Natural detoxification and purification

Activating the body’s own “rubbish disposal” with the help of medicinal mushrooms

Every day we are exposed to numerous toxins and foreign substances. On one hand, these are substances that derive from the body’s metabolism (endotoxins) while, on the other hand, there are impurities that we receive from our environment (exotoxins). If the body’s own “rubbish disposal” can´t keep up with the excretion of toxins and waste, we then feel tired and listless, become forgetful and unmotivated and our performance is reduced. If the detoxification ability of our body is permanently disturbed, then not only does our overall well-being suffer, but symptoms arise with more or less pronounced and also chronic complaint patterns. So, for example, skin conditions, a weakened immune system, patterns of rheumatic conditions, allergic reactions or a general loss of vitality in combination with depressive moods may arise.

Regulatory ability of the organism

If the organism is overloaded with toxins it doesn´t become inactive, but it initiates countermeasures. It tries to mitigate or eliminate the toxic hazard potential. If that fails, the poisons are stored as deposits in extracellular space. It becomes a vicious circle: the more pollutants that are supplied, the less the body can keep up with its detoxification functions, and over time a slag heap is produced. If this is overburdened, stimuli and stresses can no longer be compensated.

However, since all control systems of the organism are interconnected, the “slag heap” gradually endangers the body´s sensitive system of order so that, subsequently, chronic diseases arise.

“Disease is nothing more than the effort of nature to expel the fouled matter with all its strength to protect the patient.”

This statement by Thomas Sydenham, a 17^th century English physician, illustrates the importance of not suppressing the elimination reactions of the body, but to strengthen the organism in its detoxification function. Because, if one excretory organ is incapable of performing its job, the waste materials are redirected to a different outlet. If the excretion is stopped through symptomatic treatment, the waste is redirected to an alternative organ, and new disorders arise there.

Detoxifying agents from nature – medicinal mushrooms revitalise and detoxify completely naturally

Medicinal mushrooms have a wide range of scientifically proven therapeutic options. Their positive effectiveness in treatment and health prophylaxis is explained by a variety of nutritionally and pharmacologically important substances. The most important known active ingredients of the medicinal mushrooms are their glycoproteins, ß-glycans (components of the proteoglycans) and triterpenes.

Glyconutrients, the “healing sugar”

By “sugar” one naturally first thinks of refined sugar, but sugar is not the same as sugar! The “essential sugars”, also called glyconutrients, contained in medicinal mushrooms play an important role in the interaction of our body functions. For example, in Reishi glycoproteins, glucose, galactose, mannose with traces of xylose and fucose are present. It is also important to know the diverse functions these “essential sugars” exercise. They are significantly involved in tissue renewal and the intelligent interactions between the cells. They are also necessary for the production of cytokines and also of importance in controlling inflammation, lowering blood sugar and triglyceride levels, inhibiting allergic and tumoural processes, as well as stimulating memory and learning ability. Across the board these sugars are the energy supplier par excellence for our organism.

Supporting the excretory organs

Certain mushrooms have a special affinity to individual organs. Through their administration kidneys, liver, lungs, intestines and the lymphatic system can therefore be specifically strengthened in their function. For only when our excretory organs work well, the excretion of toxins is possible.

The Reishi mushroom, lat. Ganoderma lucidum, has a special affinity to the liver. This organ, as a central metabolic laboratory, is mainly responsible for detoxification. The liver is also the instance for the control and processing of the substances that the body either must render harmless or needs to build its own substances.

The natural substances contained in Reishi help to strengthen the liver, so that its extremely demanding work can run smoothly. For the hepatoprotective activities of Reishi the ganoderic acid R is especially significant. It is advisable for fatigue, listlessness, lack of drive and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), because chronic fatigue is the pain signal of the liver. It acts as a blood purifier and promotes the excretion of fat-soluble toxins.

The Hericium erinaceus mushroom promotes the healthy structure of the gastric and intestinal mucosa through its erinacin. It thus benefits detoxification via the digestive tract, and reduces a possibly existing porosity of the intestinal wall.

By repairing the intestinal mucosa the protective barrier responsible for ensuring that no toxins, microorganisms or pathological metabolites enter the body is rebuilt. The Hericium medicinal mushroom is also interesting for food intolerances or disturbances of the intestinal flora after antibiotic treatment. Since a healthy intestinal environment is important for the whole organism, it shouldn´t be left out of a basic therapy. A combined intake with Pleurotus ostreatus has proven to be recommendable. The Pleurotus medicinal mushroom namely has a probiotic effect, and thus supports the body by repopulating the mucosa with vital bacteria cultures, thus helping to restore the microflora in the intestine.

