Harmonic Arts 5 Mushroom Concentrated Mushroom Powder - 45g

CHAGA
Often referred to as the "king of medicinal mushrooms"...

What is Chaga? 
Birch trees naturally contain betulin and betulinic acid, compounds that are absorbed by chaga as it grows on the tree. 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 botanical medicine as a treatment for ulcers, and some infections and to support healthy cell growths.

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 and Immunity
Initial research on chaga examined the ability of its ß-glucan polysaccharides to prevent a wide range of infectious diseases. Further research found that these polysaccharides have strong anti-inflammatory and immune balancing properties. The immune balancing property of chaga has also been studied as a successful treatment for psoriasis (an immune mediated skin condition). As research continued on chaga's role in immunity, it was discovered that compounds from chaga did not attack pathogens directly, but instead stimulated the body to fight the infections itself. The ß-glucan polysaccharides in chaga increase the production of natural killer (NK) cells, the cells in the body responsible for cellular mediated attack against disease.

Chaga and Cell Growths
The ß-glucan polysaccharides that are found in Chaga and some other mushrooms are currently used around the world as anti-cell growth medicinal supplements. Further examination indicated that chaga's ß-glucan polysaccharides have strong anti-inflammatory and immune balancing properties, which include stimulating the body to produce more NK cells. Thus, in much the same way chaga helps the body to fight infection, it can aid in tumour destruction. This process of tumour destruction is in contrast to chemotherapy, a type of cell growth treatment that can harm healthy cells and results in a vast number of side effects. Instead, chaga promotes the body destroying the cell growths itself in a process natural to the body. Recent scientific research has showed the anti-tumour effect of these specific polysaccharides to be comparable to treatment with chemotherapy and radiation, but without the side effects.

In addition to promoting NK cell development, the anti-tumor effects of chaga can be attributed to altered biochemical mechanisms, such as: inhibition of proliferation, induction of cell cycle arrest, enhanced apoptosis, and regulation of signal transduction pathways, which are related to altered expressions of key enzymes. In 1958, scientific studies in Finland and Russia found Chaga supplementation provided a potent beneficial effect in breast, liver, uterine, and gastric cell growths. In addition to the ß-glucan polysaccharides, the constituents betulin and betulinic acid from chaga are now being studied for use as a chemotherapeutic agent. For more information on betulin and betulinic acid, see below.

Chaga and Metabolic Syndrome
In the 1950's, scientific studies found Chaga provided an extremely beneficial effect in hypertension and diabetes. Birch trees naturally contain betulin and betulinic acid, compounds that are absorbed by chaga as it grows on the tree. Betulin as it is found in birch bark is indigestible by humans, but the Chaga mushroom converts it into a form that can be digested orally. Recent research has found that betulin from birch bark lowered cholesterol, obesity and improved insulin resistance.

Additional vitamins and mineral
Aside from all the nutrients mentioned above chaga also includes: Vitamins B2, D, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, potassium, rubidium and cesium, silicon, germanium, manganese, selenium, zinc, antimony, barium, bismuth, boron, chromium, and copper.

How is chaga extracted?
There are three ways that mushrooms are extracted, only two of which are considered reliable. These methods are: hot water extraction, alcohol extraction, and fermentation. Fermentation is considered an unreliable means of extraction due to variations in microbes used. Hot water extraction is the most common and cheapest purification option, and allows all water-soluble components (including polysaccharides) to be extracted. Alcohol (ethanol) extraction isolates the non-water soluble components, like betulinic acid, betulin and phyto-sterols.

In order to obtain maximum therapeutic value, many manufacturers will usually combine two methods, in general hot water extraction and alcohol / ethanol extraction allow for extraction of the most valuable components. Cheap, mass-produced, extracts tend to be hot water based low percentage (4-20%) polysaccharide extracts with limited therapeutic value. Be sure to read the constituents on the label of your supplement to ensure you will get the medicinal effects you seek.

How can I take chaga?
Chaga can be supplemented as dried mushroom powder, liquid, powdered extract, capsule, or tea. It can be found alone or in combination formulas for liver support and inflammation relief. Solid extracts of chaga can be dosed between 200 and 1000mg per day. If making a tea you can dissolve one teaspoon dried mushroom in one cup of hot water several times per day.

Important Information
Chaga mushroom is generally regarded as safe when taken in the recommended doses. Safety in young children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease is not known, so caution should be used. Due to the hypoglycemic activity of polysaccarides, blood sugar monitoring in diabetics is important.

REISHI MUSHROOM

Otherwise known as Ganoderma Lucidum, Reishi mushrooms are a long time friend of the immune system ... 

