medicinal fungi*.pdf

MEDICINALMUSHROOMS

HYPE,FACTS&HOPEBYDIANNASMITH

“MAYBEALLORMANYFUNGIARECAPABLEOFBECOMINGTHENEXTMIRACLECURE

FORANINCURABLEILLNESS.”

TopicsCoveredSurgeininterestinusingfungimedicinally:Why?

Whichfungiareconsideredmedicinal?

Whatdiseasesdotheycure?

Iftakenasimmune-boostingdrugs,whataretheillnessestheyprevent?

Whatisthecurrentevidencetodatethatmedicinalmushroomscureorpreventthediseasesforwhichtheyaretaken?

Futureoffungiasmedicine.

SURGEININTERESTINUSINGFUNGIMEDICINALLYINWESTERNCOUNTRIES:WHY?

1. Dissatisfactionwithmodernmedicine2. Desiretotakecontrolofourhealthchoices3. Concernaboutmaintainingandimprovinghealthandstamina4. Diseaseprevention5. Searchforalternativecuresforfamilymembers,friends,ourpets6. Suspicionthatmanydiseasesarenewandarecausedbymodernlife

Ourfascinationwiththemysteriousworldoffungianditspotentialtoprovidecuresforthemajordiseasesoftheworld’spopulationinexpensivelyandsafelyhasservedtostimulateinterestamongresearchersthroughouttheworldtolookintothepotentialoffungitoheal.

7. Proliferationofpopularbookscoveringtopicofmedicinalmushrooms8. Internetsites9. Facebook10. Businessesinvolvedinfungicultivationandsalespromotethehealthbenefitsof

theirproducts.11. Advertisingofvitaminsupplementcompanies

Supplementationtowardoffpotentiallytoxiceffectsofmodernliving

• “Scienceisnowshowingthatmedicinalmushroomsarecapableofslowingageing,improvingbloodflow,reducingtheriskofheartdisease,improvingyourskinandhair,stabilizingcholesterolandbloodsugar,protectingthekidneysandliver,improvingrespiratoryfunction,decreasingplateletaggregation,increasingsexualfunctionandathleticability.Mushroomswithanti-tumoractivityappeartoincreasethenumberandactivityofkillerTandnaturalkiller(NK)lymphocytes,withnotoxicitytohealthycells.Theyalsohavepotent antiviral(includingHIV),antibacterialandanti-fungal,anti-inflammatoryandanti-tumorproperties.”

• http://www.TheMindUnleashed.org

Enthusiasticstatementslikethishavesparkedtremendousinterestinthemedicinalpropertiesoffungiinpeopleofallages.Withabilitiestocureandpreventsomanydiseaseconditions,nowondersomanyofuswanttolearnwhichmushroomsaremedicinal,wheretofindthem,andhowtocollectandpreparethemfortaking,orfindoutwherewecanpurchasepre-madetincturesorpills!

FUNGIPHILE’sQUESTIONS

“IsitEdible?”

“Isitmedicinal?"

“HowdoItakeit?”

Fewask:“Forwhatconditionstheyareuseful?”“Whatistheproperdosagetohaveapositiveeffect?”

orWherearethestudiessupportingtheirusetocureorprevent

disease?

MedicinalFungiFacebook Groups

AlternativeCancerTreatmentsChaga MushroomsChaga VermontChaga CanadaChaga MinnesotaChaga TeaChaga Mushrooms(Inonotus obliquuis)ChineseMedicineandNaturalHealthResearchFungiAretheFuture:EdibleandMedicinalMushroomsGanoderma lucidumMedicinalFungiMedicinalMushroomsMedicinal/MedicinalMushroomsNorthAmericanGanoderma SpeciesTrametes versicolorandOtherMedicinalMushroomsWorldwideGanoderma Species

BooksonMedicinalMushrooms&Herbs(86pagesonAmazon.com)

MyceliumRunning:HowMushroomsCanSavetheWorld,2005,PaulStamets

GrowingGourmetandMedicinalMushrooms,2000,PaulStamets

TheFungalPharmacy:TheCompleteGuidetoMedicinalMushroomsandLichensofNorthAmerica,2011,RobertRogersandSolomonP.Wasser

MedicinalMushrooms:AncientSuperfood,2015,NIB

HealthBenefitsofMedicinalMushrooms,2005,MarkStengler

MedicinalMushrooms:AClinicalGuide,2014,MartinPowell

MushroomsforHealth:MedicinalSecretsofNortheasternFungi,2009,GregMarley

EdibleandMedicinalMushroomsofNewEnglandandEasternCanada,2009,DavidL.Spahr

MedicinalMushrooms:NaturallyBuildImmunityandFightCancer,2014,DavidR.HastingsLloyd

CancerKillingMedicinalMushrooms,2014,LevFedyniak

Chaga:KingoftheMedicinalMushrooms,2012,DavidWolfeandPierreBeaumier

MedicinalMushrooms:AnExplorationofTradition,HealingandCulture,2002,ChristopherHobbs

TheFREE-RADICAL/ANTI-OXIDANTTHEORY

AccordingtoMEDICINALMUSHROOMPROPONENTS:Anti-oxidantsarenaturalsubstancesfoundinfood(phyto-nutrients)thataresaidtoprotectourcellsfromoxidativedamagecausedbyharmfuloxygenfreeradicals.Itisbelievedtheyprovideprotectionagainstdevelopingcancer,heartdisease,Alzheimer’s,maculardegeneration,cataractsandotherdiseasescommoninaging.

Hundredsofstudiesrefutetheseclaims:Wecanandwedooverloadonantioxidants.Doingso,weblockoxidativeprotectionagainstpathogensandcancer.

Toomanyantioxidantscausefatigueandmuscleweakness.Theydecreaseenergyproductioninthemitochondria(energyfactory).

Freeradicalshaveapurposeandareessentialforhealth.Exercisinggeneratesfreeradicals.Sodoesbreathing.Theyareanormalbyproductofexercisingandofbreathing,inwhichweuseoxygenandgenerateenergy.

JournaloftheAmericanMedicalAssociation297:842-857

AGINGandDiseaseAgingaffectsallthebody’ssystems(exceptthebrainandspinalcord).Therearetrillionsofcellsthatmakeupthethebody.Onaverage,withtheexceptionofstemcellsandcancercells,thecellswithinthehumanbodydivideabout50timesbeforefinallydyingandbeingreplacedbynewcells.Eachtimetheydividetheylosesome50-100nucleotides,increasingthechancesofmutations.

Accumulationofwearandtearovertime.Betweenage30and60bonedensitydecreases.Between30&75welosehalfmusclemassanddoublefat.

Heart,bloodvesselsandlungcellsarenotreplacedregularly.Theyarestrongandadaptedforlonglife,buttheydochangeandlooseelasticityovertime.

