Mushrooms are increasingly being used to fight various conditions, such as sleep disorders, coronary circulation problems, viral hepatitis A, B and C, overweight, allergies and asthma, and even cancer. Mushrooms have many medicinal properties, as anyone taking penicillin can realize. After all, this antibiotic, which kills bacteria, is obtained with the use of fungi (Penicillium molds).
Vital Mushrooms
Mushrooms that support treatment and recovery processes and help maintain good health are referred to as “vital” mushrooms. They include, among others, polyporus umbellatus (umbrella polypore), ganoderma lucidum (Reishi, yellow reishi, shiny ganoderma), grifola frondosa (Maitake, hen of the woods), auricularia auricularia-judae (Jew’s ear, wood ear, Judas’s ear, black fungus), Lentinula edodes (Shiitake, Japanese forest mushroom), etc.
For example, in the case of Reishi, the tradition of using it in Chinese medicine dates back approximately 4,000 years. It is called the “mushroom of immortality” because its use slows the effects of aging. Reishi contains vitamins and minerals, including iron, magnesium, calcium, zinc, copper, manganese and germanium. The presence of polysaccharides and triterpenoids is particularly important. Polysaccharides have a positive effect on the immune system and inhibit the growth of cancer cells. In contrast, triterpenoids can lower cholesterol and high blood pressure and have antiallergic effects.
Coprinus comatus is another vital mushroom—it contains significant amounts of potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, copper, zinc and niacin. Powder made from the dried mushroom is used mainly to fight diabetes: it regulates blood sugar levels, has anti-inflammatory properties and, above all, may prevent the consequences of diabetes-related coronary diseases. This mushroom is also successfully used for hemorrhoids and digestive system problems (constipation).
Mushroom Therapy for Allergy Sufferers
An allergy is an excessive reaction of the body’s immune system. When exposed to an allergen, the body receives signals that force it to defend itself. An allergic reaction results from hypersensitivity of the immune system, leading to sneezing or breathing difficulties. Allergic rashes and other skin reactions may also occur. Some mushrooms are used to alleviate and treat allergic conditions by restoring proper immune-system responses. “Numerous scientific studies have proven that vital mushrooms permanently stimulate and strengthen the human immune system and have an excellent effect on it. For this reason, they are ideal for regulating the hypersensitive immune system of allergy sufferers,” explains Sławomir Nitychoruk of the company “Niko,” who has been involved for several years in distributing preparations made from vital mushrooms of the Hawlik Company.
Furthermore, some mushroom species (e.g. the Reishi variety) contain triterpenes, substances that may reduce histamine production in allergy sufferers. During allergic reactions, it is the release of histamine that causes, among other things, anaphylactic shock, asthma, hives and hay fever. By inhibiting histamine production in the body, triterpenes prevent allergic reactions.
The following types of mushrooms may be helpful in fighting allergic diseases:
- Hericium (lion’s mane, monkey head) helps with allergies related to gastrointestinal problems. It boosts the body’s immunity and has anti-inflammatory properties. Would you like to learn more about hericium? Click here
- Agaricus (blazei mushroom, ABM) is helpful for allergies caused by flower pollen and in cases of allergic asthma. It is used in cases of weakened immunity. Read the detailed description of the blazei mushroom
- Reishi (yellow reishi, shiny ganoderma) is recommended for all types of allergies. It is used for hay fever, allergy-related asthma, allergies to food products and preservatives, and localized prurigo. The antiallergic effect of Reishi mushrooms begins as soon as histamine is released. Click to see more information about Reishi.
In Poland, mushroom therapy is not yet a popular way of supporting the treatment of allergy-related diseases. Preparations made from vital mushrooms, which have the status of dietary supplements, have only been appearing on the Polish market for several years. The most important place in Poland for people interested in vital mushrooms is the website www.grzybowysklep.pl, where, in addition to purchasing ready-made preparations, advice on vital mushrooms is available (read the article Frequently Asked Questions) and contact can be established to set up one’s own cultivation operation.
Vital mushrooms offer an additional way to strengthen and stabilize the entire body. This natural method of supporting the treatment of allergies or asthma will certainly interest people who are already tired of constantly taking all kinds of nose and eye drops, inhaled sprays or tablets. Perhaps it is worth trying something new? Consuming preparations made from vital mushrooms is completely safe. The mushrooms discussed in this article, available at www.grzybowysklep.pl, have certificates from AGROLAB laboratories, which issue official certificates concerning the presence of pesticides and heavy metals and microbiological testing.
When asked how long it takes to see positive effects from mushroom therapy, Sławomir Nitychoruk of the company “Niko” replies: “The first noticeable effects, depending on the severity of the symptoms, can be seen after several weeks. To achieve lasting effects, mushroom therapy is assumed to need to last 3–6 months.” Detailed information about mushroom treatment can be found at www.grzybowysklep.pl; click to learn more.
Supporting allergy treatment with vital mushrooms is a new development worth knowing about. We will explore this topic further on our video portal. We have started a thread on the allergy sufferers’ forum, “Vital Mushrooms”, where you can ask questions, express your opinion and share your experiences related to mushroom therapy.
Information: Anna Włoszek. This article is published as part of the series “Everything You Want to Know About Allergies,” in cooperation with the video portal www.JaAlergik.pl as part of the nationwide campaign “Don’t Let Allergies Get You Down.”