Natural Herbal Remedies

In my research for information on the web for my cancer information site, I have run across references to Reishi. Reishi is a Chinese mushroom that reportedly has very good cancer prevention qualities, so I vowed to do more research on the subject.

Further articles will be posted on this subject, and information gathered to help the reader make a sound judgment on their own. I have long been interested in Chinese medicine, and through my studies of the martial arts have come to realize their benefits.

The following article is a press release from PRWeb. A lot of good information is to be had from them, and it helps one to keep abreast of new produicts and findings.

I hope you enjoy this article.

Ancient Chinese Mushroom Stops Spread of Invasive Cancers

by Howell Lewis

Potent immune booster, powerful antioxidant, anti allergy and adaptogen health tonic called the Long Life Herb.

(PRWEB) August 15, 2005 -- Research published in the scientific journals Integrative Cancer Therapies and Oncology Reports showed that Reishi inhibited highly invasive breast and prostate cancer cells. Another study in Immunological Investigations (2005) revealed it promoted anti tumor activity. Biological response modifiers (BRM’s) are evolving as the fourth method of cancer treatment in addition to surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Reishi is a BRM with an extraordinary effect on the maturation, differentiation and proliferation of many kinds of immune cells and is a proven potent activator of interferon, interleukins, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), natural killer cells (NK), T lymphocytes, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL’s) and lymphokine activated killer cells (LAK).

Hundreds of studies over the last 20 years have confirmed the ability of medicinal mushroom polysaccharides to elevate levels of cytokines (chemical messengers) that alert the immune system and boost its activity. Cancer Research UK produced the world’s most comprehensive review of their benefits and found increasing evidence that medicinal mushrooms contain a remarkable array of medicinally important compounds that could have a highly beneficial influence on the way cancer is treated.

A fully functional immune system is critical to the recognition and elimination of tumor cells. The increased incidence of spontaneous tumors in immunosuppressed individuals indicates that the immune system provides a substantial defense mechanism for resistance against cancer. Research noted, ‘It was evident from clinical trials that Reishi significantly enhanced the immune systems of the elderly people taking it.’

Extracts from medicinal mushrooms have been used to improve quality of life for cancer patients when taken prior to and during radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy invariably damage or weaken the patient’s immunological defenses. Although responding favorably, cancer patients are in danger of opportunistic infections that can invade their systems because unfortunately the therapy designed to kill the pathogenic cells also kills their protective immune cells. A combination of Reishi and Cordyceps has been clinically tested for cancer treatment support with good results. Researchers believe that a mixture of mushroom polysaccharides maximizes the immune response by providing multiple stimuli.

Medicinal mushrooms are thought to have latent cancer preventative properties. Epidemiological studies in Japan and Brazil suggest that regular consumption significantly reduces the levels of cancer incidence. A 14-year study in Japan revealed cancer rates of workers at medicinal mushroom farms were 1 in 1000 compared to 1 in 600 for the general population. The distinguished Japanese surgeon, Dr Morishige incorporates Reishi into cancer treatments and after years of studying it believes it can help to prevent cancer.

Reishi is a powerful antioxidant free radical scavenger. Free radicals causing oxidative damage to cells are thought to be a contributing factors in ageing and have been implicated in many diseases, including cancer. Recent research in Science Express and reported by Reuters and BBC News proved that reducing free radical damage enabled a 20% longer life span with less heart and other age-related diseases. A compound in Reishi, GLB7, actually slows the production of free radicals.

Reishi has been rated China’s top medicinal herb for over 2000 years with Ginseng in second place and so highly treasured it was traded for its own weight in gold and once only available to Emperors. Now it is the most important and most thoroughly researched herb in the Orient. Reishi contains more than 200 active and unique compounds, including the most biologically active obtainable from plant sources. Its dynamic antioxidant action and immune stimulating effects have earned it many names including, ‘The Long Life Herb’, ‘The Great Protector’ and even ‘God’s Herb’.

As well as its potent immune boosting effects Reishi has the extraordinary capacity to regulate and balance the immune system when it is overactive and has over compensated in autoimmune conditions like allergies. It also inhibits histamine release from mast cells and is anti inflammatory making it effective against all four types of allergic reactions.

Personally sourced in China, Lifeforce Herbs imports top quality Reishi concentrated extract containing the highest levels of active ingredients in the world. For more information visit the web site where you will see they also stock Cordyceps, the ‘Herb of Life’ as featured on BBC’s Newsnight on July 19 2005.

For press enquiries, quotes and samples contact: Howell Lewis via the web site or + 44 (0) 1296 425 744

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More inforjmation on the Reishi mushroom will be made available by this site as soon as it is obtained. I hope that this article has been helpful to you.