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Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 4th Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements Phyllis A. Balch, CNC See book keywords and concepts

Morel, reishi, shiitake, and maitake are mushrooms that were touted by the ancient Chinese as superior medicines that give eternal youth and longevity. They prevent high blood pressure and heart disease, lower cholesterol, prevent fatigue and viral infections, and much more. They are found in supplement form as well as fresh. • Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) keeps hair healthy, with little graying, and prevents premature hair loss. It is also very important for normal adrenal and immune function. • Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) is one of the B vitamins.

The Natural Pharmacy: Complete A-Z Reference to Natural Treatments for Common Health Conditions Alan R. Gaby, M.D., Jonathan V. Wright, M.D., Forrest Batz, Pharm.D. Rick Chester, RPh., N.D., DipLAc. George Constantine, R.Ph., Ph.D. Linnea D. Thompson, Pharm.D., N.D. See book keywords and concepts

Beta-glucan is a fiber-type complex sugar (polysaccharide) derived from the cell wall of baker's yeast, oat (page 716) and barley fiber, and many medicinal mushrooms, such as maitake (page 707). In their natural states, yeast and mushrooms contain a mixture of beta-1,3-glucan and beta-l,6-glucan. Oats and barley contain a mixture of beta-l,3-glucan and beta-l,4-glucan. In addition to purified beta-l,3-glucan from these sources, you may see products listed as beta-1,3/1,6-glucan in the case of yeast-derived products and as beta-1,3/1,4-glucan when derived from oats.

Anti-Aging Manual: The Encyclopedia of Natural Health Joseph E. Mario See book keywords and concepts

White Oak bark, Pau D'Arco and maitake tea. Anti-Fungal herbs Black Walnut concentrate, 1 -2 qts. Pau D'Arco tea daily (esp. lung, breast or Brain yeast) and Thyme, Echinacea, Astragalus root, Goldenseal orBarberry (for Berberine), Fennel seed, Male Fern oleoresin, Marshmallow root (if kidney, bladder, or urinary yeast), Horsetail, Nettle, Gentian root, B ladderwrack, Oregon Grape root, Usnea, Yarrow (if systemic yeast), Chaparral, Bayberry, Myrrh, Atractylodes, Ginseng, Spirulina, Cajeput, Chamomile, and Parsley's Apiol (a remedy for gas). Barberry, Cinnamon, and Dandelion.

The Natural Pharmacy: Complete A-Z Reference to Natural Treatments for Common Health Conditions Alan R. Gaby, M.D., Jonathan V. Wright, M.D., Forrest Batz, Pharm.D. Rick Chester, RPh., N.D., DipLAc. George Constantine, R.Ph., Ph.D. Linnea D. Thompson, Pharm.D., N.D. See book keywords and concepts

Beta-glucan (page 470) is a fiber-type polysaccharide (complex sugar) derived from the cell wall of baker's yeast, oat and barley fiber (page 512), and many medicinal mushrooms, such as maitake (page 707). Numerous experimental studies in test tubes and animals have shown beta-glucan to activate white blood cells.100,101,102,103,104 In fact, there have been hundreds of research papers on beta-glucan since the 1960s.105 The research indicates that beta-l,3-glucan, in particular, is very effective at activating white blood cells known as macrophages and neutrophils.

Fo-ti (page 678) Whey protein Green tea (page 613) (page 686) Zinc (page 614) (for Ligustrum non-elderly people) (page 704) maitake (page 707) Noni (page 715) What are the symptoms of low immune function? Symptoms of decreased immune function include frequent colds (page 129) and flus (page 269), recurring parasitic infections (page 343), initially mild infections that become serious, opportunistic infections (infections by organisms that are usually well controlled by a healthy immune system, such as toxoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, and cytomegalovirus), and cancer (page 87).

Animal studies suggest that the mushroom maitake (page 707) may lower fat levels in the blood.336 This research is still preliminary and requires confirmation with controlled human trials. Animal studies indicate that saponins in alfalfa (page 623) seeds may block absorption of cholesterol and prevent the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.337 However, consuming the large amounts of alfalfa seeds (80 to 120 grams per day) needed to supply high doses of these saponins may potentially cause damage to red blood cells in the body.338 Are there any side effects or interactions?

