If I had not experienced Ditte’s case history and had not become acquainted with existing research in the field, I would say no! (Short video about her positive course with medicinal mushrooms).
I knew nothing about medicinal mushrooms until, when Ditte was ill, I became acquainted with the below mentioned pilot study Link in which dogs with splenic cancer were given extract of Coriolus Versicolor with positive results (the PSP in the used product was isolated from the mycelium of the mushroom and not the fruiting body).
I knew that poisonous mushrooms can kill a human being, and that mushrooms thus have an effect, but I was unaware that other (harmless) mushrooms, as existing research suggests, can also be effective – in a good way.
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However, I was aware that a large part of modern medicine has been developed on the basis of plants, etc. And that humans, for thousands of years, have used the substances of nature in treatment of diseases. Nor can it be excluded that nature has just been equipped with curative substances to contribute to human and animal survival.
Medicinal mushrooms are high in antioxidants, fibers, minerals and vitamins and are low in calories and fat and do not contain sugar (are not sweet).
I see the knowledge of medicinal mushrooms as limited, if at all existent among most people – at least in Denmark where I live. But I know that Coriolus Versicolor (from which Ditte has got extract) in Denmark, but probably also in other countries, is used as ornament in Christmas decorations! This, due to the beauty of this mushroom (it looks like a turkey tail with several shades of colors and is therefore also called by the same name).
By contrast, medicinal mushrooms have been used for thousands of years in the Far East due to their therapeutic potential and their nutritional value. For more than 30 years, medicinal mushrooms have been approved as an addition to standard human cancer treatments in Japan and China, where the mushrooms are used alone or combined with chemotherapy or radiation therapy to reduce side effects and maintain the immune system during chemotherapy and radiation therapy Link.
Studies suggest that medicinal mushrooms strengthen the immune system and have anti-tumor effect (inhibit tumor growth and occurrence of metastases) and therefore can have life-prolonging effect. It appears that Coriolus Versicolor is the most widely researched of all the medicinal mushrooms, and some studies suggest that extract of Coriolus exerts an anti-tumor effect possibly via induction of apoptosis (programmed cell death of cancer cells).
When searching for “medicinal mushrooms” on the web, a number of studies show interesting and promising results, and it is concluded in several studies that the effect of medicinal mushrooms should be examined in more and larger studies.
In the film “Fantastic Fungi” by Louie Schwartzberg, the mycologist Paul Stamets explains, among others, about fungi/mushrooms. According to the film, which has been released on Netflix in July 2021, the fungus is its own kingdom. There is over 1.5 million species. That’s 6 times more than plants. Of all those species of fungi, about 20.000 produce mushrooms with an incredible diversity of shapes, sizes, colors and lifestyles. The film also explains about the mycelium which, according to Paul Stamets, shows the same network design as the computer internet. Trees are communicating using the mycelium as pathways. One tree can swap nutrients with another tree using mycelium as the passage way, and the mycelium has anti-viral properties.
Below are excerpts from some of the research and publicity of medicinal mushrooms that I am inspired by in my choice of medicinal mushrooms and dose for Ditte.
The below mentioned study in mice Link shows that the dose in relation to body weight, as well as the duration (for how long time Coriolus is taken), is crucial to the effect. In the study the mice were fed with up to 300 mg/kg for 20 weeks.
Ditte has received a considerably high dose of medicinal mushroom extract, as she daily has got a total of 1366 mg per kg she weighs (2.8 kg) which she apparently has tolerated very well and has been doing well with.
I therefore hope there will be more research into the effect of medicinal mushrooms focusing on extract given at a sufficiently high dose in relation to body weight and of longer duration.
Below are links to research into the effects of medicinal mushrooms, including doctors’ and researchers’ knowledge of and use of medicinal mushrooms. The doctors, researchers and others in question are aware of/have approved the sections with references to their work on this website. Correspondingly, reference is made to various literature, films and talks regarding medicinal mushrooms.
Dorthe Øfeldt
Denmark
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A randomized, double-blind pilot study on the effect of the Coriolus mushroom on dogs diagnosed with splenic hemangiosarcoma.
The study included dogs given respectively 25, 50 and 100 mg Coriolus extract per kg, the dog weighed. The study showed that development or progression of abdominal metastases was significantly delayed in dogs given 100 mg per kg per day, and the two highest dose groups had longer survival time than the longest survival reported in the literature. (It was on the basis of this study, I started to give Ditte extract of Coriolus Versicolor in February 2017).