Affectedbylifestylehabits:smoking,obesity,alcohol,drugs,lackofexercise.

Evolutionfavorsgenesthatenableustoreproduce.Fewergenesareavailableforlongtermmaintenance.Immunesystemshowssignsofwearandtearandisgraduallyunabletorepairitself.

FrustrationswithMODERNMEDICINE

Modernmedicineandpharmacologyhasincreasinglybeenabletofocusondiseases typicallyassociatedwithaging:diabetes,heartdiseasesandcancers.

Atatimewhenthehealthcaresystemisbeingstressedbyeveryone's(physiciansandpatients)highexpectationsofmedicine’sabilitytocurealldiseases.

Yet,progress indevelopingviabletechniquesanddrugstoalleviatetheseconditionshasbeencomparativelyslowandespeciallywithcancer,fraughtwithcontroversyoveruseofradiationandchemicalsthatdestroygoodcellsaswellastumorouscells.Mosttreatmentscan’tdifferentiatebetweenhealthycellsandcancerouscells.

WEAKNESSESOFMODERNMEDICINE

Westilldon’tdomuchbetteratdealingwithcommondisorderseveryoneexperiencesfromheadaches,colds,flu,gastrointestinalupsets,constipation,depression,etc.– disordersthathavealsobeenthefocusoftraditionalandalternativehealingsystems.

Inmoderntimeswelookfortreatmentsandpillstopreventorcureillnessinaspecificpartofthebody.Doctorsdonottakethetimetolearnmuchaboutthepatient,howheorsheisfeeling,whathe/sheiseating,whatisgoingonintheirhomeandworklife.

Modernmedicineisnotverygoodatfocusingeffortsonpreventionofdiseases,giventhepowerofcigarette,cola,food,pharmaceutical,energyandvitaminindustriestolobbythegovernmenttoallowourdemocraticfree-competitionbusinessmodeltopersistevenwhenitisclearthatpromotingtheirproductscanbeunhealthyforcitizens.

Fewcountriesaremuchbetter.

DISTRUSTOFPHARMACEUTICALCOMPANIES&GOVERNMENTAGENCIES

Harmfuldrugsreleasedbasedonstudiesbypharmaceuticalcompaniesthatavoidedinformationthatdidnotreflectwellontheirproducthavebeenresponsibleformanydeaths:

AccutaneVioxx,CelebrexDarvon,DarvocetHormonereplacementtherapy

Thesewere‘tested’drugs,unlikesupplements.Purveyorsofvitamins,othersupplements,beautycreams,weight-losscapsules,erectiledysfunctionpills,herbsformenopausalnightsweats,andsimilarproductsareabletosayjustaboutanythingaboutwhattheiritcandoforyou….Theyareclassifiedasfoods,notdrugs.

Cansaywhatevertheywant,solongastheyincludeareferencethatsays‘ThesestatementshavenotbeenevaluatedbytheFDA’.

Thereisnoprogramforreportingadverseeffects.Weserveasguineapigs.

RisingHealthCareCosts

• Skyrocketingcostsofvisitstodoctors,healthinsurance,hospitalization,testingproceduresandmoderndrugtherapiesarefrustratinglyhighandbeyondthemeansofmanyofus.

• Inparttheriseincostsisaresultoflitigationthreats.

• Pharmaceuticalcompaniesarereleasingfewerandfewernewdrugsandthecostsofexistingandnewdrugsisexorbitant,inpartduetoTV,newspaperandmagazineadvertisingdirectedatpotentialpatients.Seemsliketheyareofteninterestedmainlyinincreasingprofitmarginsandgoodreturnsforstockholders.

• Physicianslistentoretailersofpharmaceuticaldrugswhopitchtheirpointsonwhythedoctorshouldprescribeaparticulardrugforpatientsratherthanotherpopularoptions.Physiciansoftendon'thavethetimetofullyinvestigatetheliterature.

EVER-CHANGINGRECOMMENDATIONS

Breakfastisthemostimportantmealoftheday,itisnotCoffee:itwillkillyou,itwillmakeyousmarterGreentea:itwillmakeyoufeelhealthy,itwilldonothingEatingoravoidingredmeatEatfishexceptthosethatconcentratemercuryEatdark-coloredvegetablesDrink8glassesofwateradayEatnuts,butnotpeanutsandnotsomanythatyoutakeintoomanycaloriesTakevitamins(unlessyoubelievethelatestreports)Takecalcium,don’ttakecalciumGetmammogramsannually,don’tbothersincetheyalsodetectnon-canceroustumorsthatwillshrinkanddisappearontheirown.

Loaduponanti-oxidants…..

WEARECONCERNEDWITHAVOIDINGENVIRONMENTALLYCAUSEDILLNESS

Fromhormonesinplasticbottles&toysFertilizersAntibioticsusedinanimalfeedEffectsofweedkillersWi-FiandcellphoneradiationHighlyprocessedfoodsConsumptionoftoomuchsugarandfatMercuryinfishAirpollutionToxicwastesPesticides

WEWANTTOTAKECONTROLOFOURHEALTH

• Wewanttoavoidgettingpreventablediseaseslikemostformsoflungcancer,coloncancer,diabetesandvariousheartconditions.

• Wecanavoidsmoking,drinkingtoexcess,consumingtoomanysugarsandfatsfromredmeat.

• Wecanadoptahealthylifestylebyeatingfreshfruitsandvegetables,fishandleanmeatsandmushrooms.

• Wecanexercise.

• Butifwearedoingthesethings,dowealsoneedtotakesupplements????- especiallyconsideringthatmostofourfoodhasaddedsupplementsto‘boosttheimmunesystem’!

GROWINGINTERESTINWESTINUSINGHERBSMEDICINALFUNGIPROPHYLACTICALLY

Wearetoldthatconsumingmedicinalmushroomswillboostourimmunesystem,soitcanfightoffdiseases.

Theimmunesystem isextremelycomplicated,andoverthecourseofthepast500millionyears,ouranimalancestorsfiguredoutwaysofdealingwithavarietyofthreatsfromharmfulbacteria,evolvingviruses,andmanyillnesses.

Microbeshaveevolvedwithusinanarmsracebetweenpathogens,beneficialbacteriaandourimmunesystem'sstruggletodefeatalieninvadersthosethatthreatenthesurvivalofspecies.

Werearetoldthatmushroomscontainlargeamountsofantioxidants(goodguys)thatarecapableofdestroyingFreeRadicals(badguys).

Buttherenostudiessuggesttakinganysupplements,mushroomorotherwise,ishealthy.

1.FRESHNATURALFOODSOURCES,INCLUDINGMUSHROOMS,RATHERTHANFROMSUPPLEMENTS.

2.ITISRECOMMENDEDWEADOPTAHEALTHYLIFE-STYLETHATINCLUDESSOMEEXERCISE(LIKEREGULARWALKSINTHEWOODSTOCOLLECTMUSHROOMS .

