Medicinal mushrooms

With more than two-dozen contributors and over 450-pages of content Fly Agaric is the most comprehensive book on the iconic red and white-spotted mushroom ever assembled. In the 29 chapters contained herein the reader is taken on a journey through history, folklore, and the magical landscapes experienced under the influence of the Fly Agaric, and its many close relatives. The reader of this book will learn:

*How to recognize and identify over a dozen types of psychoactive Amanita species, subspecies, and varieties occurring in North America, and how to distinguish them from look-alikes.
*What psychoactive and other active compounds are found in psychoactive Amanitas, and how they affect the mind and body.
*The differences between the effects and experiences produced by psychoactive Amanitas and psychedelic Psilocybe mushrooms.
*How the Fly Agaric can be detoxified and safely prepared for the dinner table.
*The history of medicinal and homeopathic use of the Fly Agaric.
*How the Fly Agaric can be used topically and internally to treat conditions such as pain, inflammation, insomnia, and anxiety.
*Theories regarding the historical and religious use of psychoactive Amanitas around the world based on archaeological, folkloric, and other evidence.

Cadmium(Cd) is one of the most dangerous occupational and environmental toxins. The objective of the present
study is to examine the potential prophylactic effects of phytic acid (PA) on thyroid hormones of male rats
intoxicated with Cd. The male albino rats were divided into five groups: group I (control) was fed with the basal
diet, group II was intoxicated with Cd in drinking water, groups III, IV, and V were intoxicated with Cd in drinking
water and fed with the diet containing 3.5, 7, and 10 g of PA/kg, respectively. The results indicated that the serum
calcium, iron (Fe), and total Fe binding capacity levels and serum T3 and T4 in Cd-treated rats of group II were
decreased when compared with the control group, while PA-administered groups with Cd showed a significant
improvement when compared with the Cd-treated rats only. Serumthyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level was
significantly increased in Cd-treated rats compared with the control group, while the addition of PA in diet
decreased the high levels of TSH. These results indicated a prophylactic effect of PA against Cd-induced toxicity
in rats.
Keywords
Cadmium, phytic acid, thyroid, T3, T4, TSH, toxicity

Vivimos una era novedosa y fascinante. En el siglo del conocimiento y las palabras, los enormes avances derivados de la revolución biotecnológica y aquélla de las telecomunicaciones han dado lugar a un mundo cada vez más complejo y multipolar. Latinoamérica representa ya un importante polo de desarrollo en todos los sectores, donde encontramos una notable convergencia cultural, fruto único de un proceso complejo de varios siglos.
El inicio del cultivo de hongos comestibles en Latinoamérica fue producto de dicha construcción pluricultural y es bastante reciente. Durante el período comprendido entre 1933 y 1950, inmigrantes italianos, españoles y alemanes introdujeron el cultivo de champiñones en países tan diversos como Argentina, Brasil, Colombia y México.
Los albores del cultivo detonaron por sí mismos un profundo interés por los hongos comestibles cultivados en la región. En 1960, Takatoshi Furomoto recolectó por primera vez el “Hongo del Sol”, “Hongo de Piedade”, u “Hongo de Dios” en la ciudad de Piedade, Municipio del Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Cepas de este importante recurso genético
nativo (Agaricus brasiliensis) fueron entonces enviadas a Japón, donde se registraron posteriormente importantes propiedades medicinales en la especie. Surgió así una importante aportación latinoamericana a la producción global de hongos comestibles.
En este breve contexto, damos la bienvenida al presente libro, ya que constituye una excelente muestra del amplio desarrollo endógeno que toma lugar en el campo de la biotecnología de hongos comestibles, funcionales y medicinales en Latinoamérica.
Los autores integran un dinámico grupo de investigación con alta productividad científica y tecnológica, que forma parte de la Red Latinoamericana de Hongos Comestibles y Medicinales: Producción, Desarrollo y Consumo (www.hongoscomestiblesymedicinales.com). En el contenido del libro, ellos transmiten su valiosa experiencia en el cultivo del “champiñón brasileño”, demostrando el gran potencial de producción comercial y consumo de esta interesante especie (A.
brasiliensis), la cual crece silvestre en varios países latinoamericanos. Se proporciona una visión integral sobre las propiedades nutricionales y medicinales de los hongos comestibles, aspectos generales de su biología, técnicas de producción de “inóculo”, elaboración del compost, manejo de la producción de champiñones y los subproductos,
estrategias mercadotécnicas, y rentabilidad del cultivo. De manera específica, los autores proporcionan una descripción bastante completa del proceso biotecnológico de producción de A. brasiliensis, incluyendo su manejo postcosecha y propiedades medicinales. Un componente importante de este libro es la atención especial que recibe el público en general. Por todas estas virtudes, considero que se trata de una obra
indispensable en su campo y me parece que este excelente libro debe pasar a formar parte del acervo bibliográfico de las instituciones y universidades iberoamericanas.

