Tag: Chinese medicine

Mushroom 5 – Shiitake

Carol Griesmeyer

Today we talk about Shiitake mushrooms. That does not mean it is the least important. It just presented them as I ran into them.

Shiitake, maitake, and reishi mushrooms (see previous blogs) are widely referred to as “medicinal mushrooms” due to their long history of medical use, particularly in oriental medicine traditions.

The earliest written record of shiitake cultivation is seen in the “Records of Long Quan County” compiled by He Zhan  in 1209. The first book on shiitake cultivation in Japan was written by a Japanese horticulturist Satō Chūryō in 1796.

The Japanese cultivated the mushroom by cutting shii trees with axes and placing the logs by trees that were already growing shiitake or contained shiitake spores. Until 1982 only traditional techniques were used to cultivate the mushroom. After that a report revPixabay Image 448501ealed processes and opportunities for commercial cultivation in the United States.

Shiitake mushrooms are now widely cultivated all over the world, and contribute about 25% of total yearly production of mushrooms. Commercially, shiitake mushrooms are typically grown in conditions similar to their natural environment on either artificial substrate or hardwood logs, such as oak.

Fresh and dried shiitake have many uses in the East Asian dishes. In Japan, they are served in miso soup, used as the basis for a kind of vegetarian dashi (soup stock) , and as an ingredient in many steamed and simmered dishes. In Chinese cuisine, they are often sautéed in vegetarian dishes. They are a common source of protein in Asia.

Shiitake are also dried and sold as preserved food. These are rehydrated by soaking in water before using. Many Chinese people prefer dried shiitake to fresh, considering that the sun-drying process draws out the umami (5th savory taste) flavor from the dried mushrooms. The stems of shiitake are rarely used primarily because the stems are harder and take longer to cook than the soft fleshy caps.

One type of high grade shiitake is called donko in Japanese and dōnggū in Chinese, literally “winter mushroom”. Another high grade of mushroom is called huāgū in Chinese, literally “flower mushroom”, which has a flower-like cracking pattern on the mushroom’s upper surface. Both of these are produced at lower temperatures.

Today shiitake is very widely used. There is a global industry in shiitake production, with local farms in most western countries in addition to large scale importation from China, Japan, Korea and elsewhere.

Like all mushrooms, shiitakes produce vitamin D2 upon exposure of their internal ergosterol (an essential plant sterol) to Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from sunlight or broadband UVB fluorescent tubes.  While all mushrooms contain ergosterol and have the potential to produce vitamin D2 in such a manner, the transparent white of the shiitake gills permits greater contact of the UVB with ergosterol, and very high D2 values can be achieved with exposure to broadband UVB fluorescent tubes. Shiitake is one of the few natural sources of vegan and kosher Vitamin D.

It’s main polysacchride is lentinan and is an approved drug in Japan used to improve survival rates for those undergoing chemotherapy. It protects chromosomes from being damaged by the chemotherapy and there are no known serious side effects. Entire books in China have been written on all the benefits from taking shiitake. It is often prescribed to be used ‘for those exhausted from overwork’.

In the 1960’s there were studies in Japan showing its effectiveness in lower blood cholesterol by as much as 40%. The amino acid, eritadinine, is the active ingredient, has no side effects and is well assimilated when taken orally.

The only problem encountered with shiitake is that there is a small percentage of people who are allergic to the lentinan and develop a dermatitis.

The median time of onset from ingestion of the mushrooms is typically 24 hours, ranging from 12 hours to 5 days. Most patients completely recover by 3 weeks, with or without treatment (steroids). More cases reported shortly after its discovery were due to eating the raw mushrooms, but several cases have since been reported after eating fully cooked mushrooms.

Link to North American Mycological Association site re: dermatitis:

http://www.namyco.org/shiitake_dermatitis.php

 

Mushroom 4 – Maitake

Carol Griesmeyer

Grifola frondosa. Isn’t she lovely. The beautiful dancing mushroom. Classified as an adaptogen helping the body recover from stress and resist infection.

