Medicinal mushrooms are part of the extensive pharmacopeia of Traditional Asian Medicine and, as such, have been used by herbalists worldwide for millennia. Their therapeutic legacy has played a vital role in natural medicine for thousands of years; and, as substantive research on these remarkable healers expands, interest around them continues to thrive.
Today, medicinal mushrooms remain a staple of integrative, holistic and complementary medicine — and pharmaceutical companies around the world have devoted significant efforts to replicating some their remarkable disease-fighting actions.
There are more than 270 different species of medicinal mushrooms with documented benefits. These powerful fungi are rich sources of compounds such as lipids, proteoglycans, polysaccharides, alkaloids, vitamins, minerals, enzymes and antioxidants that work to boost health and combat illness.
Medicinal mushrooms have been found to reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol, regulate metabolism, neutralise free radicals, detoxify the body, fight cancer and protect against heart disease. In addition, they can benefit digestion, skin health, cognitive function, vital energy, hormone balance and more.
In fact, medicinal mushrooms may be likened to the world’s first 'smart drugs' because they demonstrate a unique intelligence within the body — targeting areas where infection, injury or toxic build-up is present and working to detoxify, repair and strengthen cells, organs and tissues. Much in the same way that fungi naturally feed on decayed matter, medicinal mushrooms act as sponges for toxins. They cleanse and repair by drawing metabolic waste from cells and tissues and exchanging toxins with therapeutic compounds.
But perhaps the most impressive actions can be found in examining how medicinal mushrooms interact with the immune system. Mushrooms don’t just boost the immune system per se. Rather, they train and optimise immunity to function more intelligently and efficiently — a complex relationship that continues to impress researchers and clinicians.
Immune system training
Mushroom cell walls contain a family of polysaccharides called beta-glucans that demonstrate a powerful impact on immune response. For example, these molecules bind to macrophages and enhance their abilities to recognize and destroy pathogens. Beta-glucans also interact closely with lymphocytes, T-cells, natural killer (NK) cells and other immune components.
It would be easy to say that mushrooms increase the immune response; however, that’s only one aspect of these sophisticated interactions. Active ingredients in many medicinal mushrooms demonstrate the ability to train the immune system to respond appropriately — neither under-reacting to real threats, nor overreacting to perceived threats.
Such selectivity is apparent when we look at the different ways medicinal mushrooms affect people with opposing immune problems. Although they offer direct benefits for people with reduced immunity, medicinal mushrooms can also benefit people who struggle with autoimmunity. Medicinal mushrooms work to control an overactive immune system in part by regulating the actions of T-helper cells, which are responsible for the uncontrolled inflammatory responses characteristic of autoimmune disorders. Medicinal mushrooms can be particularly helpful for people suffering from lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
Applications
A natural agent that can fine tune the immune system offers great advantage in treating any number of diseases. Cancer is a prime example. Recent studies, and centuries of traditional use, have shown that certain medicinal mushrooms are active against a variety of cancers. Importantly, they are shown to work effectively against metastasis by reducing cancer proliferation and inhibiting angiogenesis.
In addition to cancer, medicinal mushrooms have been shown to moderate a number of factors that contribute to heart disease, such as blood viscosity and cholesterol. They are also potent antivirals. Studies have confirmed that mushrooms work against cold and flu and may even be active against more serious viruses, such as HIV and hepatitis.
Researched formula
Years of research have led to the development a synergistic, six mushroom formula with additional beta-1,3-glucans. This formula, MycoPhyto Complex, is grown organically in the US on a blend of immune-supporting botanicals and brown rice — a unique cultivation practice that improves the therapeutic value of the mushrooms. Independent research on this formula demonstrates that it effectively supports healthy immune function and reduces cancer proliferation and metastasis in preclinical studies.
Together with additional beta-1,3 glucans, these mushrooms support immune function, elevate vital energy and protect against assaults to the system as a whole. Because of these restorative and protective effects, this formula is an excellent adjunct for patients undergoing toxic treatment protocols such as chemotherapy and/or radiation, because it helps to reduce inflammatory side effects while supporting cellular and overall health. MycoPhyto Complex blends six species of botanically enhanced mushrooms to actively support key areas of health:
- Coriolus versicolor (also known as Trametes versicolor) contains beta-1 and beta-4 glucans and is a powerful anticancer agent; in addition to fighting cancer, this mushroom has been found to enhance the therapeutic effects of radiation treatment while protecting against side-effects
- Ganoderma lucidum contains alkaloids, proteins, ergosterol and beta-D-glucans; this mushroom is particularly good for cardiovascular health and has benefited people with asthma and bronchitis, in addition to demonstrating powerful anticancer properties
- Agaricus blazei increases interferon and interleukin activity and has demonstrated antibacterial action; Agaricus also controls cholesterol and blood sugar
- Cordyceps sinensis increases phagocyte, macrophage and NK cell activity; these mushrooms increase good HDL cholesterol and lower harmful LDL cholesterol
- Polyporus umbellatus has demonstrated significant anticancer activity, confirmed in both in vitro and animal studies; in addition to being used to treat lung and other cancers, it can help to reduce the side-effects associated with chemotherapy; this mushroom can also help to alleviate symptoms of chronic hepatitis
- Grifola frondosa supports immunity, slows tumour growth and inhibits cancer proliferation; it also regulates blood sugar, reduces blood pressure and LDL cholesterol and supports metabolism.
When combined in a synergistic formula, medicinal mushrooms offer an excellent way to support natural defences and combat numerous acute and chronic health conditions. Furthermore, many medicinal mushrooms complement the actions of herbs and botanicals and can be blended with other nutraceutical ingredients to fortify and enhance high quality health supplements and formulas.
As improved cultivation practices increase their presence in the marketplace, and research continues to deepen our understanding of their many health properties, medicinal mushrooms are gaining their well deserved reputation among health-conscious consumers as 'Nature’s smartest healers.'
For more information
Dr Isaac Eliaz is an integrative medical doctor, licensed acupuncturist, researcher, product formulator and frequent guest lecturer. He has been a pioneer in holistic medicine since the early 1980s and has published numerous peer-reviewed research papers on several of his key integrative health formulas. He is the founder and medical director of Amitabha Medical Clinic (California, USA), an integrative health centre specializing in cancer and chronic conditions (www.dreliaz.org).
