Maitake Mushroom, Shiitake Mushroom
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A great immune-enhancer, cancer preventative, liver support.
Maitake is delicious if you can find it at your local specialty market or Farmer's Market! It is eaten regularly as part of a healthy diet in China and Japan, as it is known to enhance immune function and also to have anti-cancer properties.
The mushroom has one base with many "branches" or "feathers" attached. Try it sliced and sauteed in a bit of butter, coconut oil or olive oil, with a dash of salt & pepper. Delectable.
You can also buy dried maitake mushrooms for medicinal uses.
My source for Maitake Mushrooms
Lentinula edodes, most commonly referred to as Shiitake (Japanese).
When I studied at the Kushi Institute, we did a lot with the shiitake mushroom. It was included in my holistic medicine classes as a natural immune booster, and frequently is "prescribed" to cancer patients and people with auto-immune disorders.
-Quoted from the book Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Second Edition, by James and Phyllis Balch
Shiitake's antimicrobial properties have been demonstrated against a large variety of viruses, bacteria and fungi.
Like the maitake mushroom, shiitakes are easy to prepare and very tasty.
My source for Shiitake Mushrooms
Ganoderma lucidum, also known as Reishi (Japanese) and Ling Chi (Chinese)
Reishi mushroom's antimicrobial action works against bacteria, fungi and viruses.
In Chinese medicine, reishi is listed in the highest category of tonics to promote longevity, also referred to as the "king of herbs". The triterpenes and polysaccharides in reishi mushrooms are especially revered, as they appear to promote the ability of the body to increase blood flow and reduce inflammation.
Reishi mushrooms are also high in antioxidant properties, and are believed to increase the effectiveness of other antioxidants when taken together. There is a growing number of holistic doctors and naturopaths treating cancer patients with Reishi mushrooms, as they are reported to suppress tumor growth and activity.
They are also indicated in the treatment of Alzheimer's patients and people with heart disease, which are believed by some doctors to be exacerbated by inflammation.
Unlike the maitake mushroom and the ever-popular shiitake mushroom, Reishi mushrooms are most often taken in supplement form, as opposed to use in culinary recipes.
Reishi mushroom extract is the form I most frequently see being used for medicial purposes.
You can purchase dried reishi mushroom powder or slices for making a tea, If you buy whole dried Reishi mushrooms and want to cook with them, soak them in warm water or broth for 30 minutes before using.
My source for Reishi Mushrooms and Reishi Mushroom Extract
Maitake Mushroom, Shiitake Mushroom & Reishi Mushroom Benefits - Back to Candida Diet Guidelines