Ubiquitous Coriolus Mushroom vs. Cancer
Known in English as Turkey Tail, Coriolus versicolor is a contender for the title “World’s Most Common Mushroom.” You can find it from tropical rain forests to the Siberian taiga, feasting on dead wood.
Considering the vast array of bacteria and other fungi it has to compete with for space, it stands to reason that it must possess a powerful immune system; an immune system with potentially powerful medicinal compounds for humans.
In Oriental medicine, Coriolus extract is used as a remedy for liver cancer and jaundice. [160] To modern medicine, the best researched medicinal compound from Coriolus is known as PSK. Under the brand name Krestin, PSK is used in Asia as a cancer drug. [188]
Two studies out of Japan reported increased rate of survival from gastric cancer, among 486 patients, when PSK was added to the standard chemotherapy treatment. [161, 162, 163] PSK has also been reported to reduce cancer recurrence and metastasis. [161, 162, 164]
Two other compounds isolated from Coriolus have demonstrated an inhibitory effect on leukemia. A polysaccharide named CVP exhibited an inhibitory effect on leukemia cell growth with no harmful effect to normal lymphocytes. [165, 166, 167] The small polysaccharide SPCV also showed leukemia proliferation inhibition. [168]
It appears that Coriolus extract helps combat cancer in two ways:
1) Through directly inhibiting cancer cell proliferation.
2) By enhancing Natural Killer (NK) cell activity. [169, 170, 171] Natural killer cells are a critical part of the human immune system’s fight against cancer.
Though the effectiveness against different forms of cancer varies, PSK is currently used to treat cervical cancer in conjunction with radiation. Studies have linked it to increased survival rate from cervical cancer. [134] It also decreases tumor cell regeneration in hormone responsive prostate cancer, as demonstrated in a 2001 study at New York Medical College. [172]
Other forms of cancer that PSK has been tested against with promising results include breast, lung and colon cancer. [25, 173] It appears ineffective against Sarcoma 180. [174]
In addition to its anti-cancer properties, PSK is also a potent antibiotic against Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeria monocytogenes and Cryptococcus neoformans. [175, 176, 177, 178, 179]
Petri dish trials of a different compound (PSP) isolated from Coriolus versicolor has even been shown to inhibit replication [180] and infection [181] of HIV. It has not yet been tested on live subjects.
A 1995 study on PSK reported a normalization of immune function in cases of chronic rheumatoid arthritis. [182]
In the book Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms, Paul Stamets mentions being aware of several individuals with Hepatitis C reporting relief of symptoms from using medicinal mushroom tea. He specifically relates a case of a man with swollen liver and spleen starting on a daily regimen of tea made from Coriolus versicolor (Turkey Tail Mushroom) and Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi). After two weeks, the swelling went down and liver enzymes normalized. His HCV value went from 1.3 million to 140,000. [183]
Coriolus extract also is rich in antioxidants [184, 185, 186, 187] and has been shown to help the spleen recover after radiation therapy. [189]
In his book Mycelium Running, medicinal mushroom expert Paul Stamets also lists the following areas where research has shown Coriolus versicolor extract to have a beneficial effect: Kidney tonic; uterine cancer. [134]
Note: The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Never use any herb (or mushroom) except as advised by a licensed medical practitioner.
Credits: Thank you, Paul Stamets, for research references.