The use of Shiitake, Lentinulus edodes dates at least to 100 AD in China. Today, Shiitake mushrooms are very popular in the United States as well. Research into the anti-cancer properties of shiitake mushrooms has been going on since at least the 1960s. Animal studies have shown some positive results regarding the anti-tumor, cholesterol-lowering, and virus-inhibiting effects of several active compounds in Shiitake mushrooms. American Cancer Society (2007).
[FREE Full Text]

Histamine-mediated allergic responses like asthma and allergies are increasing in frequency and are difficult to target with modern medicine. This article discusses how a unique array of compounds within Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi), could play a major role in treatment of histamine-mediated allergic responses. Powell, M. (2006) [Electronic version]. Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, May, 2006.
[Free Full Text]

This review describes pharmacologically active compounds from mushrooms. Compounds and complex substances with antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-tumor, anti-allergic, immuno-modulating, anti-inflammatory, antiatherogenic, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective and central activities are covered, focusing on the review of recent literature. Lindequist, U., Niedermeyer, T. H. J., Julich, W. (2005). Oxford Journals. Volume 2, Number 3, Pp.285-299
[Abstract] [FREE Full Text] [PDF]

Article reviews a study by Dr. Julian Kenyon of England. In the article patients with stomach, esophageal, lung, ovarian and cervical cancer use the Turkey Tail mushroom, Coriolus versicolor to promote antitumor activity. Klotter, J. (2004). Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, June 2004.
[FREE Full Text]

Both resilient and rare, Chinese legends and myths of this revered healing mushroom span the course of millennia. Cordyceps finds itself amongst the most famous medicinals of the modern age as western research reveals its healing power. Holliday, J., Cleaver, M. (2004).
[PDF]

Agaricus blazei is a mushroom that originates from Brazil and is well known in Japan and China for its great flavor and medicinal qualities. Blazei is high in protein, carbohydrates, vitamin B and nicotinic acid which all have beneficiary effects on the liver and kidneys. When given to chronic hepatitis patients it is shown to improve the symptoms of Hepatitis B and helps to restore the function of the liver. Rong, W. L., Rong, F. Q., Yuan, X. X., Liang, M. H., Zhi, W. J., Ito, H., Shimur, K. (2004). The Nutrition Handbook.

Agaricus blazei, the almond portabello, has shown to be effective in leukemia treatment. It enhances the immune system, slows tumor growth, and promotes the growth of new cells in the bone marrow. Blazei increases the success of chemotherapy by lessening some of the side effects of the chemotherapy and has no toxicity in the human body. Hui, T. X., Guo, L. Z., Jing, W., Ito, H., Shimura, K., Zhi, W. J. (2004). The Nutrition Notebook. 

Extracts of Agaricus blazei are tested for their effects on the immune system. It is shown to be immunomodulating and to have antitumor qualities. Kasai, H., He, L. M., Kawamura, M., Yang, P. T., Deng, X. W., Munkanta, M., Yamashita, A., Terunuma, H., Hirama, M., Horiuchi, I., Natori, T., Koga, T., Amano, Y., Yamaguchi, N., Ito, M. (2004). Oxford Journals Evidence-Based Complimentary and Alternative Medicine. V.1, N.3. Pp. 259-267. 2004. 

Testing shows that Agaricus blazei helps improve immune function and inhibits cancer. It helped the symptoms and signs of patients that had malignant tumors in their alimentary tract and improved their blood picture. The polysaccharides in Agaricus blazei have not been shown to kill cancer cells, but release cell factors that are successful in cancer inhibition through activating the immune system and the anticancer function of natural killer cells. Jing, W., Min, M. X., Zheng, C. R., Zhi, W. J., Ito, H., Shimura, K. (2004). The Nutrition Notebook. 

Ganoderma lucidum demonstrates anticancer activity in experiments with cancer cells and has possible therapeutic potential as a dietary supplement for an alternative therapy for breast and prostate cancer. Silva, D. (2003). [Electronic version]. Integrative Cancer Therapies, Vol. 2, No. 4, 358-364
[Abstract]

The protein-bound polysaccharides or polysaccharopeptides produced by Coriolus versicolor are effective immunopotentiators, which are used to supplement the chemotherapy and radiotherapy of cancers and various infectious diseases. Antitumor activity of polysaccharopeptides has been documented. Several kinds of protein-bound polysaccharides have been shown to be produced by the white rot fungus, C. versicolor. Cui, J., Chisti, Y. (2003) Biotechnology Advances, 2003 Apr;21(2):109-22.
[Abstract] [PDF]

A bioactive compound called Maitake D-fraction is found to contain potent antitumor properties, and to have strong immune enhancing effects with no toxic side effects. It is shown that when taken adjunctly with chemotherapy, to reduce the side effects of the chemotherapy. Konno, S. (2002). Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients. Dec., 2002

As it is known that the human immune system becomes weaker and less efficient as we age, it seems reasonable that natural health practitioners would introduce measures to help their patients reduce or halt the age-related decline in immune system function; this appears to partially explain the rising cancer incidence that occurs as we age and our increased susceptibility to more virulent and life-threatening infections. In this regard, antioxidant supplementation of Reishi mushroom extract has shown a remarkable ability to forestall age-related changes to the immune system and to reverse many aspects of immune function in subjects showing some decreased immune capabilities. Meschino, J. (2002). Dynamic Chiropractic, June, 2002
[FREE Full Text]

Maitake D- fraction, a bioactive compound of the mushroom Grifola frondosa, and whole powdered Maitake display success in regression and symptom improvement of stage II-IV cancer. Maitake is also shown to inhibit tumor growth and increase natural killer T cells in animal studies. Kodama, N. (2002). Alternative Medicine Review. June, 2002.

Most mushrooms are rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fiber, while they are low in fat, cholesterol and calorie content. In addition, extensive basic and clinical research on mushrooms over the past 20 years has revealed them as having an unfolding number of properties that seemingly provides remarkable health benefits. Konno, S. (2002). Today's Chiropractic.
[Free Full Text]

D-Fraction, a polysaccharide extracted from the Maitake mushroom, is shown to have anti-tumor effects by activating macrophages and T cells. Kodama, N., Harada, N., Nanba, H. (2002). Jpn. J. Pharmacol. 90, 357 - 360 (2002).

Agaricus blazei has been used in the prevention of cancer, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, arteriosclerosis and chronic hepatitis. In this text they look at the tumor reducing qualities of different substances isolated from the lipid fraction of Agaricus blazei. Takeshi, T., Kimura, Y., Okuda, H. (2001). Journal of Nutrition. 2001; 131: 1409-1413.

Maitake has been used for centuries in China and Japan. Recent studies conducted over the last 20 years have shown this mushrooms benefits for enhancing the immune system and as an anti-tumor. Other benefits include decreasing high blood pressure, positive affect on the liver and cholesterol, and benefits for HIV patients. Crawford, S. (2001). Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine.

The chemopreventive effects of three medicinal mushrooms, Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), Turkey Tail (Trametes (Coriolus) versicolor), Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) and the succulent plant Aloe barbadensis. Invitro test suggests that their polysaccharides have antitumor promoting activities and, therefore, might be considered as potential agents for cancer chemoprevention. Kim, H.S., Kacew, S., Lee, B.M. (1999) Oxford University Press, Carcinogenesis, Vol. 20, No. 8, 1637-1640.
[Abstract] [FREE Full Text] [PDF]