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
About the author:
Chester is a health nutrition consultant and is the owner of
AstroNutrition - a provider of premium health nutrition
and sports supplements.
