Mushrooms Vitamin D

Place Mushrooms in Sunlight to Get Your Vitamin D

Easy to do. Boost vitamin D levels simply by exposing mushrooms to the sun for two days. Vitamin D levels in mushrooms remain high for at least a year. Ingesting a handful of vitamin D-enriched. mushrooms four times a week can bring serum levels to a healthy baseline. Mushrooms are the best vegan source of vitamin D on the planet.

Vitamin D is an essential vitamin that boosts the immune system and plays vital roles in human metabolism. Did you know that tasty mushrooms are one source for vitamin D, and that you can naturally multiply their levels by exposing them to sunlight?

We evolved living in more sunlight than today. We make our own vitamin D when sunlight hits our skin cells. Many people living in the northern hemisphere, however, suffer from lower levels of vitamin D during the fall, winter and spring. Fortunately, you can make your own supply of vitamin D-enriched mushrooms by simply exposing them to sunlight. You can sun dry or UV-zap store-bought or homegrown shiitake, maitake, button, and many other mushroom species. My personal preference is home grown organic shiitake. The high vitamin D levels generated will last for more than a year. Surprisingly, even sliced and dried mushrooms—including wild ones picked the year before—will soar in vitamin D when placed outdoors under the sun. Now, the summer time, from June until September, is the best seasonal window for people in northern latitudes to make vitamin D enriched mushrooms!

Many physicians view low levels of vitamin D as a serious medical pre-condition. In extreme cases, vitamin D deficiencies can cause diseases such as rickets. Insidious diseases, such as cancer, are immune-mitigated. Without adequate vitamin D levels, your immune system is impaired. This is why cancer patients are often prescribed high daily doses of vitamin D, up to 4,000-10,000 International Units (IU), compared to the FDA recommended Daily Value (DV) dose of 400 IU for adults over 50 years in age. Please consult your physician before taking such large doses (1 IU is equal to 40 micrograms).

Shiitake mushrooms growing from oak logs

New recommendations from the Institute of Medicine, a branch of the National Academy of Sciences, increase the dosage to 600 IU per day for people up to age 70, and 800 IU for those over 70. Many naturopaths and physicians suggest ingesting at least 1,000 IU/day. A 2012 report in theJournal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism combined the results of eight clinical studies and showed that older people taking 1,000 IU of vitamin D, in combination with 1,000 mg of calcium, for three years had a 7% reduced death rate (Rejnmark, 2012). When not ingesting vitamin D mushrooms, and especially when traveling, I take a 1,000 IU wild Sockeye Salmon vitamin D3/Omega 3 product (VitalChoice- www.vitalchoice.com) several times a week, or daily when I remember.

The commercially common sources of vitamin D are vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) that comes from sheep’s wool (lanolin), pigskins, and some oily fish (mackerel, sardines, anchovies, herring, trout, and salmon). Mushrooms and animal skins create vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. Mushrooms are rich in the vitamin D precursor ergosterol, which ultraviolet B (between wavelengths of 290 nm to 315 nm) converts to ergocalciferols, also called provitamin D2. Mammfal epidermis has cholecalciferol, which ultraviolet light converts to D3.

Which is better, Vitamin D3 or D2? The New England Journal of Medicine published an exhaustive article comparing the metabolic pathways of vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 (Holick, 2007). Our enzymes convert both D vitamins into 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and then into the active form of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in our kidneys. This form of vitamin D can bind to receptors in various tissues around the body for use. One advantage of vitamin D3 is its longevity after ingestion—staying in the bloodstream for weeks compared to days for vitamin D2. However, for people taking vitamin D supplements several times a week, there seems to be no significant advantage in taking one form or the other.

Shiitake mushrooms flushing from a home grown kit

Moreover, eating mushrooms packed with vitamin D2 confers many other health benefits. Mushrooms have many helpful nutrients, including beta glucans for immune enhancement, ergothioneines for antioxidative potentiation, nerve growth stimulators for helping brain function, and antimicrobial compounds for limiting viruses. I will write more about these in future issues of the Huffington Post.