It’sbettertogetanti-oxidantsfrom

FUNGIWITHPURPORTEDLYPROVENMEDICINALEFFECTS

Roughly700to1000ofthe14,000describedspeciesofmushroomsarebelievedtohaveimmuno-pharmacologicalproperties.Onlyabout50oftheseareinusethroughouttheworld.Theseareamongthemostpopularandmoststudied.

*Trametes versicolor‘TurkeyTail’Cordyceps spp.*Hericium erinaceus ‘Lion’sMane’*Inonotus obliquuis ‘Chaga’Pleurotus sp. ‘OysterMushroom’*Grifola frondosa ‘HenoftheWoods’Lentinulaedodes ‘Shitake’*Ganoderma ‘lucidum’ ‘Reishi’

*Starredfungiwillbeaddressedinthispresentation.

ReportedAdditionalBenefitsofUsingMedicinalMushrooms:cureeverythingAntioxidantactivityImmunesystemstrengtheningAnti-cancer(cureandprevent)Anti-bacterialAnti-viralHeart– reductionofserumcholesterollevelsAnti-diabeticinabilitytomaintaingoodbloodsugarlevels.RemovaloftoxinsfromtheliverRespiratorysupport&clarifyLungsImprovekidneyfunctionsSexualperformanceImproveskinconditionsPromotionofneurologicalhealthReversegrayingofhairSupportforhormonesRelieffromcoldsandallergiesEnhancedmentalclarityAlzheimer’spreventionPreventionofaging

Trametes versicolor‘TurkeyTail’Whiterotterassociatedwithhardwoods

Velvetymulti-coloredbrown,gray,blue,rust,blackandwhitezones.Roundtomaze-likeporesinmaturity.Whiterottercausingdecayofligninleavingthecellulosebehind.Potentialforbio-pulpingandbioremediationaccordingtoPaulStamets.

Trametes versicolor:

ClinicalResults Mostintensivelystudiedmedicinalfungus.

PaulStamets regularlytalksabouthismother’sstageIVbreastcancercure.HeencouragedhertotakemyceliaofTrametes versicoloralongwithherchemotherapytreatment.Heattributeshercuretothepositiveeffectsofthemushroom.(Whatwastheroleofchemotherapytreatment?)Evidencefromclinicaltrialsismixed,however.Long-termscientific studygoingonatUniversityofWashington.

UsedinChinaformanyyears.CurrentlyusedaspartofcancersuppressiontherapyinbothChinaandJapan.

Studiesinvitroandinvivosuggestitcan:• BoostimmunecellproductionandenergyinpatientswithChronicFatigueSyndrome.• SeemstoreducefrequencyofHerpessimplexoutbreaks• Allegedlyprotectiveoftheliver• Amelioratesideeffectsofcancerradiationandchemotherapy

Smallhumantrials:extendedsurvivalrateofvictimsofgastric40%cancerover3yr.period,colorectalandbreastcancerby9%overafiveyearperiod,butnotesophagealorcervical-uterinecancers.

(Elizaetal.,2012).

Lion’sMane,Hericium erinaceus“WidelyusedandconsumedmushroominAsia.Lion'smanehasahighproteincontentaswellasothervitalnutrients.Butscientistswerefarmoreinterestedinthepotentialmedicinalpropertiesofthismushroom.Afteryearsofresearch,scientistsdiscoveredthatLion'sManemushroomscontainsseveralNerveGrowthFactors(NGF),whichareproteinsthatareimportantforthegeneration,growth,andhealthofnervecells.”

HealthBenefits:ImmuneSystemSupport*NeurologicalHealthSupport*NervousSystemSupport*CognitiveFunctionsSupport*AntioxidantProperties*MemorySupport*DigestiveHealthSupport*AllergySupport*StressandAnxietySupport*

*ThesestatementshavenotbeenevaluatedbytheFoodandDrugAdministration.

GRIFOLA FRONDOSA“HENOFTHEWOODS”,“MAITAKE”

Anannualpolyporethatoftenreappearsformanyyearsbetweenlatesummerandearlyautumn.Itistypicallyfoundatthebaseofoaktreesandgrowsfromanundergroundtubercalledasclerotium.Thefruitingbodyconsistsofmanygray-brownwavycapshavingawhitehymenium,whichareattachedtoabranchedwhitestem.

Scientificresearchintothemedicinalusesofthismushroomindicateithaspromise.

WHYWESHOULDTAKEIT?Boosting the Immune SystemSince the Maitake mushroom is rich inpolysaccharides,regular consumption will goalong way inenhancing your body’s immune system.This is usually accomplished withthe help ofantioxidants inMaitake.These ensure there arenofree radicals trying todestabilise the body.

Astrong immunity means that apersonwho regularly consumes meals containing theMaitake mushroom is assured ofgeneral bodyhealth with optimal blood pressure.

• Maitake can avert the advancement ofcancer byenhancing the production ofinterleukins andalso lymphokines,with the impact ofslowing down the growth oftumor.(small uncontrolled study).

• In2009,atrialconducted onhumans byMemorial Sloane-Kettering Cancer Centershowed Maitake asbeing able tostimulate the immune systems of34patientssuffering from breast cancer.

AccordingtoMedicalMushrooms.com

AGrifola frondosa extract was given topatients AFTER they were free ofcancer.2withdrew from the study:1due tonausea andswelling andthe other due torashandpruritis.

Results the Maitake increased some immunologic parameters anddepressed others.Oraladministration ofapolysacchaaride extract from grifola frondosa is associatedwith both immunologically stimulatory andinhibitory measurable effects inblood.“Cancer patients should be made aware ofthe fact that botanical agents producemorecomplex effects than assumed,andmay depress aswell asenhance immunefunction.“*

CHECKUPonSTUDIESreferredtoinliterature.

*JournalofCancerResearchClinicalOncology,2009,Sept;135(9):1215-21byGDeng,HLin,MFornier,GAndrea,KWesa,SYeung,SCunningham-Rundles,AJVickers,BCassileth

2009,Phase IIstudyofMaitake with MSpatients tosee if the percentage ofneutrophils (atypeofwhite blood cell)that fights infection.The white blood cell countdecreaded in52.38%(11out of21)patients.(Completed April,2016)*

*https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/results/NCT01099917?sect=X5437016#limit

INONOTUS OBLIQUUS“CHAGA”,“CANCERPOLYPORE”PARASITICONBIRCHANDOTHERHARDWOODS.

Inonotus obliquusformsasterile,irregularly-shapedgrowthor‘clinker’thatappearsprimarilyonbirchthatisinfusedwithblackmyceliumsothatitlookslikeburntcharcoal.Theactualfruitingbodyisrarelyseenandconsistsofaresupinate fungusthattypicallydoesn’tappearuntilthetreeisdead.Itisinternal.