Maitake is another mushroom that has been used for hundreds of years. It was historically used more in Japan but is easily grown anywhere. The name “dancing mushroom” is not from it’s beautiful flouncing appearance however, but do the the fact that in ancient times it could be exchanged for its weight in silver. This lead to dancing in celebration of a good ‘crop’. On a lucky day the find of one cluster can weigh up to 50 pounds.

The polysacchrides in mushrooms seem to be the consistent active ingredient that gives them their power to nourish and heal. Some feel maitake has the most powerful antitumor activity between it, shiitake and reishi.  It’s polysacchride is resistent to breakdown in the acid of the stomach so it is easy to take orally and be assimilated effectively.

Effects of D-Fraction, a polysaccharide from Grifola frondosa on tumor growth involve activation of NK (natural killer) cells. (Biol Pharm Bulletin. 2002). Our bodies have the ability to do a lot of the work but with stress, overwork and poor nutrition it is challenged.
Japanese studies show that it can be effective against cancer in three ways:
It protects healthy cells preventing them from becoming cancerous
It helps prevent metastasis – the spreading of the cancer.
It slows or stops cancer tumor growth

Other studies in Japan have confirmed its antidiabetic activity – specifically Factor X – which increases peripheral insulin sensitivity in diabetic patients. Additional studies are exploring its use in treating hypertension, elevated cholesterol and aiding in weight loss.

As a general tonic it can be used to prevent colds and flus also. Not a lot to say about this one – just short and sweet. Put it in your arsenal of herbs.

No side effects are known. As always use with caution or avoid if pregnant, or lactating.

 

Featured photo credit: “Eikhaas” by Pethan from nl. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eikhaas.JPG#/media/File:Eikhaas.JPG

Mushroom 3 – Coriolus – Turkey tail

Carol Griesmeyer

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.

Mushroom 2 – Cordyceps (Caterpiller fungus)

Carol Griesmeyer

Reference to this herb goes back thousands of years in Tibet, China and Japan. Because of its rarity it was reserved for use by the emperor and royalty.

The literal translation of Dong chong xia cao is “winter bug summer herb” or “summer grass winter worm”. It was described as transforming from animal to plant and back to animal again. Sounds yummy doesn’t it.

The cordyceps fungus colonizes the larvae of the Thitarodes genus of ghost moths. It completely infects and devours the hose insect and then grows its stalk to release new spores and start the process again. The remnant of the caterpillar and the fruiting body (mushroom) are collected and used. Gentle cleaning and drying give it a mushroom flavor after cooking with no hint of the original insect.

There are actually 3 different cordyceps based on their location of habitat. The Tibetan (xi zang)is the best quality and is gathered in July. Qing hai cordyceps is gathered in June. It is smaller and slightly less potent than the Tibetan. Sichuan cordyceps is the smallest variety and the least effective. Its color is brown while the others are golden yellow.

Environmental issues such as its preference for extreme altitude (over 10,000 ft) and the fact the it is over-harvested have made it an extremely costly ‘wild’ fungus. It is possible to buy the cordyceps sinensis fungus and cultivate it though. Rather than using a caterpillar it can be grown in other hosts such as rye grain, millet or rice. Rye or millet produces a higher quality product than rice. It is best for the natural areas and protection of wild source to only buy products cultivated from C. sinensis or C. mycelia.

In traditional Chinese medicine it is used to treat deficiencies in both Kidney yin and yang. This can also be called adrenal burnout, and used for excessive physical exertion or chronic illness. Cordyceps restores the life essence (jing), controls fluid metabolism (Spleen and Lung), promotes healthy sexual functioning and nourished bones and hearing. Many of these conditions are those that you see developing as one grows older, the back and knees hurt, the hearing is not as good and libido diminishes. All signs of Kidney deficiency.

Safety and Use:

Some fungus scientists feel it is safer to use products derived from C. sinensis and C. mycelia to minimize the potential for contamination from mold and bacteria found in imported products.

