Healing Power of Mushrooms

Saturday, October 1st 2005

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Modern medicine is realising the healing properties associated with fungi (mushrooms), which were known for their power to cure thousands of years ago.

Nature's Way Myco Defense capsules contain the following medicinal mushrooms:

Cordyceps

Cordyceps is used to strengthen and rebuild the body after exhaustion or long-term illness. It also strengthens the immune system's ability to fight bacterial and viral infections which often cause problems for sports people after heavy training sessions.

Reishi

Reishi improves the function of the heart and protects the liver from chemical injury. For athletes it increases endurance, especially respiration and relieves pain in the joints from sports injuries.

Shaiitake

Considered the most popular and most cultivated of all exotic mushrooms. It is an excellent source of protein, potassium and zinc.

Yamabushitake

This mushroom, once reserved only for royal families, has been used for stomach ailments and as an aid in cancer prevention.

Mesima

This mushroom has been known in China for over 3000 years. The Japanese Cancer Centre found it effective as a cancer treatment.

Himematsutake

This mushroom originated in Brazil. Research indicated people of the region were much healthier with low incidences of geriatric diseases and cancer.

Zhu Ling

This mushroom has been used as a diuretic and an anti-inflammatory to assist the clearing of genitourinary infections.

Kawaratake

The impact of Kawaratake on immune function was studied in a randomized, controlled, clinical trial, after surgery for colon cancer. After ten years, it was concluded that "the beneficial effects were probably due to the activation of leukocyte functions as one of the many biological - response - modifying activities induced by (Coriolus polysaccharides)." Cancer Immunology Immunotherapy, 31.261-268(1990)

Hiratake (Oyster mushroom)

Preliminary studies suggest these mushrooms may inhibit tumours while new research suggests that they may help in decreasing cholesterol levels.

Agarikon

This is a wood conk mushroom, known for thousands of years as Agarikon. It is extinct or nearly so in Europe and Asia, but is still found in the old-growth forests of the American Pacific Northwest. It may provide new anti-viral drugs.

Chaga

Chaga is cultured on organic brown rice and is based on the presence of a proteolytic enzyme, which this fungus uses for its parasitical growth on a plant. His enzyme is the essence of Chaga's ability to slow the growth of cancerous cells. It is believed that this enzyme "digests" the abnormal protein found in cancer cells.

Reproduced unabridged from the October - December 2005 issue of Health and Herbal News, with the kind permission of Health and Herbs International Ltd.

The following products are all useful for boosting Immune System:

Alive Multi-Vitamin
Astra Forte
Cat's Claw
Colloidal Silver
Colostrum Capsules
Echinacea with Astragalus and Reishi
Immunurse
Kyolic Garlic High Potency
Multi Power
Superior Olive Leaf

Related health information can be found here:

Alfamax, a rich source of Vitamins and Minerals
Astra Forte
Cancer
Cat's Claw, ideal for immune defense and digestive disorders
Colostrum, a universal healer with immune boosting properties
Common Cold
Echinacea - a potent weapon against infection
Immunity
The Good Health Diet
Water, the elixir of life

Related articles can be found here:

Boost your seven immune systems

Doctors Recommend a Multi-Vitamin a Day

Healthy Immunity: Use and recommend Sambucol year-round

Improved Colostrum provides extra health benefits

New Zealanders need zinc

Olive Leaf Extract - super immune system booster

The Echinacea experts

If you need help or advice, you are welcome to email our naturopathic team with your health question.

Disclaimer: The health information presented here has been written for the New Zealand health consumer. It is of a general nature and is only intended to provide a summary of the subjects covered. The information is not intended to be comprehensive or to provide medical advice to you. While all care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, no responsibility or liability is accepted, and no person should act in reliance on any statement contained in the information provided. All health ailments should be treated by a qualified health professional.

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