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In mice with prostate tumors, which for 4 weeks were fed with PSP (Polysaccharopeptide) at 200 mg/kg (5 days per week), there was no difference in the tumors comparing to the tumors in the mice, which were fed with water for 4 weeks.
However, there was a difference between the mice fed with water for 20 weeks, and the mice fed with an increased dose of PSP at 300 mg/kg for 20 weeks.
In the mice, which were fed with water for 20 weeks, tumors were still present. Surprisingly, examination of all of the prostate section revealed that none of the mice, that were fed with PSP (300 mg/kg for 20 weeks), bare any prostate tumors, suggesting that PSP treatment completely inhibited prostate tumor formation in the mice.
Furthermore, consistent with the low toxicity of PSP, long-term consumption appeared to have no side effect on the mice, as judged by the body weight and physical signs.
Ganoderma Lucidum has been reported to inhibit the metastasis of human prostate cancer cells.
This study investigated the effects of triterpenes from Ganoderma Lucidum (GLT) on cell viability, migration (cell migration), invasion (infiltration of neighboring tissues) and apoptosis (cell death) in DU-145 human prostate cancer cells.
The results demonstrated that a low concentration of GLT (0.1 mg/ml) had less effect on the viability of DU-145 cells.
When the concentration reached ≥0.5 mg/ml, the viability of DU-145 cells was significantly inhibited compared to the control (P<0.05).
Furthermore, 2 mg/ml GLT markedly inhibited the proliferation (increase in number) of DU-145 cells 24 hours after treatment.
Compared with the control or 0.1 mg/ml GLT-treated cells, 2 mg/ml GLT led to a decreased level of cell migration.
2 mg/ml GLT treatment significantly decreased DU-145 cell invasion.
These results revealed that a high dose of GLT inhibited prostate cancer cell migration and invasion of prostate cancer cells.
It was investigated whether GLT was able to induce the apoptosis of prostate cancer cells. Compared with the control group, 0.1 mg/ml GLT administration revealed no effect, whereas the apoptosis rate with 2 mg/ml GLT treatment was markedly increased.
Thus, the results suggested that GLT inhibited viability, migration and invasion, and also induces apoptosis of prostate cancer cells in vitro.
It appears that GLT in general exerts its effect on cancer cells via numerous mechanisms and may have potential therapeutic use for the prevention and treatment of cancer.
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Tumor-bearing mice with Sarcoma-180 cells were divided so that some were injected with an anti-cancer water-soluble glucan (CVG) extracted from the medicinal mushroom Coriolus Versicolor (40, 100, 200 mg/kg body weight, respectively) dissolved in normal saline, while others were given Cyclophosphamide (20 mg/kg body weight), and others received normal saline every day for 9 days, starting 24 hours after tumor transplanting.
The study demonstrated that CVG can strengthen the immune system in the tumor-bearing mice and inhibit the growth of Sarcoma-180 cells directly in a dose dependent way compared with the control.
In vivo antitumor activity:
The CVG exhibited a significant anti-tumor activity against Sarcoma-180 cells in a concentration dependent manner.
The anti-tumor activities of CVG were found to be 64 %, 72 %, and 79 % at concentrations of 40, 100, and 200 mg/kg of CVG, respectively.
CVG glucan also significantly increased the white blood cell count in the tumor-bearing mice leading to the growth suppression of Sarcoma-180 cells, thereby contributing to the immunity.
In comparison, the growth inhibition using 20 mg/kg of Cyclophosphamide was around 84 %.
The anti-tumor activity of CVG in this study (at the highest dose of 200 mg/kg) was thus 5 % lower than the anti-tumor activity of Cyclophosphamide (20 mg/kg). However, as referred to in this study Cyclophosphamide *) specifically decreases the organism leukocytes **) and deteriorates the immune functions.
*) Cyclophosphamide, also referred to as Cytophosphane is a medication used as chemotherapy and to suppress the immune system. As chemotherapy, it is used to treat lymphoma, multiple myeloma, leukemia, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, small cell lung cancer, neuroblastoma and sarcoma. As an immune suppressor it is used i.a. in connection with organ transplants and other conditions.
**) Leukocytes (the white blood cells) are a general term for the blood’s immune cells and thus part of the immune system, which protects the body against e.g. infections with bacteria and viruses, etc.
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Mice with Lewis lung carcinoma cells were given water with or without extracts from Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) for 3 weeks. Approximately 6 mg/kg of Chaga extract was ingested in 5 ml of drinking water per day.
Images of carcinomas from the treated and control mice showed that the Chaga extract suppressed tumor growth.