Background: Pleurotus giganteus (Berk. Karunarathna and K.D. Hyde), has been used as a culinary mushroom and is known to have medicinal properties but its potential as an anti-inflammatory agent to mitigate inflammation triggered diseases is untapped. In this study, the molecular mechanism underlying the protective effect of ethanol extract of P. giganteus (EPG) against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and combination of LPS and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2)-induced inflammation on RAW 264.7 macrophages was investigated.

Pharmacognosy in the Ancient China
by examples from traditional Pharmacopoeias

Traditional Chinese Medicine (HKO in the followings) is one of the most primordial Health Care and Therapeutical systems, that continuously evolved in the same geographical area. Its ideology, therapeutical approach and thus terminology radically diverges from that of Western Medicine. Therefore understanding of case reports, chosen and applied therapies, as well as descriptions of drugs used and their mechanism of action, is hard to comprehend, in lack of previous education / knowledge.

In this short review the terms used in describing drugs originated from herbs, mushrooms, animal or mineral resources, as well as terms related to fields of indication bevame demonstrated, through examples from ancient chinese pharmacopoeias.

Keywords: Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chinese Pharmacology, Medical Herbs, Medicinal Mushrooms, Drugs from Animal Sources, Drugs from Mineral Sources

Abstract

There are many similarities amongst Mesoamerican religious practices that cannot be overlooked. This paper seeks to establish the commonalities between the origin stories and religious practices of three Mesoamerican cultures. In this manner, one can begin to better understand the extent to which these similarities were within the pre-Columbian Maya, Inca, and the Aztec.

Ceremonial practices and the use of entheogenic plants to achieve a desired altered state has been well established through archaeological finds throughout what is now known as Central/South America. Many of the same entheogens have been recorded in use amongst pre-Columbian cultures. Practices that would seem unimaginable to most people living in the current day were carried out with zeal with the desired result well documented through several available sources. The use of said plants in ritual (and medical) occasions is shrouded with mystery and intrigue, however great strides have been made in our current understanding of pre-Columbian ethnobotanical rituals. Historians, ethnobotanist, biologists, anthropologists, mystics and even a few “kooks” have contributed greatly to our understanding of their use, yet little is known regarding how widely spread these acts (uses) were.

Bemutatott gombafajok / Introduced Mushrooms:
Déli tőkegomba, Poplar Fieldcap (Cyclocybe cylindracea, syn.: Agrocybe cylindracea),
Szürke tölcsérgomba, Clouded Funnel (Clitocybe nebularis),
Hármas csillaggomba, Collared Earthstar (Geastrum triplex),
Aranyos rezgőgomba, Yellow Brain (Tremella mesenterica)

