Sep 02 2009

Medicinal Mushrooms For Treating Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue

Category: Fibromyalgia Treatment — admin @ 3:15 pm

Medical Mushrooms Which Ones Are Safe?

Treating Fibromyalgia With

Medical Mushrooms

Part II

This is part 2 of the follow up on for the treatment of fibromyalgia and other conditions using medicinal mushrooms or fungi called basidiomycetes. You may want to go back and watch the short video, and read Fibromyalgia Can It Be Treated With Medicinal Mushrooms? before jumping into this article. that grow on various types of organic matter, breaking down the complex fiber structures of the organic matter into usable and digestible polysaccharides.

There are many studies that show that mushrooms or fungi fit into a grouping called basidiomycetes. Fungi grow primarily on all types of organic matter, and their main function is the breaking down of this organic matter into usable and digestible compounds known as polysaccharides.

For simplicity you can imagine that these fungi fit into three primary groups of chemical compounds are accountable for many of the medicinal effects found in the mushrooms.

Polysaccharide-protein complexes- These compounds offer immune strengthening abilities. You may know them as Echinacea, Aloe Vera, Ginseng, and Astragalus.

Triterpenes – Provide steroidal properties that are similar to our own endocrine -hormonal system. Triterpenes Compounds – work as hormonal communicators to balance, and treat many endocrine based problems.

Nitrogen- contains compounds that are important for our nervous system, and energy. They are similar to the building blocks of our basic cellular material of RNA.

Types Of Medical Mushrooms For Treating

Chronic Fatigue & Treating Fibromyalgia

Reishi mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum) are amazing fungi as it contains over two hundred unique and active ingredients that are obtainable from any know plant source. For fibromyalgia suffers Reishi is best taken as an extract because it can be difficult to digest in its woody form. It is a power house antioxidant with antimicrobial action that can take on bacteria, viruses, stimulating the immune system, and calming the autonomic nervous system.

Reishi mushrooms are particularly effective for fibromyalgia due to the fact that it helps reduce spasticity in muscles, Irritable bowel syndrome, Colitis, Ulcers, bronchial spasms, and it helps the liver detoxify waste.

Cordyceps sinensis (Dong chong xia cao) It has a funny name, the Caterpillar fungus, that is resulting from the fact that it can crow on caterpillars. It is not as well known or researched as some other mushroom species, but Cancer Research UK suggests that it may be helpful in treating cancer patients, AIDS patients, and immune suppressed patients. It contains active polysaccharides and sterols, and studies show that cordyceps sinensis usefulness may be derived from its enhancement of cell-mediated immunity capabilities and its ability to savage free radical oxygen while supporting cellular bioenergy systems. It’s capability to increase oxygen uptake makes it useful for asthma suffers, bronchial inflammation, allergies, and many athletes use it to perform at peak lung capacity.

Cordyceps sinensis has been found to help relieve anxiety, treat insomnia, increase energy, enhance the immune system, and to clear toxins from the kidneys, lungs, and lymph nodes. Many fibromyalgia patients find that it is useful for treating fatigue, exhaustion, and provides energy and increased stamina.

Maitake Mushrooms (Grifola frondosa)- Contain protein-bound polysaccharides that provide amazing immune system fortification. Many AIDS patients find that it can slow down the progression of the debilitating disease. Maitake mushrooms as well have shown to provide; anti- cancer properties that can reduce tumors, reduce chemotherapy side effects, lower blood pressure, stabilize blood sugars in diabetics, and decrease inflammation in joints.

Shiitake Mushrooms (Lentinus edodes) have been studied and found to be very beneficial in reducing inflammatory conditions, dermatitis, liver cirrhosis, vascular sclerosis, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol. In fact in 2002 The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine printed that Japanese researchers had proven that Shitake mushrooms lowered cholesterol.
Other studies go back and forth whether it has antitumor capabilities that inhibit the growth of certain types of cancer, but there are other studies that show it is useful in treating chronic fatigue symptoms, and fibromyalgia.

Poria cocas Mushrooms (Fu ling) is included into many herbal formulas, and is noted for providing relaxation of the nervous system acting as a natural relaxant, and anti anxiety compound. It also works on smooth muscles of the digestive tract aiding in digestion, absorption of nutrients, reduces diarrhea, relieves spastic colon symptoms, regulates blood glucose, and its tonic properties help alleviate edema, offer diuretic properties as well.

Possible Toxicities and Precautions

There are very few cases of edible mushroom toxicity, but one should be aware of, particularly with the long-term use any reactions or changes such as GI problems, or Neurological problems.

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