Below is a list of ingredients – mushroom extracts whose effects are confirmed by scientific publications.
1. Chaga – Inonotus Obliquus – is a mushroom that grows on the trunks of deciduous trees. It is also called the mushroom of immortality or the gift of God. It has been used for years in Russian and Chinese natural medicine due to its properties that support the immune system and its antioxidant effect. It occurs on birch trunks in colder climates.
Chaga is rich in phytonutrients and trace elements such as potassium, calcium, manganese, copper, iron and zinc. It also contains polysaccharides (mainly beta-glucans), phytosterols (including approximately: 40% lanosterols, 30% inotodiol, 30% ergosterol), polyphenols (including flavonoids, tannins, phenolic acid), amino acids (including glycine, tryptophan, cysteine), triterpenes (betulin and betulinic acid) and melanin. The fact that supplementation is not accompanied by any undesirable effects makes the mushroom an excellent dietary supplement for everyone.
Clinical Application:
Main therapeutic applications: anticancer, antiviral, Lyme disease, joint diseases (Chaga counteracts the destruction of cartilage, helps to restore synovial fluid and relieves muscle spasm, which is one of the main causes of pain. Having a high penetrating ability, chaga improves metabolism and blood supply to diseased joints, helps to eliminate toxins and salt deposits from them. Betulin is a natural antiseptic, contained in large quantities in the Chaga mushroom, protects joints from inflammation. It quickly relieves pain and allows you to relax tense, spasmodic periarticular muscles and vessels, as a result of which blood circulation is restored, swelling subsides, nutrients from chaga enter the joint cartilage, and then toxins and salts are gradually removed from the joint. Chaga plant components improve metabolism in joint tissues, prevent the destruction of cartilage and rejuvenate the joint.)
General health
It is a mushroom that supports general health. In a study on human lymphocytes, it was observed that an aqueous extract of the Chaga mushroom protects against the degenerative effects of hydrogen peroxide. In this way, DNA damage was reduced by as much as 40%. Antioxidant effects were also seen in studies on a mouse model of chronic pancreatitis. They noted that polysaccharides from Chaga increased the concentration of superoxide dismutase (SOD). On the other hand, malondialdehyde, IL-1β and LDH were reduced.
The substances contained in Chaga modulate the immune system by stimulating Th1 cytokines and inhibiting Th2. This may be potentially helpful in autoimmune and allergic diseases, when studies show a dominance of Th2 cytokines. Cytokines are chemical messengers of the immune system. These are proteins that play an important role in stimulating white blood cells, which are the first line of defense of the immune system against a number of diseases.
Metabolic health
Laboratory studies on fat cells exposed to Chaga extract have shown that it increases the expression of PPARγ. In this way, it is possible to reduce insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. Studies on mice with a diabetes model have shown that after 7 days, fasting glucose levels were reduced by about 11%, and after 3 weeks by 22-24%. Free fatty acids, triglycerides, cholesterol (total and LDL) and insulin were also reduced. However, catalase, SOD and glutathione peroxidase increased.
Chaga Mushroom for Coffee
Chaga extracts have gained a reputation as a desirable coffee additive for several years now. They are often combined with other mushrooms for this purpose. Chaga itself does not significantly enhance mental abilities or provide immediate brain function support, as we feel in the case of Soplówka, but it is still considered a good additive, due to its general health effects and fairly mild taste, which can even tone down the more specific aromas of other mushrooms and make the coffee-mushroom drink more pleasant to taste.
Precautions
One of the most important advantages of using Chaga is the lack of side effects. When taking preparations based on this mushroom, there are no chemical disorders in the body, and there are no hormonal imbalances. So far, only one contraindication to using this mushroom has been identified. It is the simultaneous use of immunological drugs, such as cyclosporines. These are immunosuppressive drugs that are administered to patients after transplantation. As a result, Chaga can inhibit their action, leading to rejection of the transplanted organ.
Because Chaga lowers blood sugar levels, you should monitor your blood sugar levels carefully. Some common symptoms of hypoglycemia include shakiness, weakness, constant hunger/thirst, and irritability.