Along with other "medicinal" mushrooms, such as shiitake (page 746) and reishi (page 737), maitake was used as a food to help promote wellness and vitality. Common names: High mallow, common mallow Botanical name: Malva sylvestris Parts used and where grown Mallow originates from southern Europe and Asia but has spread all over the world as a common weed. Its cousin, the dwarf mallow (Malva neglecta), is another Eurasian plant that has spread far and wide. Other similar plants in the same family (Malvaceae) are hibiscus and marshmallow (page 708).

Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices Of Herbal Medicine David Hoffman, FNIMH, AHG See book keywords and concepts

Edible mushrooms rich in P-glucans include shiitake (Lentinus edodes), maitake (Grifola frondosa), himematsu-take (Agaricus blazei), button mushrooms (Schizophyllum commune and Sclerotina sclerotiorum), wood ear (Auricularia auricula), tremella (Tremella fuciformis), poria (Wolfporia cocos), and enoki (Flammulina velutipes). Huitlacoche (Ustilago maydis) is another edible fungus that is also rich in p-glucans. Nonedible mushrooms rich in P-glucans include reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) and the coriolus mushroom (Coriolus versicolor).

Eat and Heal (Foods That Can Prevent or Cure Many Common Ailments) the Editors of FC&A Medical Publishing See book keywords and concepts

Extracts from shiitake and maitake mushrooms may also jump start your immune system into making more natural killer cells. While the connection between eat ing whole mushrooms and these benefits is still controversial, adding a few of these delicacies to your daily menu can't hurt when it's cold and blustery outside. Cans cancer. Consider mushrooms, too, when it comes to cancer prevention. Eating certain kinds — shiitake, maitake, oyster, and other exotic types — may cut your risk. However, experts agree they need to do a lot more research.

The Complete Book of Alternative Nutrition Selene Y. Craig, Jennifer Haigh, Sari Harrar and the Editors of PREVENTION Magazine Health Books See book keywords and concepts

They also believe that reishis can help to fight a host of ailments, including high blood pressure, allergies, asthma, fatigue, arthritis, high cholesterol, dizziness, liver problems and congestion. The maitake mushroom—known as the dancing mushroom in Japan—has made headlines here and abroad for battling tumors. It's also won publicity for its prowess against HIV. In laboratory studies, an extract from the maitake called glucan was able to prevent HIV from killing T-cells, which are crucial immune system cells.

Whole Foods Companion: A Guide For Adventurous Cooks, Curious Shoppers, and lovers of natural foods Dianne Onstad See book keywords and concepts

Historically, maitake were valued for promoting longevity and maintaining health. Matsutake or pine mushrooms (Armillaria ponderosa, A. edodes) are among the most appealing edible mushrooms, with their sweetly scented pine atoma and superb flavor. The stems are thick and meaty, and the slightly pointed, unopened caps are enclosed in a veil, making them look distinctly phallic. As the caps flare open, the market ptice declines. Matsutake mushrooms thin blood and thus lower cholesterol and help ptevent strokes and heart attacks.

Viral Immunity J. E. Williams, O.M.D. See book keywords and concepts

Of the many mushrooms studied, five chemicals have shown activity against human cancers: lentinan from the shiitake mushroom (Lentinus edodes); active hexose correlated compound (AHCC), also from shiitake; maitake D-fraction from the maitake mushroom (Grifola frondosa); schizophyllan from Schizophyllum commune; and various proteoglycans (PSK and PSP) from Coriolus versicolor. The ones most commonly available on the American market are the trade combinations AHCC and MGM-3 (discussed below). Other mushroom extract combinations are also available, and research continues on new promising species.

The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants: Ethnopharmacology and Its Applications Christian Ratsch See book keywords and concepts

Polyporus mysticus"); it was noted, however, that the maitake of the Konjaku story was actually known as waraitake, "laughing mushroom."368 In the Daijiten, on the other hand, waraitake is identified as Panaeolus papilionaceus (cf. Panaeolus spp.) or Gymnopilus spectabilis (Sanford 1972, 174**). The Daijiten has the following to say about this mushroom: People who eat this mushroom become inebriated. They can become extremely excited, dance and sing, and see different visions. Other names for it are odoritake ["jumping mushroom"] and maitake.