Abstract: Casing is a staple part of mushroom cultivation with profound impact on fructification and crop yield. This survey aimed to scrutinize the influence of various casing alternative materialson the fruiting bodies, yield, and duration of production cycle of Agaricuss ubrufescens and Agaricuss bisporus. Evaluated casing treatments included common soil, Duch soil, spent mushroom compost from A. bisporus, vermicompost from spent mushroom compost, vermicompost from municipal solid waste, zeolite and their combinations as well.Using SPSS, analysis of data was conducted in a completely randomized factorial design and LSD test. The findings revealed that the highest productivity of A. bisporuswas obtained by using casing layer comprised of Duch soil + vermicompost from municipal solid waste (2:1).The most efficient casing for A. subrufescence were common soil + Duch soil (1:1),common soil + vermicompost from spent mushroom compost (2:1), common soil + vermicompost from municipal solid waste (2:1), respectively. Mixing vermicompost from spent mushroom compost and vermicompost from municipal solid waste with common soil led to substantial reduction of growth period and cropping period of A. subrufescence. In conclusion, this study highlight the efficiency of using vermicompost as an alternative casing material for both improving productivity and accelerating production cycle.

Dit artikel is een verkorte weergaven van het boek Fytotherapie bij kanker. Compendium van 500 kruiden die ondersteunen bij kanker auteur Rob Hamers Met een voorwoord van Dr. Peter Holst ISBN/EAN: 9789403615547 Kruidenextracten bieden ongekende mogelijkheden om het lichaam op natuurlijke wijze te helpen om kankercellen te bestrijden en de algehele conditie van de patiënt te helpen verbeteren waardoor diens overlevingskansen groter zijn. Hierbij gaat het niet slechts om overleverde gebruiken maar op universiteiten wereldwijd onderzochte werkingen van stoffen in kruiden of planten die significant aan herstel bijdragen. Kanker is nog altijd in veel landen doodsoorzaak nummer 2 (laat Covid19 vér achter zich), waarbij men in acht moet nemen dat door welvaartsvoeding in het westen deze cijfers hoger zullen liggen en in derde wereldlanden lager (waar meer mensen aan infecties overlijden). Juist de voeding speelt ons in het westen parten. Gebrekkige voeding is hier eerder een probleem dan gebrék aan voeding. Echter: ondervoeding komt dus ook híer voor, nl. door sléchte incomplete voeding; voeding waar van alles aan ontbreekt aan vitaminen, mineralen maar vooral ook de zogenaamde fytonutriënten, waar vaak slechts kleine hoeveelheden al, van belang zijn voor het geheel van biochemische processen, waaronder de afweer tegen virussen maar ook de regulatie van celdeling (die ongereguleerd tot kanker leidt). In het toonaangevende blad New Scientist werd een onderzoek getoond waarin vastgesteld werd dat alleen al door teling (en kweek) voeding verarmd raakte qua nutriënten dan wel inhoudsstoffen 1. Alleen al doordat bijvoorbeeld fruit op zoetheid genetisch geselecteerd en gekweekt wordt krijgen we meer voeding met goede smaak maar bijvoorbeeld minder gezonde bitterstoffen. Een voorbeeld is de stof naringine die veelal voorkwam in witte Grapefruit. Deze stof smaakt zeer bitter maar werkt ontstekingsremmend en heeft als werking dat kankercellen bij borstkanker en baarmoederhalskanker aangezet worden tot celdood (Apoptose, zie verder). De zoete roze en rode varianten van Grapefruit bevatten nauwelijks nog van die stoffen. Zo zijn er tal van stoffen (quercitine in Broccoli) die helpen om kankercellen te bestrijden. 2 In onderstaande komen enkele wetenschappelijke analyses aan bod die men maar even op de koop moet toenemen, die zijn belangrijk om aan te tonen dat het hier om erkende wetenschappelijke studies gaat en dat als medici de werking van kruiden van tafel willen vegen dit een blijk is van onvermogen en gebrekkige bijscholing! Waarom kruidenmiddelen goed werken tegen de ontwikkeling van kanker 1 De bittere waarheid, Fruit en groenten worden steeds lekkerder gemaakt, maar dat gaat ten koste van onze gezondheid, M. Zaraska, in : New Scientist, 2015, 66-73 2 Fytotherapie bij kanker. Compendium van 500 kruiden die ondersteunen bij kanker. R. Hamers Heerlen 2020

