Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
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 The shen is the emotional center, and as you can imagine, anybody who has been diagnosed with cancer or is undergoing chemo or radiation is certainly going to have some emotional disturbance. So reishi is very well-suited to help balance, protect and support the body in that process. |
| Some of the other mushrooms, particularly the reishi mushroom that you mentioned, are incredible mushrooms to use to really protect yourself from the damage associated with these processes.
Unfortunately, chemo and radiation are not as selective as we'd really like them to be. So having something that's going to boost the body's overall immune function is certainly going to be useful. They're anti-inflammatory, which can be useful, and they're an antioxidant, which I know there's debate about, but the research seems to be clear that they are effective in conjunction with chemotherapy. |
Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
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| Reishi is a mushroom that can lower blood pressure while assisting the immune system in its task of eliminating harmful toxins from the body. reishi is also a powerful antioxidant, bactericide, and promoter of normal blood flow. For over 4,000 years, the Japanese and Chinese peoples have consumed reishi mushrooms to reduce liver dysfunction and support the natural cleansing of toxins from the body.
Cordyceps (also known as Cordyceps sinensis) is yet another amazing mushroom shown to improve liver function and help the body resist the effects of free radicals. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
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| They also are very specific for allergies and seasonal allergies, because of the inflammatory response often in the membranes of your nose and throughout other parts of the body. reishi is very effective for that and certainly anti-inflammatory.
Mike: Interesting. Products that people can look for in the health food stores are the D-fraction? Is that the number one?
Kaylor: If you're concerned about immune health, whether it's because of a disease or you just know it runs in the family, the maitake D-fraction is a product specifically for that, for boosting immune response. |
| We don't have much when you compare to the thousands of years of experience in China – they've got medical texts that are 4,000 years old that rave over the benefits of shiitake mushrooms, the reishi mushroom and Cordyceps mushroom. Obviously we're nowhere near that in Western culture, but there's definitely a trend and a change happening. There's more and more research being done outside of Asia that is opening people's eyes, so there's a growing acceptance. |
Brigitte Mars, A.H.G.
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 Because reishi can inhibit blood clotting, it should be avoided at least one week before surgery, before childbirth, or in conjunction with blood-thinning medications.
Range and Appearance
Native to China, reishi is a fungus that grows on decaying hardwood in moist, shady conditions; these days it is more likely to be cultivated than to be found in the wild. reishi has pores instead of gills. When young it has yellow and white coloring on its surface. The mature fruiting body ranges in color from orangish to black, but the red variety is considered most medicinal. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
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| Mike: Now, one of the things I've heard even from other physicians here that I've interviewed is that people are having good success using reishi mushrooms and other mushrooms in conjunction with chemotherapy and other conventional treatments. Have you seen that mushrooms provide a protective effect for healthy cells while enhancing the toxicity of chemotherapy to cancer cells?
Kaylor: Yes, definitely, with our maitake D-fraction, we actually have a couple of clinical trials done in conjunction with chemotherapy treatment. We've found out a couple of things. |
| And you go into what would be like a 7-Eleven there, and you find reishi extracts actually on the shelf. That's how pervasive it is through at least parts of the Asian community.
Mike: These mushrooms have been used medicinally throughout Asia for literally thousands of years, and quite effectively and safely, I might add. Here in the Western world, many people are just now waking up to the medicinal qualities of mushrooms. Is it having much success now?
Kaylor: Yes, I think it's a growing process. |
Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
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 That mushroom? The reishi. Its special chemical makeup was thought to be a tonic for a long and healthy life. In traditional Chinese medicine, reishi is still considered to be among the highest class of tonics.
Now we're finding out that they may have been on to something. One study at Cornell Medical College found that reishi reduced side effects during chemotherapy while improving the quality of life. |
Dianne Onstad
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 Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), also known as Ling Zhi, is called the "herb of spiritual potency." The reishi outshines many other mushrooms for its well-documented medicinal properties. Although it grows throughout the world, the reishi is best known and valued in China and Japan, where it has been used in folk medicine for more than four thousand years. reishi mushrooms are not produced for the commercial market and are not available fresh. Dried, they may be reconstituted and prepared as other fungi. They are primarily found as an ingredient in herbal preparations. |
Brigitte Mars, A.H.G.
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| Range and Appearance
Native to China, reishi is a fungus that grows on decaying hardwood in moist, shady conditions; these days it is more likely to be cultivated than to be found in the wild. reishi has pores instead of gills. When young it has yellow and white coloring on its surface. The mature fruiting body ranges in color from orangish to black, but the red variety is considered most medicinal.
