Medicinal Mushrooms for Flu
Protection
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In conventional Chinese language
medication, medicinal mushrooms - such as shiitake, maitake, and reishi -
are used to boost immunity
and fend off colds and
flu.
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Found to possess virus-fighting,
anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, medicinal mushrooms
additionally contain compounds (called polysaccharides) that may assist
stimulate the immune system.
Flu Prevention
Though medicinal mushrooms have
yet to be extensively researched as a way of flu prevention, a number of
studies suggest that certain mushrooms might offer flu-fighting
benefits.
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Maitake -In a 2008 research, scientists
found that treating cells with extracts of maitake mushrooms (also
called Grifola frondosa) helped promote the production of proteins
accountable for activating the immune system in response to infection.
This impact could help gradual the expansion of the flu virus, in
response to the study's authors.
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Cordyceps
-Polysaccharides derived from cordyceps could assist shield in opposition to the
flu by moderating the function of macrophages (a kind of white blood
cell that kills microorganisms and stimulates different immune cells
into action), in line with a 2007 study on mice.
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Gypsy Mushroom
-Findings from a research published
in 1999 demonstrate that extracts of the gypsy mushroom (Rozites
caperata) could assist struggle the flu virus.
More Advantages of Medicinal
Mushrooms
Preliminary evidence indicates
that medicinal mushrooms might provide health benefits beyond combating
the flu. In a 2004 study, as an illustration, contributors taking a
reishi-based mostly powder had an "acute increase" in their antioxidant
capacity. And in a examine printed in 2001, researchers found that
maitake extract improved symptoms in rats with diabetes.
Tips on how to Use Medicinal
Mushrooms
Available in some well being meals
stores, medicinal mushrooms are sometimes sold as liquid blends
containing a number of completely different mushrooms. Medicinal
mushroom formulation can also be obtained immediately from practitioners
of conventional Chinese remedies.
In many instances, practitioners
recommend taking medicinal mushrooms all through flu season with a view
to rev up your immune system.
Are Medicinal Mushrooms Secure?
Although medicinal mushrooms are
typically thought of safe, they might set off such adversarial effects
as nausea and dry throat. In addition, over-stimulating the immune
system might theoretically be associated with lymphoma (a type of immune
system cancer) or another adverse effect.