Abstract

There are many similarities amongst Mesoamerican religious practices that cannot be overlooked. This paper seeks to establish the commonalities between the origin stories and religious practices of three Mesoamerican cultures. In this manner, one can begin to better understand the extent to which these similarities were within the pre-Columbian Maya, Inca, and the Aztec.

Ceremonial practices and the use of entheogenic plants to achieve a desired altered state has been well established through archaeological finds throughout what is now known as Central/South America. Many of the same entheogens have been recorded in use amongst pre-Columbian cultures. Practices that would seem unimaginable to most people living in the current day were carried out with zeal with the desired result well documented through several available sources. The use of said plants in ritual (and medical) occasions is shrouded with mystery and intrigue, however great strides have been made in our current understanding of pre-Columbian ethnobotanical rituals. Historians, ethnobotanist, biologists, anthropologists, mystics and even a few “kooks” have contributed greatly to our understanding of their use, yet little is known regarding how widely spread these acts (uses) were.

Schizophyllum commune belongs to the large and remarkable group of mushroom and it is known as split gill mushroom. It is an unexplored and non-consumed by the human. Recent research revealed that S. commune emerges as a richness for various antioxidants and other pharma active component. In the present studied, hot water, methanol, and ethanol crude extracts of S. commune were investigated for their antioxidant capacity by using various assay methods and also determined antidiabetic property. Ethanolic extract showed ample potential for antioxidant activity, in the DPPH scavenging method recorded higher inhibition (IC 50 =18.56 µg/ml), other than in hot water and methanol extracts. For the reducing power assay, hot water extract showed great scavenging activity recorded (IC 50 =20.00 µg/ml) comparison to another extract. Ethanolic extract showed most potent H 2 O 2 scavenging activity in the assay; which was showed (IC 50 =19.79 µg/ml) and similarly total phenolic content was given significantly values for ethanolic extract (IC 50 =11.86 µg/ml), comparatively methanol and hot water extracts. Positive correlation was found between to all extracts medium and their antioxidant activities. The studied revealed that split gill mushroom may have potential sources of natural antioxidant and antidiabetic stuff, therefore may be utilized as promising sources of therapeutics.

Agaricus blazei Murrill has indeed generated a lot of interest in the scientific community. One of the components of mushroom was a polysaccharide complex with a low molecular weight called α-1.4-Glucan, β-1.6-Glucan. The scientists reported that this polysaccharide had the strongest antitumor effect. It was selectively kill tumour cells without affecting normal cells. Mycelian biomass is a sterile grain substrate that has been inoculated and colonized with fungal mycelium. After the substrate is fully cured, it is dried and ground, and then used for chemical determinations. Mycelian biomass contains: residual cereals, fungal mycelium, metabolites and enzymes secreted by fungal mycelium. Mushroom mycelial biomass products contain a wide range of bioactive molecules and key immunomodulating betaglucans and related hetero-polysaccharides. The beta-glucan levels in the studied mycelial biomass ranging from 1.17% in millet mycelial biomass to 1.79% in grain mycelial biomass.

This study was carried out to compare the effects of different agricultural wastes on growth and yield of mushroom production of Pleurotuspulmonariuswas grown on three different substrates cassava peels, sawdust (supplemented with rice bran and calcium carbonate (CaCO3)), banana leaves. The fastest spawn running, primordial initiation and harvesting stage was observed in banana leaves, maximum number of fruiting bodies and maximum yield was observed in sawdust (supplemented with rice bran and calcium carbonate (CaCO3)) and it show the highest flush after fruiting, cassava peels was average in yield, number of fruitbodies. The highest protein content (%), moisture content (%), crude fibre content (%), fat content (%) and carbohydrate content (%) were found in pleurotuspulmonarius on cassava peels and highest ash content (%) was found in pleurotuspulmonariuson sawdust.

