Reishi Mushroom

JERUSALEM (AFP) - Israeli scientists claim that a wild mushroom, used in traditional Chinese medicine for a century, could treat prostate cancer, the University of Haifa said Friday.

Researchers at the university in northern Israel said they found molecules in the Ganoderma lucidum mushroom, commonly known as the reishi, which help supress some mechanisms involved in the progression of prostate cancer.

"We already knew the mushroom could impede the development of cancer by affecting the immune system. The in-vitro trials we have done show that it attacks the cancer cellsdirectly," chief researcher Ben Zion Zaidman told AFP.

"These results give rise to hope about developing medication to treat prostate cancer," he said of research carried out to date only in Petri dishes. The research still has to be tested on animals.

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Just the other day, I commented on the benefits of green tea with regards to warding off colorectal cancer. And now this wonderful news about reishi mushroom and the treatment of prostate cancer.

I think that it is indeed wonderful that researchers are discovering more and more benefits from plants or mushrooms in the treatment of cancer. The fact that the reishi mushroom directly attacks the cancer cells directly is the best news about the benefits of the mushroom.

Reishi is also popularly used to treat asthma and other respiratory ailments. Among the primary constituents of the mushroom are polysaccharides, coumarin, sterols, mannitol, and triterpenoids called ganoderic acids. Ganoderic acids is thought to be beneficial in lowering cholesterol and blood pressure as well as inhibiting blood platelets from sticking together.

I checked my favorite health supplement supplier and indeed they carry reishi mushroom. I will head on over and place an order! I have issues with cholesterol and blood pressure and since the consumption of reishi has no known side effects, I think I can only help my health to be at a better level by consuming the product!