Grifola frondosa (Maitake) Lentinus edodes (Shitake) Ganoderma spp. (Reishi)

From Lise Alschuler, ND

Family: Polyporaceae

Part Used: Fruiting Bodies

Active Constituents:

Ascorbic acid analogs, phosphorus, Polysaccharides (beta 1-6 glucan, beta 1-3 glucan), protein

Medicinal Actions:

Adaptogens, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, anti-hypertensive, anti-viral, immune modulators, immune stimulants

Medicinal Uses:

1)These mushrooms are deep immune tonics, most indicated in the treatment of chronic immune disturbances rather than in acute states of immune dysfunction.

2)These mushrooms all contain very high amounts of polysaccharides. They induce interferon production, disrupting viral replication and inhibiting bacterial infection. The bacteria shown to be affected include staphylococcus, streptococcus and bacillus pneumonia.

3)The polysaccharides also increase RNA and DNA in bone marrow, increasing lymphocyte production. Ganoderma has been shown to augment IgG and expand the memory of T-cells.

4)Grifola stimulates macrophage production of tumor necrosis factor-a, which regulates immune and inflammatory responses such that the host is protected against infection and cancer.

5)Maitake, the largest of all the mushrooms, is believed by some to be the most potent of the immune stimulating mushrooms. It is very effective in oral doses for the treatment of tumors.

6)A polysaccharide fraction in Maitake, called beta 1-6 glucan, potentiated the activity of macrophages, NK cells, cytotoxic T cells and increases the synthesis of interleukin-1 and lymphokines. Most other mushrooms only contain beta 1-3 glucan.

7)In vitro, the beta 1-6 glucan has been shown to inhibits the cellular modulation caused by HIV infection and prevent cellular destruction. Maitake has been studied in-vivo in persons infected with HIV and the results indicated increased CD-4 counts and improvement of symptoms.

8)Maitake and Ganoderma have demonstrated anti-hypertensive action.

9)All of the mushrooms lower cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipid levels.

10)They seem to increase the physiological resistance to the negative results of stress.

11)Lower high blood sugar.

12)Ganoderma has analgesic effects and also seems to exhibit the relaxing effect of a nervine. It has also been shown to inhibit histamine release in all types of hypersensitivity reactions.

13)All the mushrooms have shown anti-oxidant activity and the ability to regenerate liver tissue in liver necrosis and hepatitis.

14)The overall indications for these immunomodulatory mushrooms include chronic fatigue syndrome, HIV infection, cancer, Lyme disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, hyperglycemia and diabetes.

Contraindications: Maitake has been studied in doses as high as 30 grams and the only side effect was constipation. Some people experience mild diarrhea when first beginning treatment, this soon passes.

Pharmacy: 5-10 grams powder daily in divided doses.

Vitamin C enhances absorption of these high polysaccharide containing plants.