Materials of Medicine
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Grifola frondosa (Maitake) Lentinus edodes (Shitake) Ganoderma spp. (Reishi)Family: Polyporaceae Part Used: Fruiting Bodies Active Constituents: Ascorbic acid analogs, phosphorus, Polysaccharides (beta 1-6 glucan, beta 1-3 glucan), protein Medicinal Actions: Adaptogens, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, anti-hypertensive, anti-viral, immune modulators, immune stimulants Medicinal Uses: These mushrooms are deep immune tonics, most indicated in the treatment of chronic immune disturbances rather than in acute states of immune dysfunction. These mushrooms all contain very high amounts of polysaccharides. They induce interferon production, disrupting viral replication and inhibiting bacterial infection. The bacteria shown to be affected include staphylococcus, streptococcus and bacillus pneumonia. The polysaccharides also increase RNA and DNA in bone marrow, increasing lymphocyte production. Ganoderma has been shown to augment IgG and expand the memory of T-cells. Grifola stimulates macrophage production of tumor necrosis factor-a, which regulates immune and inflammatory responses such that the host is protected against infection and cancer. Maitake, the largest of all the mushrooms, is believed by some to be the most potent of the immune stimulating mushrooms. It is very effective in oral doses for the treatment of tumors. A polysaccharide fraction in Maitake, called beta 1-6 glucan, potentiated the activity of macrophages, NK cells, cutotoxic T cells and increases the synthesis of interleukin-1 and lymphokines. Most other mushrooms only contain beta 1-3 glucan. In vitro, the beta 1-6 glucan has been shown to inhibits the cellular modulation caused by HIV infection and prevent cellular destruction. Maitake has been studied in-vivo in persons infected with HIB and the results indicated increased CD-4 counts and improvement of symptoms. Maitake and Ganoderma have demonstrated anti-hypertensive action. All of the mushrooms lower cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipid levels. They seem to increase the physiological resistance to the negative results of stress and can lower high blood sugar. Ganoderma has analgesic effects and also seems to exhibit the relaxing effect of a nervine. It has also been shown to inhibit histamine release in all types of hypersensitivity reactions. All the mushrooms have shown anti-oxidant activity and the ability to regenerate liver tissue in liver necrosis and hepatitis. The overall indications for these immunomodulatory mushrooms include chronic fatigue syndrome, HIV infection, cancer, Lyme disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, hyperglycemia and diabetes. Contraindications: Maitake has been studied in doses as high as 30 grams and the only side effect was constipation. Some people experience mild diarrhea when first beginning treatment, this soon passes. Pharmacy: 5-10 grams powder daily in divided doses. Vitamin C enhances absorption of these high polysaccharide containing plants. Hypericum perforatum, spp. (St. John’s Wort)Family: Hypericaceae/Clusiaceae Habitat/Botanical Description: Native to Europe and naturalized to North America. It is a 60 cm tall herbaceous plant. It has a yellowish-green hollow stem with two longitudinal opposite ridges bearing translucent, dotted leaves. The flowers are yellow with long stamens and lanceolata, sharply pointed sepals. The leaves have small perforations in the leaves compared to ornamental varieties which do not. Part Used: Flowering tops Active Constituents: Choline, flavones (hyperforin, hyperoside, procyanidins, quercitin), naphthodianthrones (hypericin, pseudohypericin), pectin, tannins, volatile oil Medicinal Actions: Antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-viral, nervine, vulnerary, analgesic Medicinal Uses: Hypericum is best known for its effects on the nervous system. It is useful for elevating mood in patients with mild to moderate depression. Treatment for this condition will require two to three months, however, some effect may be seen after several weeks. It is also useful in treatment of seasonal affective disorder especially combined with light therapy. It can act somewhat like a seratonin re-uptake inhibitor, extending the half life of seratonin. As well, Hypericum has shown weak monamine oxidase inhibition in-vitro. It also seems to inhibit GABA uptake. This is an unusual combination of actions. The true mechanism or mechanisms of action are not well understood. It is not indicated for the treatment of psychosis or severe depression with suicidal ideology. It may be a viable addition to standard treatment for these patients. Hypericum also has effects on the immune system. There are many in-vitro studies indicating an antiviral effect, especially against herpes, CMV and some influenza viruses. It has exhibited photochemical alterations of the viral capsid, inhibiting viral reproduction, inhibits transmission of the viral signals, inhibits viral maturation and interferes with the ability of the virus to inhibit host immune defenses. Hypericum has also been used as a vulnerary, promoting healing and repair of wounds. Wounds heal more quickly and with less secondary infection and inflammation. It is especially useful with spinal injuries and crushing wounds to nerve-rich areas or any trauma to nerves. It may be used both topically and internally to achieve this effect. The oil is used externally for neuralgia, burns and bruises. Other uses for Hypericum include nocturnal enuresis. It will reduce incidents occurring during sleep, especially in children. It has also been shown to reduce the incidence of night terrors in children.
Infusion: 1 rounded teaspoon per cup TID Tincture (1:5): 1 – 5 ml TID Fluid Extract (1:1): 1 – 3 ml TID Standardized Extract: 300 mg TID, standardized to 0.3% hypericin
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