Over340researchpapersonchaga

UsedinRussiafrom16th centuryasateaandinfolkmedicaltraditionsineasternEuropeandRussiaforawideassortmentofailments.

Featuredasamiraculouscureandmadepopularbyitsuseinthe1967novel,CancerWardbyAlexanderSolzhenitsyn.

UsedcurrentlyinRussiatotreatinoperablebreastcancer,hip,gastric,pulmonary,stomach,skin,andcoloncancersaswellasHodgkins lymphoma.

Invivoandinvitrostudiessuggestpotentialagainsthumanbraincancercellsandappearstohavehadnotoxiceffectsonmice.

InEasternEuropeanandSiberianmyths,thebirchishonoredasthetreeoflifeandfertility.

Efficacyofchaga isattributedtobetulin andbetulinic acidfoundprimarilyinthebarkofwhitebirch(22%)ratherthanthechagaclinker.Itgrowsveryslowlyincolderclimates.Ifdecimatedduetooverharvesting,itwillnotbeareliablenaturalsourceofmedicine.

Thesecondarymetabolitesaswellasbetulinic thoughttobeimportantconstituentsofhealingeffectsareabsentincultivatedmediums.

Unfortunately,betulinic acidisnotreadilybioavailableinhumans.Somesayitiswhentakenorally,butthereisnotconfirmationofthisclaim.

CLINICALUSESBASEDONPETRIDISHSTUDIES• Anti-viral(Herpessimplexvirus)

• Anti-parasitic

• Anti-tumor

• Anti-inflammatory

• Psoriasisstudyisananecdotalreportstating75%of50Russianpsoriasispatientswerecuredorsawimprovementafter9-12weeksoftreatment.

• Digestiveordersofthestomachandintestines.

• Beingstudiedasananti-canceragentbytheUSNationalCancerInstitute.

CLINICALUSESBASEDONANIMALSTUDIES

“Human studies on the anticancer and immuno-stimulating effects of chaga mushroom are needed.

Laboratory and animal studies show that compounds in chaga can kill cancer cells selectively and stimulate the immune system.

It may also have benefits such as reductions in fatigue and inflammation, as well as increased mental sharpness. However, clinical trials are needed to confirm chaga’s safety (in humans) and effectiveness for these uses.

In addition, chaga may interact with some drugs and is high in oxalates, which may prevent the absorption of some nutrients and can be toxic in high doses.”*

*72 year old Japanese women suffered liver damage after taking chagafor 6 months.

Do not take if you are on diabetic medications (may lower blood sugar).Do not take if using blood thinners for cardiovascular conditions.

MemorialSloanKetteringCancerCenter

https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/chaga-mushroom

GANODERMAlucidum (Lingzhi)MushroomofImmortality

Inhibitsreleaseofhistamines,somaybeusefulforallergies(althoughithasn’tbeentestedonhumans).Protectionfortheliver(usedintreatmentofhepatitisB)Cardiovascularhealth:LowerBloodPressure(nohumanstudies)LowerCholesterol(noprooftobackthisup)Anti-inflammatory(potentiallyusefultotreatautoimmunediseaseslikerheumatoidarthritis)Modulatetheimmunesystem(inhibitorstimulate)Inducestumorcelldeath(inpetridishes)Anti-viral(againstEpstein-Barr,HIVvirus- maystimulatecertaincellsoftheimmunesystem,butevidenceislackingonitsabilityfightinfections).AntibioticEnergizeandstrengthenthebodyandmind/sedativeactionusefulforinsomniaandanxiety(noevidence)RelievedepressionIncreasemalepotency,etc.Extendone’slifeProtectionagainstAlzheimer’s

Reducesideeffectsofcancertherapies: Asmallclinicaltrialshowedthatitcanenhanceimmuneresponseinadvanced-stagecancerpatients.Aworthwhilegoal.Morestudiesareneeded.

PotentialMedicinalUsesofGanoderma sp.

CLAIMSOFANCIENTCHINESECANCERCURES“G.lucidum hasalonghistoryofuseinthetreatmentofcancerandiscreditedwithmanycasesofspontaneousremission.“MartinPowel,MedicalMushrooms:AClinicalGuide (sec.edition2014),p.61.

TherearenohistoricalreferencestocancertreatmentinpremodernChina.ItsuseforthatpurposewasonlyadoptedrecentlyasanadjuncttherapyofferedtocancerpatientsfollowingchemotherapyinapoliticalattempttomeldtheChineseand‘Western’medicine.

Giventhesuggestiveinvitroandinvivoresultsofmanypreliminarystudies,scientificallydesignedstudiesshouldbeginwithhumansubjects.

AnticancereffectsofGanoderma lucidum:areviewofscientificevidence, byJWYuanandMDGohel,NutrCancer.2005;53(1):11-7.

Weneedtobecarefultoavoidassumingthattoday’sconceptsofthebody,itssystems,medicalandpharmaceuticalknowledgewasunderstoodinthepast.

Nowhereintheworldweretherephysicianswhohadthesametheoriesandknowledgeaboutanatomy,diseasesasweknowthemtoday.

Preparationofprescriptionsdesignedtoworkforeachpatientwasacomplexprocessinvolvingcollectingingredientsattherighttimeortheyearandoftheday.

TheoriesofhealthweresomewhatsimilarinAsiaandEuropetotheextentthatreadersofancientmedicaltextsenvisionedthehealerassomeonewhocouldproperlydiagnoseapatient’sconditionanduseeffectivetechniquesandmedicinethatwouldservetohelpresetthepatient’sconditiontonormal.Galenwroteaboutbalancingthe‘fourhumors’,whichwastypicallyachievedbybloodletting.InChina,governmentscholar-officialsstudiedmedicaltextsandpharmacopeiassothattheycouldcareforfamilymembers.Theemphasiswasonpromotinghealthandlonglifeusingacombinationofingredientsdesignedtostrengthenthepatient.Otherpractitionersusedacupuncture,moxibustion,cupping,geomancy,prayer,magic,etc.

Itwas veryhighlyregardedinChinaandothercountriesthatadoptedandadaptedmedicaltheoriesandpracticesusedinimperialChina– butnotforitsefficacyincuringcancer– butratherforitsabilitytostrengthenandprolonglife,sexualpotencyandenabletherighteousemperortoattainexistenceasafreeimmortalspirit- providedhealsoperformedprescribedannualrituals.

Useofthefunguswasforbiddentocommoners–althoughTaoistswholivedinthemountainousregionscollectedandusedthepolyporeforthepurposeofattainingimmortality.

Itwastakenincombinationwithotherherbs,notasasinglepillcontainingasinglefungus,orseveralfungi.

