MEDICINAL USE OF MUSHROOMS
Mushrooms have a long history of use by native peoples for health problems. More recently, derivatives of mushroom molds have provided modern medicine with potent tools to treat a variety of problems. The antibiotics penicillin and tetracycline are mold derivatives and the cyclosporin used to prevent organ transplant rejection is as well. Mushrooms are a valuable food. They have easily digestible protein, low calories, and are high in zinc, iron, fiber, essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals.
Traditional Chinese Medicine has used mushrooms extensively. They are considered to promote health and vitality. Considerable medical research has been done on different components of mushrooms in treating human disease. These compounds have the ability to strengthen the immune defenses and help combat cancer and infections. The various compounds belong to different classes of chemicals such as hemicellulose, polysaccarides, peptides, nucleosides, triturpenoids and complex starches.
Reishi mushrooms may increase the cancer fighting Interleukin-1&2. Tumor growth has been slowed by Reishi extracts. It also has pain relieving, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. It can lower blood pressure and cholesterol and protect the liver from toxins.
Shiitake mushroom extract (Lentinan) is licensed as an anti-cancer drug by the Japanese FDA. It stimulates T-lymphocytes and natural killer cells. It may also lower blood pressure and cholesterol and can be effective against hepatitis viruses.
Other mushroom species with research evidence of beneficial effects include Coryceps, Tremella fuciformis, and Maitake. A variety of commercial mushroom extracts are available in the marketplace. Many contain extracts from several mushroom species. Although clinical research trials using these products is scant, it seems likely that this class of naturally derived compounds will prove to be useful and effective.
A variety of books and websites are available with information about mushrooms and their medicinal uses. A book by Christopher Hobbs titled “Medicinal Mushrooms: An Exploration of Tradition, Healing and Culture” is available online. Websites with more information and links to other sites include www.gmushrooms.com, www.begellhouse.com (a scientific journal on medicinal mushroom research) and www.nammex.com.
Daniel Blodgett MD