While making your own vitamin D3 from sheep or pigskins may be possible, it is rather gruesome and technically difficult. Consuming vitamin D3 from fish is not an option for vegetarians. Vitamin D from mushrooms is not only vegan and vegetarian friendly, but you can prepare your own by exposing mushrooms to the summer sun. Mushrooms grown indoors have very little vitamin D but reserve great potential for hyper-producing it.

Here is a simple experiment we did one summer afternoon in Kamilche Point, Washington. We compared several forms of organically grown shiitake mushrooms, which had starting level of 100 IU/100 grams. We compared the vitamin D levels of three sets of mushrooms, all from the same crop. The first was grown and dried indoors. The second set was dried outdoors in the sunlight with their gills facing down. The third set of mushrooms was dried outdoors in the sunlight with their gills facing upwards for full sun exposure. The most vitamin D was found in shiitake dried with gills up that were exposed to sunlight for two days, six hours per day. The vitamin D levels in these mushrooms soared from 100 IU/100 grams to nearly 46,000 IU/100 grams (see chart). Their stems, though, produced very little vitamin D, only about 900 IU. Notably, vitamin D levels dropped on the third day, probably due to over-exposure to UV.

Most interesting to me is that when we tested our mushrooms nearly a year after exposure, they preserved significant amounts of vitamin D2. I suspect values are much higher initially, gradually falling in time, consistent with reports by other researchers. This means that you can capture vitamin D in mushrooms and have a ready source of this important vitamin—and delicious mushrooms—through the fall, winter, and spring.

How much vitamin D can 100 grams of fresh mushrooms make from sunlight? A lot, but a lot more when mushrooms are dried, pulverized, and then exposed to UVB light lamps.Caution: Using UVB light lamps can cause damage to your eyes and skin. Do not attempt this without taking necessary precautions.

Robert Beelman at Penn State University was one of the pioneers who learned that pulsing high intensity beams of UV could generate vitamin D (and also, bonus, surface-sterilize the mushrooms). Thanks in large part to his work, UV-exposed mushrooms—primarily the fresh button variety—are increasingly available in grocery stores. When we ranked the vitamin D concentrations of shiitake exposed to no light, exposed to sunlight with gills up, and exposed to continuous UVB light after slicing, the results were impressive: more than a six-fold increase under UVB light compared with sunlight.

These results make sense. When mushrooms were sliced, more ergosterol-rich surface area was exposed. The indoor UV light was more intense than sunlight. The combination of these resulted in more vitamin D being produced. Although up to 12 hours of sun exposure to upside-down (gills up) shiitakes created 46,000 IU of vitamin D, I am sure sliced ones would give you more, as the surface area would increase. However, the sun is a convenient source of UVB whereas setting up a UVB light chamber is not.

Here is how to do it:

Shiitake mushrooms ready for natural vitamin D enhancement

1. Obtain fresh Organic shiitake, maitake, button, oyster, shimeji or other mushrooms.
2. On a sunny day in June, July or August, slice the fresh mushrooms. Place them evenly on a tray exposed directly to the sun from 10 am to 4 pm.
3. Before nightfall, cover the mushrooms with a layer of cardboard to block moisture from dewfall.
4. The next clear day repeat exposure to the sun from 10 am to 4 pm.
5. Remove the mushrooms and finish drying (if necessary in a food dehydrator until they are crispy).
6. When thoroughly dry, store in a glass jar or sealed container. Adding a tablespoon of uncooked rice as a moisture absorber will help keep the mushrooms dry. The mushrooms should be good for a year or more, depending upon conditions.
7. Take 10 grams daily per person, about a small handful. Rehydrate in water for one hour. The mushrooms will swell. Then cook as desired.

