Nutritional Content Protein 13-18%; niacin (mg/100 g): 55; thiamin (mg/100 g): 7.8; riboflavin (mg/100 g): 5.0. Ash: 3.5-6.5%. Fiber: 6-15%. Fat: 2-5%. Vetter (1995) found that the caps had 15.24% protein while stems had 11%. Medicinal Properties Lentinan, a water-soluble polysaccharide (B-1,3 glucan with B-1,6 and B-1,3 glucopyranoside branchings) extracted from the mushrooms, is approved as an anticancer drug in Japan. The Japanese researcher Chihara was one of the...
Description Cap 5-25 cm broad, hemispheric, expanding to convex and eventually plane at maturity. Cap dark brown to nearly black at first, becoming lighter brown in age, or upon drying. Cap margin even to irregular inrolled at first, then incurved, flattening with maturity and often undulating with age. Gills white, even at first, becoming serrated or irregular with age*, white, bruising brown when damaged. Stem fibrous, centrally to eccentrically attached,...
During the Ming dynasty, the Reishi mushroom was called Ling zhi, which translates as "spirit plant" or "tree of life." Zhi is one of the ancient names for mushrooms of the polyp type, and these people (as far back as 100 AD) believed that by eating what is germinal, their bodies would become lightened and capable of spiritual transcendence. In more modern times, this amazing mushroom has been used to...
Shiitake has been cultivated in China since the Song Dynasty in 1100 AD. A woodcutter named Wu San Kwung cut into a log with shiitake and later noticed the mushrooms growing where his ax had struck. This was the beginning of log cultivation. Today, numerous farmers are engaged in shiitake production in China. Cultivation They can be grown, with lower yields, on birch logs stacked above ground. Logs must be...
Whether you know this mushroom as shitake or Lentinus edodes, Tricholomopsis edodes, Cortinellus edodes or Armillaria edodes, the result is the same - a fragrant mushroom that is tasty and well-known for its healing powers, as it has been since ancient times. Numerous farmers are engaged in shiitake production in China today. In 2002, the total production of fresh shiitake topped two million tons. Japan produces more than a billion...
Cordyceps Cordyceps History Overview Cordyceps is a rare fungus that grows in the mountains of Tibet, Nepal and China. There are more than 680 species of Cordyceps, but the most famous and well known is Cordyceps sinensis. The first record of Cordyceps appeared in 1082, and a detailed description of its life cycle was found in manuscripts around 1590–1596, but Cordyceps has only been promoted in Europe since 1726, when it...
Why Cordyceps extract? You may be wondering why Cordyceps extract is better than Cordyceps powder. The answer is simple. Cordyceps extract contains a significantly higher concentration of nutritional elements, such as vitamins, amino acids, minerals, essential fatty acids, enzymes, polysaccharides and other active chemical elements. For instance, concentration of polysaccharides in Cordyceps powder does not exceed 5% while this percentage is much higher in the extract. However, it is important...
Cordyceps is a unique and amazing fungus that enhances almost every cell of the human body. Traditional Chinese medicine recognised Cordyceps centuries ago and has been using it to: increase vitality and longevity improve appetite regulate blood pressure and cholesterol level strengthen the cardiovascular system improve sexual energy and desire. Clinical studies conducted in elderly patients with fatigue have shown significant decreases in fatigue and increases in ability to tolerate...
Cordyceps sinensis contains a broad range of compounds that are considered nutritional. The following components are all included in Cordyceps sinensis: Essential amino acids Essential amino acids cannot be synthesised by the body but are necessary for good health. Amino acids are essential for developing the muscles, tendons, organs, glands, nails and hair. Growth, repair and maintenance of all cells are dependent upon amino acids. Vitamin E Vitamin E is...
Cordyceps History Overview Cordyceps is a rare fungus that grows in the mountains of Tibet, Nepal and China. There are more than 680 species of Cordyceps, but the most famous and well known is Cordyceps sinensis. The first record of Cordyceps appeared in 1082, and a detailed description of its life cycle was found in manuscripts around 1590–1596, but Cordyceps has only been promoted in Europe since 1726, when it was...
Traditional Chinese medicine has promoted Cordyceps as a guardian of respiratory health for more than a thousand years. Cordyceps extract has been shown to alleviate the symptoms of various respiratory illnesses including chronic bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia, and phlegm. This is mainly due to the anti-inflammatory properties of Cordyceps and its tendency to relax the bronchial walls and promote enhanced oxygen utilisation efficacy. Various studies have shown that the Cordyceps extract...
Traditional views held that administration of Cordyceps strengthened the kidneys and regulated their normal function. Kidneys are the natural filters of our body. They perform various functions, including maintaining acid-base balance, regulating blood pressure, producing hormones and reabsorbing water, glucose and amino acids. The symptoms of kidney dysfunction are normally felt via other organs and systems consequently affected. Fatigue, joint and back pain, high blood sugar level and impotence are...