The healing properties of mushrooms

Mushrooms are members of the fungi kingdom.

Unlike plants, they contain no chlorophyll and do not perform photosynthesis or the creation of energy molecules from sunshine, water and carbon dioxide. They do possess a cell nucleus and are involved in propagation and cell division.

Most mushrooms have a stalk and head and produce long slender threads called hyphae and small round spores on the gills on the underside of the head. There are estimated to be more than 14,000 different species in the mushroom family.

The most common mushroom used commercially is the white button mushroom which is widely available in grocery stores and is added to salads, stir fries and other foods. Mushrooms are edible and considered a culinary delight when added to food preparation. Some of the most popular mushrooms consumed include Chantarelle, Enoki, Maitake, Morels, Oyster, Porcini, Portobello and Shitake species. Not all mushrooms are edible and more than 200 species of mushrooms in North America are considered poisonous. One of the most poisonous of all mushrooms is the Amanita or death cap mushroom. Symptoms of acute toxicity include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, liver and kidney failure. If you can’t positively identify the mushroom, don’t consume it.

More than 100 different species of mushrooms have been used medicinally, primarily in Asian cultures for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Used primarily for their antibacterial effects, they also are used for their immune supporting and stimulating qualities and their adaptogenic and tonifying effects for energy. The most commonly used medicinal mushrooms include Chaga, Cordyceps, Lion’s Man, Maitake, Reishi, Shitake and Turkey Tail.

Mushrooms are chock full of nutrients, including various vitamins and minerals but also alkaloids, glycosides and polysaccharides. One of the most common polysaccharides, or complex sugar molecules, found in most medicinal mushrooms is beta-glucan. Beta-glucan is composed of repetitive units of glucose molecules linked together to form a long chain soluble fibre. Between 3% and 46% of the entire mushroom may be composed of beta-glucan. This molecule is known to lower cholesterol and fat levels in the blood and stimulate the immune system. Beta-glucan interacts with white blood cells specifically lymphocytes, neutrophiles and monocytes. It is believed to act as a signalling molecule between different white blood cells.

Chaga mushroom is a dark, hard amorphous fungi growth on Birch trees and related species throughout cold, northern climates, including Alaska, Canada, northern Europe and Siberia. The mushroom resembles burnt charcoal and has been consumed by indigenous cultures primarily as tea for its energy and immune stimulating effects.

Cordyceps includes a group of related species that are native to most parts of Asia, including China, Korea, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam. The narrow head stock resembles a small club. In traditional eastern medicine, Cordyceps have been used for their tonifying effect for energy for athletic performance and brain function. They also display some immune stimulating properties.

Lion’s Mane is a white mushroom native to Asia, Europe and North America. Its growth resembles a beard or lion’s mane. It has been used medicinally to improve brain and nerve function, diabetes and stomach trouble. It has also purported immune enhancing qualities.

Reishi is a dark brown or red fungi growing on hard wood trees in Asia and parts of North America. It has been used in traditional medicine as an adjunct support in cancer therapy, to stimulate the immune system and to decrease infections. Reishi extracts can also lower cholesterol and reduce elevated blood sugar levels.

Turkey Tail is light brown mushroom that grows on trees throughout North America and parts of Asia. Its fanned appearance is said to resemble a turkey’s tail. It has been used medicinally in Asia as an immune stimulant. It can also improve digestion and gut health. A specific extract from Turkey Tail called PSK, polysaccharide K or krestin, has been improved as an adjunct therapy for cancer in Japan.

Maitake is a lighter colored mushroom that grows on maples and oaks in the northern parts of Asia, Europe and North America. Purified extracts containing the beta glucan polysaccharide enhance certain aspects of cell mediated immunity including macrophages and T-cells. Maitake extract have also demonstrated some anti-tumour activity in certain types of cancer

Shitake is a moderate brown coloured mushroom that grows on decaying old growth trees primarily in Asia. The lipo-polysaccharide derivatives of Shitake mycelia, specifically the mannose sugar molecule called lentinan, enhance certain aspects of cell-mediated immunity including both macrophages, tumour necrosis factor and T-cell activation. Shitake extracts have demonstrated anti-tumour activity in certain types of cancer cells. Additionally, Shitake has been reported to lower blood pressure and reduce elevated cholesterol levels.

The use of medicinal mushrooms for their health benefits is intriguing. Further research is necessary to validate the effects of these fungi. Their consumption in human appears to be relatively safe. A combination of several species may be more effective that an individual species. The effects on the immune system appear to be dose dependent.

The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical advice. All information and content are for general information purposes only.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.