2. Lion's mane - Hericium erinaceus is an edible mushroom with medicinal properties. This mushroom is known by many names in different languages, such as: Lion's Mane , Hedgehog Mushroom, Monkey's mushroom, Bear's Head, Old Man's Beard, Yamabushitake (Japanese), Houtou (Chinese).
This mushroom has been used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine for centuries. In addition to vitamins and minerals, Lion's Mane also contains special compounds such as hericerins, erinacins, erinaceolactones, and certain glycoproteins and polysaccharides. Lion's Mane, often called Lion's Mane, is a useful representative of the mushroom kingdom for people who work mentally.
The use of Lion's Mane is actually very wide:
Supports the nervous system – it makes our brain better at absorbing and remembering information, improves its efficiency and proper functioning. It can be a complementary therapy in the case of various diseases of the nervous system and support the treatment of neurological problems of various origins, and we are talking about diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, neurasthenia, neuropathy or multiple sclerosis.
It can also be used as support for various psychological and psychiatric problems. It is used as support for the treatment of neuroses, anxiety states, sleep disorders and in the treatment of depression. It is also a good, natural support for the body, which is in chronic stress or it can be helpful for people who actually feel somatization of stress.
It has a positive effect on the digestive system – it regulates and improves its functioning in a proper way. It has a protective effect on the gastric mucosa, protects the liver and intestines. It is used in diseases such as gastritis, ulcers and other diseases related to digestion, rebuilds the bacterial flora in the intestines.
It helps prevent atherosclerosis of blood vessels by reducing the fraction of bad cholesterol in the body. At the same time, it allows you to properly take care of good efficiency and condition of the heart.
It helps strengthen the body's immunity. It contributes to increased production of interferons in the body, which are then responsible for the production of white blood cells, which increase the body's resistance to pathogens.
It works well as a wound healing agent , which will significantly accelerate the healing of wounds.
An interesting fact is its taste – in addition to its medical use, the Lion's Mane is also a delicacy in Asian countries. Because it contains a large amount of protein, it can be a valuable substitute for meat in a plant-based diet.
Lion's Mane shows very good synergistic effects with Chaga and other mushrooms, it also works perfectly in combination with acetyl group donors e.g. ALCAR and compounds supporting the formation of acetylcholine.
Precautions
So far, no side effects have been observed when using products based on Lion's Mane. It is worth remembering that products containing Lion's Mane are not recommended for people after transplantation. Lion's Mane has an immunostimulating effect and may lead to transplant rejection. The use of Lion's Mane may also sometimes be associated with a tingling/itching sensation - this is probably due to increased NGF activity and increased sensitivity of skin nerves. The best option will then be to reduce the dose taken to one that will not cause the above symptoms.
3. Cordyceps – Cordyceps sinensis is a mushroom that occurs naturally in the high parts of the Himalayas. It is one of the most fascinating species in the mushroom kingdom. The fungus parasitizes the larva of the Hepialus fabricius moth, then kills and mummifies it, after which it grows into a mushroom with a cap. It is famous for its properties that increase physical performance, reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Cordyceps sinensis mushrooms have been known for thousands of years by the peoples of Tibet. To this day, nomads prepare an invigorating infusion from wild mushrooms.
Cordyceps is considered an adaptogen – it helps the body fight stress. It is also often chosen by athletes to maximize training effects.
Cordyceps is a mushroom used in traditional Chinese medicine. It improves vitality, has anti-diabetic effects, improves immunity, supports liver function and delays fatigue by limiting the secretion of lactic acid. It is also credited with being an aphrodisiac. It is often an ingredient in healthy smoothies, and according to user reports, it combines very well with morning coffee.
Action:
Cordyceps is used for infections with Borrelia, Bartonella, Chlamydia, Mycoplasma and Ehrlichia (Anaplasma).
Cordyceps has the following effects:
antitussive, antiexpectorant
strengthens the nervous system, has neuroprotective effects
regulates kidney function
protects and improves heart function