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Page 155
| shrinkage was brought up to 98 percent, demonstrating a synergistic effect between the maitake D-fraction and MMC. 115 |
| Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) |
| The reishi mushroom is traditionally used in Chinese medicine for asthenia-type syndromes, characterized by a deficiency of vital energy and functions of the lower body. Reishi is the perfect remedy for the typical American suffering from constant stress. This type of individual has depressed vital force and is likely to be both deficient and toxic. When a person in such a state develops cancer and is then faced with the toxicities of chemotherapy, the situation calls for reishi. Reishi's overall effects could be described as regulatory and beneficial to the restoration of homeostasis. Its effect on the immune system is total enhancement of immune function: increase of white blood-cell count, platelets, hemoglobin, and various tumor-fighting cells. Reishi also improves both energy and sleep. |
| One study showed that reishi strongly inhibited the growth of sarcoma 180, with an inhibition rate of 95.6 to 98.6 percent at an interperitonial dosage of 20 mg/kg for ten days in mice.116 Another study demonstrated that reishi polysaccharides significantly inhibited the proliferation of JTC-26 tumor cells, a human cancer-cell strain. Ganodermic acids U through Z, which are six types of cytotoxic triterpenes found in reishi, showed significant cytotoxicity on hepatoma cells grown in vitro. |
| Due to its stimulating effects on bone marrow, reishi can protect the body during radiation and chemotherapy. Clinical studies have shown reishi to be effective in the treatment of leukopenia induced by radiation, chemical agents, or other factors. Reishi has also improved symptoms of weakness, dizziness, and sleeplessness, and elevated all suppressed blood counts.117 |
| Reishi mushrooms, as well as all the medicinal mushrooms mentioned in this chapter, need to be taken in either a purified extract form or brewed as a decoction. Reishi and shiitake mushrooms can also be used in soups. |
| Shiitake (Lentinus edodes) |
| Shiitake mushrooms have been the subject of many studies since they were discovered to possess cholesterol-lowering properties. The active component |
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