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Chestnut Mushroom

(Agaricus bisporus)

Until recently most research into possible healing properties of mushrooms has been carried out in the far east and so has concentrated on the mushrooms popular in that part of the world - Shiitake, Reishi, Oyster mushrooms, Hen-in-the-Woods and White Cloud. Now western researchers have woken up to the potential of mushrooms. The Chestnut mushroom and White Button mushroom have at last got some attention.

Chestnut mushrooms are rich in antioxidants which help suppress the synthesis of cholesterol. They help to prevent both breast and prostrate cancer by suppressing the production of the enzymes aromatase and 5 alpha reductase. Chestnut mushrooms may also help prevent bone loss caused by osteoporosis.

Vitamins: B1(thiamine), B2(riboflavin), B3(niacin), B6(pyridoxine), Folic acid, pantothenic acid, C, E,

Minerals: Fe, P, Mg, Cu, Se, K, I, Na, S, Zn

Reishi, Ling zhi

(Ganoderma lucidum)

In ancient China Ling zhi was regarded as the elixir of life, the herb of spiritual potency and the ten thousand year mushroom. In Japan a Reishi Goddess, known as Reishi senshi, was worshipped because she would bestow health, life and eternal youth.

Reishi boosts the immune system, prevents and inhibits the spread of tumors, protects the liver, removes free radicles, activates the cardiovascular system, lowers blood pressure, acts as a nerve tonic, supports the respiratory system, protects from radiation, improves the synthsis of DNA, RNA and proteins.

It is useful against chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, stomach-ache, diabetes, hepatitis, nervous debility, stimulates production of white blood cells and reduces the side effects of chemo therapy.

Many amino acids including adenine, adenosine, uracil, lycine

Minerals: Ge, K, Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn, Ca, Be, Cu, Ag, Al, Na,

Hen-in-the-Woods

(Grifola frondosa)

The Japanese call this mushroom Maitake which means dancing mushroom because people dance for joy when they find it in the woods. A single head of this mushroom can weigh over 15kg. In feudal Japan it was exchanged for it's own weight in silver by local lords who would in turn offer the mushroom to the Shogun.

Hen-in-the-Woods has 6 major functions : 1 Inhibit cancer; 2 Slow down aging and promote gonad function; 3 Prevent and treat diabetes; 4 Inhibit obesity and regulate blod pressure; 5 Enhance skin and reduce pigmentation due to ageing; 6 Increase the appetite, promote growth, improve immunity and improve memory.

Hen-in-the-Woods exhibits strong immune support activity, strong anti-tumor properties by activating the immune system, inhibiting cell mutation and enhancing cellular immunity. It protects against breast cancer, prostate cancer, inhibits hepatitis viruses and HIV/AIDs. It reduces the side effects of radio- and chemo-therapy.

Hen-in-the-Woods regulates blood pressure, regulates blood sugars and lipids, regulates glucose/inusulin metabolism, lowers cholesterol. It is used for improving spleen and stomach ailments, treating haemorrhoids, for diabetes, obesity, hypertension and artereosclerosis. It prevents anaemia, scurvy and rickets, protects the liver, and helps the absorbtion of metals in the gut. Hen-in-the-Woods also relieves chronic fatigue syndrome, calms the nerves, promotes brain growth, prevents brain thrombus and improves memory.

Vitamins: B1(thiamine), B2(riboflavin), C, provitamin D(ergosterol), E

Minerals: Se, K, P, Mg, Ca, Na, Zn

Amino acids: Glutamine, alanine, threonine, asparagine, valine, lysine, arginine, serine

White Cloud

(Hericium erinaceus)

One of the most famous mushrooms in oriental history. It makes one of the “four most famous Chinese dishes” (the other three are sea cucumber, bear's palm and bird's nest.). Legend tell us that those that eat this mushroom will have nerves of steel and the memory of a lion.

White Cloud stimulates the synthesis of nerve growth factor (NGF) and promotes myelination. NGF regulates the formation and promotes the regeneration of nerve cells. This may enhance cognitive function and slow down the onset of dementia and brain dysfunctions associated with neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.

It calms the nerves, regulates the digestive system and relieves indigestion and constipation, supports the cardiovascular system, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, strengthens the respiratory system. White Cloud enhances the function of the immune system by activating immune cells (macrophages and killer cells) and immune system mediators.

White Cloud heals stomach and duodenal ulcers, chronic gastritis, has anti-tumor, anti-mutation and anti-oxidation functions. Reduces tiredness. Used for cancer prevention, stomach ailments and boosts immunity.

Vitamins: carotene, B1(thiamin), B2(riboflavin)

16 amino acids including 7 essential amino acids

Minerals: P, Fe, Ca,

Shiitake

(Lentinus edodes)

Known as the king of mushrooms in China it was the first mushroom to be cultivated by man. Lentinan, a highly purified polysaccharide extracted from shiitake, is an approved drug in Japan used to improve the survival of cancer and AIDS patients.

Shiitake inhibits tumors, enhances the immnue system and activates immune cells, stimulates the production of interferon. Shiitake greatly reduces side effects of radio- and chemo-therapy and prevents damage to chromosomes from chemo-therapy. It restores homeostasis and enhances intrinsic resistance to disease.

Shiitake also lowers cholesterol, prevents rickets, increases energy, eliminates worms and has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties.

Shiitake is recommended for diseases involving depressed immune function such as cancer, AIDS, leukaemia, allergies, yeast infection and colds and flu.

Vitamins: A, B1(thiamine), B2(riboflavin)m, B3(niacin), B12, C, D

Minerals: Fe, Zn, Mn, K, P, N

Amino Acids: all eight essential amino acids - valine, leucine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, lysine, isoleucine, methionine and threonine

Oyster Mushroom

(Pleurotus ostreatus & Pleurotus pulmonarius)

In ancient China oyster mushrooms were sent as a gift to friends and family. They were also used for bartering at market to buy other goods.

Oyster mushrooms lower cholesterol and promote the metabolism, lower blood pressure and stimulate blood circulation. They contain taurine which is a component of bile important for the metabolism of fats, reducing the production and secretion of low density lipoproteins (often called bad cholesterol).

Oyster mushrooms protect against tumors, regulate the autonomic nervous system, relax muscles and joints and protect against arteriosclerosis. They have been used to treat lumbago, numbness in the limbs, muscle and joint pain. Effective against hepatitis, gastric and duodenal ulcers and for chronic gastritis and gallstones.

Oyster mushrooms are health protecting food for the old, the obese and people with cardiovascular disease.

Vitamins: B1(thiamin), B2(riboflavin), B3(niacin), C, provitamin D (ergosterol)

Minerals: P, K, Te, Zn, Cu, Co. Mo, Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, Se, Na, S

18 amino acids especially glutamic acid and including taurine