Have you heard of the King Trumpet Mushroom? These type of mushrooms are filled with antioxidants that help fight harmful toxins and help your immune cells recognize potential threats to your system. These are also one of the best anti-aging superfoods of 2011 according to Dr Oz.

Mushrooms are valuable health food – low in calories, high in vegetable proteins, chitin, iron, zinc, fiber, essential amino acids, vitamins & minerals. Mushrooms also have a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Their legendary effects on promoting good health and vitality and increasing your body’s adaptive abilities have been supported by recent studies. These studies suggest that Mushrooms are probiotic – they help our body strengthen itself and fight off illness by maintaining physiological homeostasis – restoring our bodies balance and natural resistance to disease.

Agaricus Mushroom
Agaricus is the most widely consumed mushroom in many countries, where it is regarded as a health food, due to its medicinal properties. Agaricus is traditionally known as “God’s Mushroom” because of its near miraculous curative benefits to a wide range of disorders. People have used it to overcome numerous diseases and disorders relating to the immune system, cardiovascular system, digestion, and for weight management, diabetes, chronic and acute allergies, cataracts, hearing difficulties, stress syndrome, chronic fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, and disorders of the liver.

Cordyceps Mushroom
Cordyceps can be a powerful stimulant for macrophage activity, strengthening your immune system’s ability to fight against bacterial and viral infection. Human clinical studies indicate that Cordyceps can be effective for treatment of high cholesterol, poor libido/impotence, arrhythmia, lung cancer, and chronic kidney failure. It is also reported that Cordyceps causes smooth muscle relaxation. This can make it especially helpful for treating chronic coughs, asthma, and other bronchial conditions.

Maitake Mushroom
Maitake is also known by the name Dancing Mushroom, famous for its taste and health benefits. In Japan, Maitake Mushroom is called “King of Mushroom”. The fruiting body and the mycelium of Maitake are used medicinally. In China and Japan, Maitake Mushrooms have been consumed for 3000 years. Years ago in Japan, the Maitake had monetary value and was worth its weight in silver. Historically, Maitake has been used as a tonic and adaptogen. It was used as a food to help promote wellness and vitality. Traditionally, consumption of the mushroom was thought to prevent high blood pressure and cancer – two applications that have been the focal point of modern research. Clinical research with Maitake Mushroom has increased dramatically in the past several years. Laboratory studies have shown that Maitake Mushroom extract can inhibit the growth of tumors and stimulate the immune system of cancerous mice.

Reishi Mushroom
Reishi has been called an “immune potentiator.” Recent studies have indicated that Reishi can have a number of other effects: Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Antiviral through inducing interferon production, Lowers blood pressure, Cardiotonic action through lowering serum cholesterol, Expectorant & Antitussive, Liver (Hepatitis)-protecting and detoxifying, protection against ionizing radiation, Antibacterial, and Anti-HIV activity. Reishi contains calcium, iron and phosphorus as well as vitamins C, D, and B – including pantothenic acid, which is essential to nerve function and the adrenal glands.

Shiitake Mushroom
Shiitake (for centuries called “Elixir of Life” ) has been licensed as a anti-cancer drug by the Japanese FDA. Lentinan has shown some effect on bowel cancer, liver cancer, stomach cancer, ovarian cancer and lung cancer. Lentinan stimulates the production of T lymphocytes and natural killer cells and can potentiate the effect of AZT in the anti-viral treatment of A.I.D.S. Shiitake is rich in several anti-oxidants (Selenium, Uric acid & Vitamin A, E, & C) as well as Vitamin D. Shiitake mushrooms may also lower blood pressure in those with hypertension, lower serum cholesterol levels, increase libido, stimulate the production of Interferon which has anti-viral effects, and has proven effective against Hepatitis in some cases.

Yun Zhi Mushroom
Yun Zhi, or the Cloud Mushroom, has been used to dispel dampness, reduce phlegm, treat pulmonary infections, to strengthen the tendons and bones, for vital energy, and to support liver health.

