Hemlock Fungus Brimming with Antioxidants
Hemlock Varnish Shelf extract contains an abundance of antioxidants. [827, 828, 829, 830] A study from 1999 found Hemlock Varnish Shelf (Ganoderma tsugae) to possess "the strongest antioxidant activity of five species of Ganoderma tested," and stronger than Vitamin E. [831]
Hemlock Varnish Shelf (Ganoderma tsugae) is the local variety of Reishi (Ganoderma spp.) for eastern United States. It is common on Eastern Hemlock trees (Tsuga canadensis) throughout the Appalachian range.
Much of the therapeutic benefits are the same as those of the Common Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), which is the oldest used medicinal mushroom in Traditional Chinese Medicine with a 2,000 year history.
Hemlock Varnish Shelf is not limited to the U.S., though, and plenty of Asian research has been conducted specifically on this species of Reishi.
Grown commercially in Taiwan as a medicinal mushroom, Hemlock Varnish Shelf is exported to mainland China, where it is traditionally used to treat autoimmune diseases and asthma, as well as other conditions involving inflammation.
In modern scientific literature, we can only find one study on the use of Hemlock Varnish Shelf in the treatment of an autoimmune disease. A paper published in 2001 stated: "Improved the survival rate of lupus" [800] with the administration of Ganoderma tsugae extract.
In cases of asthma or lung inflammation, there have been three studies confirming the effectiveness of Hemlock Varnish Shelf. It's been found to "exert anti-inflammatory effects on airway responses" [801] in cases of allergic asthma and broncheoalveolar inflammation. [802, 803]
One of the most novel uses of Hemlock Varnish Shelf is as a skin substitute during wound healing. The skin substitute material, commercially sold as Sacchachitin, has been proven in numerous studies to promote and speed up skin healing. It has been observed that "rapid wound healing" takes place when covered by Sacchachitin as compared to regular gauze [804] - a "wound area covered by SACCHACHITIN completely healed by 21 days, while that covered with cotton gauze did not." [805, 806, 807]
Ganoderma tsugae extract has also been used in studies on cancer with results that encourage continued research. [808, 809, 810, 811, 812] Breast cancer [816] and lung cancer patients in particular have responded favorably in the studies conducted. [808, 809, 810, 811, 812] A study on cancer metastasis also reported positive results from the use of Hemlock Varnish Shelf. [817]
Same as with Common Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), the Hemlock Reishi (or Hemlock Varnish Shelf) has also been shown to be a powerful immunomodulator. [817, 818, 819, 820, 821, 822, 823] What that means is that both of these species of Reishi will help adjust the immune system up or down, whichever is needed. They can help strengthen a weak immune system in one person, [824] while helping to calm an overactive immune system in another person, perhaps someone with an autoimmune disease or an inflammatory condition such as allergy, asthma or arthritis. [825]
Finally, a paper published in 2004 reported that Hemlock Varnish Shelf also possessed anti-fibrotic as well as liver protective properties. [826]
Note: The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Never use any medicinal mushroom or herb without prior approval by medical doctor. - 17274
Hemlock Varnish Shelf (Ganoderma tsugae) is the local variety of Reishi (Ganoderma spp.) for eastern United States. It is common on Eastern Hemlock trees (Tsuga canadensis) throughout the Appalachian range.
Much of the therapeutic benefits are the same as those of the Common Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), which is the oldest used medicinal mushroom in Traditional Chinese Medicine with a 2,000 year history.
Hemlock Varnish Shelf is not limited to the U.S., though, and plenty of Asian research has been conducted specifically on this species of Reishi.
Grown commercially in Taiwan as a medicinal mushroom, Hemlock Varnish Shelf is exported to mainland China, where it is traditionally used to treat autoimmune diseases and asthma, as well as other conditions involving inflammation.
In modern scientific literature, we can only find one study on the use of Hemlock Varnish Shelf in the treatment of an autoimmune disease. A paper published in 2001 stated: "Improved the survival rate of lupus" [800] with the administration of Ganoderma tsugae extract.
In cases of asthma or lung inflammation, there have been three studies confirming the effectiveness of Hemlock Varnish Shelf. It's been found to "exert anti-inflammatory effects on airway responses" [801] in cases of allergic asthma and broncheoalveolar inflammation. [802, 803]
One of the most novel uses of Hemlock Varnish Shelf is as a skin substitute during wound healing. The skin substitute material, commercially sold as Sacchachitin, has been proven in numerous studies to promote and speed up skin healing. It has been observed that "rapid wound healing" takes place when covered by Sacchachitin as compared to regular gauze [804] - a "wound area covered by SACCHACHITIN completely healed by 21 days, while that covered with cotton gauze did not." [805, 806, 807]
Ganoderma tsugae extract has also been used in studies on cancer with results that encourage continued research. [808, 809, 810, 811, 812] Breast cancer [816] and lung cancer patients in particular have responded favorably in the studies conducted. [808, 809, 810, 811, 812] A study on cancer metastasis also reported positive results from the use of Hemlock Varnish Shelf. [817]
Same as with Common Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), the Hemlock Reishi (or Hemlock Varnish Shelf) has also been shown to be a powerful immunomodulator. [817, 818, 819, 820, 821, 822, 823] What that means is that both of these species of Reishi will help adjust the immune system up or down, whichever is needed. They can help strengthen a weak immune system in one person, [824] while helping to calm an overactive immune system in another person, perhaps someone with an autoimmune disease or an inflammatory condition such as allergy, asthma or arthritis. [825]
Finally, a paper published in 2004 reported that Hemlock Varnish Shelf also possessed anti-fibrotic as well as liver protective properties. [826]
Note: The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Never use any medicinal mushroom or herb without prior approval by medical doctor. - 17274
About the Author:
Dr. Markho Rafael has worked with natural health since finishing Chiropractic College in 1996. He currently specializes in medicinal mushrooms, working specifically with MycoMedicinals from Paul Stamets' Fungi Perfecti, including reishi synergistic blends such as G5 (Five Ganoderma) and CordyChi Extract. For scientific references to this article, please visit the Ganoderma tsugae research page.
posted by X - Men at
3:50 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home