Mycotherapy

Question 1

Medicinal mushroom compounds

Answer 1

• Medicinal mushrooms produce compounds that can be harnessed
  therapeutically. The most useful medicinal compounds are:
• Beta-glucans
• Triterpenes
• Sterols
• Lectins

Question 2

Reishi

Answer 2

Reishi is referred to as “the mushroom of eternal youth” and has been used for over 2000 years in the traditional medical systems of China, Japan, Korea and other Asian countries for its health promoting effects.
* It is considered a ‘tonic’ in Chinese medicine, or an ‘adaptogen’ in Western medicine.
* Important constituents include primarily polysaccharides (e.g. beta glucans) and triterpenes ( ganoderic acids), but also lectins, sterols and B vitamins.

Question 3

Reishi: Therapeutic Uses

Answer 3

Immune boosting
Anti-viral
Anti-cancer
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-coagulant
Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Stress and sleep
Blood-sugar regulating

Question 4

Reishi: Benign prostatic hyperplasia

Answer 4

It is a 5α-reductase inhibitor meaning that it blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), preventing abnormal prostate growth.

Question 5

Reishi: Interactions

Answer 5

Combining high dose reishi with anticoagulant drugs may increase the risk of bleeding.

Question 6

Shiitake

Answer 6

Shiitake is a common edible mushroom. Its Japanese name comes from the words ‘ shii ’’(species of chestnut) and ‘take’ (mushroom), since it grows on chestnut
* Important constituents include the beta glucan Lentinan, choline, zinc, provitamin D, iron, B vitamins and unsaturated fatty acids.
* Large scale clinical trials have confirmed significant anti-cancer activity from Lentinan. Lentinan (injected) is a licensed pharmaceutical in Japan and is the third most widely prescribed anti cancer ‘drug’ in the world
* In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), shiitake is used to replenish Qi and nourish the blood

Question 7

Shiitake: Therapeutic uses

Answer 7

Immune-modulating
Cardiovascular diseases
Cancer
Gout
Benign prostatic hyperplasia

Question 8

Shiitake: Saftey

Answer 8

Taking a high dose long term can lead to rare side effects such as abdominal discomfort, shiitake dermatitis, photosensitivity and asthma.
* Caution with anticoagulant drugs.

Question 9

Lion’s Mane

Answer 9

Lion’s mane is a white flesh, edible fungus, noted for its lobster like flavour.
* Important constituents include beta glucans, erinacines, high protein, selenium and zinc.

Question 10

Lion’s mane: Therapeutic uses

Answer 10

GI disorders
Nervous system disorders

Question 11

Turkey tail

Answer 11

Turkey tail is a mushroom that is found in most parts of the world and tends to grow on dead logs. The English name of the species is derived from its coloured patterns, which look similar to the tail of a turkey.
* Turkey tail is probably the most studied medicinal mushroom and its extracts are commonly used in Japan
as part of official cancer treatment protocols.
* Two polysaccharide extracts from turkey tail polysaccharide K (PSK) and polysaccharide peptide (PSP) were approved as drugs in cancer patients. In 1990, PSK accounted for 25% of drugs in cancer treatment in Japan.

Question 12

Turkey tail: Therapeutic uses

Answer 12

Cancer
Immune-modulatory

Question 13

Turkey tail: Side effects

Answer 13

Nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhoea.

Question 14

Maitake

Answer 14

Maitake is often found among chestnut trees. It is crowned by the Japanese as the ‘king of mushrooms’ and is valued for its effect as a tonic and an adaptogen.
* Maitake grows mostly in Japan. The mushroom has a porous structure and is made up of brown and grey clusters of overlapping caps.
* Important constituents include beta- glucans, metalloproteins, lectins, enzymes and ergosterol.

Question 15

Maitake: Therapeutic uses

Answer 15

Immune-regulatory
Cancer
Cardiovascualar disease
Metabolic diseases

Question 16

Maitake: Interactions

Answer 16

Potential additive effect when combined with blood glucose lowering medications or supplements.
Monitor blood glucose to prevent hypoglycaemia.

Question 17

Chaga

Answer 17

Chaga grows mainly on birch trees in cooler climates where it develops a woody growth that has the appearance of burnt charcoal.
* The inside of the hardened clumps reveals an orange coloured, soft centre.
* Chaga has a long traditional use for certain cancers, heart disease, diabetes mellitus and to increase endurance.
* Key constituents include beta- glucans, triterpenoids and sterols including ergosterol.
* It is rich in antioxidant compounds and reduces inflammation by down regulating inflammatory mediators.

Question 18

Chaga: Therapeutic uses

Answer 18

Immunity
Cancer

Question 19

Chaga: Safety

Answer 19

• Appears to inhibit platelet aggregation. Caution with antiplatelet medications and use before surgery is advised.
• Safety in pregnancy and lactation has not been established.

Question 20

Cordyceps

Answer 20

Cordyceps is a fungal species that acts as a parasite in insects. It infects the insect, killing and mummifying it, then grows from the insect’s body!
* Cordyceps originated in Tibet growing at an altitude of over 3500 m, but is now cultivated elsewhere in the world.
* Important constituents include polysaccharides, cordycepin acid, nucleosides, ergosterol and sterols.
* In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is said to support the energy stimulating capacity of the kidney, playing an important role in rejuvenation during convalescence.

Question 21

Cordyceps: Therapeutic uses

Answer 21

Kidney diseases
Liver diseases
Cardiovascular diseases
Respiratory diseases
Fatigue and concentration
Reproductive diseases
Depression

Question 22

Cordyceps: Safety

Answer 22

• Immunostimulatory effects may interfere with immunosuppressant drugs.
• Caution in hormone dependent cancers due to influence on reproductive hormones.
• Safety in pregnancy and lactation has not been established and caution is advised due to hormonal effects.