No serious side effects have been reported, however, some people may experience nausea, diarrhea or dry mouth. Cordyceps should not be used by pregnant or lactating women or children, as it has not been studied enough in these patient categories. Cordyceps is considered a non-toxic fungus. No known drug interactions have been found, but due to cordyceps’ effect on blood glucose, diabetics should carefully monitor their blood sugar during use. Cordyceps is a red blood cell progenitor; therefore, it should not be used by people suffering from myelogenous (bone marrow) cancers.

Some sources say to not take cordyceps if you are on immunosupressive drugs such as cyclosporine. A small study in 1995 with patients who had kidney transplants and were on cyclosporine showed that it actually helped prevent the nephrotoxic (kidney damaging) side effects of the drug.

There are a variety of products out there. I would recommend getting yours from your licensed acupuncturist. They can evaluate all the supplements and medications you are taking and prescribe safely for you.

Magic Mushrooms – Reishi

Carol Griesmeyer

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.

Pixabay Image 770055
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.

Stay tuned in for the next installment: Cordyceps

Elecampane Honey

Carol Griesmeyer

A few weeks ago my office partner said he was going to make elecampagne honey. I said let’s do it together. I’ll take pictures as you show me how to do it. Really it was “something to put in my blog”.

Elecampane is great to nourish the Spleen to resolve dampness so it makes it easier for the Lungs. In Chinese medicine we say ‘the Spleen is the mother of damp and the Lungs are the receptacles’. A lot of our Lung system congestion is the result of the food we eat and do not digest completely. Elecampane is good for tonifying the digestion, promoting the  appetite and the honey makes it a bit tastier and is good to soothe a throat that has been coughing.

Take some roots – any amount will do. They are easy to grow from seed. They will get tall and are perennial. Size should be about 1″ in diameter – 2 years old, 5-8″ long. Fall is the best time to dig up after the plant has died back. To buy them I would check your local natural food store. If they don’t carry them, they may know who might and get you their number. Check out local farmers’ markets also and you’ll find growers of many great herbs for remedies.

Ele roots raw     Ele wash  Ele slices 4

Scrub off dirt. Cut into thin slices, small pieces, dice, whatever to expose as much of root as possible to honey. Also smaller pieces are easier to chew.

1 jar – pt or ½ pt or may be larger depending on the amount of root you have.

Ele honey fill BEle honey fill C

Pour honey to cover root to within ½ in of jar lip or until the root is covered.

Stop to poke out the air bubbles during the fill. Ele 1 hr done

Let sit 4-6 weeks turning periodically for full root coverage and mixing. Photo is shot of jar after sitting for one hour. It will draw the fluid out of the root.

Take honey directly by the spoonful or add to tea. You can also suck on and chew the pieces of root. They have an intense flavor, not really bitter, somewhat fragrant in that the flavor seems to bloom in your mouth.

This is a great herbal remedy to have around in the cold months when coughs are more frequent and digestion can be off with the heavier food we tend to eat.

Caution: it can be a uterine stimulant so should be avoided with pregnancy.

Review – Chinese Herbal Medicine

Carol Griesmeyer

I ran across this in my documents and thought it would be a good link to share.

I goes into a fair amount of detail about the intricacies of using Chinese herbal medicine and why I make comments like “See a licensed acupuncturist” for a prescription. We want to keep you safe and get you the best herb / formula for your situation. Why waste money in a hit-or-miss strategy of what you think may work?

Yes, herbs grow everywhere but you do know some will give you a headache, belly ache or kill you. Herbal use in no longer part of our everyday experience in this country.

It sounds simple but we need to understand the chemistry and energy in herbs to apply them wisely and safely.  Combining a variety of herbs is complex and we take 3 years in school to learn the basic process. This is not something you will master after talking to the clerk in a health food store.

Please take the time to read this – it is a bit long but very informative.

I hope this increases your appreciation for the use and application of Chinese herbs and how they may work in your health care plan.