The study revealed significant retardation of tumor development in the Chaga group starting from day 14 after cancer cell implantation. At day 16, the average tumor size in the treatment group was 60.3 % less than in the control group. The results indicate that continuous intake of the Chaga extract produced a strong anti-tumor effect.
Furthermore, the study indicates that continuous intake of Chaga could decrease tumor vascularization and, consequently, suppress cancer progression.
In addition, the results indicate that the intake of Chaga extract suppressed metastases in the mice with Lewis lung carcinoma cells, as the Chaga extract significantly decreased the number of tumor nodules in the lungs, suggesting that continuous intake of Chaga extract could suppress tumor progression.
Moreover, the study showed that continuous intake of Chaga extract can potentially suppress cancer development through the maintenance of the body temperature.
Interestingly, the Chaga extract caused no changes in body weight or the amount of consumed water in mature adult mice (12–15 weeks), but the middle-aged mice (30 weeks) drinking the Chaga extract exhibited body weight loss.
The findings suggest that the aqueous extract of Chaga could be used as a natural product for cancer suppression and general health care.
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From a search on the web on Chaga it says that Chaga mushroom is one such herbal medication that has been reported in several studies to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, but that the ingestion of high doses of Chaga mushroom can cause acute oxalate nephropathy, which can lead to acute kidney damage.
I have myself only given extract of Chaga in a rather small dose, equivalent to the contents of half a capsule, to Ditte Dot Com (from only October 7 to November 17, 2020), that is to say so little that I cannot say that I have experience with it nor with Chaga and vitamin C together. I have, as described on this website, given other kinds of medicinal mushrooms instead, and combined with vitamin C, to Ditte Dot Com.
At the bottom of this link is says:
“SAFETY – I.obliquus contains high oxalate concentrations and there is one report of a 72-year-old Japanese woman diagnosed with liver cancer who developed oxalate nephropathy after consuming 4-5 teaspoons a day of I.obliquus powder for 6 months”.
About the Japanese woman’s intake of Chaga and the subsequent occurrence of kidney damage Link.
A report about a man with excessive ingestion of Chaga mushrooms, along with vitamin C, who developed acute kidney injury Link.
A report of another man who had taken a large amount of Chaga where Chaga mushroom-induced oxalate nephropathy was diagnosed. In the report it says that manufactured Chaga mushroom powder can contain varying concentrations of oxalate and also that clinicians can suspect several causes of oxalate nephropathy such as for example vitamin C Link.
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Gastric cancer (stomach cancer):
Studies show that the use of PSK, as adjuvant therapy in patients with stomach cancer, may help repair immune cell damage caused by chemotherapy and strengthen the immune system.
Breast cancer:
Colorectal cancer:
Lung cancer:
Studies of the effect of the medicinal mushroom Reishi:
Colorectal tumors:
Lung cancer:
Studies suggest that the use of products made from Reishi, as adjuvant therapy, may help strengthen the immune system in patients with lung cancer:
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The summary of the video shows i.a. the use of medicinal mushrooms by the German doctor and oncologist Hans Lampe as a supplement to patients undergoing treatment with chemotherapy:
Naturopath Christina Bülow-Sartori, who practices natural medicine, explains about a patient who suffered for 8 years from diarrhea and whom she successfully treated with medicinal mushrooms.
Dr. and oncologist Hans Lampe at the Rostock University Medical Center in Germany uses medicinal mushrooms as a supplement for patients who struggle with chemotherapy. The medicinal mushrooms are being used between chemotherapy sessions or in the end to help stabilize the body without weakening the effect of chemotherapy. Lampe, who improvises with ancient remedies from Chinese Medicine, varies the ingredients depending on the symptoms and found that medicinal mushrooms can be used to improve the patients’ general condition.
Dr. and pharmacist Thomas Efferth conducts cancer research at the University of Mainz. Efferth takes extracts from the mushrooms Reishi, Fu Ling and Cordyceps Sinensis and isolate their active substances. For example, Cordyceps appears to work well against leukemia, breast cancer and prostate cancer cells in laboratory tests.
– Chinese medicine has evolved over many millennia in East Asia and offers well-documented treatment pathways on a scientific basis. In the last century, it has gained increasing acceptance in Europe because, due to its different approach, it often offers therapeutic options when standard oncology treatments reach their limits Link.
– Dr. Hans Lampe primarily supports cancer patients with Chinese medicine – Chinese herbs give the therapy a boost Link.
– How medicinal mushrooms can help Link.