Prescription for Herbal Healing: An Easy-to-Use A-Z Reference to Hundreds of Common Disorders and Their Herbal Remedies Phyllis A. Balch, CNC See book keywords and concepts

HERBS TO AVOID Ll People who have MG should avoid aloe, burdock, maitake, schisandra, Siberian ginseng, and snow fungus, and especially cat's claw and echinacea. These herbs stimulate the production of antibodies to nerve tissue. (For more information regarding these herbs, see ALOE, BURDOCK, maitake, SCHISANDRA, SIBERIAN GINSENG, and/or SNOW FUNGUS, under The Herbs in Part One.) FORMULAS FORMULA COMMENTS Hochu-ekki-to A Japanese herbal formula that reduces concentrations of MG-causing antibodies while stimulating other immune cells.

Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 4th Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements Phyllis A. Balch, CNC See book keywords and concepts

As directed on label. Helpful Melatonin As directed on label, A natural sleep-regulating taken 2 hours or less hormone that is helpful for before bedtime. promoting sound, restful sleep. Herbs Q Astragalus and echinacea enhance immune function and are good for cold and flu symptoms. Caution: Do not use astragalus in the presence of a fever. Q Fresh black walnut hulls, garlic, gentian root, fresh ginger root, neem leaves, quassia bark, and fresh wormwood all help to rid the body of parasites, a common problem for people with CFS.

Alternative Cures: The Most Effective Natural Home Remedies for 160 Health Problems Bill Gottlieb See book keywords and concepts

Rountree's patients take two to three droppers a day (about 30 drops) of such an extract in a product called maitake D-fraction. Other extracts of beta-glucan are available that may be derived from shiitake or reishi mushrooms as well as maitake. All three are rich in beta-glucan. Follow the dosage recommendations on the label. MCT AND WHEY PROTEIN: For the Calories You Need Conventional cancer treatment muffles the appetite center of the brain and damages the cells of the gut. As a result, cancer patients may not feel like eating and may absorb fewer calories from the foods they do eat.

SHIITAKE AND MAITAKE: To Help with Recovery Shiitake, a type of mushroom from Japan, contains powerful immune-system enhancers that can help your body bounce back after a bout of pneumonia, says Dr. Lombardi. She recommends buying a liquid extract of the mushroom and adding a dropper to a bowl of soup once a day. Maitake, another mushroom that's organically grown, then dried, can be eaten as a food. It also comes in capsule, extract, and tea forms. Take it according to the directions on the label until your vitality returns, usually within 2 to 4 weeks, says Dr. Lombardi.

At the first sign of a cold, take 20 milligrams of a standardized liquid extract of maitake mushroom, advises Kenneth A. Bock, M.D., codirector of the Rhinebeck Health Center in Rhinebeck, New York, and the Center for Progressive Medicine in Albany, New York. Alternatively, you can take a supplement that supplies the most active ingredient in the mushrooms, beta 1,6 glucan polysaccharide, also known as maitake D-fraction. the immune system. It also seems to combat localized viruses, which is why it is particularly good for a sore throat, says Dr. Bock.

But scientists are finding that the real cold fighter may be Japanese mushrooms called maitake. These mushrooms (which some people do add to soups) contain high levels of chemicals called polysaccharides, which are believed to stimulate the immune system to unleash its arsenal of infection-fighting components, such as macrophages, natural killer cells, and T cells. At the first sign of a cold, take 20 milligrams of a standardized liquid extract of maitake mushroom, advises Kenneth A. Bock, M.D.

The Constituents of Medicinal Plants: An Introduction to the Chemistry and Therapeutics of Herbal Medicine Andrew Pengelly See book keywords and concepts

Maitake D-fraction. Healing and preventing potentials for cancer', Townsend Tetter for Doctors and Patients Feb/March. Sun, X., Matsumoto, T. and Yamada, H. 1992, 'Anti-ulcer activity and mode of action of the polysaccharide fraction from the leaves of Panax ginseng", Planta Medica 58: 432-435. t'Hart, L., van der Berg, A., Kuis, L., van Dijk, H. and Labadie, R. 1989, 'An anti-complementary polysaccharide with immunological adjuvant activity from the leaf parenchyma gel of Aloe vera', Planta Medica 55: 509. Turner, D.

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In fact, some physicians are already using maitake extract successfully along with other therapies on AIDS patients. Maitake is not only useful in illness but can fortify the immune system so that you can resist disease in the first place. Possible Benefits Strengthens immune function. May work as an effective cancer therapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy drugs. The Right Amount Take one 100-mg. standardized tablet daily. Facts Malic acid is one of main alpha hvdroxv acids iAHAs) found in fruits and vegetables including apples, grapes and cranberries.

