Grifola frondosa (Hen of the Woods, Maitake mushroom) Jill holding 35 pounder.

MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS

Mushrooms such as reishi, shiitake, maitake, enoki, turkey tail and others produce beneficial compounds. Of primary
importance is their polysaccharide component. Polysaccharide compounds are long chain starch molecules that
initiate a immune action when eaten that can help protect us against invading germs and abnormal cell divisions.
These molecules stimulate the body to create beneficial T-cells--powerful immune system chemistry that can destroy
microscopic invaders. Increased production of T-cells may help slow or stop the production of abnormal cell growth. 

Mushrooms utilize polysaccharides for their own proliferation and defense. Like plants fungi are typically immobile
and susceptible to attack by other organisms. Their internal chemistry protects them and helps them survive. This
chemistry is now under study to discover if mushrooms can benefit humans. There are numerous chemicals in
mushrooms beyond polysaccharides that may effect human health. Preliminary studies suggest that mushroom
chemistry may:

Maitake (see photo above)

 Eating Maitake and drinking the tea from maitake mushrooms may protect or restore immune health. A clinically validated
liquid maitake supplement is currently being researched at the Sloan-Kettering Center in New York. Referred to as the
"dancing mushroom" in Japanese folklore are tasty, meaty, crunchy used in a variety of egg dishes, dips, soups and sauces.

 

Cordyceps

Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis) is used to promote energy and endurance, to improve respiratory health and
kidney health, as well as immune health. It may fight fatigue and especially fatigue related to exhaustive adrenal
function.

Research on Cordyceps has been conducted with hot water extracts of the Cordyceps sinensis. Both the adenosine and
polyscaccharide components are indicated. 

Coriolus

Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor, Coriolus versicolor) may maintain, protect or restore immune health.

An extract known as Krestin or PSK in Japan, and PSP or Yun zhi in China is a hot water extract and
touted as the world's most thoroughly researched supplement for immune health with more than 400 animal
studies and over a dozen placebo-controlled double-blind human clinical trials published in peer reviewed medical journals.
Chinese doctors use turkey tail for treating infection and/or inflammation of the upper respiratory, urinary and digestive tracts.
Turkey Tail is also regarded as curative to liver ailments and general weakness of the immune system.

Reishi

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) A tea made from reishi mushrooms is considered a premiere tonic and powerful preventative.
Reishi extracts may also prevent altitude sickness protection if continual daily use is started 10-14 days before experiencing the
increased altitude. Reishi extract contains complex carbohydrates called water-soluble polysaccharides, triterpenoids,
proteins and amino acids.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) an extract of the mushroom fruit body is used, but not the mycelium. Modern
clinical research have confirmed that Reishi mushrooms contain essential beneficial compounds missing in the mycelium..

The shiny red surface on the cap of the reishi mushroom contains triterpenes that provide the health benefits for the liver.
Reishi extract is currently being studied in human clinical trials at Bastyr University, a Naturopathic Medical College.

Shiitake

Shiitake (Lentinus edodes) Shiitake mushrooms, not yet available in the wild in America but widely available at grocery stores,
contains the polysaccharide, lentinan, which strengthens the immune system by increasing T-cell function. Their effectiveness
in treating cancer has been reported in a joint study by the Medical Department of Koibe University and Nippon Kinoko Institute
in Japan.

Oak log kits for growing this mushroom are available.

FOR MORE ON MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS CLICK THIS LINK: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicinal_mushrooms