Experiences from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) show that Polyporus umbellatus has a strong connection with the lymphatic system. It has a dehydrating effect and activates the lymph flow. This is particularly important in the light of the present high pollution from the environment, because a compromised lymphatic system interferes with the detoxification processes of the body quite considerably. Therefore, to assist the flow system in detoxification therapy, one should always keep this mushroom in mind. Also, with inflammation, lymphatic swelling commonly occurs, pointing to a fault in the lymphatic system. Dissolved toxins, though, are of no use at all if their removal is not ensured, because detoxification begins only after rectifying the discharge disorder.

Studies have shown that the administration of Shiitake, Reishi and Coriolus mushrooms enhances the glutathione synthesis in the organism and thus maximises the body’s detoxification potential. Glutathione is found in most cells, acts as an antioxidant active substance and supports the activities of the radical interceptors vitamin C and E. Glutathione plays an important role in detoxification because it binds poisons such as heavy metals, solvents and pesticides and transforms them so that they can be excreted through the bile or urine.

One must also recognise that the elimination organs can be overwhelmed by increased intake of acidic foods. Excess acids are, however, stored in the connective tissue and in the periarticular tissue. This is then expressed in, for instance, tension, rheumatic complaints or gout. Here medicinal mushrooms can help to break down the acidification. In practice, the Shiitake has shown to be particularly effective.

Cordyceps in turn promotes the excretion of water-soluble toxins via the kidney. It supports the kidney function and is considered an energy supplier for body and spirit. In addition, it accelerates regeneration, stimulates the immune system and has a sexually arousing effect like a natural aphrodisiac. Athletic performance is also promoted, whereas after exercise it has a regenerating effect. Therefore, athletes consider Cordyceps as an insider tip to improve performance. During exercise in the aerobic zone the exhalation of CO² is increased with the help of Cordyceps and Reishi. Thus the lungs are detoxified and/or acidosis is prevented.

Medicinal mushroom powder from the whole mushroom contains all the enzymes necessary for detoxification

Medicinal mushrooms contain – and this is unique – all the enzymes necessary both for phase I and phase II detoxification, and they support our own detoxification systems. This is of enormous importance, because in phase I the toxins are first broken down, only to thereafter be converted into an excretable form in phase 2. It is therefore obvious that only with enzymes of both phases, as they are present in the healing mushroom powder of the whole fungus, an efficient detoxification can take place. It is also important to know that one should only use medicinal mushroom powder which, during the manufacturing process, has not been exposed to temperatures above 40 ° C, because at higher temperatures – such as, for example, needed for the production of most extracts – almost all enzymes are destroyed.

Also B vitamins and amino acids play an important role in the breaking down of toxins and impurities. Medicinal mushrooms contain all essential amino acids and are rich in B vitamins so that[ they play an important therapeutic role also under this aspect. A 100 percent natural and vegetable vitamin B complex with all eight B vitamins in combination with the Pleurotus medicinal mushroom has also proven itself as particularly valuable.

Conclusion:

Support for the detoxification performance of our body through medicinal mushrooms paves the way for human health and well-being. During detoxification it is important to give the body time, to exercise and to drink a lot. Disease is not fateful – our way of life is largely responsible for it!

Sources

• Pies, Josef: „Heilende Zucker: Gesund durch Glykonährstoffe“ (“Healing sugar: Healthy through glyconutrients”); VAK Verlag GmbH, Auflg. 2007 (German only as of 2014)
• Bianchi, Ivo, Prof. Dr. med: „Moderne Mykotherapie“ („Modern Mycotherapy“), Hinkel
• Druck, 2008 (German or Italian only as of 2014)
• Vasey, Christopher: „Die Entgiftung des Körpers“ („Detoxifying the Body“); Heyne Verlag, 1997 (German only as of 2014)
• Heine, Hartmut: „The Extracellular Matrix and Ground Regulation: Basis for a Holistic Biological Medicine”; North Atlantic Books, 2007
• Pischinger, Alfred: „Das System der Grundregulation: Grundlagen einer ganzheitsbiologischen Medizin“ (“The system of basic regulation: Fundamentals of an integrated biological medicine”); Karl F. Haug Fachbuchverlag (German only as of 2014)

Note:

The effects described are based on the ingestion of medicinal mushroom powder which is prepared from the whole mushroom. Please seek advice from your therapist before using.