Coriolus contains polysaccharide peptide (PSP) and polysaccharide-K (PSK, krestin), which may be able to fight tumor growth as well as boost the immune system.
It is widely used in China and Japan in treating chronic and serious immune challenges. It provides a chemo protective defense to healthy cells while sensitizing cancerous cells. In Japan Krestin from Coriolus is a best-selling cancer drug. It increases white blood cells and supports the immune system in general and healthy liver function.
Indications for use:
Infections; respiratiory, urinary,digestive, liver
Promotes liver health, hepatitis
Cancer
HPV cervical lesion (Human papiloma virus)
Weakness, fatigue, general debility
Frequent infections
Supports immune health after surgical treatment, protects immune health in those patients receiving therapies where immune suppression is a prominent feature.
Support the body’s cellular level defenses
It is not known if this product interacts with any medicines. There are no known interactions with any food, or other herbal supplements.
Before taking this product, talk with your health professional if you take any medications.
And the usual – not proven to be safe if pregnant or breast-feeding.
I will be offering a short series on 5 magic mushrooms. Some are considered adaptogens. Many have been used for thousands of years and are rare in the wild. It has taken centuries to discover how to grow them ‘in captivity’ and still obtain a product that provides the same healing properties. This is true for many ancient healing herbs and food sources. We have to find the balance and not over collect the wild source and still maintain the quality and desired outcome in using the herbs / food.
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) (Ling Zhi)
Long revered as a longevity herb more people are returning to ancient natural substances to assist in healing and bringing balance into their lives without side effects.
Adaptogens are herbs that can increase the body’s ability to handle external stressors and restore it to normal physiological functions. No other adaptogenic herb can do this better than red reishi.
Once reserved only for royalty, red reishi was the most sought after medicinal herb in Eastern medicine because of its rarity. Today, practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine consider red reishi nature’s most powerful and beneficial adaptogen. There actually are six different reishis – red, black, blue, white, yellow and purple Reishi. Of these six types, black and red Reishi have demonstrated the most significant health-enhancing effects.
However, red Reishi has been proven to be the most effective in improving one’s overall health by enhancing the immune system, many bodily functions, and vital organs. Black Reishi (Ganoderma sinensis), is fairly common and can be found in most Chinese herbal shops. The majority of Reishi products that claim to be using “wild” Reishi generally use black Reishi. While still valuable as a mild tonic, black Reishi is considered to be inferior to red Reishi because of its lower polysaccharide content.
Yellow Ganoderma cousin
Benefits include but are not limited to:
Immune system support
Stress reduction
Anti-aging, anti-oxidant
Supports liver health
Improved energy
Cardiovascular health
In Chinese medicine it is used to calm the shen (spirit). You don’t go all trippy with it. A disturbed shen may exhibit as insomnia, forgetfulness, fatigue, listlessness.
It supports the Lungs by clearing phlegm which will stop coughing and wheezing for those with asthma.
It tonifies qi and nourishes Blood. Traditionally it is used to strengthen the body. Assisting digestion allows for better nutrition and strengthening in general.
Research is ongoing on understanding the actions of the chemicals in this mushroom. Among them are water-soluble polysaccharides are which have anti-tumor, immune modulating and blood pressure lowering effects. It also contains triterpenes, a class of them found in Reishi is known as ganoderic acids. Studies have indicated that ganoderic acids help alleviate common allergies by inhibiting histamine release, improve oxygen utilization and improve liver functions.
Because of the polysacchrides it may be beneficial to take Vitamin C along with it to help its breakdown and absorption. Also take this in the morning on an empty stomach with water.
All immune-modulating substances such as Reishi should be taken with care for patients undergoing organ transplants and using immunosuppressive drugs.
It is always a good idea to consult a qualified health physician (preferably someone with experience in complementary health care) before consuming any dietary supplement.
The color of Fall relates to the Element to which it is connected – Metal – and this is white. So I gathered up a bunch of white food which will make a great dish. This is the first of Fall recipes I will share.
You can do this all organic or very healthy. You can do it gluten-free or whatever. Get creative and see how great it tastes to eat in one color.
Of course you can add other colors. Chinese medicine is about balance and eye appeal of the food is important also.
Start with ½ lb pasta – gluten-free or use rice or rice threads or quinoa. This will be your base. Depending on what you choose you can eat it hot or room temp. Chinese medicine doesn’t like a lot of cold, especially in the fall and winter. You can make your quinoa or rice ahead of time and add the mushrooms, etc. later.
Now the other white stuff.
½ lb chanterelles or white button mushrooms. I know chanterelles aren’t white but they do add some color and you may be able to hunt some yourself, which adds to the enjoyment of this dish.
1 leek – white part only – You can slice in rings or lengthwise. They will wilt down in the butter.
2 T butter
Salt and white pepper to taste. Many Italian cooks use white pepper when they do’t want to ‘dirty’ the pasta.
3 cloves garlic finely chopped
1/3 c white wine
Fresh herbs – don’t have to be white – to accent
In a large frying pan melt the butter. Add leeks and season with salt and pepper. Sauté over medium heat for about 4 minutes, or until the leeks begin to wilt then add the garlic. Cover the pan and sweat the mixture until the leeks are tender (about 5 minutes).
If using chanterelles try tearing them apart from the top into slender pieces. Then, first dry sauté the chanterelles in a very lightly oiled pan to cook off moisture. Now add them to the leeks. Save this liquid from the mushrooms. Add back into the dish in the next step.
The button mushrooms can be left whole, chop off the stems or chop it all into smaller pieces and lightly sautéed also or added directly to the
leeks, etc. Add the mushrooms to the pan and stir in then add the white wine. Bring to a simmer and allow to cook gently, uncovered, for about 10 minutes. Cook your pasta and drain in a colander. Add to the frying pan along with any other herbs you choose and toss everything together.
Serve in a pasta bowl along with freshly-grated Parmesan cheese.
If you want it spicier you could add pepper flakes (yes, color) or more garlic.