Benefits
• assists with immune function
• high in vegetable proteins
• promotes good health and vitality

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Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Your Guide to Mushrooms

Medical practices treat the symptoms of disease. They do not prevent the illness itself. Alternative medicine offers a complement to the traditional methods. More and more physicians are realizing this and responding to it in their own practices.

It is becoming more common for physicians to enlist the aid of the natural world in treating their patients. Often, along with traditional medicine, doctors will suggest using a natural product in conjunction with a prescription. One such natural healer is the mushroom.

The Maitake and Other Mushrooms

Mushrooms come in many different varieties and species. They contain a large number of compounds that offer potent healing properties. One of the most useful species of healing mushrooms being recognized for its effectiveness is the maitake mushroom. This medicinal mushroom is being tested for its ability to enhance the production of infection-fighting cells in the human body.

Mushrooms are found in wooded areas all over the world and cultivated by both professionals and amateur collectors. If you wish to harvest your own mushrooms, it is vital to your health and safety that you research what each species looks like. Some mushrooms are poisonous to the point of being life-threatening.

These spongy fungal foods are used to make certain immune system enhancing extracts, either alone or in combination with other members of the healing mushroom family.

Mushrooms contain compounds known as alpha and beta glucans. These glucan phytonutrients are actually long-chain polysaccharide molecules. They consist of millions of glucose molecules that are chemically bound to each other.

The beta-glucan compound has been found to have great abilities to enhance the function of the human immune system. Lab studies are finding that the beta-glucans activate production of T-cells and NK (natural killer) cells. These are the cells that fight viral and bacterial infection and, in some cases, even cancer.

A healthy immune system is the only sure way for a human being to remain disease free. When the body’s immune system is not in optimal shape, infections attacking the body are much more serious and can even be life threatening.

The Different Medicinal Mushrooms

There are many different mushrooms that are studied and used for their medicinal properties. Of the many species of mushrooms, the most common and most used by alternative medicinal healers are:

* Maitake. The maitake mushroom can be found growing on oak trees all over the world. The maitake mushroom is best known for its ability to stimulate the production of T-cells in the blood.

* Shitake. The shitake mushroom is the best known and most widely used as an immune system booster.

* Cordyceps. The extract from the cordyceps mushroom has proven to be effective in fighting various forms of bacteria. It is also known to increase physical stamina. The sports world took notice of the possible benefits of cordyceps mushrooms in 1993 when nine women who were taking cordyceps reportedly broke world records at the Chinese National Games.

* Reishi. This mushroom has been used by the Chinese for thousands of years as an immune system enhancer.

Safety and Effectiveness

A consumer warning states that consumers should be aware of false advertising of mushroom extracts. Many beta-glucan products on the market are not 100% pure. A large number of them only contain about 1% beta-glucan. It is wise to always speak with a trained and knowledgeable store employee before purchasing any product you are unfamiliar with. It is also important that you read the labels of any product you are considering purchasing.

Although not widely recognized yet, the maitake mushroom is fast becoming a leader in the mushroom world for its immune boosting properties. Physicians and consumers are becoming more open to and educated about the medicinal uses of mushrooms. They are in abundant supply all over the world and are waiting to be discovered.

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Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – How Does Maitake Mushroom Boost The Immune System?

Medicinal mushrooms have medicinal properties that aid in curing sicknesses. It also provides health benefits used over the years because of its effective results to humans. Recent studies supported the promotion of mushrooms for good health in our everyday life.

Mushrooms have an immune-boosting action that prevents and fights cancers. Medicinal mushrooms have been studied to boost heart conditions, ward off viruses and bacteria, combat allergies, reduce inflammation and even support the detoxification mechanisms of our body.

It is estimated that with the 20,000 species of mushrooms, only 2,000 are edible and nutritious. These nutritional mushrooms heal body illnesses easily. It is low in calories, high in vegetable protein, vitamins and minerals.