USEinHISTORICALCHINA

AlchemicalphilosophersofthesecondcenturyADalsoworkedwithmetals inthequesttotransformthemintoamedicinethatwouldenablethemtoliveforever.Theymadepillsofmercuryderivedfromredcinnabar(thecolorofthemostpopularreishi)mixedwithotheringredientssuchascrushedjade– whichtheytookoverthecourseofmonths.

Theydiedanearlyandpainfuldeath.

Thereafter,peoplewhowantedtobecomeimmortaloratleastlivealonglife,practicedothermethodsofstrengtheningtheirbodies,includingmeditation,eatinglittlemeat,abstinencefromsex,varioussexualtechniquesmeanttopreservesemenwithintheirownbodies.

TheQuestforImmortalityandAlchemicalExperimentation

• About320CEaTaoistscholarwroteabout 5categoriesofspecialmushrooms,eachhaving120varieties.“Tinyexcrescences.Thesegrowdeepinthemountains,atthebaseoflargetreesorbesidesprings.Theymayresemblebuildings,palanquinsandhorses,dragonandtigers,humanbeings,orflyingbirds.Theymaybeanyofthefivecolors.….When driedintheshade,powdered,andtakenbytheinch-squarespoonful,theyproducegeniehood.Thoseoftheintermediateclassconferseveralthousandsofyears,andthoseofthelowesttypeathousandyearsoflife.

Wouldn’twelovetohavethesesomeofthesemushrooms!

ButwhichGanoderma speciesaremedicinal?Allofthem?Thereare60+speciesofGANODERMA (PeterAdolfKarsten,1881)dividedintothreemonophyleticgroups

1.Cosmopolitan– tropical,subtropicalandtemperatezones2.Somewhatsimilarmorphologically3.Wooddecayfungi4.Someareannuals,someperennials

OnlyrecentlydeterminedthatGanoderma lucidum isNOTtheonethathadbeenusedhistoricallyinChina.

Ganoderma lingzhi,Ganoderma sichuanese,G.tropicum,,G.fexipes (China)Ganoderma tsugae,growsondyinganddeadhemlockGanoderma ‘lucidum’sensu stricto growsonhardwoodsandisEuropeanGanoderma curtisii onmaple?Ganoderma lobatum – anannualratherthanaperennialsouthjerseyGanoderma resinaceumGanoderma sessile– NY-Florida,growsonhardwoodsGanoderma oregonense onwesternhemlockGanoderma zonatum - tropicalspeciesFloridaGanoderma applanatum (Ganoderma megaloma)

Lingzhi teainChinesepharamacy

Doallspecieshavethesameproperties?Unknown.

Importantbecauseitisassumedtheydo,yetcollectorsandconsumersdon’tknowwhichtheyspeciestheyaregettingandifonespeciesismorepotentthanothersforcertainconditions,orifthestatedingredientsandrecommendeddosagesareequivalent.

WebMD– Ganoderma powdermaycauselivertoxicityiftakendailyforoveramonth.

Reportsofpeoplewithelevatedliverenzymesaftertakingitinpowderform.

Itisabloodthinner,sodon’ttakeifonbloodthinnermedication.

Maymakesomechemotherapydrugslesseffective.

Don’ttakeifusingimmunosuppressant.

SafetyofGanoderma lingzhi +

Bigbusinessofpromotingdietarysupplementsofmyco-medicinals toagingpopulationrivalsthatofpharmaceuticalindustry.

• Somearedoingverywellbeinginthebusinessofsellingbooksandavarietyofproductstothoseofusconcernedthatwearenotgettingallofourdietaryneedsfulfilledfromthefoodweeat.

• Yetproductsfromdifferentcompaniesandeventhesamemanufacturervaryinthemethodsofpreparation,theingredientsandpotencyofsuggesteddailydosages.

• Wehavenoinformationaboutthesafetyoftheiruseovertime.

• Westerners,especiallyAmericans,arepronetotakepillsforourillsand‘justincase’.

FUNGALDIETARYSUPPLEMENTS

• Powdersconsistingoffruitingbodiesand/ormycelia

• Extractsfromboth

• Isolatedcompoundsfromfungi

• Rawmaterialscollectedfromthewild• Frombusinessesinvolvedinfungalcultivation

• Fermentersofmyceliawithliquidorsolidsubstrates

• Thereisnostandardizationofpreparation.

• Manycompaniesbuycheaplyandrepackage.Theydon’tknowwhatisintheirbottles.

IMMUNESUPPORT:1MONTHSUPPLY

$45.00-$59.00$24.001monthsupply $52.00- $69.00

•ANTIOXIDANT SUPPORT: Studied and treasured worldwide for its health-enhancing and antioxidant properties, Chaga is a unique species, and the focus of recent and ongoing scientific research.•DEFEND AGAINST FREE RADICALS: Host Defense Chaga provides maximum antioxidant support against daily free radical damage.•FULL SPECTRUM: Host Defense Chaga provides a full spectrum of constituents. It is bio-digestible and bio-available; made from activated mycelium, not from indigestible fruitbodies and spores.

‘THE SAME SUPERFOOD THAT HIMALAYAN GUIDES HAVE USED FOR CENTURIES FOR YOUTHFUL ENERGY IS NOW AVAILABLE TO YOU’

• Thesuperfoodthatimprovesenergy…increasesstamina…stimulatesyourimmunesystemandmuchmore.

• MycoPhyto® Complex istheonlysuperfoodthatimprovesyourenergyandsupportsyourendurance,allwhilesuperchargingyourbody’sownnaturalimmunity.Thankstothisdoubleaction,youfeelfullofvimandvigor.

• Itellmypatients,“Don'twaituntilyou'resicktogetwell."Therighttimetobeginsupportingyourimmunesystemis before coldandfluseasonhits, before thestressofdailylifetakesatollonyou.SoIrecommendyougetstartedonMycoPhyto® Complex today.

AndrewWeil,aHarvardtrainedphysicianwhopromotesuseofpopularalternativetherapiesforcertaindisorders:

Sellingbeautycreamsandlotionsfordryness,redness,andrejuvenation.

He asserts that Reishipromises to boost the skin’s resistance to pollution, stress, UV rays, and a poor diet.

• TheU.S.marketformedicinalmushroomswasabout$6billionin1999.

• 2014itwas$18billion.

• Todayitwouldbehardtofindanutritionalsupplementcompanythatdidnotsellmedicinalmushrooms.

• Whatwedon’tknowis:Shouldwebetakingmedicinalmushroomsifwehavenosymptomsofdisease?

• Ifso,whatshouldtheproperprophylacticdosagebe.

• Whatshouldthetherapeuticdosagebe?

• Howcanwebeassuredthatthemedicinehasbeenpreparedoptimally?

• Whatpartofthefungalorganismismostefficacious(mycelium,fruitingbody).

• Forhowlongshouldwetakethesesupplements?

• Isthereanyinformationonlongtermuseofsupplementswhetherforpreventionortreatmentpurposes?