Reishi Mushroom can be beneficial for diabetics and those with high blood pressure
Reishi are a member of the fungi Kingdom and are one of the oldest mushrooms to be used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Ganoderma has an affinity for the immune system, which is why it has been studied extensively in the treatment of cell growths. It has been shown to prevent angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, which many cell growths use to form new harmful cells and keep the disease strong and growing.
Ganoderma is also used in cell treatment as a form of palliative care, improving quality of life by decreasing symptoms such as sweating, nausea, vomiting and insomnia. In terms of immune disorders, it is also showing promise against HIV activity, slowly the progression to AIDS in some individuals. Ganoderma has anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-microbial action.

Reishi is both immune modulating and immune supportive, meaning it not only helps to strengthen the immune system when needed but in immune disorders in which it is dangerous to do so, it actually balances the immune system out. This prevents our immune system from over reaction and creating too much inflammation. Allergy is an example of a concern for which Reishi’s may be indicated due to its anti-inflammatory properties, along with its ability to balance out our innate immune response.

Reishi reduces cholesterol synthesis in the liver (which also benefits the heart) and has recently been looked at as a treatment for hepatitis, an inflammatory disease of the liver. It has been shown to protect against atherosclerosis, and reduce blood clotting by inhibiting platelet aggregation, which is part of an inflammatory cascade. It has also been shown to decrease blood pressure. Individuals with diabetes have found it helpful in decreasing blood sugar. Reishi is also an antioxidant and can be used to prevent free radical damage.

Reishi can be crushed and taken directly in capsules, or pieces of the mushroom can be steeped in hot water to make a tea. Recommended dose varies, depending on health concern, although anywhere from 2-6 g/day is considered safe. Some individuals have reported headaches, skin rash and dizziness. If you are on anti-hypoglycemic or medication to lower blood pressure, be cautious that these levels do not decrease too quickly or become too low while taking Ganoderma.

CORDYCEPS

Cordyceps has been shown to be beneficial for the optimal functioning of nearly every organ of our body... 

Cordyceps is a type of fungus

Cordyceps is a type of fungus that germinates in a living organism, most commonly in the caterpillar larvae. This entire caterpillar-fungi combination is hand collected for medicinal use in areas such as Tibet, China, Nepal and India, where it has been used for centuries.
As a well-known remedy in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Tibetan Medicine and Herbal Folk Medicine cordyceps has been shown to increase oxygen capacity, the amount of oxygen that can be carried by our red blood cell. This increases oxygen exchange in the lung, therefore increasing energy, endurance and stamina. It has also been used to support and strengthen the immune system as well as the cardiovascular system.

Cordyceps are known to have the ability to increase lung capacity which is why it has been used to treat wide range of respiratory ailments such as to reduce cough and phlegm, shortness of breath, bronchial discomfort, COPD, and asthma, as well as to treat common cold and flu. It has been used as an aphrodisiac, increasing libido and improving sexual function for both men and women. It also has a strong effect on the kidney and is therefore used to improve fatigue, tinnitus, low back pain, nocturia, and overall reduced kidney function. It also has demonstrated blood sugar regulation properties and can be used to improve blood glucose metabolism in diabetics.

More recently, Cordyceps is being studied as a cell growth therapy or adjunct to chemotherapy and radiation. Research is showing it has significant ability to both inhibit and even reverse tumour growth in some cases. It has also been said to have beneficial effects for both heart and liver function.

A few of the useful constituents found in cordyceps are sterols, polysaccharides, and nucleosides. Sterols are believed to help reduce cholesterol levels, risk of heart disease, and maybe have some anti-tumor properties. Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates made up of chains of sugar. It is known to stabilize blood pressure, have an effect of free radicals, and stimulate the immune system. Nucleosides are organic molecules that are transformed into building blocks of the genetic material DNA and RNA. They are sometimes used to treat cell growths.

The daily dosage of Cordyceps tends to be about 3-4 grams a day, but depending on the concern many TCM practitioners will go significantly higher. It is typically prepared as a tea or eaten whole by itself, or cooked in a variety of dishes. Cordyceps can be costly, and there are no reliable standards from which to compare different brands. The use of cultivated Cordyceps is the most cost effective, but make sure it comes from a reliable source.

It is considered non-toxic and safe with no contraindications for use. Individuals already using anti-diabetic medications need to be careful to avoid a hypoglycemic state. The combination of medication and Cordyceps together may be too strong they may need to readjust the dosage. The same warning should be given to individuals already taking an antiretroviral medication.