Medicinal mushrooms have had a long and celebrated tradition throughout Asia, in fact, there are many different types of medicinal mushrooms, with over 200 species commonly used in Chinese medicine.
Examples of medicinal mushrooms include Reishi, Chaga, Cordyceps, Maitake, Coriolus, and the mushroom compound AHCC, to name a few popular ones.
Medicinal mushrooms have been well-researched for their immune-enhancing and anti-cancer properties. Most recently, research has emerged showing that medicinal mushrooms can help eradicate HPV, dramatically impacting the clearance rate of the virus.
Research from France showed that HPV-positive patients (HPV 16 and 18) who were treated with two variety of medicinal mushrooms Turkey Tail and Reishi, tested negative for HPV after two months of treatment.
In another study from the University of Texas Medical School, ten HPV positive women were treated with AHCC, a mushroom extract, for six months. At the end of the study, eight out of the ten patients were confirmed to be HPV free.
Antiviral Activities of Mushrooms
Ganoderma Lucidum – Reishi mushroom
Reishi has been used for many years in traditional cultures as a cancer treatment and to promote health and longevity.
Reishi prevents infection by bacteria and viruses by enhancing the body’s immune surveillance system, identifying and eliminating abnormal molecular patterns. Studies have found that Reishi inhibits cancer cell growth through activating proteins that induce apoptosis, cell death.
Clinical studies have also shown that the use of Reishi can dramatically impact the clearance of HPV.
Lentinula Edodes – Shiitake Mushroom
Lentinula edodes, or shiitake mushroom, is the third most cultivated mushroom worldwide. It is used commonly in cuisine and has been found to have a number of therapeutic properties.
The mushroom contains high levels of beta-glucans known to inhibit viral replication and inhibit tumor cell growth.
Shiitake is also the medicinal mushroom used to produce AHCC (active hexose correlated compound), an extract obtained from shiitake mushrooms.
AHCC has been studied for its therapeutic role in defending the host against a wide range of viral infection in humans.
Promising research evaluating the use of AHCC® on HPV showed a profoundly positive effect. 8/10 participants taking a daily dose of 3g of AHCC® for 6 months, tested negative for HPV infection at the end of the study.
According to a new research paper published in Italy, AHCC® has shown a protective response to a wide range of viral infections, and this could support its use in the prevention of human pathogenic coronavirus, including COVID-19.
This paper notes that AHCC® has been extensively investigated as an immunostimulant both in animals and/or in humans affected by a whole host of viral infections by promoting a regulated and protective immune response.
These include:
- West Nile Virus
- Influenza
- Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
- Hepatitis C
- Papillomavirus
- Herpes
- Hepatitis B
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Coriolus Versicolor – Turkey Tail
Coriolus versicolor, better known as turkey tail, has been used for centuries for its ability to enhance the immune system.
Turkey tail contains immune-boosting polysaccharopeptides, Krestin (PSK) and Polysaccharid peptide (PSP) that have been found to increase white blood cells, stimulate dendritic cells, allowing the body to produce molecules that fight infections and naturally strengthen the immune system.
Turkey tail has also been studied for its effective clearance of oral HPV 16 and 18, and early stages of cervical cancer caused by HPV.
How to Consume Medicinal Mushrooms
What part of the mushroom should I look for?
The therapeutic strength of mushrooms can be owed to its several active ingredients: polysaccharides, triterpenes, polyphenols, and phytosterols.
In order for our bodies to absorb and benefit from these superfoods, the active ingredients must be extracted. If they are not properly extracted, they are deemed not absorbable, with little to no benefits.
The active ingredients found in mushrooms are locked away in a covering called chitin, the same material that forms the shells of insects, lobsters, and crab. This compound is indigestible by humans, making it almost impossible to access the active ingredients in non-extracted mushrooms.
How can you get these active ingredients?
To be most effective, medicinal mushrooms must be standardized to the polysaccharides, the component that activates the immune system. The higher the percentage of polysaccharides, the better.
The most common extraction technique is hot water extraction. Hot water is able to melt the chitin and release the water-soluble active compounds. It can be quite expensive to extract biologically active compounds, which is why quite a few supplement companies contain limited or no bioactive compounds at all.
Papillex uses a dual extraction method of medicinal mushrooms so that our customers have the immune-enhancing active component of the mushroom delivered to where they need it.
What Else Can You Do Naturally?
Most HPV infections are easily cleared by a strong, healthy immune system. You will most likely clear the infection with a robust immune system having not experienced any symptoms.
Your immune system can be supported in a number of natural ways:
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
- Reduce alcohol consumption
- Drink green tea
- Exercise to sweat
- Take an antiviral supplement
Papillex includes mushroom extract in its formula, along with a whole host of other key nutrients designed to help your body respond to HPV.
In addition, we are delighted to announce our new AHCC® Supplement to help you better respond to HPV naturally. With growing evidence supporting its ability to reduce rates of HPV, we thought it about time to bring a product to market that our customers could trust!
Discover Papillex’s AHCC Supplement today!
