Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee Mix With Chaga (Defend) - 10 Packets

Medicinal Mushrooms

Traditional Chinese Practitioners have used fungi or mushroom in their practice for centuries...

Mushroom species such as the ganoderma species (reishi), grifola (shiitake), cordyceps and lentinula (maitake) have been used and studied for their powerful medicinal properties and effectiveness against the treatment of a variety of disease. Many fungi or medicinal mushrooms are powerful immune tonics, possessing anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-parasitic properties. Many are anti-inflammatory, as well as possessing specific action to support cardiovascular health.

Some medicinal mushrooms are known to be hepatoprotective, as well as glycemic herbs, helping to regulate blood sugar. No wonder they have such a long history of medicinal use!

Let's take a look at some of the more well-known and studied, as well as most effective medicinal mushrooms:

Reishi

Reishi mushroom has a number of medicinal properties, perhaps none as well know or well studied as its immune enhancing properties. Reishi is known to be a potent anti-viral, protecting against and treating flu viruses, as well as showing promising results as an HIV treatment. The polysaccharide content of reishi mushroom is responsible for its immune-stimulatory effects. Reishi has also been used to improve quality of life. It has been used to reduce symptoms such as sweating, insomnia, nausea and vomiting. Reishi has also been shown to slow blood clotting, or inhibit the formation of blood platelets, as well as lowering blood pressure and possessing effective hepato-protective qualities. Reishi mushroom is to be used in short sessions, no longer than a 6 month period, as it could cause upset stomach, dry mouth, dizziness and nose bleeds.

Shiitake

Shiitake is also very well known for its effectiveness as an immune tonic. Again, a polysaccharide extract known as LEM, has been deemed responsible for its action against unhealthy cells and various viral infections. There is also evidence to suggest that shiitake extract can help to lower cholesterol. A compound called eritadenine has been shown to possess these cholesterol lowering properties. People taking blood thinners should only use Shiitake under medical supervision.

Cordyceps

Cordyceps has an affinity for the lung and protecting/repairing lung function. This is why it is primarily indicated in cases of cough and phlegm, shortness of breath, COPD and asthma. It has also been used widely as an aphrodisiac for both men ad women. Cordyceps also has an affinity for the kidney, which according to Traditional Chinese Medicine gets depleted as we age. For this reason, cordyceps is widely used in the older population to combat fatigue, low back pain and reduced kidney function.

Maitake

In Japanese, maitake means "dancing mushroom". Another well -loved mushroom with a long history of use. Studies have shown that maitake may be beneficial in the treatment of unhealthy cells in colo-rectal, liver, breast, lung and stomach. Beta glucan extracts from Maitake mushrooms may help to support the body's ability to fight, according to some studies. Maitake is also considered to have properties similar to alpha glucosidase inhibitors, which impact how we digest carbohydrates and can help to lower blood sugar levels. It has also been shown to inhibit pro-inflammatory markers in the body.

Lion's Mane

Lion's mane or Hericium erinaceus is well known to both regulate blood sugar levels, as well as blood lipid levels. It is also a potent antioxidant. Animal studies have shown that it may also help to stimulate nerve cells in the brain, implicating it as an anti-dementia support. Further research is needed here. Again, this medicinal mushroom as also been studied for its potential immune boosting effects, specifically in both gastric and esophageal carcinomas.

Chaga

Inonotus obliquus, commonly known as Chaga mushroom, is a black fungus that grows parasitically on birch trees. There are records going as far back as the 16th century for the use of chaga in Eastern European folk medicine and traditional botanical medicineI. Chaga is rich in polysaccharides (particularly ß-glucan polysaccharides) as well as betulinic acid, and has a bitter flavour similar to coffee. It is an excellent source of superoxide dismutase (SOD – a powerful antioxidant) and is the mushroom with the highest antioxidant (ORAC) level known. For more information on ORAC, see our article on superfruits.

Chaga's Active Ingredients

Initial research on chaga examined of its ß-glucan polysaccharides.  As research continued on chaga's role in immune optitmization, it was discovered that compounds from chaga did not attack pathogens directly, but instead supported the optimization of the body's natural defenses.

Where do I find Medicinal Mushrooms?

These mushrooms can all be found in capsule/supplement form at your local health food store.. They can also be found in loose, dried form to be made into teas or added to soups and other dishes. There are a number of mushroom combination supplements on the market, as well, incorporating the various medicinal properties of each fungi into one combination.