Laura Smith
Mushrooms have been used for their nutritional and medicinal properties for thousands of years. They are a source of therapeutic agents for the treatment of various diseases. Several edible and medicinal mushrooms have been identified to have antiviral properties, including Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) and Turkey Tail (Coriolus versicolor). These mushrooms have been shown to have antiviral activity against viruses such as HIV, influenza, herpes simplex, and hepatitis B and C. The antiviral activity of mushrooms is attributed to various bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides, terpenoids, and phenolic compounds. While research on the antiviral properties of mushrooms is ongoing, they have the potential to be used in combination with existing medicines to improve health and treat viral infections.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of known mushroom species | 12,000 |
| Number of edible mushroom species | 2,000 |
| Mushroom species with antiviral properties | Lentinus edodes, Ganoderma lucidum, Ganoderma colossus, Hypsizygus marmoreus, Cordyceps militaris, Grifola frondosa, Scleroderma citrinum, Flammulina velutipes, Trametes versicolor, Fomitopsis officinalis, Shiitake, Turkey Tail, Auricularia, Hericium, Flammulina, Pleurotus, Lactarius, Pisolithus, Tremella, Russula, Agaricus |
| Viral infections treated by mushrooms | HIV, influenza, herpes simplex, hepatitis B and C, SARS-CoV-2, HSV-1, HSV-2, varicella zoster, Epstein-Barr, human herpesvirus 6 and 8 |
| Bioactive compounds in mushrooms with antiviral properties | Polysaccharides, lectins, terpenoids, proteins, peptides, enzymes, polyphenols, triterpenes, triterpenoids, glycoproteins, polyketides, steroids, alkaloids |
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What You'll Learn
Turkey Tail Mushrooms (Coriolus versicolor)
Turkey Tail Mushrooms, or Coriolus versicolor, are one of the most well-known medicinal mushrooms. They are commonly found growing on stumps and decomposing wood from deciduous trees. Turkey Tail Mushrooms have been consumed in China for thousands of years under the name "Yunzhi".
Turkey Tail Mushrooms contain polysaccharide peptide (PSP) and polysaccharide krestin (PSK), which are used as medicine. The PSP and PSK in Turkey Tail Mushrooms may help slow cancer growth and boost the immune system. Turkey Tail Mushrooms are also used to improve the response to cancer medicines and radiation. The polysaccharides found in Turkey Tail Mushrooms have been shown to activate mouse lymphocytes and macrophages.
In addition to its medicinal properties, Turkey Tail Mushroom extract has been shown to have antibacterial qualities. A test-tube study found that the extract inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella enterica, bacteria that can cause illness and infection. Turkey Tail Mushrooms may also improve athletic performance, as a mouse study showed that the extract improved exercise performance and reduced markers of fatigue.
While Turkey Tail Mushrooms have been used for their perceived health benefits, it is important to note that there is a lack of scientific evidence supporting all of its purported uses.
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Shiitake Mushrooms (Lentinula edodes)
Shiitake mushrooms, or Lentinula edodes, are an edible and medicinal fungus native to East Asia. They are among the most commonly cultivated fungi in the world, contributing about 25% of the total yearly mushroom production. Shiitake mushrooms are widely used in East and Southeast Asian cuisines, particularly in soups, braises, and stir-fried dishes. They are also known as "sawtooth oak mushroom", "black forest mushroom", "golden oak mushroom", or "oakwood mushroom".
Lentinula edodes has been used to improve general health for thousands of years in Asia. It is believed to possess antiviral properties, with extracts from the mushroom exhibiting some level of antiviral activity against viruses such as HIV, influenza, and hepatitis B and C. The mushroom contains polysaccharides, such as lentinan, which has been reported to have antitumor properties and immunostimulatory effects. Additionally, extracts from the fruiting bodies and mycelium have demonstrated antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and immunomodulatory activities.
The medicinal benefits of Lentinula edodes are attributed to its bioactive molecules, including polysaccharides, terpenoids, sterols, lipids, and eritadenine. The polysaccharide lentinan, in particular, has been approved as an adjuvant therapeutic drug in China and Japan for treating cancers since the 1980s. Furthermore, the mushroom's extracts have been shown to inhibit the adherence capability of Streptococcus species, indicating potential anti-caries activity.
Shiitake mushrooms are typically cultivated on wood chips, sawdust, or hardwood logs, such as oak, to mimic their natural environment. They grow in groups on the decaying wood of deciduous trees, particularly shii and other trees in the Fagales order, such as chestnut, maple, beech, and mulberry. Commercially grown shiitake mushrooms have light-colored to reddish-brown caps with white gills on the underside and fibrous stalks.
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Ganodermadiol, a sterol in mushrooms
Mushrooms have been used for their medicinal properties for thousands of years. They have been shown to have biological effects including anticancer, antidiabetic, antiviral, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, immune-potentiating, and hypocholesterolemic influences.
Ganodermadiol is a sterol found in mushrooms, specifically in the Ganoderma species, including G. lucidum and G. pfeifferi. It has been shown to have antiviral properties, particularly against the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). It has also demonstrated activity against the influenza A virus, alongside other triterpenes obtained from G. pfeifferi, such as lucidadiol and G applanoxidic acid.
