The health benefits of medicinal mushrooms have been recognized in East Asian medicine for thousands of years, but we are only recently beginning to understand the science backing up and legitimizing these traditional claims––and the research is quite outstanding! From their immune-boosting and anti-cancer properties to their ability to improve athletic performance and cognitive function, here are some research studies showing the powerful health benefits that these fungi have to offer:
Immune Support
- Zhang, Y, Lin Z, et al. (2008) Effect of Ganoderma lucidum capsules on T lymphocyte subsets in football players on "living high-training low.
- Jin, x, Beguerie, J.R, et al. (2016)Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom) for cancer treatment
- Oka, S, Tanaka, S. (2010) A water-soluble extract from culture medium of Ganoderma lucidum mycelia suppresses the development of colorectal adenomas.
- Ko, S, Jin, M, et al.(2011) Inonotus obliquus extracts suppress antigen-specific IgE production through the modulation of Th1/Th2 cytokines in ovalbumin-sensitized mice
- Knežević, A ,Živković, L. (2015) Antigenotoxic Effect of Trametes spp. Extracts against DNA Damage on Human Peripheral White Blood Cells.
Anti-Cancer Properties
- Jin, x, Beguerie, J.R, et al. (2016)Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom) for cancer treatment.
- Oka, S, Tanaka, S. (2010) A water-soluble extract from culture medium of Ganoderma lucidum mycelia suppresses the development of colorectal adenomas.
- Hak Lee, S, Hwang, H.S. (2009) Antitumor activity of water extract of a mushroom, Inonotus obliquus, against HT‐29 human colon cancer cells.
- Blagodatski, A, Yatsunskaya, M, et al. (2018) Medicinal mushrooms as an attractive new source of natural compounds for future cancer therapy.
- Sekhon, B.K, Man-Yuen Sze, D, et al,.(2013) PSP activates monocytes in resting human peripheral blood mononuclear cells: immunomodulatory implications for cancer treatment.
- Lu, H, Yang, Yi. (2011) TLR2 agonist PSK activates human NK cells and enhances the anti-tumor effect of HER2-targeted monoclonal antibody therapy.
Respiratory Function & Athletic Performance
- Xu, YF. (2016) Effect of Polysaccharide from Cordyceps militaris (Ascomycetes) on Physical Fatigue Induced by Forced Swimming.
- Yi, X, Xi-zhen, H, et al. (2004) Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial and assessment of fermentation product of Cordyceps sinensis (Cs-4) in enhancing aerobic capacity and respiratory function of the healthy elderly volunteers.
Cognitive Function & Mental Health
- Lai, PL, Naidu, M (2013). Neurotrophic properties of the Lion's mane medicinal mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Higher Basidiomycetes) from Malaysia.
- Zhang, J, An, S (2016). The Neuroprotective Properties of Hericium erinaceus in Glutamate-Damaged Differentiated PC12 Cells and an Alzheimer’s Disease Mouse Model.