal sources suggest that teas or infusions made of mushrooms are the best way to treat a person medicinally.  The hot water breaks the polysaccharides out of the undigestible cell walls so that it’s immune properties are released and made available.  However, many mushrooms can be dehydrated and stored much like the food we dehydrate.  When shiitake mushrooms are cooked or dehydrated their nutritional properties improve.

5 Popular Types of Medicinal Mushrooms

Due to the fact that there are over 220 anti-tumor and 42 anti-viral agents that have been isolated from fungi, studies on mushrooms and their effect on the human body have been ongoing since the 1960’s.  Natural News states that there are over 150 species of medicinal mushrooms found to inhibit the growth of different kinds of tumors, especially cancers from the stomach, esophagus, and lungs, but there are certain mushrooms that seem to stand out, as far as cancer fighting abilities go.

Button mushrooms contain an impressive amount of copper, which helps to create red blood cells.  According to sources at LiveStrong, copper provides the body with protection from free radicals, helps the body absorb iron, and assists the body in the formation of bone and the clotting of blood.  One cup of cooked button mushrooms supplies the body with 16% of the daily value of iron, important for blood and energy, and 12% of the daily percentage of Vitamin C.”

Although this type of mushroom does not contain the beneficial polysaccharides that were discussed in the previous article, button mushrooms are loaded with aromatase inhibitors, a natural occurring cancer fighting agent that is specifically helpful in fighting breast cancer.  Women who do a regimen of taking button mushrooms and drinking green tea can reduce their risk of breast cancer significantly.  According to a study conducted in China, women who ate 10 grams of button mushrooms were two thirds less likely to develop breast cancer.  Button mushrooms also have anti viral and anti bacterial agents present in them as well.

Button mushrooms can be cooked, eaten raw or made into a tea.  For more information on button mushrooms, click here.

The Chaga mushroom has been isolated for it’s cancer fighting abilities.  This type of fungus grows mainly on birch trees, but can occansionally be found on ironwood, elm, alder and beech trees.  This mushroom is actually a fungal parasite that draws its nutrients out of living trees, rather than from the ground. The chaga musroom has a charred looking appearance that grows around the wound areas of the above stated trees.  According to sources, the chaga mushroom has one of the highest amounts of antioxidants that an be consumed.  Chaga mushrooms treat ailments and disorders such as an immuno stimulant, used as an anti-inflammatory, treating stomach diseases, intestinal worms, liver and heart ailments, cancers such as breast, liver, uterine and gastric, hypertension, diabetes, anti-tumor activity, and reduces symptoms of HIV/AIDS.

Chaga can be made into a tea by soaking the fungi in water for four hours to soften it, and then placed in boiled water.  For more intricate details, as well as how to make a chaga extract, click here.

Cordyceps  are used to strengthen the body and mind at a fundamental level.  This mushroom is also called the Chinese Caterpillar Fungus because it grows in the larva of the ghost moth.  It has been used to medicinally treat humans and animals with different types of cancers and health issues including lymphoma, and acts as an immuno stimulant, and possesses antioxidant properties.  In addition, cordyceps have a dilating effect on bronchials and act as a cough suppressant, thus minimizing the symptoms of asthma and other respiratory disorders while making breathing easier.  Due to the increase in blood flow this mushroom creates, it would make an ideal dietary supplement to increase endurance levels.  Many endurance runners make a tea  to increase their energy levels while training.  Research is currently going on to see if this mushrooms has an effect on those with diabetes and liver related problems.  Click here for more information.

This mushroom can be dried to make a powder or can made into a tea. Or the dried mushroom can be put into soups or dishes for additional nutrition.

Reishi mushrooms are known in Eastern medicine as the Immortal Mushroom and the Resurrection plant.  For over 4,000 years this mushroom has been used for it’s health benefits, longevity, resistance from diseases, energy and memory enhancements.  Reishi has been known to treat a variety of medicinal problems including treatments for cancer, hepatitis,prevents the death of lymphatic cells, lowers blood pressure, heart disease and arthritis and increases daily energy levels.

Since this type of mushroom is very woody and inedible when fresh, the traditional way of preparing reishi for medicinal purposes is to prepare a tea.  Additionally, some like to dry the mushroom out and grind is up to make a coffee-like tea with or use in soups and dishes.  There are also capsules available in health stores as well.

Here are two ways to make reishi tea:

• Soak/Brew Method – Place 1 ounce of dried mushrooms in 8 cups of water and allow to soak overnight.  In the morning, boil the water.  Stain the mushrooms out of the liquid.  Honey or agave nectar can be added to sweeten the drink.
• Extended Brew Method – Place 1 ounce of dried mushrooms in 11 cups of water and allow to boil for two hours.  Stain the mushrooms out of the liquid.  Honey or agave nectar can be added to sweeten the drink.

Shiitake mushrooms are the most researched of all the mushrooms.  It can be used both medicinally and for culinary purposes.  Medicinally speaking, shiitake mushrooms have antihistamine properties that can assist in allergy related discomfort.  This mushroom type also assists in treating high blood pressure, has cancer fighting agents (particularly for those that suffer from stomach cancers), anti-tumor agents. antifungal and 42 different anti-viral agents.  Shiitake also has eight different types of amino acids (in better proportions than milk, eggs and soybeans) and is a good source of Vitamin A, B, B12, D and niacin.  Readers may also be particularly interested in this mushroom type used as an antibiotic.  (Source)  Shiitake mushrooms have been used for high cholesterol, diseases of the liver (such as hepatitis B and cirrhosis), general immune support, and diabetes (for high cholesterol).

A tea can be made from fresh mushrooms, dried or dehydrated mushrooms, or a mushroom powder can be used.  Interesting, it has been found that when shiitake mushrooms are cooked or even dehydrated, the nutritional amounts increase.

In Conclusion

During our school years, many of us have performed the ”moldy bread” experiment in our science classes and had to record the results.  But many of us failed to pose the question, ”how does this molded bread benefit me?”  This moldy bread is one of the miracle drugs of our times – penicillin.  From this discovery, launched a rediscovery of our ancestor’s medicine cabinet and a reaffirmation that Mother Earth does indeed know best.

This article is for informational purposes only.  If a person is considering using mushrooms as a medicinal source, contact a doctor for further advice.  Additionally, women who are pregnant should talk to their doctors before taking an alternative medicine source.  Some mushrooms are poisonous.  If you cannot identify them, do not take the chance in eating them.  A Field Guide to Mushrooms is an excellent and practical guide to mushrooms.

Source: Ready Nutrition