Dr. Andrew Weil, MD, is known for writing and teaching on holistic health, as well as speaking as a guest on the Today Show, Oprah, Larry King Live, and has published a simple list of some of his favorite medicinal mushrooms and what each one is good for. This guide is something that is included below for your perusal.
Medicinal mushrooms can be taken in a variety of ways—eaten cooked or dried if they are edible, or else taken as a medicine for a variety of ailments, whether than be in capsule form or liquid extract. Some varieties, including shiitake, reishi, maitake, and cordyceps, have been researched in clinical trials for their use as pharmaceuticals, or as supplementary/adjunct treatment to cancer therapies.
Top Five Medicinal mushrooms’ uses and health benefits
Dr. Weil’s five most important medicinal mushrooms
Dr. Andrew Weil’s list of medicinal mushrooms includes five of the some of the most popular and highly used of the fungi.
SHIITAKE
In just about any health food store, and some grocery stores, you can find shiitake medicinal mushrooms. Dried shiitakes are typically available in bags at Asian food markets. They are flavorful and meaty and contain eritadenine, which helps body tissues absorb cholesterol. This absorption effect lowers the amount of cholesterol in the blood. Additionally, shiitake has natural antiviral and anticancer effects on the human body. Remove stems on fresh shiitake and slice thinly as they are very often tough.
CORDYCEPS
Cordyceps is one amazing medicinal mushroom. From China, this has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a restorative and general tonic. Because it aids circulation in the lungs, and increasing oxygen levels, it is known for improving athletic performance and endurance. Whole, dried cordyceps can be found in health food stores, which you can add to soups and stews. You can get cordyceps in capsules, liquid form, or powdered cordyceps, from which the latter version you can make tea. To treat weakness take the medicinal mushroom once or twice daily (follow dosage advice on the bottle), or for maintaining health take once or twice weekly.
ENOKI
Enoki medicinal mushroom is a thin white mushroom that tastes very mild and cooks up very quickly. These are good in soups as well as salads. Their immune-boosting effects are well known, as are their anticancer properties.
MAITAKE
Maitake medicinal mushrooms, also called “hen of the woods” are from Japan. The traditional name comes from the fact that they grow in huge clusters that resemble the tail feathers that are fluffed up on a hen that is nesting. Japanese markets usually have the mushrooms dried or even fresh, but you can also find them at gourmet food stores and upscale supermarkets. Maitake’s health benefits are profound being antiviral, having anticancer effects as well as enhancing the immune system. Maitake may also help congrol blood sugar levels and lower high blood pressure.
REISHI
Reishi mushroom is one of the most popular of all the medicinal mushrooms. It is not culinary, but a pure medicinal mushroom, which is hard, woody, and bitter. It also improves immunity and helps inhibit the growth or some cancerous tumors. Reishi medicinal mushroom also has incredible anti-inflammatory effects, reduces allergies, and is a liver protector. Reishi can be purchased ground or dried, and if you don’t mind bitterness can be made into a tea. If you cannot handle the taste, then simply buy the tablets, capsules, or liquid extract at health food stores (follow recommended dosage). You will need to take reishi for at least 8 weeks before you may see a difference, but what a difference!
Interestingly, most all medicinal mushrooms have a fascinating feature that many people do not know. The longer you take medicinal mushrooms for boosting the immune system, in particular, the less you need of them. For instance, if you need 6 capsules per day this year, in a decade or more you may only need 1 per day, depending on the mushroom type and your body size, weight, your age, and other variables. Please check with your naturopathic doctor or medical physician before taking medicinal mushrooms for ailments, as they are meant to supplement, not replace, your traditional health care.
The author of this story is a freelance contributor to National Nutraceuticals’ online news portals, such as Amino Acid Information Center at http://www.aminoacidinformation.com and Vancouver Health News at http://www.VancouverHealthNews.ca. National Nutraceuticals, Inc. also owns and operates a third health news portal focusing on medicinal mushrooms at http://medicinalmushroominfo.com, plus our newest portal at http://todayswordofwisdom.com.
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Reference:
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA400053/are-mushrooms-good-for-your-health.html
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