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Introduction
Mushrooms are a flavorful and nutritious food group. Good sources of B-Vitamins: Thiamine, Riboflavin and Niacin. They contain all the essential amino acids. Mushrooms have also been used for thousands of years as some of the most effective, yet benign, of many plants that formed the oriental herbal tradition. Some are certified organically grown and some have standardized levels of active compounds. These are perfect powdered materials for formulating immune system boosting dietary supplements and natural cosmetics. In Japan, there is probably no food as popular as the tree mushroom called Shiitake.
This flavorful mushroom is a mainstay in the Japanese diet and is highly regarded for its nutritional qualities. Shiitake contains 18 amino acids including 7 of the 8 essential amino acids. It also contains over 30 different enzymes. One unique amino acid, called Eritadenine, is believed responsible for Shiitake's ability to reduce cholesterol. The second most popular edible mushroom worldwide, Shiitake extracts define nutraceuticals - foods with positive health benefits. Polysaccharides and a compound called eritadenine are responsible for the effects of the shiitake mushroom. Shiitake is rich in B vitamins, particularly B1, B2, and niacin and in its sun dried form it is one of the few foods to with high levels of Vitamin D. The polysaccharides in Shiitake have beneficial properties and are considered central to Shiitake's role as an immune-system adjuvent. One isolated compound is called lentinan.
There has been a considerable amount of research conducted on Shiitake in the last twenty years to elucidate its role as a health food. Probably the most significant finding for North Americans is Shiitake's ability to reduce cholesterol. Clinical studies have been carried out and this effect is now well documented. Another important action is its antiviral properties, including the ability to help prevent influenza. Other studies have demonstrated Shiitake's ability to induce interferon production in the human body. More recently, Shiitake extracts have been used to treat patients with immune-system disorders. It is clear that Shiitake is truly a beneficial plant that offers a natural avenue to better health. Clinical studies have shown that certain forms of Shiitake are more effective than others. Eating freshly cooked mushrooms, while nutritious and flavorful, would require too great a quantity to gain the true health benefits. Dried mushrooms are more concentrated, yet the chitinous cell walls are still not fully available to human digestion. Grinding the mushrooms to a fine powder and making a water decoction is one effective way of extracting Shiitake's healthful properties.
Reishi Mushroom benefits your health in many ways. Known in China as an "elixir of immortality", researchers have found this mushroom to strengthen your immune system, fight viruses and bacteria, reduce cholesterol and help prevent fatigue.
Reishi is a purely medicinal mushroom and not usually used in cooking because it is hard and it tastes very bitter. You probably will not find Reishi mushrooms at your local supermarket, but they can be found as concentrated extracts and in combinations specifically formulated to improve your immune system. The triterpenes, polysaccharides, and vitamins in reishi mushrooms are thought to be responsible for their therapeutic effects, which include the ability to increase blood flow, stimulates the immune cells. and reduce inflammation.
Reishi mushrooms contain polysaccharides (complex sugar molecules) called Reishi mushrooms contain polysaccharides (complex sugar molecules) called Beta Glucans that increase RNA and DNA in the bone marrow where immune cells, like lymphocytes, are made. Lymphocytes are cells found in the blood, lymph, and lymphoid tissues, which contain white blood cells, T and B cells. Mushroom polysaccharides, the same type of compounds found in astragalus, increase the activity of macrophages, which have a voracious appetite for harmful microorganisms and cancerous cells. Polysaccharides also trigger the production of a type of white blood cell that kills a wide range of infectious microorganisms and tumor cells.
Reishi mushrooms also have strong antioxidant properties, which can protect the body from the harmful effects of radiation and free radicals. They can be used to boost your immune system and may also increase the effectiveness of antioxidant vitamins when the two substances are used together.
Reishi mushrooms are believed to suppress tumor growth and are often used in cancer prevention efforts for this reason. Russian researchers at the Cancer Research Center in Moscow have had positive results using reishi extracts to boost the immunity of cancer patients.
