Kombucha Tea: The King of Curatives?

Researchers now know that the curative properties of kombucha are two-fold: Firstly, daily consumption of kombucha tea restores the natural, healthful state of intestinal flora in the gut, allowing the systemic multiplication of good flora.  Secondly, kombucha tea naturally produces antibiotic and anti-inflammatory substances of its own which can act as effectively as synthetic drugs, with none of the negative side-effects.  These abilities have been shown to have remarkable effects on many common ailments such as arthritis and bacterial infections (for which anti-inflammatory and antibiotics are frequently prescribed), while keeping the system healthy enough to resist cancers and other invading bacteria.  But, that's just the beginning.  Read more . . .

Curative Properties of Reishi Mushrooms

In numerous clinical studies, reishi has been proven to be an effective analgesic (pain reliever) anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-tumor, anti-viral, expectorant, and anti-HIV agent, as well as able to lower blood pressure, prevent symptoms of bronchitis, enhance bone marrow, lower serum cholesterol levels, reduce the negative effects of caffeine, act as a muscle relaxant, detoxify the liver, protect against radiation, increase white blood cells, and promote immune function.  Additionally, reishi has been shown highly effective against a wide range of conditions including chronic dizziness, insomnia, rhinitis, duodenal ulcers, liver disease, leucopenia, muscular dystrophy, hyperplasia, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes, and most recently, has shown favorable results in treating hepatitis.  Read more . . .

Modern Uses of Medicinal Fungi

Fungi (yeasts, molds, mushrooms) have played an important role in Chinese culture for at least 4000 years, with oral tradition dating back perhaps 7000 years.  Common Asian mushrooms such as wood ear and jelly fungus are known to have been important food sources, with several varieties utilized to make wine, vinegar, soy sauce, and pickled vegetables.  Though written and oral accounts refer to the healing powers of several varieties of medicinal fungi, the spores of the common puffball were probably the most widely used initially, applied externally to heal scalds, burns, and general pains of the body, while the giant Agarikon fungi was widely chosen as a curative for stomach ailments.  Both are said to have been greatly prized by Japanese doctors as well.  Read more . . .