100 grams (~ 3.5 ounces) of freshly cut shiitake mushrooms	10 grams (~ .35 ounces) of sun exposed, dried shiitake mushrooms

A natural question to ask is how much of the vitamin D from consuming mushrooms makes it into my bloodstream? Comparing 26 people who took a vitamin D2 supplement to 26 others ingesting vitamin D-enriched mushrooms four times per week for five weeks, researchers at the University Medical Center in Frieburg, Germany found that the serum levels of vitamin D were similar. They used button mushrooms exposed to UV light that resulted in 20,000 IU/100 grams fresh weight. Subjects ingested 120 grams fresh (≈24,000 IU) of vitamin D-enriched mushrooms, which is about a quarter of a lb., roughly a handful. The results showed similar levels of vitamin D were absorbed in the blood in both groups: those who ingested a supplement in pill form and those who put freshly cooked mushrooms in soup. At the end of the study, both groups’ serum vitamin D levels increased to ~50 nmol/L, which is considered to be a healthy baseline level. A general consensus amongst many health care practitioners is that you need to replenish your vitamin D so blood serum levels are between 50 and 125 nmol/L of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Care should be taken to avoid over-supplementation, as serum levels over 125 nmol/L can be hazardous (see chart).

Institute of Medicine Recommendations for Serum Concentrations of Vitamin D

Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] Concentrations and Health*
nmol/L**	ng/mL*	Health status
<30	<12	Associated with vitamin D deficiency, leading to rickets in infants and children and osteomalacia in adults
30–50	12–20	Generally considered inadequate for bone and overall health in healthy individuals
≥50	≥20	Generally considered adequate for bone and overall health in healthy individuals
>125	>50	Emerging evidence links potential adverse effects to such high levels, particularly >150 nmol/L (>60 ng/mL)

* Serum concentrations of 25(OH)D are reported in both nanomoles per liter (nmol/L) and nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL).
** 1 nmol/L = 0.4 ng/mL

Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2010.

—The Office of Dietary Supplements does not promote or endorse any product or service described in this article.

Regan Nally and Dusty Yao holding sun-stroked vitamin D enriched, dried shiitake mushrooms. These mushrooms will hold on to their vitamin D for more than a year.

Mushrooms are not only wonderful sources of vitamin D, but they offer us many opportunities for maintaining and improving health. Whether you expose cultivated mushrooms, or wildly harvested edibles, both become jam-packed with vitamin D after light exposure. Mushrooms are truly super foods!

Recommended website:

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements Fact Sheet on Vitamin D

References Used for this Article:

Beelman, R. & M. Kalaras. “Post-harvest Vitamin D Enrichment of Fresh Mushrooms.” HAL Project# MU07018 (April 30, 2009), Penn State University.

U.S. Mushroom Council & Australian Mushroom Growers Association.

Holick, M.F. “Vitamin D Deficiency.” New England Journal of Medicine, 2007; 357(3):266-81.

Institute of Medicine. “Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D.” 2010. Washington, DC.

Lappe J.M., Travers-Gustafson D., Davies K.M., Recker R.R., Heaney R.P. “Vitamin D and calcium supplementation reduces cancer risk: results of a randomized trial.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2007; 85(6):1586-1591.

Rejnmark, L. “Vitamin D with Calcium Reduces Mortality: Patient Level Pooled Analysis of 70,528 Patients from Eight Major Vitamin D Trials.”

Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. Published online May 17, 2012, doi: 10.1210/jc.2011-3328.

Stamets, P. & G. Plotnikoff. “Anticancer Medicinal Mushrooms Can Provide Significant Vitamin D 2 (Ergocalciferol).” International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. 2005; 7(3):471-472.

Stamets, P. “Notes on Nutritional Properties of Culinary–Medicinal Mushrooms” International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. 2005; 7(1&2):103-110.

Stamets, P. Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World. 2005. Ten Speed Press, Berkeley.

Urbain, P., et al. “Bioavailability of vitamin D2 from UV-B-irradiated

button mushrooms in healthy adults deficient in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D: a randomized controlled trial.”European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2011; 65:965-971.

