MYCOTHERAPY Flashcards
What is mycotherapy?
the use of mushrooms and their compounds as medicine
2 properties of fungi?
- create a mycelial network that releases enzymes and acids ro externally digest dead organisms, move nutrient back into the soil
- grow quickly and branch their filaments and threads in any direction
What is the most useful medicinal mushroom compound?
Beta-glucans - immune system
What are beta-glucans? What action on the human body?
polysaccharides that sometimes contain a protein
Most common are 1,3 and 1,6 beta glucans
Action on the immune system => immune function support, immunomodulation, anti-tumour
What action have beta glucans on the immune system?
captures in the lymphatic tissue of intestines and stimulates macrophages, neutrophils, monocytes and NK cells ==> support optimal immune functions
What are the 4 medicinal mushrooms compounds/constituents ?
- beta glucans = immune system
- Triterpenes = hepato-protective, anti-tumour
- Sterols = ergosterol (vit D precursor) + anti cancer
- Lectins = agglutinate tumour cells prevent proliferation
medicinal mushrooms and drug interaction ?
None here
Reishi properties? x2
Adaptogen => increase body resistance to stress
Tonic => rebuild energy and resilience
Reishi constituants (main ones x2)
beta glucans
Triterpenes
Also sterols, lectins and B vitamins
Reishi taste
bitter - often used supplements rather than fresh. non-edible mushroom
Reishi therapeutic uses and dosage x8
Immune boosting
Anti-viral
Anti Ageing (antiox and anti-inflammatory)
Anti-cancer
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-coagulant
Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Stress and Sleep
Blood sugar regulating
what are 3 ways Reishi is immune boosting / anti viral?
- increase number and activity of T-lymphocytes, macrophages and NK cells
- Triterpenes in Reishi inhibit the replication of EBV and Hepatitis B virus
- inhibit reverse transcriptase in HIV
Name 3 ways Reishi is anti-cancer?
- induce apoptosis and inhibit angiogenesis
- inhibit tumour metastases by limiting attachment to endothelial cells
- beta glucans strengthen the immune system
what compounds makes reishi anti-inflammatory?
Triterpenes provides anti inflammatory and anti histamine action
In which inflammatory condition is reishi useful?
Asthma and allergies because brings balance between T-helper 1 and 2 cells
via which action is reishi anti-coagulant?
Ganoderic acids inhibits platelets aggregation
what is reishi action in benign prostate hyperplasia?
its an 5alpha-reductase inhibitor (block conversion of testosterone to DHT preventing abnormal prostate growth
What component in reishi has an action on stress and sleep?
Triterpenes - sedative action and calm the NS activity
What component in Reishi helps with insulin resistance?
Ganoderic acids => decrease insulin cellular resistance in type 2 diabetes and PCOS
action of ganoderic acids in reishi? x2
anti coagulant
Blood sugar regulation
Reishi dosage range?
3-9g/day increase with tolerance
interaction at high dose with anticoagulant drugs
Shiitake properties?
replenish the Qi, nourish the blood anti-cancer
Common edible mushroom
Shiitake constituants ?
Beta glucans
Lentinan
Choline
ZInc
Pro vitamin D
Iron
B vitamins
Unsaturated fatty acids
What is lentinan properties in Shiitake ?
lentinan has anti cancer properties
Shiitake therapeutic uses x 5 ?
- immune modulating => increase phagocytes, t-lymphocytes and NK cells
- CVD => lower LDL / increase HDL
- Cancer => anti-proliferation anti-angiogenic
- Gout => alkalinising effect
- BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) => high zinc level block testosterone conversion to DHT
2 ways shiitake is good for immune system and 3 clinical applications
- increase t-lymphocytes, NK cells and phagocytes
- increase interferons
Immune support - Cancer patients and HIV patients
anti candida - shiitake can breakdown candida biofilm
antibacterial activity in oral cavity (gingivitis and periodontitis
2 ways Shiitake helps prevent CVD?
- Lower LDL by increasing faecal excretion, increase HDL
- inhibit platelet aggregation
Shiitake dosage range
1.5-10g/day mushroom fresh
high dose can create abdominal discomfort + careful with anticoagulant drugs
Lion’s Mane properties?
White flesh edible mushroom - lobster like flavour
Lion’s mane components ?