The Ganoderma species are inedible, wood-decaying fungi that have been used in traditional Far Eastern medicine for centuries. They are known to have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anticancer, and anti-diabetic properties.
Further research is required to fully understand the antiviral potential of ganodermadiol and other mushroom-derived compounds. However, the initial findings suggest that mushrooms may be a valuable source of antiviral treatments.
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Mushroom compounds vs antiviral drugs
Mushrooms have been cultivated worldwide for their nutritional value and medicinal applications. They are used in their natural form as a food supplement and food additive. Polysaccharides, lectins, and terpenoids are some of the bioactive compounds that have been extracted from mushrooms. Lectins, for example, are carbohydrate-binding proteins with non-immunologic origins that have been shown to have antiviral activity.
Medicinal mushrooms have been used for thousands of years to treat a wide range of ailments. Mushroom compounds have been shown to reduce viral infection by targeting viral entry, genome replication, viral enzymes, viral proteins, and cellular proteins, and by influencing immune modulation. The therapeutic agents or vaccines against human viruses include herpes simplex virus (HSV), influenza virus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and enteroviruses. However, these may have adverse effects, including drug resistance.
On the other hand, mushroom compounds that act against HIV, influenza A virus, and hepatitis C virus have shown antiviral effects comparable to those of antiviral drugs. Turkey Tail mushrooms (Coriolus versicolor=Trametes versicolor) have been identified as inhibiting HIV type 1 infection. Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) have been identified as having activity against herpes simplex I. Other mushrooms that have been identified as having antiviral properties include Lentinus edodes, Ganoderma lucidum, Ganoderma colossus, Hypsizygus marmoreus, Cordyceps militaris, Grifola frondosa, Scleroderma citrinum, Flammulina velutipes, and Trametes versicolor, Fomitopsis officinalis.
While the FDA has not specifically evaluated the antiviral properties of mushrooms, there is a significant amount of data demonstrating their antiviral and immune-enhancing properties. Mushroom compounds can be used individually or in combination with known medicines or natural products to improve health.
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Medicinal mushrooms in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Mushrooms have been an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for thousands of years. They are used as food to maintain good health and as drugs to treat diseases. In modern times, they are considered adaptogenic herbs, which help maintain homeostasis in the body.
Medicinal mushrooms are used to treat a wide range of ailments. For example, the C. longa rhizome, known as jiang huang in Chinese, has been used to treat diarrhea, fever, edema, bronchitis, colds, worms, leprosy, kidney inflammation, and cystitis. It is also used as an anticancer treatment. The Agaricus blazei Murill (AbM) mushroom, an edible mushroom of Brazilian origin, is used to treat cancer, chronic hepatitis, diabetes, arteriosclerosis, and hyperlipidemia. It has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic, and antihypertensive effects.
Turkey tail, or Yun Zhi in Chinese, is used to treat respiratory conditions and chronic illnesses. It is said to be sweet, cool, and nourishing to the spleen, liver, and lung energetics. Lion's mane, or Hou Tou Gu ('monkey head mushroom'), is considered a tonic for the five zang organs (heart, liver, lung, spleen, and kidney). It is said to be excellent for strengthening digestive function, improving energy, and calming the spirit.
Shiitake mushrooms, known as Xiang Gu ('fragrant mushroom') or Dong Gu ('winter mushroom'), have been cultivated in China since the Sung Dynasty. They are said to benefit the lung, spleen, and stomach energetics and replenish Qi and blood. They are high in vitamin D and contain all eight essential amino acids, plus linoleic acid, which is excellent for digestive health.
In addition to the specific mushrooms mentioned above, other mushrooms used in traditional Chinese medicine include Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi), Trametes versicolor, Lignosus rhinoceros, Chinese Cordyceps, Fomitopsis fomentarius, Hericium erinaceus, Piptoporus betulinus, Polyporus spp., Poria cocos, and Fomitopsis pinicola.
Many of the medicinal properties of mushrooms are attributed to their bioactive compounds, such as polysaccharides, lectins, and terpenoids. These compounds have been shown to have a wide range of medicinal activities, including antitumor, antiviral, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and antidiabetic effects. Hot water extracts of mushrooms have been traditionally used in TCM and are believed to be the only form of mushroom preparation with medicinal benefits. However, recent research has also identified the antiviral properties of alcohol-extracted mushroom mycelium.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are several mushrooms with antiviral properties.
Turkey Tail mushrooms (Coriolus versicolor) and Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) are two of the most well-known antiviral mushrooms. Other mushroom species with antiviral properties include Lentinus edodes, Ganoderma lucidum, Ganoderma colossus, Hypsizygus marmoreus, Cordyceps militaris, Grifola frondosa, Scleroderma citrinum, Flammulina velutipes, and Trametes versicolor, Fomitopsis officinalis.
Mushrooms contain bioactive compounds that exhibit antiviral activities. These compounds target viral entry, viral genome replication, viral proteins, and cellular proteins, influencing immune modulation.