This paper highlights the antihypertensive effects of Lentinus sajor-caju, a wild edible white rot mushroom. The 6-week old male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) were orally administered with 1 ml/100g of body weight of the prepared extract concentrations (0.0 mg/kg, 38.5 mg/kg, and 77.0 mg/kg dosages) of L. sajor-caju once-daily for 16 weeks. The blood pressure and heart rate were monitored once a week and blood of mice was drawn at the end of the experiment for blood chemistry analyses. Results revealed that hot water extract of L. sajor-caju (WELS), was found to exhibit lowering effects in the systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and heart rate when orally administered to SHR. The antihypertensive actions of WELS were also demonstrated by improve metabolic activities as indicated by the blood chemistry clearance. WELS at 38.5 mg/kg or higher dose significantly lowered the values of triglycerides (TG), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cre), and significantly increased the values of total cholesterol (T-Cho), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), albumin/globulin ratio (A/G ratio) in SHR. Therefore, WELS has a promising contribution in the prevention of hypertension development

To establish the nutraceutical potential of Philippine native and exotic species of edible mushrooms, the amino acid profile and functional activities of Schizophyllum commune Fr., Lentinus tigrinus (Bull.) Fr., Lentinus sajor caju Fr., Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis: Fr.) P. Karst. and Pleurotus florida (Mont.) Singer were elucidated. Out of 21 standard amino acids present in eukaryotes, 20 were found in P. florida and S. commune and 19 in L. sajor caju and L. tigrinus. Arginine was not detected in L. tigrinus and L. sajor caju while methionine was not found in G. lucidum. Several kinds of nonstandard amino acids, namely, phosphoserine, urea, α-aminobutyric acid, cystathionine, β-alanine, γ-aminobutyric acid, monoethanolamine, ammonia and ornithine were detected in all species of mushrooms used. On the other hand, phosphoethanolamine and α-aminoacidipic acid were found in P. florida only while 1methylhistidine was detected in S. commune, G. lucidum and P. florida. The antiplatelet aggregation test was performed to determine the anticoagulant activity of the extract. The different species of mushrooms demonstrated inhibition of platelet aggregation as mediated by aggregating factor, arachidonic acid Na and adenosine diphosphate. P. florida produced the highest inhibition of activating factor while S. commune exhibited the highest inhibition of arachidonic Na and adenosine diphosphate activity. Finally, all the mushroom species demonstrated anti-inflammatory activities as indicated by the inhibition of IL-8 gene expression.

Fungal immunomodulators are high-value compounds in nutraceuticals and the high-value pharmaceutical market. Fungal immunosuppressors such as cyclosporins, mycophenolic acid and their derivatives are important medicines for the treatment of many diseases; and they are widely used as the main therapy for pre- and post-organ transplantation treatments to minimize the risk of the body’s rejection of the xenotransplanted organ. Further, fungal immunostimulators have a long history in nutraceuticals and preventive medicine through stimulation of the body defense mechanisms. However, most of the known immunostimulators were obtained from macrofungi (mushrooms). More recently, many fungal immunostimulators were used effectively to prevent and to treat many types of cancer. Thus, both the roles of immunosuppressor and immunostimulator are equally important. This chapter provides recent information regarding the chemistry, biosynthesis and industrial production of different types of fungal immunomodulators.