Arewespendingmoneyonproductsthatmaynotimproveourhealth?Arewejustmakingexpensiveurine!

HealthBusiness

Somanyofusreadytoaccepttheassertionsofnutritionalandalternativehealth‘experts’thattheresultsfromincompleteandoftenpoorlyconductedstudiesontissueculturedcellsinpetridishesandonengineeredlabmice,ratswithoutmuchofanimmunesystemtobeginwith aregroundedinsolidevidencethatappliestohumans.Sofar,thereislittlesolidevidencethattheyfunctioninhumanstheywaytheydoinapetridishorintestanimals.Yet,thisseemstobethestandardofevidenceacceptabletoMMauthorsandthoseofuswhoarecuriousaboutthebenefitsofmedicinalfungi.

Allofthesestudiesaresuggestiveofthepotentialoffungitoenrichourpharmacopeiaandmedicalpractices.Properscientifictestingneedstobeconductedtodetermineifthekeyactivefugallyproducedmoleculesareeffectiveandsafeforuseinhumans(withorwithoutdisease).

Shouldwebeusingamedicinethatseemstoworkbystoppingcancercellsfromdividing–ifwehavenocancer.

Howwillthemedicinebeprocessedinthebodyofahealthyindividual?

WeAreEagerToacceptClaimsofMMcuresWelookforquickfixesforobesity,diabetes,heartconditions,cancer,alzheimer’s

Takeapill!

Whatareourreasonsforbelievingintheefficacyofmedicinalfungi?

AntiquityandConstancyofuse:fungihavebeenusedinprescriptionsinancientChinaforthepast4to5,000.

SomefungidohavearecordedhistoryofuseinChinaasmedicineaswellasfoodforabout2,220years,buttheirusewasalwaysincombinationwithmanyotheringredients.Alsothoseprescriptionschangedovertimeasdidtheirusefor‘new’epidemichealthissues.

Doesantiquityofuseprovetheywereeffectiveincuringdiseases,letalonemoderndiseases?No.Manyofusbelievethataningredientusedasamedicineoverthousandsofyearsforspecificproblemsorforgeneralhealthenhancement…..must beefficaceous.Theremustbesomethinginitthathascurativepotentialoritsusewouldhavebeenabandoned.Nothistoricallyaccurate.Prescriptionsincludedallkindsofmaterialsincludingsilk,preciousstones,metals,dinosaur‘dragon’bones,insects,seahorsesandrhinoceroshorn.Shouldweassumetheyareallefficaciousbecausetheywereincorporatedintoaprescription?Shouldwebeharvestingtheseingredientsformedicalpurposes?

Inthewest,wedrainedbloodfromthebodiesofthesicktoremovebad‘humors’forseveralhundredyears.Shouldwere-adoptthisprocedureforhealingsinceitwasusedovermanycenturies?

MedicinalFungiare‘Natural’

AmoleculeofvitaminCfromRoseHipsisnodifferentfromVitaminCmoleculeproducedinalaboratory.Theyareidentical.Thereisnotestthatcandifferentiateonefromtheother- oneas'natural'theotherassynthetic.Asubstancethatisnaturalisnotnecessarilysaferthanonecreated.

Therearenumerouspoisonsinnature- cyanide,arsenic,hemlock,fungal,animalandinsectvenoms.

Themajorityofdrugsinusewereinitiallyderivedfromnaturalsources.Wemayhavetogetbacktothat,despitethedifficultiesofdealingwithcomplexbiochemicalprocessesand‘contaminated’naturalproducts.

CONSPIRACYTHEORIES

Whyisn’tmodernmedicalresearchmovingmorequicklytoadoptthesecompounds?

Accordingtomanyproponentsofmedicinalmushroomsitisbecausethepharmaceuticalindustrylooksonlyforeffectivesinglemoleculesthatcanbesynthesizedandpatentedforcommercialprofit.

“…themedicinaleffectsofmushroomsarebiased,sinceclinicalstudiesarebasedonthetherapeuticoutcomeofasingleisolatedmoleculediscardingthesynergisticactionofthehundredsoftherapeuticsubstancespresentineachspeciesofmushroom.”

MIRRE,J.C..The3WiseKingHealers:MedicinalMushrooms(KindleLocations165-167)..KindleEdition.

Thismayactuallybeavalidargument.Itisimportantthatwedeterminewhicharetheeffectivecompoundsandhowtheyinteractwitheachotherandwiththebody.Whatweneedarestudiesusinglargedouble-blind,placebo-controlledgroupsofhealthy(andill).Theyhavetoberepeatable.

Withafewexceptions,proselytizerspromotingtheuseofmedicinalmushroomsarenotscientists.Theyareauthors,nutritionists,osteopaths,DoctorsofAlternativeMedicine,practitionersofTMCandotheralternativehealthcaresystems,acupuncture,‘natural’herbalmedicines,chiropractors,massagetherapists,vitaminsupplementcompanies,andevencharismaticguruswhobelievefungicansolvealloftheworld’sproblems.

Theymayhavebeeninspiredbyordrawntothestudyofusingfungiformedicinalpurposesoverconcernforfamilymembers,spousesorfamilydogswhohaveorhadcancer.Theywanttobehealthyandtheywanttoofferproductstheybelievearesafetotakeandwillbenefitconsumers.

Thesewell-meaningfolksarebasingtheirbeliefsontheirunderstandingofoutdatedscientifictheoriesregardingtheimmunesystemthataregatheredfrompopularbooksonthisextremelycomplexsubject.

REASONSTOSUGGESTFUNGIARELIKELYHAVEPHARMACOLOGICALUSES

• Avarietyofsecondarymetabolitesproducedbyendophytic,mycorrhizal,saprotrophicandparasiticfungicompetingfornutritionalresourcesandprotectionfromattackbybacteria,viruses,insects,fungalandotherassaultsareofpharmacologicalinterestbecausethetoxinsarecapableoftargetingparticularenzymesofanimalmetabolism.

• Overthecourseofhundredsofmillionsofyearsfungihaveevolvedtomakeenzymesthatenablethemtocooperateandcompeteforsurvivalwithbeneficialandpathogenicbacteria,viruses,animalsandfungi.

•Totheextentthatourmanyofourmicrobialfriendsandenemiesarethesame,thereisthepotentialthatmanyoftheirchemicalcompoundswillbefoundtobeusefulinhelpingussurvive(justasmanyofourchemicalcompoundswillbeusefulinhelpingsomeofthemsurvive).