Benefits
The proteins in mushrooms are composed of 18 types of amino acids, including 7 of the 8 essential amino acids in a ratio similar to the ideal protein for humans. Of these amino acids, shiitake is especially rich in leucine and lysine, which are deficient in many grains. For people on a vegetarian diet, Shiitake represents an excellent protein supplement. One unique amino acid, called Eritadenine, is believed responsible for Shiitake's ability to reduce cholesterol. In the search for foods to prevent heart attacks, Shiitake is one with three possible benefits: inhibiting the formation of sludged or aggregated blood; reducing the level of cholesterol; and lowering high blood pressure. Before cholesterol leaves the liver to enter the blood, Shiitake accelerates the conversion of so-called bad cholesterol (low-density lipoproteins or LDL's) into a form known as high-density lipoproteins or HDL's that actually contribute to lower levels of LDL's. Put another way, Shiitake reduces the level of the LDL's while at the same time allowing the good cholesterol (HDL's) to remain. Shiitake is also rich in enzymes. In fact, researchers have found over 30 enzymes in Shiitake. Two of particular note are amylase, important for proper digestion, and cellulase, which dissolves fiber. The wealth of enzymes in Shiitake can help to reinforce deficiencies of these important compounds and thereby improve digestion. Shiitake contains significant quantities of the B VitaminsTthiamine, Riboflavin, and Niacin. In its sun dried form it has the highest content of Vitamin D of any plant food. Only in fish, fowl, meat and eggs are higher levels of Vitamin D found.
Quality Assurance
Mushroom extracts can be considered some of the first nutraceuticals - food concentrated into medicinal form. Treetop Herbals' extracts are carefully produced according to GMP standards from select raw materials. Many of our extracts are standardized to contain guaranteed levels of active compounds.
Applications
Shiitake extract is a premier nutraceutical that can be used in many different ways. It can be used as a nutritional supplement, in a supplement blend, or added to any number of herbal formulas. It is also a highly flavorful addition to dried soups or tonic drinks. This is a very versatile product.
References
Aoki, T. 1984. Lentinan. In Immune Modulation Agents and Their Mechanisms. R.L. Fenichel and M. A. Chirgis, eds. Immunology Studies. 25:62-77., Bo, L. and Bau Yun-sun. 1980. Fungi Pharmacopoeia (Sinica). Oakland: Kinoko Co., Chang, H.M. and P. Pui-Hay But. 1987. Pharmacology and Applications of Chinese Materia Medica. Vol. 2. Singapore: World Scientific., Chang, H.M., ed. et al. 1984. Advances in Chinese Medicinal Materials Research. Singapore: World Scientific., Huidi, F. and W. Zhiyuan. 1982. The clinical effects of Ganoderma lucidum spore preparations in 10 cases of atrophic myotonia. J. Trad. Chin. Med. 2:63-65.,Miller, D. 1994. Current clinical protocol submitted to the N.I.H. Scientific Director Cancer Treatment Research Foundation, Arlington Heights, IL.,Nanba, H. 1994a. Power of maitake mushroom. Explore Professional (in press)., Nanba, H. 1994b. Activity of maitake D-fraction to prevent cancer growth and metastasis. J. Naturopathic Med. (In press)., Opletal, L. 1993. Phytotherapeutic aspects of diseases of the circulatory system. 2. The oyster mushroom and its potential use. Cesk. Farm. 42:160-166., Sharon, T.M. 1988. Personal Observations: Lentinus edodes (shiitake) mycelial extract. Typescript., Willard, T. 1990. Reishi Mushroom. Herb of Spiritual Potency and Medical Wonder. Issaquah: Sylvan Press., Yang, Q.Y. & S.C. Jong. 1989. Medicinal mushroom in China. Mushroom Science. XII. (Part I): 631-643. Proceeding of the Twelft International Congress on the Science and Cultivation of Edible Fungi. From K. Grabbe and O. Hilber (eds.). Braunschweig - Germany: Institue fr Bodenbiologie, Bundesforschungsanstolt fr Londwirtschoft., Ying, J. et al. 1987. Icones of Medicinal Fungi From China. Translated by X. Yuehan. Beijing: Science Press., Yoshioka, Y. et al. 1973. Studies on antiumor polysaccharides of Flammulina velutipes (Curt. ex Fr.) Sing. I. Chem. Pharm. Bull. 21:1772-1776.
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