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| and liver-protective action. Because your liver is responsible for a multitude of metabolic reactions, which increase dramatically during hard training, reishi along with other mushrooms is essential for optimal health of the liver. |
| Herbalists in China recently began to examine the anti-fatigue effects of reishi in people. A large study of 196 medal-winning athletes found that during competitions in cold conditions at high altitudes, athletes given a reishi/ginseng extract (80 percent/20 percent) had improved sleep, even though sleep is frequently compromised at higher altitudes. And compared to the athletes not allowed the preparation, they also benefited from having less fatigue. |
| Shiitake |
| Shiitake (she-tah-key) is among the better known mushrooms with healing applications. Shiitake (Lentinus edodes) is a known source of a nontoxic drug (lentinan, a polysaccharide) used in Japan to potentiate the immune system. Shiitake has also been used by individuals suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome. As with maitake, shiitake has known liver protecting compounds and is also effective in lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. |
| Most herbalists will tell you that a small amount of medicinal mushroom extract goes a long way toward increased energy and improved recovery. A daily formulation that can be used during periods of hard training or when you feel fatigued would include 40 to 50 mg of shiitake, 50 to 60 mg of maitake, 100 mg of cordyceps and 50 to 60 mg of reishi. When shopping for mushroom supplements make sure to select a standardized extract. |
| Herbs for Sports Performance |
| Traditionally, the Western medicinal establishment has lumped all herbs that claim to have restorative powers and improve performance in the snake-oil category. Eastern science does not suffer from this hang-up, always more holistically oriented and more interested in preventive medicine and natural products. |
| It is amusing to observe the contrasts between Western and |
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