RHODIOLA
Botanical Name
Rhodiola rosea (syn. |
Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
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| According to Roundtree, reishi is the mushroom of choice for people under extreme physical or emotional stress. He recommends it for endurance athletes as well. reishi mushrooms also have a very high level of antioxidants, largely due to their ganodermic acid.
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Cremini (white button mushrooms)
I almost omitted cremini mushrooms from the list completely—I mean, after all, how could these little prosaic mushrooms possibly hold a candle to the downright medicinal value of their famous siblings? But, my friend, traditional naturopath Regina Wilshire, N.D. |
| In traditional Chinese medicine, reishi is still considered to be among the highest class of tonics.
Now we're finding out that they may have been on to something. One study at Cornell Medical College found that reishi reduced side effects during chemotherapy while improving the quality of life. Its beneficial components—specifically ganodermic acids classified as triterpenoids, plus a number of polysaccharides—seem to benefit everything from blood pressure to liver detoxification to adrenal function. |
James F. Balch, M.D. and Mark Stengler, N.D.
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 Super Prescription #6 reishi extract
Take 3,000 to 6,000 mg daily of a standardized extract. Preliminary studies have shown reishi extract to be effective for hepatitis B and elevated liver enzymes. reishi is commonly used by health practitioners for liver support. ilk thistle (Silymarin) was studied in a group of 21 people who had active liver disease (cirrhosis). People who took 420 mg of silymarin had a 15 percent reduction in the liver enzyme AST and a 23 percent decrease in the enzyme ALT. |
Herbert Ross, DC with Keri Brenner, L.Ac.
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 He typically recommends three 1-gram tablets of reishi three times a day.37
Skullcap
Skullcap {Scutellaria lateriflora), also a member of the mint family, has traditionally been used as a nerve tonic and sedative. Skullcap's calming action comes mostly from the component scutellarin, which is antispasmodic.38 Willard recommends using this herb in combination with reishi, hops, and valerian, or alone in tincture form (15 to 40 drops two to three times daily). To make a tea, steep 1 to 3 teaspoons of the root in a cup of steaming hot water. |
| It is used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of high blood pressure, arthritis, and insomnia and other nervous disorders, and to increase longevity. reishi is Willard's herb of choice for insomnia because it is calming during the day, reduces anxiety, and is helpful in regulating sugar metabolism. He typically recommends three 1-gram tablets of reishi three times a day.37
Skullcap
Skullcap {Scutellaria lateriflora), also a member of the mint family, has traditionally been used as a nerve tonic and sedative. |
Brigitte Mars, A.H.G.
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| Range and Appearance
Native to China, reishi is a fungus that grows on decaying hardwood in moist, shady conditions; these days it is more likely to be cultivated than to be found in the wild. reishi has pores instead of gills. When young it has yellow and white coloring on its surface. The mature fruiting body ranges in color from orangish to black, but the red variety is considered most medicinal.
RHODIOLA
Botanical Name
Rhodiola rosea (syn. |
Herbert Ross, DC with Keri Brenner, L.Ac.
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| Clinical herbalist Terry Wil-lard, founder of the Wild Rose College of Natural Healing, recommends the following seven herbs for people with insomnia: valerian, hops, passionflower, kava, lemon balm, reishi mushrooms, and skullcap.25 Chamomile or St. John's wort may also be helpful. Most of these herbs are available at health food stores or through your health-care practitioner. Although herbs are natural substances, they do contain powerful compounds (one reason they can help you sleep!). Some of the herbs discussed below can cause drowsiness or interfere with medications. |
Marshall Editions
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 Do not take more than 1 g of ginger if you are pregnant. reishi, a mushroom extract that has been shown to lower cholesterol, can be taken at 800 mg twice a day.
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High cholesterol levels are best treated by an integrated medical approach that can include constitutional homeopathic prescribing. However, for homeopathic treatment to have the greatest chance of success, it needs to be provided by a homeopathic practitioner. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
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 What I recommend is going to a health food store and finding reishi mushroom extracts. They're perfectly prepared, highly digestible and work incredibly well.
Mike: I know there's a company out there called The Maitaki Mushroom Company that has wonderful extracts of reishi and shitake and maitaki.
Wolfe: There are some really great companies out there doing that, and I want to mention one, my friend Ron Teagarden of Dragon Herbs.
Mike: Oh, Ron. Sure.
