Medicinal mushrooms have been used for eons in China for health & wellness. They possess immunomodulation and anti-cancer properties.
East Asian countries has been using medicinal mushrooms for millennia, and the West has now cottoned on to the many benefits of these superfoods. The health and wellness benefits of medicinal mushrooms (MM) have been known for thousands of years. Extensive studies into the benefits of MM are published worldwide. These include the anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antioxidative, anti-radiation, and anti-aging properties of medicinal mushrooms, among others.
Indeed, the glowing endorsements of medicinal mushrooms in the scientific community appear to defy logic, but it’s the ingredients of these superfoods that sets them apart from alternatives.
Medicinal mushrooms include a wide range of fungi, such as Shiitake, Reishi, Cordyceps, Maitake, Turkey Tail, and Lion’s Head. Naturally, many others qualify as MM. The active ingredients in these superfoods are used to treat a plethora of ailments and conditions, notably nerve disease, lung disease, GI disease, systemic infection, diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, and cancer. The medicinal mushrooms are administered with or without food, typically in capsule form, as a powder, or a chewable tablet.
It has become much easier for the general public to access reliable data on medicinal mushrooms in recent years. A trusted community for health benefits of medicinal mushrooms provides up-to-date research, analysis, and informed opinions on a variety of topics. Many folks who are consuming medicinal mushrooms are interested in the benefits, attendant risk factors, and potential side effects. Other topical interest stories include the correct dosage regimen for medicinal mushrooms, and preventative care techniques when supplementing your diet with medicinal mushrooms.
Medicinal mushrooms and their Immunostimulant Properties
The immune-system boosting capabilities of the active ingredients in medicinal mushrooms are well-known to the scientific community. It is the glycoproteins, proteins, and polysaccharides that comprise the core ingredients of these healing mushrooms. Of the studies that have been conducted, the evidence tends to suggest that medicinal mushrooms can be a useful aid in treating cancer. The immune-boosting capabilities of medicinal mushrooms are widely touted in alternative health and wellness circles.
While side effects are rare, there have been reports of dizziness, upset stomach, and related ailments. In the absence of a mushroom intolerance or allergy, these medicinal mushrooms are generally well-tolerated in low or high doses. In 2010, Aaron Katz published a study in Alternative Medicine for Prostate Cancer: Diet, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements* in which he highlighted the importance of medicinal mushrooms and their immunostimulant and anti-tumor properties.
In 2018, a study was conducted in the management of high altitude pathophysiology, by authors Anuja Bhardwaj, Kshipra Misra. They alluded to the endurance-promoting effects of medicinal mushrooms (G lucidum) to promote and enhance vigor and vitality. The many curative properties of medicinal mushrooms warrant serious consideration from individuals and the medical community. For example, the tumor attenuating, anti-viral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties of different types of mushrooms are well known. Standish et al** poured over the data and postulated that one could improve disease-free intervals and overall longevity by supplementing diets with medicinal mushrooms.
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