Webinar: Applications of Medicinal Mushrooms in Clinical Practice

Modern scientific research has begun to unveil the power of medicinal mushrooms. Based on a host of recent research into their molecular makeup, and how they affect immune system function, it is generally agreed upon that medicinal mushrooms are some of the most powerful and safe immune system modulators in the botanical medicine toolbox. The term “biological response modifier” is often used to describe the actions of medicinal mushrooms, and it encompasses the wide range of actions that these agents exert on our physiology. In addition to having direct immune system-related effects, medicinal mushrooms have also been shown to have profound effects across multiple body systems.

The use of medicinal mushrooms in clinical practice has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Each mushroom species used in TCM is considered a unique herbal medicine and is characterized by its nature, flavors, the organ networks/channels it enters, and its specific physiological actions. Studying these traditionally-defined and clinically-validated properties of individual mushroom species gives the medical practitioner a deeper understanding of how to tailor the application of these agents for each individual patient.

Although a lot of the mushroom products on the market today consist of one or more mushroom extracts, the traditional application of medicinal mushrooms is to use them in formulas. In TCM, medicinal mushrooms are combined with other botanical agents to target specific conditions, address pathological factors, support organ networks, and direct their effects toward specific areas of the body. This webinar will focus on the individual properties and therapeutic actions of several of the most potent medicinal mushrooms. We will overlay traditional concepts on modern scientific research to deepen our understanding of how to apply these agents in clinical practice and how to effectively combine them with other botanical medicines.

Key Take-a-ways:

• Each medicinal mushroom species has a unique set of physical attributes and physiological actions.
• A review of the traditional properties and biomedical actions of medicinal mushrooms helps us understand how to tailor their clinical application to individual patient needs.
• Mushrooms are traditionally combined with other botanical agents in formulas that create a synergistic effect on the body.
• Medicinal mushrooms should be potent sources of medicinal compounds, such as beta glucans and triterpenes.