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Dr. Ardigò refers to the more than 4.000 scientific researches, conducted in the last 30 years by scientists from all continents, confirming the effectiveness of mycotherapy in numerous chronic diseases – Results so encouraging that they do not seem true. However, they are still a reality.
Dr. Ardigò writes about medicinal mushrooms for both humans and animals, and with his scientific approach, he clarifies what mushroom therapy consists of and what benefits it brings.
Website (Google Translate can be used to translate into another language by right-clicking on the pages and selecting language) Link.
Mycotherapy for our 4-legged friends Link.
– Read about mycotherapy also being excellent for animals, including cats and dogs. Generally, within a short time from the start of the treatment, the animals, who had become apathetic and listless due to the disease, return to being as lively and playful as when they were well.
The Healing Mushrooms: But how do they act on the tumor? Link.
– Read about how beta-glucans, as active compounds of the medicinal mushrooms, stimulate the immune system by among other things activating Natural Killer Cells, etc., and how some beta-glucans have shown to have strong direct cytotoxic action on cancer cells.
– Furthermore, about beta-glucans which, in combination with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy, significantly reduce side effects.
– Read about the importance of Vitamin C Link.
By combining Vitamin C, the active ingredients present in medicinal mushrooms are absorbed in the intestine in a more complete way, which increases the effectiveness. In particular, vitamin C breaks up the long molecules present in mushrooms into shorter sequences, increasing their absorption. In addition, Vitamin C promotes the synthesis of connective tissue – the tissue that constitutes the structural support of organs and tissues, protects blood capillaries and is a powerful antioxidant.
– In Addition, Dr. Ardigò is the author of several books about medicinal mushrooms, including the book (translated into English): “Healing with medicinal mushrooms – A practical handbook” Link.
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Dr. Christopher Hobbs is a 4th generation botanist and herbalist and has studied and worked with the medicinal uses of herbs for over 30 years.
Dr. Hobbs is an acknowledged expert in the field, who lectures all over the U.S. and internationally in such countries as Canada, Great Britain and Spain. He has taught or lectured at universities and medical schools such as Stanford Medical School, Yale Medical School, John Bastyr College and the National School of Naturopathic Medicine; including on-going classes at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
He is the author of 22 books on herbs and health and has also written many articles in journals of botanical medicine and popular health magazines.
Books, including “Christopher Hobbs’s Medicinal Mushrooms: The Essential Guide” (Boost Immunity, Improve Memory, Fight Cancer, Stop Infection, and Expand Your Consciousness) Link.
Dr. Hobbs’ Resumé & Curriculum Vitae Link.
Dr. Hobbs’ Biography Link.
– Among other topics, read about Dr. Hobbs’ personal experience with Milk Thistle, which goes back to 1984, where he began harvesting the seeds and making a concentrated extract, which he began using himself, because he had hepatitis twice years before, and his digestion had never fully recovered. After using Milk Thistle extract (the first available extract in the U.S.) for 6 months, things improved dramatically, and he knew he was on the right track with this herb.
About mushrooms as immunostimulants and the necessity of high dose and frequent intake to achieve full benefits, when there is a need for strong immunomodulation or stimulation and one is dealing with a serious ailment such as cancer Link.
– Read about the history of fungi – that they have been used in healing and medicine, going back over 3,000-4,000 years, and possibly further back to the Stone Age.
– Read the detailed explanation about beta glucans (ß-glucans) being a part of all mushrooms, including that ß-glucans are absorbed in the gut and additionally bind to macrophages associated with the gut barrier, acting on several immune receptors.
Presentations (PowerPoint Slide Shows and PDF Downloads) Link.
Featured articles, including Scientific Findings regarding Medicinal Fungi being able to stimulate the immune function and inhibit tumor growth Link.
Sign up here to watch the free video event “Mushrooms as Medicine” with Christopher Hobbs.
7-Week Live Video Training (consisting of 7 modules about mushrooms) with Christopher Hobbs Link.
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Dr. Isaac Eliaz has been in clinical practice for over 30 years, focusing on the integrative treatment of cancer and chronic, degenerative conditions. A skilled clinician and healer with a diverse background in Western medicine, translational research, traditional Chinese medicine, Tibetan Buddhism, and complementary modalities. Dr. Eliaz is internationally recognized as a leading expert in integrative cancer care and mind-body medicine – Curriculum Vitae.
In this interesting video “Mushroom Benefits, Uses, Nutrients, Sensitivities and More”, Dr. Eliaz explains how safe medicinal mushrooms really are to consume as capsules in even large quantities, and how they can be used best to support healthy living Link.