SOMEKNOWNBENEFITSOFFUNGI

• Recycleorganicmatter• Helpplantsgrowespeciallyindifficultsoilconditions:salt,

nutrientdeficient,dry• Transformcelluloseandligninintosugarsoralcohol(wineand

beer)• Breadmaking• Usedaspesticides• Fuel• Food(cheeses,tofu,etc.)• Preservatives• Bioremediationoftoxicwastes,includingoil,radiation

MUSHROOMSAREAHEALTHYNATURALFOODSOURCE.• 90%ofamushroomiswater• Protein• Insolublefiber• Bvitamins(especiallyB12,whichisfoundinmeats)• Vitamin.D(whenexposedtoultravioletlight)• Minerals(morepotassiumthanbananas)• Antioxidants(selenium,creditedwithhelpingpreventcelldamage;and

copper,amineralthathelpstoproduceredbloodcells)• Aminoacids(glutamate=umamiflavor)• Lowinfat,sodium,cholesterolandcalories.• Contributetoahealthylife,provideddietisnotbasedonprocessedfoods

orjustmushrooms.

• Soldasnutraceuticals,nutritionalhealthsupplements,healthfoods.

MedicineHascomealongwayinthepast100+yearsThankstothediscoveryofvaccines anddevelopingknowledgeofwhytheywork,manyfatalillnesseshavebeennearlyeradicatedinallbutthirdworldcountrieswherethereispoorsanitation,inadequatefoodandwater,andaccesstomedicines.

Antibiotics whicharederivedfromfungihavesavedcountlessmillionsoflivesofpeoplewhousedtodiefrompneumonia,warwounds,surgery.Hospitalsusedtobe(andoccasionallystillare),placeswhereyouwerelikelytodie.

Resistance:Todayweareincreasinglyexperiencingresistancetoourantibiotics,andtoourattemptstoeradicatecancerouscells.

Ourimmunesystemsevolveinstepwiththesethreats,althoughrarelyinbalance.Nevertheless,onaveragewelivemorethantwiceaslongaspeopledidevenintherecentpast.

Weneedtodevelopnewmedicinesthatarereadilyavailableandinexpensive.

INFECTIOUSDISEASES

Fungihavebeenthesourceofamajorchangeinthehealthofhumansintheformofmanydifferentkindsofantibioticcompoundssuchastheascomycetepenicillintotreatbacterialinfectionssincetestedonthefirstpatientin1941.(In1928AlexanderFlemingnoticedthatbacteriaexposedtothefunguscouldbekilled).Ledtoeradicationoftuberculosis,problemsassociatedwithdentalprocedures,surgery.Notrecommendedforprophylacticuse.(Bacteriaevolveresistance)

Emergingevidencethatsomebacterialinfectionsareassociatedwithstomachandintestinalcancers.Antibioticscausetheregressionoftumorswhentreatedinearlystages.Problemisthatduetooveruseinanimals(includinghumans)manybacteriahaveevolvedtoresistcurrentantibiotics.Thereisacriticalneedtodevelopnewdrugsfromplantandfungalsources.

Pharmaceuticalindustryisn’tinterestedindevotingresourcestothiseffortatthemoment.Focusisoncreatinglucrativedrugsformajordiseases,suchascancers,(whichhavealsobeenevolvingtoavoidbeingkilled).

ANTIBIOTICS

STATINSStatins havebeenshowntobeeffectivefortreatingpatientswithhighcholesterolwhoarealsoathighriskofdevelopingcardiovasculardisease.Theysignificantlyreducecardiaceventslikeheartattacks,strokesandmortalitybypreventingtheinternalmanufactureofcholesterolintheliver.

IMMUNOSUPPRESENTSCyclosporin (1970)usedintreatmentofautoimmunediseases,bonemarrowandorgantransplantsurgerytoreducetheincidenceofrejectionbytheimmunesystem(whichresultsinincreasedsusceptibilitytobacteria,fungalandviralpathogens).

BREASTCANCERTHERAPY

Taxolusedasachemotherapeuticdrugtotreatcertainbreastandovariancancers.

VitaminsD1,D2,D4,Ascorbicacid,Riboflavin

Clavaceps purpurea,Ergot

‘St.Anthony’sFire’InMiddleAges,peoplewhoatebreadfromgrainsinfectedwiththisfungusexperiencedconstrictionofthevascularsystemresultinginasevereburningsensation;hallucinations,gangreneanddeath.

AlkaloidcompoundsfromErgotpurpurea havealleviatedmigraines,Parkinson’ssymptoms;reducebleedingandstimulateuterinecontractionsduringchildbirth.

LSDbeingstudiedforitsabilityincontrolledexperimentstoreduceanxietyanddepression.

Psilocybin,‘MagicMushroom’

BeingstudiedatJohn’sHopkinsandotheruniversitiesforitspotentialuseintreatingandrelievingpatientssufferingfromPTSD,depression,neuroticism,anxietyanddisorders.

Resultsofcloselysupervisedstudiessuggestthatasingledosecanhavelonglastingeffectsinincreasingopenness,acceptance,creativity,andfeelingsofself-esteem.

Continuedresearchwillberequiredtodeterminehowitworks.

HealingPotentialofCOMMONDeadlyMushrooms

Amanitaphalloides,Amanitabisporigera(A.virosa),Galerinamarginata:

Afewthousandsofagramcontainedinasinglespecimenwillkillanadulthuman.A-amanitin,whenlinkedtoanantibodyattachedtothesurfaceofaproteinfoundoncancercellshasbeenfoundtoarresttheproliferationofpancreaticcancerinmice.

Amanitaphalloides

Amanitabisporigera

Galerinamarginata

CONCLUSIONS:BECAUTIOUS,BEOBJECTIVE:BECAREFULABOUT‘PUTTINGTHECARTBEFORETHEHORSE’.

• Acompoundoramixofcompoundssaidtohave‘medicinalpotential’doesnotmeanitdefinitelywillworksafelyandreliablyforthepurposeintended.

• Itcouldtakemanydecadesorcenturiesuntilweunderstandtheadvantagesordisadvantagessecondarymetabolitesorifthecompoundsfoundinafunguscanprovideanadvantageoveranexistingmethodofhealing.

• Thatadvantageshouldandwilldependonscientificknowledgebasedonlarge,repeatable,double-blindstudiesusingplacebos.

BEPATIENTImmunology isafieldofmedicineexperiencingrapidgrowth,especiallyafterharnessingthetoolofgeneanalysis.

Workisalsobeingdoneontargetingspecificgenesandtypesofcancers usingbacteria,virusesandfungi.

Medicinalfungiaswellasplantswillbecontributingimportantadvancesinthisfield.

Butwehaveanenormousamountofdiscovery,learningandtestingtoengageinbeforeweareabletoharnessthepowerofourimmunesystemtofightdiseasesofaging.Inthemeantimeitisadvisabletoavoidsmoking,drinkingtoomuch,andlivingasedentarylife.Eatlotsofvegetables,fruits,beans,andfishandcutbackoneatingprocessedfoods,sugarytreatsandsodas,fattymeatsandcarbohydratesdevoidofnutritionalbenefits.