Evidence is presented to demonstrate extensive use of mushrooms in pre Hispanic Peru. Mushroom images were found on ceramics, metal objects and textiles from a range of important cultures from the north and south, as well as coastal and highland Peru. The objects range in age approximately between 1200-200 BCE to
the time of European conquest. Most abundant, vivid images of mushrooms were found from art of the Moche/Mochica culture, although other in cultures mushroom representations were also clear. Mushrooms, (realistic or abstract) were associated with what appear to be personalities of high authority, the shamans/ curanderos and sacrificial victims. Realistic images of mushrooms commonly found associated with shaman like figures were often of high quality and allowed identification of some mushrooms to at least genus level. Identified were Calvatia species, Mochella species, Amanita muscaria and Psilocybe species. Some mushrooms could not be identified, because current knowledge of mushrooms of Peru and its neighbors is limited. The identified
mushrooms have various characteristics: Morchella and Calvatia species have both culinary and medicinal properties. Others, like Amanita muscaria, and Psilocybe species have spiritual as well as medicinal properties rather than culinary uses. Since A.muscaria has not been confirmed growing in Peru and its traditional hosts
are northern hemisphere trees one hypothesis is that the mushroom were a trade item with countries lying further north or Meso America where A.muscaria has been shown to have been deeply engrained into the religious cultures. The implications and importance of the findings are discussed for understanding of Peruvian cultures and the ancient mind and history. Various suggestions are made to advance archaeological research
by integrating better mycological expertise to improve understanding of these remarkable ancient peoples.

Basidial fungi have long been known as sources of antitumor compounds such as polysaccharides. Studies conducted by scientists from different countries demonstrate that polysaccharides and other fungal compounds (proteins, glycoproteins, terpenoids, melanins, nucleosides, etc.) exhibit antiviral activity against many viruses pathogenic for humans. The review presents data on the studied antiviral activities of higher basidial fungi against herpes, West Nile, influenza, human immunodeficiency and hepatitis viruses as well as orthopoxviruses including variola virus. Many species of basidial fungi and various classes of biologically active compounds obtained from them are capable of effectively inhibiting the development of viruses in cells and animals while possessing low toxicity. Biologically active compounds from the same fungal species can exhibit antiviral effects against different pathogens. Effective strains isolated from wild mushrooms in culture represent promising objects for the development of biotechnological drugs, including ones possessing antiviral activity. The data on antitumor and antiviral activities of compounds from the same fungal species indicate the correlation of these properties. In this connection, preparations of basidial fungi may have prophylactic value in preventing cancers of viral etiology.

Psilocybe, with 53 known hallucino- genic species in Mexico, is the most important and diverse group of sacred mushrooms used by Mexican indigenous cultures. Psilocybe caerulescens, known by the present-day Náhuatl Indians as teotlaquilnanácatl, is hypothesized to be the ceremonially-used teonanácatl mushroom cited by Sahagun in the 16th century, the true identity of which has remained obscure for centuries. Correcting a widely disseminated error derived from early published information on Mexican hallucinogenic mushrooms, emphasis is placed on the fact that Panaeolus species have never been used traditionally in Mexico. Reports of the use of species of Amanite, Clavaria, Conocybe, Cordyceps, Dictyophora, Elaphomyces, Gomphus, Lycoperdon, Psathyrella, and Stropharia as sacred or narcotic mushrooms are discussed. A brief history of the discovery of hallucinogenic mushrooms in Mexico is presented, as well as notes on their taxonomy, distribution, and traditional use in Mexico.

In this paper, I theorize that the Egyptian White and Triple Crowns were originally primordia of the entheogenic Psilocybe (Stropharia) cubensis,
which an Egyptian tale known as Cheops and the Magicians allegorically explained grew on barley, and that Osiris was the God of spiritual rebirth
because he personified this and other entheogenic mushrooms. I go on to theorize that the plant known commonly as the Eye of Horus, which the
Egyptians included in cakes and ales designed to spiritually rebirth the living and the dead, was an entheogenic mushroom cap entirely analogous,
if not identical, to Soma. Finally, I explain why so many scholars failed to discern these identities and relationships for so long.
© 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.