Complete list of herbs we sell

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Listed below are Herbs i sell and endorse from there affiliate program

The King of Medicinal Mushrooms,
according to Siberian Shamans

Chaga (Inonotus Obliquus) is a medicinal mushroom most commonly found on birch trees. Different from other mushrooms, it grows its sclerotium or mycelium on the outside of the tree, instead of fruiting bodies. It is believed to not be parasitic, but instead to live symbiotically with the host tree.Order Here .......>Chaga Great Video on Chaga

a great article on Chaga  and article Quest for Chaga

Reishi – The Mushroom of Immortality

Reishi, also known as Ling Zhi and Ganoderma Lucidum, is found in many parts of the world on a wide variety of trees. It has also been called by a number of other names including “God’s Herb” and “10000 Year Mushroom”  Order Here...>Reishi

Highest Quality Genuine
Cordycep Sinensis Extract on the Market

Cordyceps sinensis has been popular among athletes ever since it was reported that the Chinese female track teams of nine members used it for great effect, setting nine world records in the 1993 National championship. Further medals came in the 1996 and 2000 Olympics..Order here..>Cordyceps

Known as Siberian Ginseng,
Eleuthero is a Potent Adaptogen

Similar to ginseng in many respects, Eleuthero earned the name Siberian ginseng, despite the fact that it is an entirely different genus than ginseng although both are of the family Araliaceae. While this name has been around for a long time, more people are beginning to use the actual name, in short form, Eleuthero. Another lesser known name, at least in Western countries, is Ciwujiia.Order here...>Eleuthero

Ashwaganda

For Over 4000 Years Considered India’s Most Potent Sexual Herb and All-Around General Tonic.In Ayurvedic medicine it is considered a rasayana, which means the path of essence, and speaks to its longevity properties. It enhances Ojas, which is the equivalent in Chinese Medicine as Jing and has been in use for over 4000 years.Order here..>Ashwaganda

Pure Shilajit Mineral Pitch

The Most Potent Form of
Shilajit Available

For those that have taken our other shilajits you know how powerful they are. There’s a reason its one of the top herbs in Ayurveda known as all of the following:

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• The Destroyer of Weakness
• Indian Viagra
• Historical Cure-All
• Most Powerful Anti-Aging Substance
• The Nectar of the Gods according to Legend Order here..>Shilajit Pitch

Maral Root

Little Known Root with Anabolic Activity Leads to Increased Lean Muscle Mass and Improved Work Capacity

Maral root is known by a number of names like Rhaponticum carthamoides, Leuzea carthamoides and Stemmacantha carthamoides. It grows wildly in Siberia and is cultivated in different areas of Russia and Eastern Europe.

The name Maral root comes from the maral deer who feed on it. Specifically the males would fight each other during mating season, then dig out the roots and eat them to restore strength. Local people noticed this and used the root themselves historically for the following purposes:

• Recovery from fatigue
• Treat impotence
• Recovery from various illnesses
• Increasing sexual potency
• Improving mild depression
• Increase memory
• Increase work capacity
• Adaptogenic properties
• Anabolic properties  Order Here...>Maral Root

He Shou Wu

The Ultimate Kidney Jing Fortifier and
#1 Anti-Aging Herb in Chinese Tonic Herbalism

The Legend of He Shou Wu…
This root is named after a man who became famous from its use. Neng Zi was born as a weak boy. When he grew up he never married because he was impotent. At the age of 58, one day he got drunk in the forest and fell asleep. He noticed roots that appeared in his mind to be “making love”. He dug these up and later made it into a tonic he could consume.

Within a short period of time he noticed a new energy flowing within his body. He began to feel virile, and could hardly contain his sexual drive. He continued taking He Shou Wu for years which made his grey hair turn black and he fathered many children.

The legend says he lived to 160 years old and fathered 19 sons and daughter. Not bad for starting out with a weak constitution and beginning on the herb at 58.

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Pine Pollen MY FAVORITE@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Check it out. Pine Pollen is recommended by Tim Ferris in his new book The 4-Hour Chef.

