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Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) is a mushroom found throughout the world. Much of the research focus of Turkey Tail has been on PSK – a protein-polysaccharide consisting of a particular configuration beta-glucan (other beta-glucans are found in other mushrooms and have a range of purported health benefits).PSK has been approved for use as an adjunct treatment for cancer in Japan and reviews of the literature show improvements in survival time and quality of life when used as an adjunct to chemotherapy. (61)A recent English-language review concluded, PSK may improve immune function, reduce tumour-associated symptoms, and extend survival in lung cancer...

Chaga It is claimed that Chaga mushrooms (Inonutus obliquus) have anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Antioxidant and stressor protection for cells In vitro Chaga mushrooms protect cells against oxidation and mutagenicity (especially 3β-hydroxy-lanosta-8, 24-dien-21-al and inotodiol components). (1) And might help to protect against a range of stressors including UV radiation, free radicals, heavy metals, oxidised LDL and bacteria and viruses. (2) In lymphocytes from human IBD patients, Chaga extract reduced oxidative stress. (3) Anti-cancer effects Chaga has also demonstrated anti-cancer effects in vitro and in vivo with reductions of tumour volume of 24-34% in mice treated with 0.1mg to...

Lion’s Mane Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is a mushroom native to North America, Europe, and Asia. As well as looking freaky-cool, it also being studied extensively and shows a range of health and performance benefits.  Brain Health and Cognition Most interestingly, Lion’s Mane has been shown to increase ‘Nerve Growth Factor’ (NGF) (1) which literally helps nerves and brain cells to grow and repair, (2-7) an effect not seen from other medicinal ‘shrooms like Eringi, Maitake, and Himematsutake. (8) This is important because neurons (brain and nervous system cells) typically don’t repair very well at all…and so, if you’ve lost...

A bit about Cordyceps… Cordyceps Sinensis is an endoparasitic fungus naturally distributed in the Tibetan plateau of the Himalayas. It forms when the fungus begins to feed on the body of Ghost Moth larvae, forming a fruiting, fungal ‘bud’ prized for its medicinal value in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Vedic medicine systems, and even earlier in traditional Tibetan medicine. It is claimed to be Adaptogenic, nootropic, anti-aging, anti-cancer, antioxidant, immune modulating, and renal, hepato-, neuro-, and lung-protective. Active constituents are still being identified and the fungi contain various bio-active polysaccharides, nucleosides, and sterols. Cancer inhibition In particular, epipolythiodioxopiperazines and gliocladicillins...

Reishi

Reishi (Ganoderma sp.) is considered one of the most ‘healing’ of all the herbal materia medica throughout Asia.