Mushrooms

I became interested in medicinal mushrooms about 4 years ago and started this post back then.  I've just added a considerable amount - particularly as these mushrooms relate to cancer.
Sorry if it's a little disorganized - that seems to be the way research goes.

Still Under Construction

Reishi Mushroom: Good Site #1

Good read here on research in England and New Zealand. 

35 medicinal qualities.  Each is unique, but a combination has been reported to be most beneficial.
Here is a good paper on 7 medicinal mushrooms.

Maitake mushroom: beta glucans, etc.

Shitake Mushroom: Eastern medicine - Live energy - Iron, B1, B2, B3, essential amino acids, Vit-D, increases T-cells, killer cells.  Contains an alpha glucan useful in fighting cancer.  In twelve studies on humans, those taking shitake mushrooms lived longer, had a better quality of life, and lower cancer reoccurance rates.

Reishi:  Anciently, only the chinese emporer was allowed to have.  The ultimate herbal item.  Useful in hormone driven cancers. Also contains ganoderic acid and has been used for thousands of years in herbal remedies to promote immune function.  Reported to prevent metastasis and prevents the growth of new blood vessels to feed tumor growth (antiangiogenesis).

ABM or Agaricus Blazei Murrill mushroom.  See Ref-1
Approved as a cancer drug in both Japan and Brazil - it has been found useful in combatting all types of cancers.  Contains agaritan among a host of other health promothing substances.  See Wikipedia and Euro-Med and Starfish


Discovery of AbM
The Agaricus blazei Murrill (AbM) mushroom, a Basidiomycete fungus, is native to the Atlantic Rainforest region in southeastern Brazil , where it has been part of the regular diet of the residents of the area for many generations. Researchers in the late sixties discovered a very low incidence of chronic illness, among the local people, such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and heart disease. This discovery led them to believe the AbM mushroom was a contributing factor. AbM mushroom samples were sent to the Pharmacological Department at Tokyo University and the National Cancer Center in Japan , for further evaluation and to establish its effect on cancer. The research primarily focused on the anti-tumor properties of the beta-glucans found in the AbM mushroom and its pharmacological effects. The positive results of the research were presented at the Japan Pharmacological Association and the Japan Cancer Association in 1970 . *1

AbM Nutritional Composition
AbM mushroom food supplements are a nutritionally well balanced valuable health food. The mushroom contains valuable ingredients, such as essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, vegetable proteins, anti-oxidants, enzymes, dietary crude fibers, natural sterols, Triterpenes, Saponins and polysaccharides which stimulate the immune system. The AbM mushroom consists of a total of 192 nutrients. AbM mushroom have no known side effects and toxicity studies have confirmed its safety. *2 Hence, for many years, AbM is used in hospitals as adjunct nutritional therapy for cancer patients in Brazil , Europe , Japan and other Asian countries. It is the most widely used medicinal mushroom for health maintenance, prevention and for adjunct treatments for a wide range of health concerns.

Another important component in AbM is Ergosterol, a natural anti-angiogenesis substance shown to inhibit the production of substances that originate in the tumor . These properties stimulate neogenesis of the capillaries. By inhibiting the growth of the tumor through the circulatory system, it becomes smaller in size and consequently more responsive to chemotherapy and surgery. Ergosterol combined with Beta-D-Glucan account for innumerable successful therapies, such as, immunotherapy . AbM also has the highest levels of Ergosterol compared to other mushrooms .  Other tumor fighting components found in the AbM mushroom are: xyloglucan, acid heteroglucan, ribonucleic acid protein compounds and lectin, which augment macrophage activity.

Health Benefits.  Over 40 years of research worldwide suggest that the AbM mushroom may have the following health benefits:
Boost immune system
Modulate blood sugar levels
Helps boost and modulate immune system
Modulate blood pressure
Modulate blood sugar levels
Cholesterol Modulator
Cardio Vascular support
Digestive Support
Adjunct to chemotherapy and/or radiation treatments
Liver and kidney tonic
Anti-viral
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-bacterial
Anti-tumor
May be helpful for auto-immune disorders