Nightmare

Mushrooms are valuable health food - low in calories, high in
vegetable proteins, chitin, iron, zinc, fiber, essential amino acids,
vitamins & minerals.
Mushrooms also have a long history of use in Traditional Chinese
Medicine. Their legendary effects on promoting good health and
vitality and increasing your body's adaptive abilities have been
supported by recent studies. These studies suggest that Mushrooms are
probiotic - they help our body strengthen itself and fight off
illness by maintaining physiological homeostasis - restoring our
bodies balance and natural resistance to disease.

Agaricus Mushroom
Agaricus is the most widely consumed mushroom in many countries,
where it is regarded as a health food, due to its medicinal
properties. Agaricus is traditionally known as "God's Mushroom"
because of its near miraculous curative benefits to a wide range of
disorders. People have used it to overcome numerous diseases and
disorders relating to the immune system, cardiovascular system,
digestion, and for weight management, diabetes, chronic and acute
allergies, cataracts, hearing difficulties, stress syndrome, chronic
fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, and disorders of the liver.

Cordyceps Mushroom
Cordyceps can be a powerful stimulant for macrophage activity,
strengthening your immune system's ability to fight against bacterial
and viral infection.
Human clinical studies indicate that Cordyceps can be effective for
treatment of high cholesterol, poor libido/impotence, arrhythmia,
lung cancer, and chronic kidney failure. It is also reported that
Cordyceps causes smooth muscle relaxation. This can make it
especially helpful for treating chronic coughs, asthma, and other
bronchial conditions.

Maitake Mushroom
Maitake is also known by the name Dancing Mushroom, famous for its
taste and health benefits. In Japan, Maitake Mushroom is called "King
of Mushroom". The fruiting body and the mycelium of Maitake are used
medicinally. In China and Japan, Maitake Mushrooms have been consumed
for 3000 years. Years ago in Japan, the Maitake had monetary value
and was worth its weight in silver.
Historically, Maitake has been used as a tonic and adaptogen. It was
used as a food to help promote wellness and vitality. Traditionally,
consumption of the mushroom was thought to prevent high blood
pressure and cancer - two applications that have been the focal
point of modern research. Clinical research with Maitake Mushroom
has increased dramatically in the past several years.
Laboratory studies have shown that Maitake Mushroom extract can
inhibit the growth of tumors and stimulate the immune system of
cancerous mice.

Reishi Mushroom
Reishi has been called an ?immune potentiator.? Recent studies
have indicated that Reishi can have a number of other effects:
Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Antiviral through inducing
interferon production, Lowers blood pressure, Cardiotonic action
through lowering serum cholesterol, Expectorant & Antitussive, Liver
(Hepatitis)-protecting and detoxifying, protection against ionizing
radiation, Antibacterial, and Anti-HIV activity. Reishi contains
calcium, iron and phosphorus as well as vitamins C, D, and B -
including pantothenic acid, which is essential to nerve function and
the adrenal glands.

Shiitake Mushroom
Shiitake (for centuries called "Elixir of Life" ) has been licensed
as a anti-cancer drug by the Japanese FDA. Lentinan has shown some
effect on bowel cancer, liver cancer, stomach cancer, ovarian cancer
and lung cancer. Lentinan stimulates the production of T lymphocytes
and natural killer cells and can potentiate the effect of AZT in the
anti-viral treatment of A.I.D.S. Shiitake is rich in several anti-
oxidants (Selenium, Uric acid & Vitamin A, E, & C) as well as Vitamin
D. Shiitake mushrooms may also lower blood pressure in those with
hypertension, lower serum cholesterol levels, increase libido,
stimulate the production of Interferon which has anti-viral effects,
and has proven effective against Hepatitis in some cases.

Yun Zhi Mushroom
Yun Zhi, or the Cloud Mushroom, has been used to dispel dampness,
reduce phlegm, treat pulmonary infections, to strengthen the tendons
and bones, for vital energy, and to support liver health.
Benefits
? assists with immune function
? high in vegetable proteins
? promotes good health and vitality
Chester Ku-Lea is a health nutrition consultant