Shouldwebetakingmedicinalmushroomsifwehavenosymptomsofdisease?(ShouldIbetakingaheartmedicine,ifIdonothaveaheartdisease).ShouldItakeamedicinethatboostsmyimmunesystem,ifIhavenoillness?

Ifso,whatshouldtheproperprophylacticdosagebe.

Whatshouldthetherapeuticdosagebe?

Howcanwebeassuredthatthemedicinehasbeenpreparedoptimally?

Whatpartofthefungalorganismismostefficacious(mycelium,fruitingbody,spores).

Forhowlongshouldwetakethesesupplements?

Isthereanyinformationonlongtermuseofsupplementswhetherforpreventionortreatmentpurposes?

Whatwedon’tknow:

Manymakeclaimstoknowthebestsourcesforfindingcures…..

BIBLIOGRAPHYOFCHINESEMEDICALLITERATURETheYellowEmperor’sClassicofInternalMedicine,TranslationbyIlza Veith,1949.

Alchemy,MedicineandReligionintheChinaofA.D.320,TheNei P’ien ofKoHung,TranslationbyJamesR.Ware,1966.

TheTheoreticalFoundationsofChineseMedicine:SystemsofCorrespondence byManfredPorkert,1974.

MedicalEthicsinImperialChina:AStudyinHistoricalAnthropologybyPaulU.Unschuld,1979.TheEvolutionofChineseMedicine:SongDynasty,960-1200byAsaf Goldschmidt,2009.

TraditionalMedicineinContemporaryChinaby NathanSivin,1987.

ChineseMedicineandHealing:AnIllustratedHistorybyTJHinricks andLindaL.Barnes,2013.

AsianMedicalSystems:AComparativeStudyeditedbyCharlesLeslie,1976.

TheExpressivenessoftheBodyandtheDivergenceofGreekandChineseMedicinebyShigehisaKuriyama,2002.

BIBLIOGRAPHYOFPROPONENTLITERATUREONUSINGMEDICINALFUNGI

GrowingGourmetandMedicinalMushrooms,byPaulStamets,2000.

MycoMedicinals:AnInformationalTreatiseonMushroomsbyPaulStamets,2002.

MyceliumRunning:HowMushroomsCanSavetheWorld,byPaulStamets,2005.

TurkeyTailMushroomsHelpImmuneSystemFightCancerbyPaulStamets,FounderofFungiPerfecti:ProgramofIntegrativeMedicineattheUniversityofArizonaMedicalSchool,Tucson,AR,HuffingtonPost,June62012.

EdibleandMedicinalMushroomsofNewEnglandandEasternCanada,byDavidL.Spahr,2009.

MushroomsforHealth:MedicinalSecretsofNortheasternFungi byGregA.Marley,2009.

TheFungalPharmacy:TheCompleteGuidetoMedicinalMushrooms&LichensofNorthAmerica byRobertRogers,2011.

MedicinalMushroomScience:CurrentPerspectives,Advances,Evidences,andChallengesbySolomonP.Wasser,www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25179726

BIBLIOGRAPHYOFPROPONENTLITERATUREONUSINGMEDICINALFUNGI(CONTINUED)

MedicinalMushrooms:AClinicalGuide,MartinPowell,2014.

MedicinalMushrooms:NaturallyBuildImmunityandFightCancer,byDavidR.Hastings,ReleasedJuly20,2014.

‘TheTruthAboutCancer’series.

MedicinalMushroomScience:CurrentPerspectives,Advances,Evidences,andChallenges bySolomonP.Wasser,http://www.biomedj.org.

The3WiseKingHealers,J.C.Mirre,2015

ProoffortheCancer-FungusConnectionandWhatYouCanDoToPreventandCureCancerbyJamesB.Yoseph andHannahYoseph,MD,2014.

BIBLIOGRAPHYOFCAUTIONARYLITERATUREONMEDICINALFUNGIUSE

TheEnemyofMyEnemyisMyFriend- AMicrobialSolutiontoTheEmperorofallMaladies byElie J.Diner,May16,2016,Publishedby theAmericanSocietyforMicrobiology,SmallThingsConsidered.

TheFungi(3rd edition),bySarahC.Watkinson,LynneBoddy,NicholasMoney,ReleasedDec.8,2015.

Fungi:AVeryShortIntroduction, NicholasP.Money,2016.

ReviewofMedicalMicrobiologyandImmunity(13th edition)byWarrenLevinson,ReleasedJune5,2014.

AreMushroomsMedicinal?byNicholasMoney,ElsevierJournal.January7,2016.

TheUseofMushroom-DerivedDietarySupplementsasImmuno-modulatingAgents:AnOverviewofEvidence-BasedClinicalTrialsandtheMechanismsandActionsofMushroomConstituents,fromThePointInstitute,anindependentresearchorganizationfromSteven’sPoint,Wisconsin,Feb.2013.

LITERATUREONANTI-OXIDANTSANDFREERADIALTHEORIESOFAGING&DISEASE

Anti-oxidantOverkill,RandolphM.Howes,M.D.,PhDinBiochemistry,2011.

Anti-oxidantsLinkedtoDeadlyUnintendedConsequences,RandolphM.Howes,M.D.,PhDinBiochemistry,2012.

Immunology:AShortCoursebyWileyBlackwell,Richardo Coico,GeoffreySunshine.

MedicalMicrobiologyandImmunology,WarrenLevinson,MD,PhD,2014.

TrickorTreatment:TheUndeniableFactsAboutAlternativeMedicine,Edzard Ernst,MD,2008.

DoYouBelieveinMagic:Vitamins,Supplements,andAllThingsNatural:ALookBehindtheCurtain,PaulA.Offit,MD,2013.

RethinkingAging:GrowingOldandLivingWellinanOvertreated Society,Nortin M.Hadler,MD,2011.

Oxygen:TheMoleculeThatMadetheWorld,NickLane,2002.

TheVitalQuestion:Energy,Evolution,andtheOriginofComplexLife,NickLane,2015.

HISTORYOFCANCERTREATMENTS,PHARMACEUTICALSTESTING

TheEmperorofAllMaladies:ABiographyofCancer,Siddartha Mukherjee,2010.

MedicalToxicologyofNaturalSubstances:Foods,Fungi,MedicinalHerbs,andVenomousAnimals,DonaldG.Barceloux,MD,2008.

BadPharma:HowDrugCompaniesMisleadDoctorsandHarmPatients,BenGoldacre,2013.

BadScience:Quacks,HacksandBigPharmaFlacks, BenGoldacre,2010.

DoctoringData,HowtoSortOutMedicalAdvicefromMedicalNonsense,Dr.MalcomKendrick,2014.

NewDrugs:AnInsider’sGuidetotheFDA’sNewDrugApprovalProcessforScientists,InvestorsandPatients,LawrenceT.Friedhoff,MD,2009.