By: Melita Horvat |
Mushrooms - natural remedy for almost every disease |
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The tradition of using mushrooms for the treatment of various diseases has existed for thousands of years.
The oldest and most famous mushroom is Ganoderma Lucidum, known in Japan as the "mushroom of immortality".
In ancient Japan, Grifola frondosa mushroom was worth the same as silver, and in Egypt the consumption of mushrooms was a privilege reserved exclusively for the nobility.
Ancient medical traditions of the world have also recognised nutritional value of mushrooms.
Apart from the medical purposes, mushrooms are used as ingredients in many traditional dishes and teas.
In the past fifty years, scientists have begun to actively pursue research in medicinal mushrooms.
Particularly intriguing are the studies that confirm the effectiveness of mushrooms against viruses and malignant diseases.
What medicinal mushrooms contain
Mushrooms contain many biologically active substances such as phytosterols, betulinic acid, hundreds of types of polysaccharides, beta glucane, melanin, saponins, germanium and lanosterol.
They also contain valuable nutrients for our body - such as magnesium, chromium, iron and group B vitamins.
Mushrooms are rich in vitamin D - a nutrient that, according to the latest research, plays an important role in the immune system and protects against cancer.
Many species of mushrooms are rich in active ingredients that are extremely effective against cancer and in the prevention of malignant diseases.
Betulinic acid together with beta-glucan binds to receptors of cancer cells and allows our body to recognise and destroy them.
In addition, betulinic acid and caspase 3 enzyme destroy proteins in the cancer cell and cause their apoptosis (death).
Many polysaccharides in medicinal mushrooms, along with betulinic acid, hinder the development of enzyme topoisomerase, necessary for growth and reproduction of cancer cells.
Because of this, medicinal mushrooms are used for preparing products that are used for fighting malignancies.
Beta-glucane is isolated from medicinal mushrooms - active substance known for its role in the immune system.
Medicinal mushrooms help in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. For example, the Reishi mushroom is known as an exceptional ally in the fight against heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure.
Burton Goldberg, an expert on alternative medicine, published a study in which 54 people with high blood pressure whose bodies did not respond to conventional drugs, consumed Reishi .
The therapy that consisted of consuming Reishi three times a day during four weeks significantly lowered their blood pressure.
Studies have confirmed the effectiveness of certain types of mushrooms in the fight against colds and flu.
They also have positive effects on suppressing herpes viruses, HIV and hepatitis.
Immunomodulation
Medicinal mushrooms have a so-called immunomodulatory effect. When necessary, they increase the power of the immune system, while in the case of enhanced immune reaction they reduce immunological response.
Autoimmune diseases occur due to improper immune response when the immune system recognises its own cells as foreign and destroys them.
Because of that medicinal mushrooms can help greatly in the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as allergies, lupus, dermatitis, psoriasis and arthritis.
Since it has been proven that the therapeutic properties of mushrooms are enhanced in the presence of vitamin C, it is recommended to take vitamin C together with the mushrooms.
Medicinal properties of mushrooms:
- strengthen immunity
- fight against viruses
- have anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antibacterial activity
- help in the treatment of autoimmune diseases
- improve memory and concentration
- regulate blood sugar
- relieve fatigue, weakness and insomnia
- promote liver regeneration
- treat allergies, asthma, dermatitis and psoriasis
- prevent heart disease and blood vessels
- improve circulation
- help in the treatment of arthritis and rheumatism
- improve sexual function
- enhance the durability and strength of the body
- reduce side effects of chemotherapy
Exceptional medical value is attributed to hundreds of species of mushrooms. Let us mention some of them:
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)
Reishi is one of the most respected and most healing mushrooms that has been used for 2000 years in traditional Chinese medicine for combating various diseases.
It is also known as the "mushroom of immortality", which speaks volumes about its medicinal properties.
Ingredients of this mushroom have antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects on the human body.
It strengthens the immune system, relieves symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, cholesterol, and blood pressure.
Maitake (Grifola frondosa)
Maitake is a mushroom that impresses with its size – it can weigh up to 20 kg.
In Japan, this mushroom is regularly used in cooking and is an indispensable ingredient in many Japanese dishes.
Its name translated from Japanese means "dancing mushroom". Legend has it that the name comes from the fact that people who found it were dancing with joy because of its value – it can cost its weight in silver.
Maitake is successful in fighting many types of cancer, reducing the negative side effects of chemotherapy, strengthens the immune system and successfully treats high blood pressure, diabetes, hepatitis and many other diseases.
On the market this mushroom is available in the form of tablets, capsules, extracts, or in bulk.
Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris)
Cordyceps, also known by the name "caterpillar mushroom", is a parasitic mushroom that grows as a parasite on insects, usually on moth larvae.
Cordyceps has exceptional healing properties and it has been used for thousands of years in the treatment of many diseases.
This mushroom has anticancer and antidepressant properties, strengthens the immune system, has a beneficial effect on the liver and kidneys, improves circulation and heals hepatitis B.
Shiitake (Lentinula edodes)
Shiitake is an edible mushroom which is especially appreciated on cuisine. It is rich in protein, carbohydrates and fibers.
This mushroom contains essential amino acids in a higher ratio than meat, milk, eggs or soy. It is also rich in important vitamins A, B, B12, C and D and the minerals calcium, sodium, potassium, iron, zinc and phosphorus.
Shiitake mushroom is extremely valuable. It has antibacterial, antiviral and antiallergic effect, strengthens the immune system, successfully prevents cancer and is effective in the prevention of thrombosis.
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)
Chaga is a parasitic fungus that commonly grows on birch.
It grows in the northern part of Russia, Korea, North America and Canada.
Chaga is the best known oxidant and mushroom with a very strong medicinal properties. It has strong anti-inflammatory activity, is successful in the fight against cancer, psoriasis and viral diseases (influenza, hepatitis and HIV).
Lion’s mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus)
Lion's mane is white tufting fungus that is widely used in cooking and is known as an exceptional delicacy.
The natural habitat of this unusual, but the delicious medicinal mushroom is North America, China and Japan.
Studies have shown that the lion's mane heals and alleviates diseases of the nervous system. It helps in the prevention of cancer, strengthens the immune system and stimulates digestion.
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