Reishi mushroom contains powerful anti-cancer chemicals
The topic today is medicinal mushrooms. I just listened to this podcast with Ralph Moss, which I think is a valuable share. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-moss-report/id1522326628?i=1000614504170
Most of already know that mushrooms are valuable addition to our cancer treatment and prevention protocols. But people are often confused about which mushrooms to take and how much.
Moss goes through some of the research and draws attention to one of my favorite mushroom companies, Real Mushrooms. He doesn’t call out Host Defense by name, but he cautions against buying mycelium blend mushrooms. Unfortunately, some naturopaths are still recommending this mycelium-based brand because they went to Bastyr university and are proud of the clinical trial that was done there. (And many people trust the founder because of his documentary Fantastic Fungi and the wide availability of his products at stores like Whole Foods). But as Moss suggests, the 6 g of mycelium needed to show a change in natural killer cell activity in the breast cancer patients in the Bastyr study is likely higher than you need if you are taking a turkey tail mushroom supplement from 100% fruiting bodies.
I typically recommend 3 g a day minimum, perhaps lower if you are in remission. But if you want any anti-cancer or immune-boosting effects, you need to get to 3 g or above. Each capsule or 1/4 teaspoon typically contains 0.5 g so that’s a minimum of 6 capsules or 1.5 teaspoons a day.
Another topic Moss covered was the idea of using multiple types of mushrooms. Research shows an additive effect over taking one type alone at the same dosage. I agree that this is a good tactic, but I was surprised to hear him mention that he takes one capsule a day of Five Defenders. That is certainly not enough for a cancer survivor (and he is one). Also, some of the mushrooms are edible. Both maitake and shitake are delicious mushrooms that can be included in your diet every day if you can find and afford to buy them. A while back on Facebook I posted a recipe for roasting shiitake mushrooms as a “bacon substitute” to add to salads. I will give that recipe at the end of this post.
Mushroom Drinks to Start Your Morning or Wind Down in the Evening
Another way you can bring mushrooms into your diet is by using a powdered form of mushrooms in your coffee, smoothie, or chai tea—or even as a cup of Five Defenders Hot Chocolate (I enjoy a rounded teaspoon every morning). Update: Because of my concern with cadmium in some cacao products, I’ve decided that I want to control where my cacao coming from rather than trusting that the one from Real Mushrooms is okay. I now use a cacao powder from Terrasol Superfoods that scored low in cadmium on recent Consumer Lab testing. To that I add Real Mushrooms Five Defenders blend. To make my version of mushroom hot chocolate, I also add a generous portion (3/4 tsp or 1.5 g) of Reishi spore extract as well as half teaspoon of cordyceps powder to each cup. All of this is blended into some homemade hemp milk sweetened with monk fruit. I use a battery-operated milk frother to make it extra yummy.
My mushroom hot chocolate is like a warm hug
Why use reishi spore powder in my morning drink instead of reishi fruiting body powder? For one, the spore powder is smooth and delicious, not as bitter as the fruiting body powder. But I only discovered the spore powder because a TCM practitioner suggested I use it as part of a protocol. Real Mushrooms doesn’t carry it, so I went hunting and found Kotuku Elixers. (I also sometimes buy their Cordyceps powder.) What’s the difference: the fruiting body extract is made from the entire reishi mushroom, while the cracked cell spore powder is made from reishi’s reproductive spores.
Cracked Cell Reishi Spore Powder Benefits:
Higher concentration of triterpenes
More ganoderic acids and oils (these provide much of the anti-cancer benefit, though the polysacharides and beta glucans are higher in the fruiting body and are equally important for fighting cancer)
Reduces stress and aids sleep (it’s an adaptogen, so good for daytime and evening)
Is anti-fungal and anti-bacterial
Improves blood pressure and circulation
Acts as a natural anti-histamine against allergies
As the “seed”or “pollen” of the reishi mushroom, it’s considered the “Jing” or life essence of the reishi in TCM.
According to Kotukhu Elixers, “Part of the true magic of Reishi spore powder is its effect on our mind and spirit. One small tsp consumed directly in the mouth or as a topping on a hot elixir leaves us feeling both enlivened and calm, It is a really sublime form of "high."
I can attest that I’m craving the reishi spore powder and cordyceps powder every morning! I add reishi and cordyceps powders to a chai latte with the same delicious result. I switch off between the mushroom hot chocolate and mushroom chai most mornings. To my homemade chai, I add Rosemary’s Garden Nourishing Chai Tea Blend, which doesn’t contain tea but does contain chair spices along with adaptagens. It plays two roles: boosting the flavor and boosting the adaptogens in my chai.
The fruiting body of the reishi mushroom has many of the same characteristics but has a stronger effect on the immune system, more anti-oxidant properties, and additional healing properties for the liver. So it protects against free radicals, radiation, and environmental toxins. It can also relieve fatigue.
In essence, we need both the reishi fruiting body and the spores!
My go-to capsules are Reishi and Turkey Tail, though sometimes I substitute the Turkey Tail with Five Defenders. This is because of the wealth of research on these mushrooms for breast cancer. Maitake and shitake are great for breast cancer prevention as well, but I tend to eat those because they are delicious. I try to take a total of 5 g mushroom supplements a day. Recently I’ve been getting my morning reishi as the spore powder in my hot chocolate and taking the capsules later in the day.
No one should be without mushrooms in their anti-cancer tool chest. But make sure you take enough and take a variety.
Why include cordyceps in my morning hot chocolate? (Other than being told to do so by a TCM practitioner?) It’s well-known for improving stamina and supporting the immune system. Cordyceps aren’t a mushroom but rather a parasitic fungus carried by insects. In nature, they are only found high in the Himalayas and so are an expensive and sought-after commodity. But cultivated strains provide similar benefits and are more accessible. The active constituent cordycepin has been studied for for its ability to block molecular pathways in cancer as well as being an anti-oxidant and modulating the immune system.
Here are some references, resources, and recipes to help you on your mushroom quest.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6267592/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31697749/
https://www.spandidos-publications.com/10.3892/ijo.2014.2375
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32466253/
(The Bastyr Trial) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3369477/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22185453/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32466253/
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2013/219472/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5955106/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5055164/
https://ascopost.com/issues/april-10-2019/maitake-mushroom/
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/10/3479
Discounts
Maria’s link for 20% Real Mushrooms 100% fruiting body mushrooms (US addresses only, Canadians use Amazon.ca.) PLEASE USE THE LINK, NOT A CODE. https://shop.realmushrooms.com/discount/mariab5?redirect=/?ref=208
Maria’s code for 5% off 100% fruiting body mushrooms and all supplements at MCS Formulas. Free shipping to most countries with 75 Euro minimum purchase: mariab5
Maria’s code for 20% off Reishi spore powder and other herbs and mushrooms at Kotuku Elixers: FUNGI20
Other Products (no discounts)
Rosemary’s Garden Nourishing Chai (spice and adaptogen blend)
Organic India Tulsi Masala Chai (This is the tea I use, which also contains adaptogens. I prefer to buy the loose version in a canister and simmer it on the stove to make a big batch that I keep in a jar in the fridge, but it can be harder to find than the bags.)
Recipes
Shitake “Bacon” (you can find many versions on Pinterest)
Mushroom Soup (I use a homemade Worcestershire sauce). I use shitake and maitake mushrooms.