Pine Pollen may be one of the most potent and powerful herbs or foods available today. It is the male spore of the pine tree and has been used for thousands of years.Order here...>Pine Pollen

Brown Shilajit

The Destroyer of Weakness and
Conqueror of Mountains

With a name like that you know it has to be good! But that’s just the beginning…

Shilajit is the #1 rated herb in Ayurvedic Medicine. It is highly regarded as the most powerful anti-aging substance known to the people of India.Order Here..>Brown Shilajit

Polyrhachis Ant Extract

The Herb of Kings

Ants are strong and when you take our ant extract you may acquire some of that strength. Ants are the strongest creatures, pound for pound, on the planet. Order here.>Polyrhacis Ant Extract

Hydrilla

The Power and Rejuvenation Ability of the Hydra…Now in Supplement Form

Do you remember the myth of Hercules fighting against the Hydra? The Hydra was a dragon or serpent like creature and when each one of it’s heads was chopped off, two grew back it it’s place, proving a difficult beast to overcome. Order Here..>Hydrilla

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Most supplement companies, if they even have an affiliate program, only offer 2, 5 or 10%. 

We offer affiliates a whopping 30% for every sale of our herbs.

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Oyster mushrooms

HEALTH BENEFITS OF OYSTER MUSHROOMS

Oyster mushrooms are both delicious and nutritious, and are natural source of the cholesterol fighting statins. Oyster mushrooms are high in B complex vitamins and protein. Vitamin B3 in oyster mushrooms is 5-10 times higher as compared to any other vegetable. Oyster mushrooms contain the majority of the mineral salts that are required by the human body. Calcium, phosphorous and iron content in oyster mushrooms is approximately double the amount available in beef, pork and chicken meat, yet oyster mushrooms are fat and cholesterol free. The texture of oyster mushroom is wonderful, velvety and the flavor is mild in nature.

Oyster mushrooms can be a nutritious daily addition to the diets of people in all age groups. Oyster mushrooms can be cooked or eaten raw. Oyster mushrooms taste best when prepared simply. Oyster mushrooms sautéed in butter with a bit onion and garlic make a wonderful side dish, or base for other recipes. Oyster mushrooms can also be used in almost any recipe that calls for mushrooms, and have long been a staple in Asian cooking and stir fries.

Groups that may find oyster mushrooms especially beneficial:

1. Those who are anemic: oyster mushrooms improve haemopoietic factors.

2. Those who are trying to control hypertension, obesity and diabetes: oyster mushrooms are high potassium yet have a low sodium/potassium ratio, and are also low in starch, fat and caloric value.

3. Those who suffer from hyperacidity and constipation: Oyster mushrooms have beneficial high fiber content and alkaline ash content.

4. Those who wish to lower cholesterol levels: oyster mushroom naturally contain 0.4%-2.7% of lovastatin, commonly used in cholesterol lowering drugs.

5. Those wishing to bolster their immune systems: Oyster mushrooms contain some antibiotic properties and immune boosting properties.

Additional information
Oyster mushrooms contain carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins B1, B2, plus minerals, especially iron and an antioxiden

Mushrooms

Reishi, Ling Zhi Mushrooms of Immortality

Reishi (Japanese), or Ling Zhi (霊芝, Chinese) is a spectacularly beautiful polypore mushroom.

The iconic mushroom commonly known as Reishi (in Japanese) or Ling Zhi (靈芝 in Chinese) is probably the most respected medicinal mushroom in Asia. The earliest mention of Ling Zhi was in the era of the first emperor of China, Shinghuang of the Ch'in Dynasty 221-207 B.C.E. Once reserved for royalty to extend life and improve health, this polypore mushroom is strikingly beautiful. Deep reddish brown and saucer-shaped, often emerging from a branch-like stem, its smooth upper surface looks lacquered when wet. Because of this glossy appearance, Western mycologists called them "varnished conks" for many years (conks are mushrooms that have pores instead of gills on their undersides, such as maitake and turkey tails). While reishi mushrooms have historically been prepared as teas or infusions, other modern preparations include capsules, tinctures, and fractionated extracts of mushrooms, mycelium, and spores. Reishi is also added to chocolate bars, candies, energy drinks, and even coffee blends!

