Coriolus
Other Names:Boletus Versicolor, Champignon Coriolus, Coriolus, Coriolus versicolor, Hongo Coriolus, Kawaratake, Krestin, Polyporus Versicolor, Polysaccharide Peptide, Polysaccharide-K, Polysaccharide Krestin, Polystictus Versicolor, PSK, PSP, Trametes versicolor, Turkey Tail, Yun Zhi, Yun-Zhi (cloud mushroom).
Coriolus mushroom is a fungus. People have used the fruiting body and other parts as folk medicine for a long time. Recently, researchers have started to isolate and identify substances in coriolus that might act like pharmaceutical drugs. Two of these substances are polysaccharide peptide (PSP) and polysaccharide krestin (PSK). Scientists think these chemicals might be able to fight cancer and boost the immune system.
Special Precautions of Coriolus
Coriolus mushroom is possibly safe for most people. There have been no reported side effects so far. However, people who have received chemotherapy and a chemical called PSK (which is extracted from coriolus mushroom) have experienced nausea, low white blood cell counts, and liver problems. It is unclear if these side effects were due to the chemotherapy or PSK. Special Precautions & Warnings: Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of coriolus mushroom during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
The benefits of Coriolus are
Coriolus mushroom, PSP, and PSK are used for stimulating the immune system; treating herpes, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), hepatitis, and pulmonary disorders; reducing phlegm; improving bodybuilding results; increasing energy; curing ringworm and a skin condition called impetigo; treating upper respiratory, urinary, and digestive tract infections; curing liver disorders including hepatitis; reducing the toxic effects and pain of chemotherapy and radiation therapy; increasing the effectiveness of chemotherapy; prolonging life and raising the quality of life of cancer patients; and increasing appetite.
- Possibly Effective Cancer when used with chemotherapy. Taking polysaccharide krestin (PSK), a substance found in coriolus mushroom, may improve some cancer patients’ response to chemotherapy. PSK has been used in Japan for several decades for breast cancer, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, lung cancer, hepatic cancer, colorectal cancer, and nasopharyngeal cancer. Results have varied.
Insufficient Evidence for:
- Boosting the immune system.
- Herpes.
- Chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Hepatitis.
- Lung disorders.
- Bodybuilding.
- Ringworm.
- Skin infections, including impetigo.
- Urinary tract infections.
- Digestive tract infections.
- Poor appetite.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of coriolus mushroom for these uses.
Did You Know… that extracts from Turkey Tail mushrooms have been proven by an NIH study to cure cancer — especially breast cancer?
Some of the most exciting recent discoveries of Turkey Tail mushrooms’ cancer-fighting power are connected to world-renowned mycologist Paul Stamets. Mycologists are scientists who specialize in the branch of biology dedicated to the study of fungi.
Mycology includes studying fungi for genetic and biochemical properties and potential usefulness to humans, including medicinal applications.
Undoubtedly the most well-known and highly valued fungi-derived medicine is the life-saving antibiotic penicillin. But other fungi are highly medicinal as well, as Paul Stamets learned firsthand.
In June of 2009, Stamets received shocking and distressing news from his mother: her right breast was 5 times the size of her left, due to 6 walnut-sized lymph nodes. The swelling and the enlarged nodes turned out to be caused by cancer. By the time of her examination and diagnosis, Stamets’ mother already had stage IV breast cancer, and it had already metastasized to her liver.
The oncologist at the Swedish Breast Cancer Clinic at the University of Washington said that Stamets’ mother had the second worst case of breast cancer she’d seen in 20 years of practice. After predicting that Stamets’ mother had only 3 to 6 months to live, the oncologist told both mother and son about an intriguing new study using Turkey Tail mushrooms to cure cancer.
Stamets’ mother tried the mushrooms (along with the drug Ariceptin). Fast forward 7 months later… Paul declared, “As of February 2010, she was virtually cancer-free”.
Cancer-Killing PSK
Stamets is not the only one interested in discovering what Turkey Tail mushrooms can bring to the fight against cancer. Turkey Tail mushrooms are actually one of the most researched and highly regarded medicinal mushrooms. They have a very long history of curative and medicinal use in China and Japan, where they are known as Yun Zhi or Kawaratake.
Turkey Tail mushrooms offer a long list of medicinal properties and health benefits, but they are most prized as a natural source of the anti-cancer polysaccharide PSK.
PSK is said to fight cancer and halt tumors by inhibiting the growth of cancer cells and “stimulating a host mediated response.” PSK also promotes the body’s own “Natural Killer Cells” to strengthen and kick start the immune system.
PSK is frequently combined with chemotherapy to increase cancer survival rates.
A $2.25 Million NIH Study Confirms Turkey Tail Mushrooms’ Power Against Breast Cancer
Recently, the National Institute of Health (NIH) approved a $2.25 million-dollar study conducted jointly with Bastyr University, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Washington. Researchers analyzed the impact of Turkey Tail mushrooms on the immune systems of patients with breast cancer.
Dr. Cynthia Wenner is one of the principal investigators on the NIH study. In an interview with Bastyr University’s Bastyr Magazine, she said, “As an overall goal, we’re trying to discover if this mushroom will help stimulate the human immune response to breast and prostate cancers.”
The study — which used mushrooms provided by Stamets’ company, Fungi Perfecti, LLC — confirmed that the mushrooms definitely stimulate the immune system and can even correct deficits in the immune systems of patients, all without the toxicity and side effects that are so common with more traditional treatments.
Powerful Immune System Booster
Of course, Turkey Tail mushrooms can do wonders for anyone’s immune system, even individuals who are already in good health. Some of the many conditions Turkey Tail mushrooms can improve and eliminate are . . .
- Infections and inflammations of the upper respiratory tract
- Infections of the urinary tract
- Infections and irritations of the digestive tract
- Pulmonary diseases
- Chronic congestion
- General lack of energy and malaise
The usual dosage is 2 to 3 grams/ 3 times a day, either mixed into food or taken in capsule form (available at Fungi Perfecti, LLC – fungi.com). The specialized extracts used in the NIH study should be taken in these same doses.
Turkey Tail mushrooms can be kept in any form for years without losing their potency. Storing them away from heat and light will extend their already impressive shelf life.
So far, findings from research on Turkey Tail mushrooms point toward impressive efficacy against cancer and other diseases. Researchers are clear that Turkey Tail mushrooms are active in immune system stimulation and repair, both critical to cancer treatment.
Follow-up studies will focus on patient survival in order to identify and better understand the promising incredible health benefits of these medicinal mushrooms.