Studies show that mushrooms are probiotic. They help to assist our body to strengthen itself and maintain physiological Mycoinfoostais (balance a natural resistance to diseases). Mushrooms have a material called chitin, similar to those found in lobster shells. It contains the potent immune stimulating compound called polysaccharides. Other compounds found are hemicellulose (AHCC), nucleosides, complex starches, triterpeniods and metabolites. These compounds aid in neuron transmission and in transporting nutrients and oxygen throughout our body.

Three of the different kinds have extraordinary healing potentials: the maitake, shiitake and reishi. These three have overlapping properties with regard to immune function.

Maitake is popularly known as hen-of-the-woods. It is found at the northern hemisphere of Japan, Europe, China and North America. A fresh maitake contains 91% moisture, proteins, fiber, carbohydrates, Vitamin B1, B2, A and C.

It is good for maintaining blood sugar levels, also stomach and intestinal problems. Researchers also indicate that it has the ability to regulate glucose, blood pressure, liver lipids, insulin, cholesterol and for weight loss.

Administer precaution because of its allergic effect to some individuals. Maitake can be taken 3 to 7 grams a day in tea or soups as a general health supplement.

Shiitake treats liver ailments and nutritional deficiencies. The Japanese FDA has certified one extract called lentinan derived from the shiitake to be an anti-cancer drug. The production of T-lymphocytes and other natural killing cells stimulates this extract. It has been said to be effective for liver, stomach, ovarian, bowel and lung cancers. Shiitake mushrooms can also increase libido and lowers serum cholesterol levels. One or two doses of fresh shiitake mushrooms can be taken for preventive care.

Reishi is for respiratory health issues and spirituality. It can increase the production of interleukin 1 and 2 that inhibits the growth of tumor. Positive effects have been reported as analgesic, protects against ionized radiation, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tussive, expectorant, antihistamine, antibacterial, anti-HIV activity and antiviral.

Historically, there were 2,000 Chinese patients with chronic bronchitis during the 1970s that improved when given the reishi syrup. Sixty to ninety percent of them had an increased appetite in two weeks.

Reishi can also treat cardiovascular diseases. It helps prevent many risk factors because of its high heart-saving content such as sterols, coumarin, mannitol, ganoderic acids and polysaccharides.

Vitamin expert Earl Mindel advised an average dose of 100 milligram per day to boost immune system, ease joint pain as well as reduce inflammation. Reishi comes with some side effects like dizziness, abdominal upset, nose bleeds and dry throat and mouth.

Some of Reishi’s wide range of medicinal applications is for the leaky gut syndrome, as an aid to sleep, Epstein-Barr, as a laxative and as diuretic.

Reishi may be taken in soups, tablets, syrups, teas and by injection. Dosage should be administered with a health provider.

The medicinal qualities of mushroom are becoming widespread because of its current commercial cultivation. Many people are enjoying its benefits due to its effectiveness, especially in achieving a healthy condition for the coming years.

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Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Medicinal Mushrooms: Aid in Curing Sickness

See Healing Mushrooms Health Benefits

Presently there are various types of medicinal mushrooms for instance Reishi, Cordycepts or Shitake, usually referred to as “The Emperor’s Secret”. In reality, only royal families were able to pay for them because of their shortage as well as price. These people thought that these healing mushrooms promoted wellness, vitality, long life, as well as immortality.

Researchers today appear to believe those of olden days. In recent studies, it is proved that a diet filled with mushrooms helps prevent you from numerous health conditions including tumors, cancer, fatigue, viral infection, and Hepatitis B. Aside from this, presently there exist several conventional types of medicinal mushrooms which are considerably useful in improving immunity, and may prevent you from different ailments including the common cold, influenza, inflammation, arthritis, allergy, chronic Bronchitis, and herpes. If you would like to increase your overall health and wellness, or supercharge your own capability to battle numerous kinds of long-term health conditions such as most cancers, you should include mushrooms into your every day diet regime to obtain vital health improvements.

You should utilize mushrooms in soups, sandwiches salads. Mushrooms consist of several nutrients including Copper mineral, that has proven ability to battle several health issues. The actual Potassium contained in mushrooms can be useful for protecting against numerous heart issues such as heat strokes. In reality, mushrooms have much more potassium compared to bananas.