“Medicinal Mushroom Guide” by Dr. Eliaz (scroll down, fill in with your email address and click “Download Guide” to download the guide immediately) Link.
“Medicinal Mushrooms Formula” by Dr. Eliaz Link.
Dr. Eliaz’s references to medicinal mushroom research Link.
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Professor, Dr. Bastos’ curriculum includes lecturing at the Faculty of Veterinary Science and Medicine – Surgery at the University of Luanda and School of Veterinary Medicine at the Technical University of Lisbon.
Professor, Dr. Bastos, who has his own clinic in Lisbon; the Dr. Girão Bastos Veterinary Clinic, is also a member of the Portuguese Society of Homeopathy.
Information about the Clinical History of Coriolus Versicolor as well as interesting case stories regarding dogs and cats receiving Coriolus Versicolor for different ailments, including cats with Leukaemia, Fibrosarcoma and infection by way of Haemobartonella felis and a dog with prostate tumor Link.
Information about Dietary Supplementation with Mushrooms applied as Immunonutrition in cats and dogs, including a cat with Hypertrophic Cardyomyopathy and 3 dogs with Visceral Leshmaniasis (parasitic disease) Link.
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Dr. Alla developed an allergic condition that prevented her from continuing her career as a surgeon in Facial-Reconstructive Surgery, and unfortunately traditional allergy treatments were not working for her. However, a professor of medicine in China recommended to try some medicinal mushrooms; Reishi, Maitake and Shiitake. He posted to Dr. Alla a 500-page medical reference book containing these medicinal mushrooms in powder form. Dr. Alla devised her own dosages and began taking the recommended powdered medicinal mushrooms.
Within 2-3 days, Dr. Alla started seeing small improvements with the return of appetite and strength. By day 10 she was up and about. Dr. Alla experienced this as nothing short of miraculous, as each day the symptoms were diminishing and eventually were totally gone.
About Dr. Alla Link.
Curriculum Vitae Link.
Dr. Alla began her research on medicinal mushrooms, and over the years she has done an in-depth review of over 1800 scientific research work done worldwide on 5 medicinal mushrooms (Cordyceps, Lion’s Mane, Maitake, Reishi and Shiitake). Dr. Alla refers to about 400 entries to various studies Link.
Based on Dr. Alla’s extensive review of research reports and scientific articles on medicinal mushrooms, she has put together a Symptoms Chart, which has taken 3.5 years to compile Link.
“What Makes These Mushrooms So Special?” Links to videos.
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Dr. Anna Sitkoff, who is a naturopathic physician, avid researcher, botanical medicine enthusiast and mycologist, has spent time learning about mushrooms through many lenses by studying them in the forests, doing mushrooms fasts and watching them through the seasons. In addition, through different medicine making processes and extraction methods.
Dr. Sitkoff keeps herself constantly updated in the latest research in medicinal mushrooms and has done research herself at Bastyr University in Washington, where she looked specifically at different cancer cell lines and the cytotoxic and immune-modulating effects of the mushroom Fomitopsis Cajanderi.
Dr. Sitkoff works as a primary care physician at Bear Root Apothecary in Port Townsend, Washington and teaches classes in the community and at various conferences throughout the U.S.
About Dr. Sitkoff Link.
Download PDF slides – Medicinal Mushrooms Link. Or watch it here explained by Dr. Sitkoff.
Dr. Sitkoff’s medical career and work:
– Reishi and Roses Blog 2015 – present
– Medicinal mushroom educator 2015 – present
– Fomitopsis cajanderi research with Olivia Froehilich and Dr. Cynthia Wenner 2017 – 2019
– Medicinal Mushrooms chapter in The Textbook of Natural Medicine 5th edition 2019 Link.
– Scientific advisor/ mushroom consultant
– Graduated from Bastyr University 2020
– Co-founder of Lucidum Medicinals 2020
– Currently practicing as a primary care physician in Port Townsend, Washington Link.
Information of the modern research and traditional uses of four species of Trametes fungi that are found in the Pacific Northwest; Trametes hirsuta, Trametes ochracea, Trametes versicolor (TurkeyTail), and Trametes pubescens, including their therapeutic actions and many medicinal properties Link.
Infographic about Fungi Polysaccharides (from Extraction to Consumption and Galt Receptors and to the Cytokine Release and Immune-Modulation resulting in Anti-viral and Anti-tumor Actions) Link.
– E.g. read about the importance of spreading out the dosage throughout the day for best results.
Infographic about Fungi Immune-Modulation Link.
– Read about mushrooms both being immune stimulating and immune suppressing and about their ability to adapt to the needs of the immune system.
