Common Coriolus Mushroom vs. Cancer
The mushroom Coriolus versicolor (Turkey Tail Mushroom) is the most ubiquitous mushroom in the world. It grows on fallen trees and stumps from the sub-arctic to the tropics.
So considering these vastly different environments and all the other fungi and bacteria it has to compete with for survival, it's a qualified guess the Coriolus has a strong immune system, with an array of potential medicinal compounds.
Traditional Chinese physicians frequently prescribe Coriolus for hepatoma and some types of jaundice. [160] Modern medicine is best acquainted with it through Krestin, an Asian cancer drug based on the Coriolus extracted compound PSK. [188]
Two studies out of Japan reported increased rate of survival from gastric cancer, among 486 patients, when PSK was added to the standard chemotherapy treatment. [161, 162, 163] PSK has also been reported to reduce cancer recurrence and metastasis. [161, 162, 164]
Two other polysaccharides from Coriolus versicolor extract have been found to have an inhibitory effect on leukemia. The polysaccharide CVP was shown to inhibit leukemia cell proliferation without any negative effect on normal lymphocytes. [165, 166, 167] Another smaller polysaccharide named SPCV also had an inhibitory effect on leukemia cells. [168]
Coriolus versicolor extract appears to combat cancer in two ways:
1) By directly inhibiting cancer cell growth and proliferation.
2) By enhancing Natural Killer (NK) cell activity. [169, 170, 171] Natural killer cells are a critical part of the human immune system's fight against cancer.
PSK is used in Asia to treat cervical cancer in conjunction with standard radiation therapy, through which it has been shown to increase survival rate. [134] In a 2001 U.S. study at the New York Medical College, it was also shown to decrease tumor growth in hormone responsive prostate cancer. [172]
Other cancer types where PSK shows promising results include lung, breast and colon cancer, [25, 173] but not Sarcoma 180. [174]
PSK is also a powerful antibiotic, specifically against Listeria monocytogenes, Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Cryptococcus neoformans and Staphylococcus aureus. [175, 176, 177, 178, 179]
Another compound (PSP) isolated from Coriolus versicolor has been shown to inhibit HIV replication [180] and infection [181] under lab conditions. It has not been tested on live patients.
In 1995, a study on rheumatoid arthritis and PSK reported normalization of immune function. [182]
In the book Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms, Paul Stamets mentions being aware of several individuals with Hepatitis C reporting relief of symptoms from using medicinal mushroom tea. He specifically relates a case of a man with swollen liver and spleen starting on a daily regimen of tea made from Coriolus versicolor (Turkey Tail Mushroom) and Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi). After two weeks, the swelling went down and liver enzymes normalized. His HCV value went from 1.3 million to 140,000. [183]
Coriolus versicolor is also a rich source of antioxidants and has been reported to help the spleen recover from radiation therapy induced injury. [189]
Last but not least, Paul Stamets in his book Mycelium Running also list the following two areas where research indicates Coriolus versicolor may be beneficial: Uterine cancer; kidney health. [134]
Note: The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Never use any medicinal mushroom or herb without prior approval by medical doctor.
Credit to Paul Stamets for research and source material. - 17268
So considering these vastly different environments and all the other fungi and bacteria it has to compete with for survival, it's a qualified guess the Coriolus has a strong immune system, with an array of potential medicinal compounds.
Traditional Chinese physicians frequently prescribe Coriolus for hepatoma and some types of jaundice. [160] Modern medicine is best acquainted with it through Krestin, an Asian cancer drug based on the Coriolus extracted compound PSK. [188]
Two studies out of Japan reported increased rate of survival from gastric cancer, among 486 patients, when PSK was added to the standard chemotherapy treatment. [161, 162, 163] PSK has also been reported to reduce cancer recurrence and metastasis. [161, 162, 164]
Two other polysaccharides from Coriolus versicolor extract have been found to have an inhibitory effect on leukemia. The polysaccharide CVP was shown to inhibit leukemia cell proliferation without any negative effect on normal lymphocytes. [165, 166, 167] Another smaller polysaccharide named SPCV also had an inhibitory effect on leukemia cells. [168]
Coriolus versicolor extract appears to combat cancer in two ways:
1) By directly inhibiting cancer cell growth and proliferation.
2) By enhancing Natural Killer (NK) cell activity. [169, 170, 171] Natural killer cells are a critical part of the human immune system's fight against cancer.
PSK is used in Asia to treat cervical cancer in conjunction with standard radiation therapy, through which it has been shown to increase survival rate. [134] In a 2001 U.S. study at the New York Medical College, it was also shown to decrease tumor growth in hormone responsive prostate cancer. [172]
Other cancer types where PSK shows promising results include lung, breast and colon cancer, [25, 173] but not Sarcoma 180. [174]
PSK is also a powerful antibiotic, specifically against Listeria monocytogenes, Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Cryptococcus neoformans and Staphylococcus aureus. [175, 176, 177, 178, 179]
Another compound (PSP) isolated from Coriolus versicolor has been shown to inhibit HIV replication [180] and infection [181] under lab conditions. It has not been tested on live patients.
In 1995, a study on rheumatoid arthritis and PSK reported normalization of immune function. [182]
In the book Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms, Paul Stamets mentions being aware of several individuals with Hepatitis C reporting relief of symptoms from using medicinal mushroom tea. He specifically relates a case of a man with swollen liver and spleen starting on a daily regimen of tea made from Coriolus versicolor (Turkey Tail Mushroom) and Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi). After two weeks, the swelling went down and liver enzymes normalized. His HCV value went from 1.3 million to 140,000. [183]
Coriolus versicolor is also a rich source of antioxidants and has been reported to help the spleen recover from radiation therapy induced injury. [189]
Last but not least, Paul Stamets in his book Mycelium Running also list the following two areas where research indicates Coriolus versicolor may be beneficial: Uterine cancer; kidney health. [134]
Note: The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Never use any medicinal mushroom or herb without prior approval by medical doctor.
Credit to Paul Stamets for research and source material. - 17268
About the Author:
Dr. Rafael currently specializes in researching and writing about medicinal fungi in cooperation with Cordyceps Reishi Extracts, LLC, a US company offering Coriolus extract and other medicinal mushrooms. For article references, please go to Coriolus versicolor extract (Stamets') and click on any number indicating a reference.
posted by X - Men at
4:05 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home