MycoDomes
Medicinal Mushrooms - Immune Enhancing Properties
Fungi are used as immune stimulants, and adaptogens or biological response modifiers (BRM). It is well known through a number of scientific studies, that the complex pharmacological effects of adaptogens apparently support adrenal functions and are especially known to help build endurance and decrease fatigue. They also increase cellular respiration, and help the body utilize oxygen more effectively.
Adaptogens stimulate the immune system indirectly as well. Helping the body recover from non-specific stresses such as environmental noise and novel toxins, pathogens, and emotional factors.
Immune stimulants work largely by increasing white blood cell or macrophage activity. They reside in our mucous membranes and they are proficient at destroying pathogens such as bacteria, toxic wastes, yeast cells, and virally infected cells. Macrophage are the body’s first line of defense, and stimulating production of these immune “effector” cells, helps to protect us from colds flu, and infections of any kind.
Polysaccarides, compounds found abundantly in mushrooms, are large chain-like molecules, which have been studied intensively. In multiple studies since the 1950’s, a number of compounds in polysaccharides have been found to inhibit tumor growth, and stimulate immune function. The active compounds in polysaccharides make many fungi useful for treating flu, diabetes, heart conditions and more.
Reishi, and shittake, are probably the most extesively studied mushrooms in the world, and are found to be high in these compounds.