– Mushrooms’ ability to stimulate the immune system; beta-glucans increase various immune responses, leading to more natural killer cells, neutrophils and macrophages resulting in a more active immune system prepared to fight viruses and tumors.
– The anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties of mushrooms.
Mushroom Constituent Chart consisting of a list of medicinal qualities of various medicinal mushrooms cf. works cited Link.
Pacific Northwest (PNW) Medicinal Mushroom Chart, including their active known constituents and therapeutic actions Link.
Research Reviews and Other Inquiries Link.
Listen to Mushroom Revival Podcast Link.
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Dr. Ivan Jakopovich is a Scientific Committee Member of the International Society for Medicinal Mushrooms, Chairman of the 6th International Medicinal Mushroom Conference (IMMC 2011) in Croatia (IMMC are the most important global scientific medicinal mushroom conferences).
Dr. Jakopovich is a leading expert and a recognized authority for medicinal mushrooms and their use. He has been studying mushrooms since 1980, their medicinal properties since 1981 and using them in practice since 1989.
Dr. Ivan Jakopovich and Marija Jakopovich founded Dr. Myko San, the oldest medicinal mushroom company in Europe, which contributes to medicinal mushroom research. Dr. Jakopovich has started medicinal mushroom research in Croatia in 1999, and has since initiated and published 6 research papers, and 3 human cohort studies.
Dr. Jakopovich is also a member of the New York Academy of Sciences and the editorial board of the International Journal for Medicinal Mushrooms.
About the work of Myko San Link.
Health Benefits of Medicinal Mushrooms, including description of the mushroom cell structure with the thin cell wall, which contains almost all active ingredients Link.
– Read about how some medicinal mushrooms directly kill cancer cells, while others elicit anti-tumor activity by boosting the immune system.
In December 2010 the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of the Republic of Croatia registered tablet preparations AGARIKON.1 and MYKOPROTECT.1, developed by Dr. Myko San-Health From Mushrooms Co., as dietary supplements. This may be the first time for a European manufacturer to successfully register its own medicinal mushroom products in a European country.
The product, officially described as a preparation for immunity strengthening and general health improvement, is a result of 20 years of research and practice, and is based on the formulation that has achieved the best tumor growth inhibition rates above 90 % on tumor cell lines of mouse squamous cell carcinoma and fibrosarcoma Link.
History of Medicinal Mushroom Research Link.
– Modern scientific research on medicinal mushrooms started in the 1950s. As of 2013, medicinal mushroom researchers have published more than 50,000 papers and 400 clinical studies. More than 850 mushroom species with definite healing activity are known.
Medicinal Mushrooms and Cancer, Research Overview Link.
Dr. Jakopovich explains, in this video, about medicinal mushrooms and their anti-tumor and anti-viral potential as well as other effects Link.
A team of Croatian scientists, led by biologist and PhD in biomedicine Boris Jakopović (Dr. Myko San, Croatia) who has been testing the effectiveness of medicinal mushrooms on cancer for several years, has proven that a known medicinal mushroom extract mixture can be used in effectively fighting colon cancer. They proved that the extracts from the Agarikon.1 medicinal mushroom strongly inhibits the growth of existing tumours and prevents the spreading of the disease as well as it helps chemotherapy Link.
Treatment With Medicinal Mushroom Extract Mixture Inhibits Translation and Reprograms Metabolism in Advanced Colorectal Cancer Animal Model as Evidenced by Tandem Mass Tags Proteomics Analysis Link.
Long Term Effects of Using Medicinal Mushroom Preparations in Human Colorectal and Breast Cancer, by CEO at Dr. Myko San Neven Jakopovich and Dr. Ivan Jakopovich Link.
– A cohort study, lasting from 2005 – 2010, with 52 patients with bowel cancer and 89 with breast cancer used medicinal mushroom extracts from Dr. Myko San company with standard oncological treatments. The study provides unquestionable evidence of the benefits of the use of medicinal mushrooms as supportive therapy in cancer patients, leading to significantly improved outcomes.
Summary of the study Link.
The study indicates several very important facts:
– The use of high doses of medicinal mushroom extracts over a long period of time is completely safe and harmless.
– The initial effects are quickly evident after the start of mycotherapy (if it lasts at least 40 – 60 days).
– The effects are dose-dependent: higher doses over longer periods of time achieve better results.
Why Are There No Medicinal Mushroom Drugs In The West? Link.
