FAQ

FAQ - Mushroom Supplements or Mushrooms

FAQ

1. What are Mushroom Supplements or Medicinal Mushrooms?
2. Where do Mushroom Supplements come from?
3. How do Mushroom Supplements work?
4. Why should we take Mushroom Supplements?
5. What is the clinical therapeutic dose?
6. Are there any adverse reactions or side effects with Mushroom Supplements?
7. To what extent have Mushroom Supplements been used?
8. Why haven’t Mushroom Supplements been more readily available until now?
9. How long can you safely take Mushroom Supplements?
10. Are Mushroom Supplements expensive to buy?
11. Regulatory status
12. Why do some people develop symptoms such as a dry mouth, irritability and constipation after taking Mushroom Supplements?
13. Under what circumstances are Mushroom Supplements not recommended?
14. I am quite fit now; do I still need to take the Mushroom Supplements?
15. If I were to take Mushroom Supplements regularly, will I ever become sick?

Answer:

What are Mushroom Supplements or Medicinal Mushrooms?

They are mushrooms that have valuable health benefits. Many species of mushrooms have been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. The use of mushrooms in traditional medicine has best been documented in Asia; these mushrooms are rarely eaten as food because they are woody and have a bitter taste. The best medicinal mushrooms are: Ganoderma (Reishi/Ling zhi), Ganoderma spore, Cordyceps and Trametes versicolor.

Where do Mushroom Supplements come from?

Mushroom Supplements have been used for centuries throughout Asia but only recently has the extent of their benefits been recognized by Western countries.

How do Mushroom Supplements work?

Mushroom Supplements belong to a class of immunomodulators known as biological response modifiers which are capable of stimulating immune functions. Mushrooms enhance the cellular immune function and stimulate immunity in the body generally, to help maintain a correct balance between cellular and humoral immunity.

What is the clinical therapeutic dose?

Numerous clinical trials have established that 6 capsules each of 300mg or 400mg is the accepted dosage of Mushroom Supplements over a time period ranging from 28 days to 10 years.

(For general wellbeing, the dose is 1-2 capsules per day).

Mushroom Supplement capsules should always be taken 30 minutes before food.

Are there any adverse reactions or side effects with Mushroom Supplements?

Adverse reactions from Mushroom Supplements have not been reported since 1970 when clinical trials first began and note stated in the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia.

Refer to 14 for more information.

To what extent have Mushroom Supplements been used?

Mushroom Supplements have been used in China for about 3,000 years, and the purified extract of Mushroom Supplements has been widely used in Japan for nearly 40 years. There have been over 300 studies conducted world wide with numerous published clinical trials. This mushroom is listed as a dietary supplement in American Herbal Pharmacopoeia.

Why haven’t Mushroom Supplements been more readily available until now?

The demand in both the Chinese and Japanese domestic market has taken the majority of available material but, due to the increase in commercial production of Mushroom Supplements, the pure extract produced from the mushroom is now becoming more accessible for use overseas.

How long can you safely take Mushroom Supplements?

Mushroom Supplements can be taken for an indefinite period as clinical trials have documented. Evidence has been gathered from patients taking Mushroom Supplements for more than 10 years.

Are Mushroom Supplements expensive to buy?

No, Mushroom Supplements are not expensive. On a recommended daily dose of 2 x 300mg capsules for wellbeing, the cost per day is less then a “cup of tea or coffee”.

Traditional use of Mushrooms

Mushroom Supplements consist of extracts of an edible mushroom that has been used by medical practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for centuries. As recorded in Traditional Chinese Medicine practiced in the Ming Dynasty, Mushroom extracts were considered useful as a hot-water drink for removing toxins, reducing phlegm, increasing energy and spirit and enhancing organ function such as the spleen and the liver. The beneficial effects from the daily consumption of Mushroom extracts are believed to be associated with the enhancement of the body’s immune function. In 2010, the extract is still commonly prescribed by Chinese doctors in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Modern usage of Mushrooms

The Mushroom Supplements extract started to use in Japan in the 1970s led to the isolation of an active compound known as 'Mushroom Supplements'. Since then, over 300 published studies have been published. Information can be found in the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia

Regulatory status

Mushroom Supplements are available over the counter in many countries without a prescription.

In Australia, Concord health food products are manufactured with no artificial colours, additives or preservatives, by international GMP.

In America, Mushroom Supplement is listed as a dietary supplement.

Why do some people develop symptoms such as a dry mouth, irritability and constipation after taking Mushroom Supplements?

This can be explained by the paradoxical effects or body reaction (this is not a side-effect) of taking Mushroom Supplements or simply as a natural process of illness reversal. Mushroom Supplements improve one's health; they replenish fluids and electrolytes and enhance the detoxification process. Therefore, one should not worry if such symptoms are present.

If the paradoxical effects are particularly severe, discontinuing the supplement is recommended for a short time. After that the treatment may be resumed with plenty of fluids until the effects reduce. When that occurs, you are on the path to recovery.

Under what circumstances are Mushroom Supplements not recommended?

Mushroom Supplements are not recommended under a few circumstances. It is a misconception that Mushroom Supplements cause adverse effects. Adverse effects may arise while taking Mushroom Supplements because some people are unaware of certain contraindications.

These contraindications include:

People who have severe allergic reactions to mushroom should not take Mushroom Supplements.

Mushroom Supplements should not be taken immediately before or after surgical operations. We recommend stopping the use of Mushroom Supplements about 1 week before and 1 week after surgery.

Patients who have undergone an organ transplant operation should not take Mushroom Supplements as they enhance immunity against foreign substances. In this case, the transplanted organ could be at risk.

Patients who have had a severe haemorrhage associated with surgical trauma, should also avoid Mushroom Supplements.