If you are suffering from infection, recovering from cancer or blood tests have revealed your white blood cells are low, medicinal mushrooms may help to give your immune system a jump-start. Edible mushrooms from around the world have been found to have a beneficial effect on health, providing nutrients and phytochemicals that support the immune system in the fight against bacteria, parasites, viruses and cancerous cells. Herbal medicine is not intended to replace medical care, so consult your doctor before purchasing mushroom products.
White Button
White button mushrooms are the most commonly consumed mushroom in the Western diet, making up 90 percent of all mushrooms consumed in the U.S., according to a 2007 study in "The Journal of Nutrition." Researchers from Tufts University explored the effects of dietary white button mushrooms on the immune system of mice. White button mushrooms had a significant effect on the immune system, in particular on natural killer cells, which are responsible for protecting against viruses, bacteria and cancerous cells. Researchers conclude that this regularly consumed mushroom has a beneficial effect on immune health, though more research is still required to confirm the results in humans.
Common Morel
The common morel is one of the most popular mushrooms for wild foraging in North America and Europe, and is highly prized in cooking and cuisine around the world for its delicate flavors. In a study published in "The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry" in 2002, researchers from the University of Mississippi investigated a compound from common morel called galactomannan. During the study, the galactomannan compound demonstrated significant immuno-stimulatory actions, improving the function of human monocytic cells in vitro by up to 50 percent.
Shiitake
Shiitake is a popular edible mushroom in Asian cooking, and has become the subject of medical research in recent years as a complementary treatment for cancer, AIDS and infection. In a study published in "International Immunopharmacology" in 2009, researchers from China Medical University tested the effects of lentinan, an active compound from shiitake, on malaria. Lentinan significantly increased the production of mouse T lymphocytes in response to malarial infection, demonstrating the ability of shiitake to support and stimulate the specific immune system against invading pathogens.
Reishi
Reishi mushrooms are a popular traditional Chinese medicine often used for anticancer and immune-stimulating purposes. In a review of research published in "The American Journal of Chinese Medicine" in 2011, researchers from the University of Macau in China compared various studies looking at the effects of reishi mushrooms on the immune system. Researchers concluded that reishi mushrooms stimulate the production of B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, macrophages, and natural killer cells, and also have specific anticancer properties to inhibit angiogenesis and suppress tumor growth.
Cordyceps
In a review of research published in "The Journal of Food and Drug Analysis" in 2000, studies investigating the various health benefits of cordyceps mushrooms were pooled together. Researchers concluded that cordyceps stimulates a wide range of white blood cells, including T lymphocytes, phagocytes and natural killer cells, and also stimulated the production of tumor necrosis factor which inhibits cancer growth. Cordyceps is an immune-system modulator, augmenting white blood cells during infection or poor immune function, and suppressing white blood cells when the immune system is hyperactive. Consult a physician before attempting to treat yourself with mushrooms.
References
- "The Journal of Nutrition"; Dietary Supplementation with White Button Mushroom Enhances Natural Killer Cell Activity in C57BL/6 Mice; Dayong Wu, et al.; 2007
- "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry"; Isolation of a Galactomannan That Enhances Macrophage Activation from the Edible Fungus Morchella esculenta; C. Duncan, et al.; 2002
- "International Immunopharmacology"; The shiitake mushroom-derived immuno-stimulant lentinan protects against murine malaria blood-stage infection by evoking adaptive immune-responses.; L.D. Zhou, et al.; 2009
- "American Journal of Chinese Medicine"; Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides: immunomodulation and potential anti-tumor activities.; Z. Xu, et al.; 2011
- "Journal of Food and Drug Analysis"; Pharmacological Functions of Chinese Medicinal Fungus Cordyceps sinensis and Related Species; S.Y. Wang, et al.; 2000