Chinese sage in contemplation of Ling Zhi. Painted by Chen Hung-shou (1559-1652). (From Wasson, 1968)

"Reishi" is a common name for a complex of closely-allied species of the Ganoderma genus. Until recently the name reishi referred to the species Ganoderma lucidum; however, new DNA barcoding and phylogenetic techniques have revealed that this name had been inappropriately applied by taxonomists to what is in fact a group of close relatives. These new techniques are now revealing that "reishi" mushrooms once all thought to beGanoderma lucidum may have been misclassified. This misclassification is understandable, as all these morphologically-similar species naturally grow on old or dead tree trunks and all display remarkable glossy cap surfaces that can vary in color from bright red to black according to their age and environmental factors. Although these species (G. tsugae, G. oregonense, G. carnosum, and G. oerstedii, and G. resinaceum) have 98-100 percent commonality of DNA using the common "ITS genetic region," they are now considered separate species.

After amassing billions of reishi spores, a brush and fine mesh screen is used to remove extraneous debris.

Because of its rich history and long tradition of medicinal use, Ganoderma lucidum (in the strictest sense) is now one of the few mushroom species whose DNA has been fully sequenced (16,113 genes). Others are button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) with 10,438 genes and oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) with 12,330 genes (Joint Genome Institute). Reishi is remarkable for its diversity of genes coding for cytochrome P450 enzymes. These enzymes not only afford this species a broad arsenal for producing secondary metabolites for digesting nutrients, but may also confer benefits to human health such as enhancing the degradation of toxins and free radicals and increasing the liver's metabolic efficiency. The variety of these enzymes, among more than 400 active constituents that have been found, indicates to me that mushrooms such as reishi are like miniature pharmaceutical factories that can produce hundreds of medicinally-interactive compounds. Through trial-and-error and observable outcomes, our ancestors narrowed the field of edible mushroom candidates to just a few with remarkable, health-supporting properties. Today, reishi stands out as one the most valuable of all polypore mushrooms in nature for the benefit of our health. Many naturopaths and doctors prefer organically-grown reishi from pristine environments because they are more pure.

Dusty Yao admiring Red Reishi grown at Fungi Perfecti Laboratories, Kamilche Pt., Wash.

Reishi has been called the "panacea polypore," in part due to a widespread popular belief that this mushroom can help alleviate certain age-related diseases. Although many such claims are exaggerated and unsubstantiated, a number of studies have documented a range of medicinal effects.

In 2000, a group of Merck pharmaceutical scientists at the Centro de Investigaci´on B´asica, Merck Sharp & Dohme in Madrid, Spain tested the mycelial extracts of 204 species of mushrooms for their antimicrobial properties (Suay et al., 2000). The mushrooms showing the most activity were "reishi" species (G. lucidum, G. resinaceum and G. pfeifferi) of which 73 percent of the strains showed activities against the bacterium Bacillus subtilis. However, while extracts of the reishi species group all strongly inhibited Bacillus bacteria, they were curiously inactive against other disease-causing bacteria and fungi. That these Ganodermas are species specific in their antimicrobial activities suggests a unique mode of activity, a benchmark test that attracts medical researchers interested in new antibiotic drug discovery.

In my work with the U.S. Defense Department's BioShield BioDefense program, ethanol and water extracts of the living mycelium of Ganoderma resinaceum inhibited virus replication as measured by the viral yield reduction (VYR) assay of Flu A (H5N1) aka "bird flu," and Flu B viruses. Notably, a "traditional" hot water extract of the fruitbodies arising from the same mycelium demonstrated no notable antiviral activity (Stamets, 2008).

A review of the scientific literature reveals that many of the traditional medicinal claims can now be validated, especially the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the anti-cancer claims have yet to achieve the credibility of comparable studies on Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) mushrooms (see Turkey Tail post). In a recent critique of reishi studies published through 2012, the authors concluded:

Our review did not find sufficient evidence to justify the use of G. lucidum as a first-line treatment for cancer. It remains uncertain whether G. lucidum helps prolong long-term cancer survival. However, G. lucidum could be administered as an alternative adjunct to conventional treatment in consideration of its potential of enhancing tumor response and stimulating host immunity. (Jin et al. 2012)

