The World According to Arlene: Ask Arlene about more mushrooms©

Ask Arlene about more mushrooms©

By Arlene Wright-Correll

The rest of 2 day’s ago article’s answers…..

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) Reishi mushrooms have long been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Research in the medical journals International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms and Neuropharmacology shows reishi mushrooms can help protect against seizures and stroke, and potentially help treat Huntington’s disease, a serious degenerative brain disorder that affects muscles, memory and behavior patterns. Reishi appears to work on the pathways that regulate the energy centers of brain cells.

Reishi mushrooms may also hold tremendous potential for breast cancer, according to research in the medical journal PLOS ONE. Scientists concluded that reishi suppresses tumor growth and is a potential therapeutic aid for breast and other cancers. Note: One should NOT take if using warfarin or another blood thinner, if on chemotherapy or taking immunosuppressants.

These study results were achieved using reishi extract, which, like chaga extract, is made by infusing reishi mushrooms in alcohol. Reishi extracts, as well as dried whole or powdered reishi, are available from most health-food stores. Add them to soups, stews or curries, or use them to make broth.

Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris) Cordyceps is also called caterpillar fungus because in the wild it’s a parasite that grows inside caterpillar bodies. It has been used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine as a lung and kidney tonic; to improve stamina, fatigue, shallow breathing and wheezing; and as an aphrodisiac. Today, it’s quickly becoming known for its anti-cancer properties, as it contains three compounds that have proven anti-tumor activity. Note: Don’t use if you have a myelogenous type of cancer, if you take insulin or other blood-glucose lowering medications, or if you take any drug that has a blood-thinning effect.

New research published in the journal Phytomedicine found cordyceps inhibits cancer growth and causes cancer cells to die without harming healthy cells. Earlier research in the Japanese journal Fitoterapia shows cordyceps works against cancer in six ways, including blocking the ability of tumors to grow (anti-tumor); blocking the ability of cancer cells to multiply (antiproliferative); stopping cancer from spreading (anti-metastatic); improving the immune system’s ability to fight cancer (immunomodulatory); attacking free radicals before they can damage cells and tissues (antioxidant); and causing cells to die (apoptotic).

Cordycepin, an active element in cordyceps, was shown effective against prostate cancer, according to research in the journal Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology. A study in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology also indicated that cordyceps killed lung cancer cells. Other research found that cordyceps reduced the growth ability of the

skin cancer known as melanoma. The mushroom has a spicy, cinnamon-like scent that lends itself to soups.

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) Chaga also called birch mushrooms because they grow on birch trees, are black fungi with an orange-brown patch that can grow to more than four pounds.

The Cree American Indians used chaga in ceremonies and as a treatment for arthritis. Today, research has predominantly focused on the mushroom’s anti-cancer properties. Multiple studies published in the International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms found that chaga inhibited tumor growth.

Additionally, chaga has shown effectiveness in the treatment of GI disorders, including gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome and stomach ulcers. Note: Chaga may interact with antidiabetic, anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs. The mushroom also contains sugars that prevent the absorption of glucose, thereby offering assistance in regulating blood sugar levels in diabetics.

These studies used chaga extract, obtained from infusing the mushrooms in alcohol for at least two weeks and then straining. Chaga extract is available from most health-food stores. Although dried or ground chaga can be a bit more difficult to find, you can add it to savory soups, stews or curries, or to make broth. It also can be a tea: Simmer a handful of whole chaga chunks in a quart of water for 10 minutes; strain; enjoy with nut milk or maple syrup.

NOTE: If you are really sick or if your child is really sick I recommend you seeing your doctor.

Home Farm Herbery LC sells 10 different kinds of dried mushrooms.

Black Trumpet Mushrooms Dried

Dried Lobster Mushrooms

Dried Morel Mushrooms

Magical Forest Blend Dried Mushrooms

Maitake Mushrooms Dried

Mushroom Powder Blend

Oyster Mushrooms Dried

Porcini Mushrooms Dried

Reisihi Mushroom Dried Slices

Shiitake Mushroom Dried