Known in English as Turkey Tail, Coriolus versicolor is a contender for the title "World's Most Common Mushroom." You can find it from tropical rain forests to the Siberian taiga, feasting on dead wood.
Considering the vast array of bacteria and other fungi it has to compete with for space, it stands to reason that it must possess a powerful immune system; an immune system with potentially powerful medicinal compounds for humans.
In Oriental medicine, Coriolus versicolor extract is used as a remedy for liver cancer and jaundice. To modern medicine, the best researched medicinal compound from Coriolus is known as PSK. Under the brand name Krestin, PSK is used in Asia as a cancer drug.
Two Japanese studies in the 1990's encompassing a total of 486 patients showed an increased survival rate from gastric cancer when PSK was added to conventional chemotherapy treatment. It's also been found that PSK reduces cancer metastasis and recurrence.
Two other polysaccharides from Coriolus versicolor extract have been found to have an inhibitory effect on leukemia. The polysaccharide CVP was shown to inhibit leukemia cell proliferation without any negative effect on normal lymphocytes. Another smaller polysaccharide named SPCV also had an inhibitory effect on leukemia cells.
The compounds of Coriolus versicolor extract appear to work in two ways to combat cancer:
1) By a direct inhibitory effect on the proliferation of cancer cells.
2) Through stimulating Natural Killer (NK) cells in humans. NK cells are a vital part of the human immune system's cancer fighting arsenal.
PSK is used in Asia to treat cervical cancer in conjunction with standard radiation therapy, through which it has been shown to increase survival rate. In a 2001 U.S. study at the New York Medical College, it was also shown to decrease tumor growth in hormone responsive prostate cancer.
PSK has also been tested with promising results against colon, lung and breast cancer.It appears to have no effect on Sarcoma
In addition to its anti-cancer properties, PSK is also a potent antibiotic against Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeria monocytogenes and Cryptococcus neoformans.
Another compound (PSP) isolated from Coriolus versicolor extract has been shown to inhibit HIV replication and infection under lab conditions. It has not been tested on live patients.
In a study conducted in 1995, PSK demonstrated effectiveness at normalizing the immune function of people with chronic rheumatoid arthritis.
Paul Stamets mentions in his book Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms that he's aware of several individuals with Hepatitis C benefitting from a medicinal mushroom tea. He relates a story of a man whose HCV (Hepatitis C Virus) value decreased from 1.3 million to 140,000 after two weeks of drinking a tea made from Coriolus versicolor (Turkey Tail Mushroom) and Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi).
Coriolus versicolor extract also is rich in antioxidants and has been shown to help the spleen recover after radiation therapy.
In his book Mycelium Running, medicinal mushroom expert Paul Stamets also lists the following areas where research has shown Coriolus versicolor extract to have a beneficial effect: Kidney tonic; uterine cancer.
Note: The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Never use any medicinal mushroom or herb without prior approval by medical doctor.
Introducing inForce Immune Builder
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