While such conclusions presume similar sample preparations and consistent taxonomic identification from study to study, one common theme emerges. The species in the taxonomic constellation of "reishi" mushrooms consistently activate, in vitro and in vivo, human immune cells: macrophages, NK and cytotoxic T cells, on a dose-dependent basis. Moreover, in the previously-mentioned comparison of peer-reviewed studies on reishi and cancer, the authors conclude that the adjunct use of reishi may augment chemotherapeutic drugs to treat cancer and may extend their effectiveness. This is particularly important since a common concern among oncologists is that the antioxidant properties of medicinal mushrooms may interfere with chemotherapeutic drugs. Addressing this issue, Simone et al. (2007) reported:

[280 peer-reviewed studies] have consistently shown that non-prescription antioxidants and other nutrients do not interfere with cancer therapeutic modalities. In addition, nonprescription antioxidants and other nutrients enhance the killing of cancer therapeutic modalities, decrease their side effects, and protect normal tissues, and in 15 human studies, 3,738 patients actually had prolonged survival.

Although the trends are promising and reishi mushrooms exhibit a number of interesting medicinal properties, modern scientific techniques have yet to affirm its traditional "panacea polypore" status. For now we can state that reishi use is generally safe and has high antioxidant value. While we cannot yet state that reishi mushrooms extend the disease-free period of cancer patients, reishi remains as an excellent candidate for augmenting chemotherapy, according to some cancer researchers. Since funding of clinical studies is either industry-based or from grants -- few and far between -- the jury is still out on the usefulness of reishi, the "mushroom of immortality," for extending life. That said, I for one, join our ancestors in being drawn to this mushroom and regularly ingest it in many forms.

Mycologist Jean-Marc Moncalvo, presently Curator of Fungi at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, was the first scientist to investigate the taxonomy of Ganoderma mushrooms using DNA sequences. Here he stands in front of more than a ton of Ling Zhi in a farm in China.

Financial Disclosure: Paul Stamets, author of Growing Gourmet & Medicinal Mushrooms and educator of mushroom cultivators world-wide, is also the Founder of Fungi Perfecti, LLC -- a company that supplies mushroom related products including whole, encapsulated powders, and extracts of mushrooms.

References Used for This Blog

Chen, S. et al. 2012. "Genome sequence of the model medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum." Nat. Commun. 3:913 doi: 10.1038 / ncomms1923.

Jin, X., Ruiz Beguerie, J., Sze, D.M., Chan, G.C. 2012. "Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom) for cancer treatment." Cochrane Database Syst Rev. Issue 6. Art. No.: CD007731. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007731.pub2.

Moncalvo, J.M., Wang, H.F., and Hseu, R.S. 1995. Gene phylogeny of the Ganoderma lucidum complex. Comparison with traditional taxonomic characters. Mycological Research 99:1489-1499.

Sanodiyaa, B.S., G.S. Thakura, R K. Baghela, G.B.K.S. Prasadb and P.S. Bisena. 2009. "Ganoderma lucidum: A Potent Pharmacological Macrofungus" Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. 10:717-742.

Schoch, C.L., Seifert, K.A., Huhndorf, S., Robert, V., Spouge, J.L., André Levesque, C., Chen, W., and Fungal Barcoding Consortium. 2012. "Nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region as a universal DNA barcode marker for Fungi." Proc Natl Acad Sci. 109(16): 6241-6246.

Simone C.B., Simone N.L., Simone V., Simone C.B. 2007. "Antioxidants and other nutrients do not interfere with chemotherapy or radiation therapy and can increase kill and increase survival, Part 2." Altern Ther Health Med. 13(2):40-47.

Stamets. P., 1993. Growing Gourmet & Medicinal Mushrooms. Ten Speed Press, Berkeley, Ca.

Stamets, P. 2008. U.S. Patent Application # 12/284,646. "Antiviral and Antibacterial Activity from Medicinal Mushrooms." Filed September 24.

Suay, I., F. Arenal, F. Asenio, A. Basilio, M. Cabello, M. T. Diez, J. B. Garcia, A. Gonzalez del Val, J. Gorrochategui, P. Hernandez, F. Pelaez, and M. F. Vicente. 2000. "Screening of basidiomycetes for antimicrobial activities." Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 78:129-139.

Wasson, R.G. 1968 Soma: Divine Mushroom of Immortality, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Inc.; Los Angeles, USA, pp. 80-92.