Of course, if you have any questions or comments, respond below. Thanks.

http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2014/251891/

Fall squash recipe

Carol Griesmeyer

Perhaps you started seeing this squash in the last year of two. It was new to me but a friend told me how easy it is to use and I have made it a number of times.
What I like about this squash – Kabocha – is that you don’t have to peel the skin even though it looks pretty rugged.  You can cook it with it on. (You can see in the photo how thin the skin is.) It doesn’t get tough. If you are going to leave the skin on scrub it good with a brush as it has a lot of irregularities and Kabocha skin bumps for dirt to hide in.

Next you need to open the squash and clean out the seeds. To make it softer to cut you can stab it a few times with a big knife and place in the microwave for 5-7 mins. Be careful of the steam when you open it.
If you don’t want to use the microwave you can use a big knife and hit it with a mallet (meat tenderizer). Kabocha chop
Cut into smaller slices and then into 1″ cubes.

sliced Kabocha

Chop an onion into small pieces. Also add a few chopped cloves of garlic and brown then on the stove or just add to it to the squash in a slow cooker. Add 2 cups of broth – your choice or water. Cook on medium – low for 4-5 hours. Again a microwave is faster but you may not want Kabocha slow potto use one.

Add whatever other spices you may want. To make it hot you can add chile pepper flakes and / or more garlic. You can add chai tea spices or a chai teabag or two. (Obviously remove this after an hour or so.) When it is done you can leave it chunky or take it out a few cups at a time and puree it in a blender.

Try adding a yam, carrots or celery.

This dish is good to nourish the Spleen and moisten the Lungs and Large Intestine. The garlic, onion and chile pepper are warming flavors, as are the chai spices,  for the cold season.

Stop the Cold NOW formula

Carol Griesmeyer

Yin qiao san is a bigger formula than Yu ping feng san. I will discuss a bit about all of the herbs and  explain a little about how an herbal formula is created in Chinese medicine.

This formula is used to treat Wind/Heat as most of the herbs are cooling. But any formula will have a few herbs that also cool. You usually don’t want to take it too far. This is a great formula to take at the merest hint that a cold is starting – you wake achy, sore throat, headache, tired (different from your usual morning). In many instances it can stop a cold in it’s tracks if you start taking within 6-12 hours, don’t wait until the end of the day.  You can ‘slam’ this herb by taking a dose very often the first day and then start spreading it out over the next 2 – 3 days. If you don’t notice much difference by the end of the second day you need a different formula.

Traditionally there is (are) one or two chief or emperor herbs in a Chinese formula.
In this formula we have Jin yin hua (lonicera – honeysuckle flower) and Lian Qiao (forsythia)
These are both the chief herbs. They release the exterior (open the pores for mild sweat), clear heat (help relieve fever) and relieve toxicity (eliminate the pathogen).
These actions are the focus of the formula.
As discussed a bit yesterday when the defensive or Wei qi is weak it cannot defend against invasion through the exterior. The Wei qi is considered our immune system and lives in the exterior of our body between the skin and muscles. The skin pores may be open, which let in the pathogen and they may close up trapping the pathogen inside. A mild sweat is encouraged to open the pores to release the pathogen. It is also recommended to keep wrapped up to prevent more invasion when the pores are open. It is a delicate balancing act. What this really means it we need to take time to help our bodies heal itself and give it rest and protection from more exposure.

Imagine a fox in a hen house. If you reinforce the fences and gates before you get the fox out, you’ll have no chickens left. Get the fox out first, then reinforce your defense network.

When we create a formula we want to consider whether the condition is basically hot or cold – fevers or chills. Herbs have temperature characteristics that address this. Everything here is balance – where there is heat – cool it; where there is cold – warm it up. Basic concept for thousands of years. We don’t follow this enough in many situations and again we follow it often but don’t understand it’s history.