Wolfe: He's got some great immune system formulas that deserve mention, and Ron's Dragonherbs.com gets my highest recommendation. |
Andrew Pengelly
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 Non-glycosidic triterpenes are found in large concentrations in some of the medicinal macrofungi—in particular reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) and Porta coccus. The most significant are highly oxygenated lanostane-type triterpenoids known as ganoderals and ganoderic acids from reishi. Well over 100 triterpenes have been isolated from the fruit and mycelium of Ganoderma lucidum (Kim et al. 2001). Triterpenes are responsible for the bitter taste that distinguishes reishi from most other mushrooms. These compounds inhibit histamine release, are antihepatotoxic and ACE-inhibiting. |
Paula Begoun and Bryan Barron
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 Both species used, reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) and Lentinula edodes, better known as shiitake, have research concerning their benefits when consumed as food, but there is no research showing them to be effective when used topically on skin (Source: Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, www.naturaldatabase.com). Both mushrooms have antioxidant properties (Source: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, October 2002, pages 6072-6077), but that benefit will be short-lived because of this product's jar packaging.
© Positively Ageless Rejuvenating Serum ($19.99 for 1. |
The Life Extension Editorial Staff
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 According to Hobbs (1996), "Reishi has the unique ability among medicinal mushrooms to calm and support nerve function." In his practice, he recommends reishi to people with chronic stress, anxiety, or insomnia.
Suggested dosage: reishi is available in capsules, tablets, syrups, and teas. Usual dosages are up to five 420-mg capsules a day; up to three 1 gram tablets up to 3 times a day; up to 2 tsp 2-3 times a day of tincture; or 1 tsp a day of the syrup. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
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| What I recommend is going to a health food store and finding reishi mushroom extracts. They're perfectly prepared, highly digestible and work incredibly well.
Mike: I know there's a company out there called The Maitaki Mushroom Company that has wonderful extracts of reishi and shitake and maitaki.
Wolfe: There are some really great companies out there doing that, and I want to mention one, my friend Ron Teagarden of Dragon Herbs.
Mike: Oh, Ron. Sure.
Wolfe: He's got some great immune system formulas that deserve mention, and Ron's Dragonherbs.com gets my highest recommendation. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
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 Total body cleansing, including liver cleanse, kidney cleanse and digestive cleanse
Supplementation with trace minerals like selenium
Regular physical exercise that makes you sweat (sweating is the body's way to eliminate toxins)
Completely eliminating all smoking, eating processed foods and using common personal care products or cosmetics (which contain cancer-causing chemicals)
Daily consumption of medicinal mushrooms like reishi (recommended brand: www.MushroomScience.com)
Daily consumption of anti-cancer rainforest herbs (like Cat's Claw or Una de Gato: See http://www.newstarget. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
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 I love their reishi and Cordyceps products.
Better Than Roasted (www.BetterThanRoasted.com)
The best nuts you've ever tasted. Check out their "Oasis Trail Mix." It will absolutely blow your mind. It's like you died and went to Heaven and they were serving raw foods trail mixes in heaven...
Transition Nutrition (www.TransitionNutrition.com)
Unbelievably great-tasting "Bliss Mix" product is now available. It contains the creamiest, most delicious cashews ever! Plus it has goji, cacao nibs, mulberries... oh yumm! Can you say, "RAWSOME? |
Brigitte Mars, A.H.G.
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| In the Taoist tradition reishi is said to enhance spiritual receptivity, and it is used by monks to calm the spirit and mind. It is known to normalize blood pressure and blood sugar levels, lower levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL, or "bad" cholesterol), and inhibit histamine release and blood platelet aggregation. It also activates the phagocytosis of macrophages and stimulates interferon production and activity, thereby supporting the immune system, and inhibits the activity of staphy-loccus and streptococcus. |
Hyla Cass
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 Cancer patients may also wish to investigate medicinal mushrooms (such types as reishi, shiitake, cordyceps, maitake, agaracus, and coriolus) as immune-boosting companions to chemotherapy. These medicinal mushrooms are sources of antitumor and immunity-modulating polysaccharides (a type of carbohydrate) that have been extensively researched. Formulas containing concentrated extracts of medicinal mushrooms are available; talk with your oncologist about which he or she might recommend.
Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). |
Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
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| For over 4,000 years, the Japanese and Chinese peoples have consumed reishi mushrooms to reduce liver dysfunction and support the natural cleansing of toxins from the body.
Cordyceps (also known as Cordyceps sinensis) is yet another amazing mushroom shown to improve liver function and help the body resist the effects of free radicals. Cordyceps works by optimizing blood flow to the liver and kidneys, thus enhancing their natural function to better resist the onset of disease.
Fulvic acid is used primarily as a "bioactivator" to enhance the body's natural electrical potential. |
Michael Friedman, ND
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 Nitric Oxide Deficiencies and Secondary Complications of Diabetes
Nitric Oxide deficiency (treatable with reishi mushroom)
Leukocyte activations, platelet aggregation
Ischemia
Nitric oxide production
NADPH + H+
Reishi mushroom, oxygen therapies
NADP+
L-Arginine nitric oxide synthase > L-Citruline
Nitric oxide
6. |
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