Double-blind studies on maitake extract are under way at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America involving patients with advanced colorectal cancer receiving chemotherapy. maitake not only enhances the effectiveness of chemotherapy but also appears to reduce some of its unwanted side effects, such as nausea and extreme fatigue. As you probably know, the HIV virus, which causes AIDS, specifically targets disease-fighting T-cells, leaving the body defenseless against infection. Studies conducted by both the Japan National Institute of Health and the U.S.

Healing Pets With Nature's Miracle Cures Henry Pasternak, D.V.M., C.V.A. See book keywords and concepts

Further research by Nanba shows that maitake may even help prevent destruction of T helper cells by HTV virus in humans by as much as 99 percent.60 I have used maitake D-fraction for a number of years in both dogs and cats as an adjunct for a number of immune-debilitating diseases, including cancers. I use capsules in dogs and a palatable liquid extract in cats. Reishi This mushroom has been cherished in China and Japan for more than two thousand years.

Nanba, who has researched maitake extensively, D-fraction provides immune actions by: 1. Activating cellular immunity. 2. Protecting normal cells from carcinogens. 3. Inhibiting tumor growth. 4. Preventing tumor metastasis. 5. Alleviating the side effects of chemotherapy. Nanba found that the activity of natural killer cells, cytotoxic T cells, and delayed-hypersensitive T cells were all increased by maitake D-fraction. Also, it was observed that production of interleukin-1 (which activates T cells) and super-oxide anion (which damages tumor cells) was enhanced.

Smart Medicine for Healthier Living : Practical A-Z Reference to Natural and Conventional Treatments for Adults Janet Zand, LAc, OMD, Allan N. Spreed, MD, CNC, James B. LaValle, RPh, ND See book keywords and concepts

Shiitake, maitake, and cordyceps have immune-stimulating properties. You can add whole shiitake or maitake mushrooms to foods, such as soups, or you can take any of these in capsule form. Take 250 to 500 milligrams three times a day as long as signs of infection are present. HOMEOPATHY Choose the most appropriate symptom-specific remedy from the suggestions that follow and take one dose, as directed on the product label, every two hours, up to a total of four doses a day for up to two days.

Healing Pets With Nature's Miracle Cures Henry Pasternak, D.V.M., C.V.A. See book keywords and concepts

In Japan, maitake mushrooms are highly prized both as food and medicine. However, until recently, western medicine has never viewed mushrooms as a treatment option for illness or disease. In the 1990s, however, the mushroom received increased clinical and research attention.58 Some researchers believe that maitake is the most powerful of all the medicinal mushrooms. I use at least a half dozen medicinal mushrooms, and research is constantly discovering new ones. At this point, I have not ascertained which mushroom is the most medicinally active.

Recently, studies have shown that the so-called D-fraction extracted and purified from the fruit body (mushroom) of maitake provides important therapeutic benefits including immunostimulation and tumor inhibition.59 According to Dr. H. Nanba, who has researched maitake extensively, D-fraction provides immune actions by: 1. Activating cellular immunity. 2. Protecting normal cells from carcinogens. 3. Inhibiting tumor growth. 4. Preventing tumor metastasis. 5. Alleviating the side effects of chemotherapy.

Prevention's New Foods for Healing: Capture the Powerful Cures of More Than 100 Common Foods Prevention Magazine See book keywords and concepts

The active polysaccharide in maitake mushrooms, called beta-glucan or D-fraction, has been highly effective in shrinking tumors in laboratory animals—maybe even more effective than lentinan, say experts. "You definitely get some of these polysaccharides that activate the immune system when you eat a healthy serving—about a half-cup—of these mushrooms," says Dr. Murphy. "I tell people that they can go to the market and buy shiitake and maitake mushrooms and include them in their diets." Both types are usually found in Asian food stores and some supermarkets.

Like shiitakes, maitake mushrooms have a centuries-old reputation for being helpful in treating people with cancer. Only recently are they getting the attention that they deserve in Western nations. The active polysaccharide in maitake mushrooms, called beta-glucan or D-fraction, has been highly effective in shrinking tumors in laboratory animals—maybe even more effective than lentinan, say experts. "You definitely get some of these polysaccharides that activate the immune system when you eat a healthy serving—about a half-cup—of these mushrooms," says Dr. Murphy.

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