Beta glucans
Erinacines
High protein
Selenium
Zinc
Lion’s mane therapeutic uses x2
- GI disorders = promotes regeneration of the gastric and intestinal mucosa + prebiotic
- NS disorder = erinacine has stimulatory effect on nerve growth factor production (regeneration of neurones and
2 ways lion’s mane is used fir GI disorders + associated pathologies
- promote regeneration of gastric and intestinal mucosa => increased gastrointestinal permeability, IBD, peptic ulcers, gastritis, GORD
- prebiotic to support the intestinal flora (can be used in cases of dysbiosis)
what component of lion’s mane is helpful for NS disorder and how?
Erinacine has stimulatory effect on the production of nerve growth factor to regenerate neurones and myelin sheath
Powerful antioxidant
=> alzheimer’s, concussion recovery, MS, Parkinson’s, peripheral neuropathy, general cognitive decline
Lion’s mane dosage
1-6g/day fresh mushroom
Turkey Tail properties
Two polysaccharides extract from turkey tail:
- Polysaccharide K (PSK)
- Polysaccharide Peptide (PSP)
Cancer treatment
Turkey tail therapeutic uses x2
Cancer treatment => anti-metastases, anti proliferation, anti angiogenic
Immune modulatory => increase activity of macrophages, T-lymphocytes and NK cells + anti viral action
turkey tail anti cancer properties are due to which action? For which cancer is it recommended?
PSP and PSK actions
induce apoptosis
anti proliferation, metastase and angiogenic
Hormonally driven cancers (breast, prostate and ovarian)
3 ways turkey tail has immune modulatory action
- increase macrophages, t-lymphocytes and NK cells activity
- anti viral for HIV, EBV and HPV
- normalise overactive immune system and autoimmunity
Turkey tail dosage ?
1-9g / day in capsule
Side effect = nausea, loss appetite and diarrhoea
MAITAKE properties
Maitake is a tonic and adaptogenic mushroom
maitake constituents
beta glucans
metalloproteins
lectins
enzymes
ergosterols
maitake 4 therapeutic uses
- immune regulation - beta glucans cause increase in T lymphocytes and NK cells and macrophages + fatty acids inhibit cox 1 and 2 pathway reducing inflammation
- Cancer - beta glucans immune boosting effects
- CVD - protease prevents clot formation - reduce LDL and regulate renin agiotensin aldosterone system
- Metabolic diseases - proteoglycan improve insulin sensitivity
In what way maitake helps with metabolic diseases and which ones? 3
- Contains proteoglycan which improve insulin sensitivity in type II diabetes
- help induce ovulation in PCOS
- for fatty liver disease - lower LDL cholesterol and promotes healthy weights
=> metabolic syndrome
maitake dosage?
3-7g a day
potential additive effect when used in addition with blood glucose lowering medication
which vitamin increase beta-glucan absorption?
Vitamin C
Chaga properties?
Certain cancer, heart disease, diabetes and to increase endurance
Rich anti oxidant
Reduce inflammation by down regulating inflammation mediators
Chaga constituents
Beta gluten
triterpenoids
Sterols - ergosterol
Chaga therapeutic uses x2
- immunity - support t-lymphocytes proliferation and bone marrow + anti vital against hepatitis B, help prevent cytokines storm
- cancer - cell apoptosis and offset bone marrow suppression in chemo
in which condition can chug be used because of its anti inflammatory action?
UC, RA and CD
Chaga dosage and safety
1-4g/day
anti platelet aggregation do not use before surgery
safety in pregnancy and lactation not established
Cordyceps properties
Cordyceps is supports energy-stimulating capacity of the kidney => rejuvenation in convalescence
Cordyceps constituents
polysaccharides => anti inflammatory activity
cordycepin acid => improves hepatocytes function
nucleosides
ergosterols
sterols
cordyceps therapeutic uses x 7
- kidney disease - decrease proteinuria, improve creatine clearance, support filtration capacity. protects kidney from immuno suppressant medication + stimulate formation of erythrocytes => chromic kidney disease
- liver disease - cordycepin improves hepatocytes function and decrease formation of fibrotic tissue
- CVD - anti inflammatory polysaccharides + rich in adenosine good for congested heart failure + help in arrhythmia
- respiratory disease - asthma and bronchitis
- fatigue and concentration - adenosine provide extra energy
- reproductive disease - enhance fertility and libido in men and woman, impotency, regulate mesntrual cycle
- depression - MAO inhibitor leading to increase dopamine and serotonin
