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medicinal mushrooms

Kawaratake or Yun Zhi – A Mushroom Herbal Tea with Profound Potential for Health Benefit

Kawaratake or Yun Zhi – A Mushroom Herbal Tea with Profound Potential for Health Benefit

Trametes Versicolor is known as ‘Yunzhi’ or cloud mushroom in China and “Kawaratake” or mushroom by the river in Japan

A Herbal Tea used in Traditional Medicine to Reduce Dampness & Phlegm

In many cultures, certain mushroom species have been long recognised to have a profound potential for health-promoting benefits. In China, Korea and Japan, hot water extracts from these mushrooms have been used in traditional medicine.

Of all the commercially available mushrooms used for their medicinal properties, including Lentinus edodes (shitake mushroom), Trametes versicolor, Grifola frondosa (maitake), Pleurous ostreatus, Schizophyllum commune and Ganoderma lucidum (reishi), the one most thoroughly researched by scientists worldwide is Trametes versicolor (also known as Coriolus versicolor), commonly called “turkey tail mushroom” outside Asia. Trametes versicolor mushroom has a long history of medicinal usage, dating back at least two millennia. In China, Trametes versicolor is known as ‘Yunzhi’ (cloud mushroom) and in Japan, it is known as “Kawaratake” (mushroom by the river). The mushrooms are gathered in the wild, growing as dense and overlapping clusters of fruiting bodies on dead or living trees. The plush brownish mushroom caps have a velvety surface with a distinctive pattern of wavy bands of dark and light colour. Trametes versicolor is also found throughout Europe and North America’s cool wooded temperate regions.

Historically, Chinese and Japanese herbalists harvest the fruiting bodies of the mushrooms, which are then dried, ground to a powder and made into tea. This simple hot water decoction or tea prepared according to the traditional Chinese pharmacopoeias was used to ‘dispel dampness and reduce phlegm’ (meaning to deal with liquids and oils that are not adequately metabolised thus becoming toxic), to treat respiratory tract infection and support liver health.

In Japan, many health practitioners value the use the medicinal mushrooms to treat a variety of conditions.

 

References

  1. Lindequist U, Niedermeyer TH, Julich TH (2005). The pharmacological potential
    of mushrooms. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2 (3):
    285-299.
  2. Tsukagoshi S, Hashimoto Y, Fujii G, Kobayashi H, Nomoto K, Orita K. Krestin
    (PSK). Cancer Treatment Reviews. 1984; 11:131-155.
  3. Machara Y, Tsujitani S, Sacki H et al. (2012). Biological mechanism and clinical
    effect of protein-bound polysaccharide K (KRESTINTM): review of development
    and future perspectives. Surg Today. 42:8-28.
  4. Yamakido M, Ishioka S, Matsuzaka S et al. (1984). Changes of human
    immunological parameters by PSK administration. Hiroshima J Med Sciences.
    33(4): 793-800.
  5. Kato M, Hirose K, Hakzaki M, Ohno M et al 1995. Induction of gene expression
    for immunomodulating cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in response
    to orally administered PSK, an immunomodulating protein-bound polysaccharide.
    Cancer Immunol Immunother 1995; 40: 152-156.
  6. CIMER – Coriolus versicolor Detailed Scientific Review- MD Anderson Cancer
    Centre. © 2011 The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
    http//www.mdanderson.org/education-and-research/resources

PSK Improve Immune Response Fast

PSK Improve Immune Response Fast

 

PSK Stimulates an Immune Response within 24 Hours PSK Research

Over the past decades there have been hundreds of research studies on Trametes versicolor that indicate immune boosting properties and different medicinal effects and benefits. Many studies focus on supporting a patients through Immune suppressive treatments.

Other research however has shown an increase in white blood cells and improved cellular Immune Function in healthy people with depressed immunity.

Another study demonstrated PSK’s ability to stimulate an immune response within 24 hours of ingestion. That means the day you take it, PSK begins distributing particles around the body getting to work supporting the body’s immune system.

 

These two studies have shown the potential that Trametes PSK has to support our immune system health & wellbeing quickly & effectively.

Overview of Research Studies

In the last 40 years, there has been extensive work carried out on the biological and chemical properties of PSK. Research has demonstrated PSK has the potential for wide-ranging effects on the human immune system.

Improved Immune Function in an Individual with Depressed Immunity

This PSK study showed the potential to stimulate a significant immune response in healthy subjects with depressed immunity.

When workers were given 3 grams a day of PSK for eight weeks, workers from a Japanese chemical plant had a significant enhancement of natural killer cells activity. There was an increase in white blood cells, and PSK improved their body’s cellular immune function.

The researchers concluded that PSK ‘potentiates the immunity of individuals with depressed immunity.’

Stimulated Immune Response in 24 Hours

Another study was interesting because it is not uncommon for herbal medicines to require days/weeks to pass by before they start to have an affect. This study however, showed PSK stimulated a significant immune response within 24 hours when given to both healthy volunteers and patients.

PSK References

Please find below references on these two research studies if you would like to dig a little deeper.

  1. Yamakido M, Ishioka S, Matsuzaka S et al. (1984). Changes of human immunological parameters by PSK administration. Hiroshima J Med Sciences. 33(4): 793-800.
  2. Kato M, Hirose K, Hakzaki M, Ohno M et al 1995. Induction of gene expression for immunomodulating cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in response to orally administered PSK, an immunomodulating protein-bound polysaccharide. Cancer Immunol Immunother 1995; 40: 152-156.