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Dr. Gordon Saxe, MD, PhD, MPH, is a preventive and integrative medicine physician who provides chronic disease management and helps people prevent and treat disease through integrative and lifestyle medicine. He uses evidence-based therapeutic approaches such as diet and nutrition, exercise, body-mind stress reduction and sleep management to decrease disease risk and illness.
Dr. Saxe is director of the UC San Diego Center for Integrative Nutrition and chair of the Krupp Endowed Fund (KEF) for research on the benefits of natural complementary and alternative medicine.
Dr. Saxe has conducted research on the epidemiology of diet and cancers of prostate, breast, and pancreas, diet and body-mind exercise to control the spread of advanced prostate cancer, and diet and gene expression in prostate cancer Link.
In the TV broadcast The Magic of Mushrooms (at time: 26:44) from the University of California Television Dr. Saxe explains about medicinal mushrooms and their healing powers; how mushrooms may be helpful for enhancing immunity and important for anti-cancer immunity.
Dr. Saxe explains that fungi have been attacked by predators such as bacteria, viruses and other microbes, etc. – interestingly, the same things that prey on humans – and that fungi have evolved amazing defenses against this. Saxe tells about when we take mushrooms in, we have receptors on our immune cells, and they can help to activate and modulate our immune systems to behave more effectively, and as a result, have anti-viral, anti-microbial and anti-bacterial effects. In this connection, Dr. Saxe mentions the Penicillin, which comes from fungi.
In addition, Dr. Saxe (at time: 28:29) explains about his interest in the possible ability of Chaga to interact positively on cataracts (a condition which can be developed secondly to surgery of the eye disease Juvenile Glaucoma) due to “Lanosterol”, of which Chaga mushrooms by far are the richest source.
Dr. Saxe refers to a Chinese study where researchers had studied a group of children in China, where 4-5 year old children, but not their parents, developed cataracts. The children and the parents were genetically sequenced, and the children, but not the parents, lacked the ability to make a key enzyme called “Lanosterol synthase” needed for the production of Lanosterol, which is important for the health of the eyes.
Then the researchers took Lanosterol and applied it to lend specimens from humans who had their cataract removed. When they applied it, the cross-linked fibers, that made up the cataract, started to uncross link. And then they gave eye drops of Lanosterol to animals like dogs, and they noticed, over a number of weeks, they were starting to melt away their cataracts.
“Can ancient botanical therapies help treat COVID-19?” – As explained by Dr. Saxe in the TV broadcast (at time: 42:18) two randomized placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trials are currently in progress, both of which have been FDA approved as: “Investigational new drugs to look at the safety of these as treatments for COVID in Phase I clinical trials”.
Clinical Trial of an Herbal Formula for Treatment of COVID-19 Link.
The trials test the safety and feasibility of a formulation of 21 Chinese herbs from Taiwan called Qing Fei Pai Du Tang, which is widely used as a COVID-19 remedy in China, as well as test the effect of mushrooms, that is, a 50/50 blend of the mushrooms Agarikon (Fomitopsis officinalis) and Turkey Tail (also called Trametes Versicolor or Coriolus Versicolor) in capsule form.
According to Dr. Saxe, the reason why he chose to test the mushrooms, is their long history of use and recent evidence of immune-enhancing and anti-viral effects. In a preclinical study, published in the March 2019 issue of Mycology, the mushroom Agarikon was found to inhibit viruses including influenza A(H1N1), influenza A(H5N1) and herpes. Saxe believes medicinal mushrooms inhibit the viruses’ replication; a theory he plans to test against SARS-CoV-2 in a Phase II trial.
In the TV broadcast Dr. Saxe talks about investigating the possible ability of mushrooms to enhance the background immunity of people by giving them capsules of mushrooms a few days around the time of their vaccination and thereby give the vaccines more raw material to work with and essentially augment the vaccines (increasing the efficacy of the vaccines). That is, increase the number of antibodies, which is a marker for how likely it is to prevent people from getting infected or getting life threatening infections.
Dr. Saxe and collegues are currently investigating whether it is possible to prevent the decline; the waning of immunity over time, so they last longer, and whether the side effects of the vaccines, which some people has, can be reduced. They investigate whether it is possible to increase the immunological responses, that occur not just to antibodies, but to a range of different immune cells so that it increases the diversity of the response against the COVID very own or against virally infected cells in the body.
In addition to these trials, Dr. Saxe and collegues are currently launching a 4th clinical trial where they are looking at people getting the booster COVID vaccine. Dr. Saxe asks: “Can we boost the booster?” and adds: “If it works, this would be something that potentially could be used with other COVID vaccines as well as with future vaccines for other conditions in order to augment the vaccines.
