Functional Mushroom and their healing properties

 Functional Mushrooms: How Japan Uses Them in Cancer Treatment

I’ve always been fascinated by natural health and the power of plants, but recently, I’ve become especially interested in functional mushrooms. These aren’t your typical mushrooms you toss in a salad; they’re special kinds packed with unique health benefits. From boosting energy to helping with mental clarity, these mushrooms offer so much more. But what really blew my mind was learning that Japan has been using some of these mushrooms in cancer treatment—and with amazing results. They’re actually an approved part of cancer therapy over there, alongside chemo and other treatments.

What Are Functional Mushrooms?

Before we get into Japan’s groundbreaking research, let’s break down what functional mushrooms are. Functional mushrooms are varieties known for their potential health benefits. They include types like Turkey Tail, Reishi, Shiitake, and Maitake. These mushrooms are loaded with powerful compounds that can boost your immune system and help your body fight off illness. People have used these mushrooms for centuries, especially in traditional Asian medicine, where they were prized for their health-supporting properties.

What’s amazing is that modern science is now proving just how effective these mushrooms can be. They’re not just folk remedies; they actually contain bioactive compounds—things like beta-glucans and polysaccharides—that can give your immune system a serious boost.

Japan’s Groundbreaking Research: Using Mushrooms to Treat Cancer

Japan has done a lot of research on using functional mushrooms as part of cancer care. One mushroom that’s gotten a lot of attention is Turkey Tail, which contains a compound called PSK(Polysaccharide-K). PSK is so effective that Japan actually approves it as a legitimate cancer treatment. It’s often prescribed alongside chemo and radiation, not to replace them, but to help make them work better.

Studies have shown that PSK helps activate immune cells that fight cancer. It boosts natural killer cells (think of them as your body’s defense force) and T-cells, which play a crucial role in attacking cancer cells. In some trials, people with stomach and colon cancer who took PSK along with their regular treatments had better survival rates than those who didn’t. This isn’t just a supplement over there; it’s a real part of their cancer treatment protocol.

Reishi: The “Mushroom of Immortality” and Its Role in Cancer Care

Another powerful mushroom Japan is studying is Reishi, often called the “mushroom of immortality” because of its supposed life-extending properties. Reishi has been used for thousands of years in Asia to support overall health, but now scientists are finding that it also has potential cancer-fighting properties.

Reishi contains compounds that can help reduce tumor growth and inflammation—both major factors in cancer. In Japan, Reishi is often given to cancer patients as a way to support their immune system and even help with some side effects of chemo. The idea isn’t that Reishi alone will cure cancer, but that it can help the body handle other treatments better and improve the overall quality of life for patients.

Shiitake and Lentinan: A Powerful Immune Boost for Cancer Patients

Shiitake mushrooms are already popular in kitchens around the world, but Japan takes their benefits to the next level with a compound called Lentinan. Lentinan is extracted from Shiitake mushrooms and is also used as a cancer treatment in Japan, especially for stomach cancer.

Lentinan works by supercharging the immune system. It helps certain immune cells become more active, making them better at identifying and fighting cancer cells. In studies, patients who took Lentinan with their chemotherapy had better survival rates than those who didn’t. What’s interesting is that in Japan, Lentinan is sometimes given as an injection, showing just how much trust their medical community places in this natural compound.

Why Functional Mushrooms Matter: The Integrative Approach

What I find so inspiring about Japan’s approach is that they don’t see these mushrooms as a cure on their own. Instead, they’re part of an “integrative” approach, meaning they use both natural and conventional treatments together. The mushrooms don’t replace chemo or surgery; they just help make these treatments more effective and easier on the body.

Imagine if we could take the same approach everywhere. Functional mushrooms could be used to help people stay stronger during treatment, reduce side effects, and give their immune system a natural boost. It’s a way of combining the best of modern medicine with the wisdom of traditional healing.

Published Research and Growing Interest Worldwide

Thanks to Japan’s research, people around the world are paying more attention to the role of functional mushrooms in cancer care. Studies are now being conducted in other countries to see if mushrooms like Turkey Tail, Reishi, and Shiitake can help support immune health, reduce treatment side effects, and improve survival rates. We’re still learning, but the early findings are really promising.

In Japan, these mushrooms are part of regular cancer care, and they’re not treated as “alternative medicine.” There’s real science backing them up, and they’re prescribed alongside chemo in many cases. Japan’s research has shown that these mushrooms may help reduce inflammation, manage fatigue, and even make the body more resilient during tough treatments.

Learning about functional mushrooms and how Japan uses them in cancer treatment has completely changed the way I think about natural medicine. These mushrooms are more than just health supplements; they’re powerful allies in the fight against illness. Japan’s research shows that we don’t have to choose between natural and conventional medicine. Instead, we can use them together to get the best results.

The functional mushroom supplements I use come from harmonic arts,the quality and efficacy are the best I have found 

~Shanti Freedom Das