MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS (MM) again?
Yes, I took a refresher course of Medicinal Mushrooms again.
And yes, I enjoyed every minute of these 2 days, again.
Thank you teachers Sorachai Sahabunyakool for your scientific explanations and Jina Apichaya Vatthanakulkachon for your practical hands-on tips.
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT SOME OF THE MIGHTIEST MM for your Immune Health and Wellbeing? Read on.
We humans have been foraging for medicinal mushrooms for thousands of years. They were found in the apothecaries of Ancient Greece and Rome, the Taoist healing temples of early China, and are now back in high demand in the Western World.
This love of mushrooms is shared by almost every culture on earth because these organisms contain powerful medicines that can keep you free of illness.
Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of mushrooms is that they are considered to be MODULATORS : they go into your body and detect where things are out of balance – and then correct the issue by boosting certain organ systems. Fascinating…
Fun fact: There are over a million species of mushrooms in the world, but less than 2% have been studied for their medicinal value.
Thankfully, the 400 mushrooms that are shown to be
medicinal have had a huge impact on human health – not only from a herbalist’s perspective, but in modern medicine as well.
The most shining example is the penicillium fungi, which is the core ingredient of the life-saving antibiotic penicillin… a medical breakthrough that arguably changed the course of human history.
Today I want to share 7 fantastic fungi that I keep at all times – for both their immune boosting effects and also their overall therapeutic value AND FABULOUS TASTE…
SHIITAKE “The elixir of life”(Lentinula edodes)
Shiitake mushrooms are not only delicious, but now proven to possess serious antiviral and antibacterial properties. Shiitakes are rich in polysaccharides that contain a compound known as lentinan, which helps to fortify your immune system.
They also contain specific Beta-glucans that are shown to boost the production of white blood cells, strengthening your body’s resistance to harmful germs and toxins in your environment…
Add them regularly to your foods to benefit from their healing properties. Yes you can buy them in the supermarket, both in Thailand and in Europe.
These Beta-glucans also have beneficial anti-inflammatory effects, particularly on the digestive system – which is where much of your immune system lives.
One of these Beta-glucans known as eritadenine is also shown to reduce cholesterol and promote heart health.
Add on the number of B-vitamins, amino acids and fiber that shiitake contains and you’ve got yourself quite a mushroom!
REISHI “The mushroom of immortality” (Ganoderma lucidum)
Among all the mushrooms in Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Reishi is perhaps the most cherished. Thought of as the “king of herbs” (even though it’s not a plant), Reishi belongs to a special class of herbs and fungi known as adaptogens. The dictionary definition of an adaptogen is – a natural substance considered to help the body adapt to stress and to exert a normalizing effect upon bodily processes. A well-known example is ginseng.
Not only is Reishi able to modulate (or rebalance) your immune system for optimal health, it is also used to bring your emotions and overall psyche into balance as well. Don’t take my word for it – try drinking reishi tea each morning for two weeks and report back to us… You’ll see what I mean
From an immunity perspective, the triterpenes found in Reishi boost the production of your immune system’s natural killer cells, which are able to detect and destroy cancer cells and viruses. Reishi is also a great source of biologically active polysaccharides, which possess a host of health benefits, including lowering blood sugar, reducing inflammation and regulating the immune system.
CORDYCEPS
This superfood works like no other to make your immune system work smarter. That’s because studies show cordyceps works on different immune cell types. It stimulates the production of these cells and enhances immune function.
But rather than always stimulating, cordyceps balances your immunity. So, if your immune system is under-functioning, cordyceps will give it a boost. But if your immune function is too high, cordyceps can calm it down.
CORDYCEPS SINENSIS (CH: Dong Chong Xia Cao) from 3000m+ mountains, increase stamina + endurance, rebuild after LT illness, helps arrythmia (irregular Hbeat), cholesterol, triglycerides. Selling in the West for $10,000/pound
CORDYCEPS MILITARIS easier to grow in Lab. (at Maejo Univ in Chiangmai, Thailand). Fertility enhancer, multi-functional food supplement, anti-cancer, a-oxidant, a-inflammatory, a-aging, a-microbial, immuno-modulatory, immuno-suppressive, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, neuroprotective. .. Selling at 12,000 Bt per kilo.
LION’S MANE “The brain booster” (Hericium erinaceus)
Its otherworldly appearance is enough to make you take another look : like a cross between an albino sea anemone and a wild pom-pom.
Often growing on fallen logs, Lion’s Mane is not only extremely good for you – it’s also a prized edible with a flavor and a texture that will blow you away. It reminds me of crab meat….
This mushroom has been hailed as a remarkable brain booster, because it contains compounds that highly benefit cognitive functions and the health of your nervous system. Its hericenones and erinacines are shown to stimulate the growth of new brain cells. Kind of a big deal…
But its immune-enhancing effect has been shown to stimulate the beneficial bacteria in your mouth and gut, which make up a large portion of your immune defense. These bacteria help to neutralize the harmful germs and chemicals that often enter your body through the mouth or nose.
MAITAKE “Dancing mushroom” (Grifola frondose)
A favorite Chinese edible, the Maitake has a peppery flavor that is a wonderful addition to any stir fry. Aka “Hen of the woods” because it resembles a hen sitting on her nest.
Maitake’s special power is helping to ease physical and mental stress, while also fortifying your immune system with its host of vitamins, nutrients, beta-glucans, and polysaccharides.
Maitake is also being studied in Asia for its anticancer effects – particularly its ability to stimulate the production of your immune system’s Natural Killer NK cells (which go after cancer cells), as well as T cells to reduce Lung, Liver and Breast cancer.
Add it to your Shitake for a double booster.
CHAGA “The diamond of the cold forests” (Inonotus obliquus)
From the untamed, very cold wilderness of Northern Siberia to the Birch forests of North America, the Chaga mushroom has been used for millennia for its powerful immune-boosting properties.
Indigenous cultures across the northern hemisphere consider this mushroom to be one of the most powerful medicines in the forest… and science now agrees.
Chaga is one of the most promising mushrooms yet discovered. It contains the highest levels of antioxidants of any mushroom (more than most plants as well). This alone makes it very special, as antioxidants are vital to fight off harmful free radicals – which attack our healthy cells and make us sick.
When you add Chaga’s antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties, your immune system gets the solid protective barrier it needs to stay healthy year round.
Also used to treat night blindness, TB, Tonsilitis and to expel parasites.
TURJEY TAIL “The cloud mushroom” (Trametes versicolor, Coriolus versicolor)
Another tree mushroom like Reishi and Chaga, this organism’s scientific name translates to “of several colors.”
Turkey Tail contains various natural compounds that improve energy levels and promote a healthy microbiome – which is the heart of your immune system.
Its triterpenes, organic acids and alkaloids contain a germ-fighting wallop. Its polysaccharide-K (PSK) stimulate your body’s natural defense against foreign pathogens. PSK is so effective that it’s now an approved anticancer prescription drug in Japan.
The great thing about these MM is that they’re fairly easy to find in supermarkets and online.
*Note: Make sure to prepare each mushroom correctly for proper consumption – and if you go with supplements, it’s best only to use those that contain actual mushrooms and not only mycelium.
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This posting has been inspired by: A Potent Mushroom For Brain Health, written by Nick Polizzi, Host of Proven: Healing Breakthroughs Backed By Science & Founder of The Sacred Science
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