Other links about the effect of medicinal mushrooms
PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
BMC: https://bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com/
CNKI: https://oversea.cnki.net/index/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10696116/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25614677/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12168863/
PSK still not approved in the U.S. Link.
A review of research on the protein-bound polysaccharide (polysaccharopeptide, PSP) from the mushroom Coriolus Versicolor Link.
PSK and PSP: The PSP used in China is mostly produced from the COV-1 strain whereas the PSP Krestin (PSK) used in Japan is from the CM-101 strain of Coriolus Versicolor Link.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9457474/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24856767/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22842551/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28412218/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16865263/
http://www.dl.begellhouse.com/journals/708ae68d64b17c52,2da9c44d295f30f8,7f28c3fe35084a57.html
Turkey Tail Mushroom Uses For Dogs Link.
https://www.ascopost.com/issues/september-10-2018/coriolus-versicolor/
https://www.mycologyresearch.com/research/animalhealth/casestudiesspets
https://www.mycologyresearch.com/research/animalhealth/casestudieshorses
The mycelium of the Trametes versicolor (Turkey tail) mushroom Link.
What is Mushroom Mycelium? Link.
https://cmjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1749-8546-8-21
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18571350/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21512226/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27596680/
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/9/2778/htm
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30146779/
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/tx100318m
https://bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12906-018-2204-y
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31407039/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3095428/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6304454/
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2011/212641/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK424937/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6044372/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3339609/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21042722/
*) As Reishi’s triterpenes have been reported to have anti-coagulant properties, supplements containing high levels should be used with caution, for example by those receiving blood-thinning medications.
Results of chemotherapy on various cancers in humans with and without concomitant intake of mushroom extract Link.
http://mushroomsguide.com/blog/
https://www.zdravljeizgljiva.hr/en/lung-cancer-medicinal-mushrooms-study/
https://blog.petwellbeing.com/medicinal-mushrooms-a-powerful-defense-against-your-dogs-cancer
Literature and talks, etc., about medicinal mushrooms
Martin Powell (UK):
(Books providing introduction to the health benefits of medicinal mushrooms, including references to a considerable number of studies on their effect on various conditions and diseases)
”Medicinal Mushrooms – The Essential Guide” Link.
”Medicinal Mushrooms – A Clinical Guide” Link.
Talk – Why all mushrooms are magic Link.
Interview – Medicinal mushrooms with Martin Powell – Host Tatiana Kassessinoff, Ph.D., London Heal – regarding the most common species Link.
Myconutri – Mycotherapy products (the ones I give Ditte Dot Com) Link.
Understanding mushroom products Link.
About Martin Powell – Chinese Mushroom herbalist, biochemist, author and lecturer Link.
Paul Stamets (USA):
About Paul Stamets – Speaker, author, mycologist, medical researcher and entrepreneur Link.
Talk – Mushrooms as Medicine Link.
Among other things, hear Paul Stamets tell about his mother Link (start at 1:20), who, in June 2009 at the age of 83 years, was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer with a 4.5 cm diameter tumor.
Her right breast was 5 times the size of her left, and she had 6 swollen lymph glands at the size of walnuts. It metastasized through her sternum and liver. The doctor gave her less than 3 months to live.
According to the doctor it was the second worse case of breast cancer, the doctor had seen in her 20 years of practice. Because of her age she could not have radiation therapy or her breast removed. The doctor mentioned a study on Turkey Tail mushroom (Coriolus Versicolor) and suggested her to try taking Turkey Tail. She was put on Taxol and Herceptin and started taking 8 Turkey Tail capsules a day; 4 in the morning and 4 in the evening. (She crossed the 5 year disease free period and got totally cancer free. Of the 50 women, who joined the Herceptin program, 48 of them died. She was the only one taking Turkey Tail with Herceptin, and she had no nausea and no loss of appetite).
Case report regarding Paul Stamet’s mother’s use of Turkey Tail (click on the red button “Download PDF”) Link.
What is Mushroom Mycelium? Link.
Facts About Mushroom Mycelium Link.
Benefits of Mycelium Link.
In the film “Fantastic Fungi” (on Netflix) by Louie Schwartzberg, Paul Stamets explains, among others, about fungi/mushrooms Link.
Herbalist Melissa Pernell (USA):
Talk – About Turkey Tail mushroom (Trametes Versicolor) and how to grow it and create tinctures and extracts Link.
A breast cancer-stricken woman’s experiences with Coriolus Versicolor Link.
Helsesvampe Link.