The assistant herbs:
Jie geng (platycodon) and Niu bang zi (arctium) move Lung qi and help soothe the throat. Lung qi needs to move to get rid of phlegm and ease breathing.
Bo he (mint) and Dan dou chi (Sojae) release heat. Note mint is often used for sore throats and to cool, in general. It will help start a mild sweat which is why it cools you off.
Jing jie (schizomepeta) helps release the exterior but moderates the dryness that can come from too much sweating
Dan zhu yu (lophatheri), Lu gen (phragmitis), Gan cao (glycyrrhiza, licorice) help create fluids and alleviate thirst. Often with fever you sweat too much, get dehydrated. These help to
prevent dehydration.
Note, these groups balance each other – generate fluids, prevent fluid loss, open pores, control sweating.
Additional note: gan cao or licorice is often added to many  formulas as the one that consolidates all the flavors, makes it easier to digest and absorb, balances it all out.

I highly recommend you get to know this formula and Yu ping feng san. Get them from a licensed acupuncturist so they can guide you in the best and safest use for you.

Disclaimer: This information is for your education only. It is always advised that you speak with an acupuncturist before you use any Chinese herbal formula.  Herbal use is never recommended with pregnancy. I know herbal use is part of everyone’s heritage but most of us have lost touch with their wise and safe use. I also believe that everyone needs an acupuncturist as all of us have energy meridians that need to be kept is good shape. If you every get a tune-up for your car, go to the dentist or have your eyes checked,  you need a tune-up for your energy meridians. A licensed acupuncturist is the best person for the job.

An herbal formula for Cold prevention

Carol Griesmeyer

Fall and Winter are the seasons in which people think about getting the cold or flu.

In Chinese medicine we call it a Wind/Cold or Wind/Heat invasion or EPI – external pathogen invasion.

This formula is one that we start a lot of our patients on as kids go back to school. This formula is for prevention and for early symptoms of a cold. You can start taking it before you have symptoms. It is especially good if you are planning air travel. I start this 2 weeks before, take during the trip and continue for a week after. Rarely do we get hit by the airport / conference bugs.

Yu Ping Feng San. Translation: Jade Windscreen. As a cold or flu is referred to Wind/cold or heat, as mentioned above, you need a good windscreen to help prevent it’s invasion into your body. If your defensive qi (Wei) is weak it can be easily invaded by wind, cold, heat, dampness and result in the symptoms of a cold or flu. If the are more chills we call it Wind/Cold or more fever Wind/Heat. It is not unusual for Wind/Cold to convert to Wind/Heat in a matter of a few hours or always feel as if it was a Wind/Heat invasion.

Historically jade is a very precious stone in China, as valued as gold in the West. Its culture and history stretches 9,000 years back into the ancient and enormous Chinese empire. Jade has always been a special stone, used not just for fine objects but also as material for grave goods for the imperial family. It is believed to be a link between both the physical and the spiritual worlds, and is the only material that completely encapsulates both the yin and yang qualities of Heaven and Earth, earning it the moniker ‘The Stone of Heaven’.  Jade was considered a guardian against illness and evil spirits, which is why even babies in China are given a tiny jade bangle to wear to ward off bad luck. In the Han dynasty, emperors were buried in jade gowns and jade cicadas were placed on dead kings’ tongues to prevent decomposition and safeguard chi or energy.

It only has 3 herbs in it. One chief, two assistants. Most Chinese formulas have 4 or more herbs.

Huang qi  (astragulus) – a major herb used to support the protective (Wei) qi. Nourishes the Lungs, stabilizes the exterior (that has been invaded)

Fang feng (ledebouriella) – assistant herb: this herb releases the exterior and expels the wind. When the protective qi is unstable,  the skin pores can contract trapping the cold inside. It also expels Wind / Damp. With this you feel the achiness.

Bai zhu (atractylodis) – assistant herb to help the huang qi support the Spleen which thus supports the Lungs. In 5 Elements the Earth (Spleen) nourishes the Metal (Lungs). It is not easy to directly support the Lung qi so we have to go through Earth to do it.

Stay tuned in. Tomorrow we will discuss Yin Qiao San – Honeysuckle and Forsythia Powder.

Disclaimer: This information is for your education only. It is always advised that you speak with an acupuncturist before you use any Chinese herbal formula.  Herbal use is never recommended with pregnancy.