Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center ("MSKCC") has announced at the Annual Meeting of American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago May 30 - June 3, 2008, the results of a government-funded clinical study which began in 2004 and confirms the immunomodulatory effects of Maitake extracts as well as "no dose-limiting toxicity". MSKCC also concluded that the clinical significance is unknown yet.

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Maitake Mushroom (Grifola frondosa)
Maitake is an edible and medicinal mushroom grows in the northern part of the Temperate Zone in the Northern Hemisphere found in Japan, China, Europe and North America. Wild Maitake can be harvested in September and October. It forms large hands, mainly near the roots of big fagaceous trees such as white oak, beech, and tanbark oak. It grows in persimmon, plum, apricot, Prunus ume and oak trees. It invades the core of these trees. It decomposes lignin and leaves the cellulose, which is the cause of so-called white rot.
Wild Maitake has a good taste, a crisp texture, and an excellent aroma. It is considered the first-rank edible mushroom.
The scientific name of Maitake, Grifola frondosa, comes from the common name of fungi found in Italy. The name refers to a mythical beast which is half-lion and half-eagle. The Japanese name “Maitake,” literally meaning “dance mushroom,” is associated with its shape, which some believe resembles a dancing nymph. It is also said that people who found Maitake in a deep forest danced with joy since it was so rare and precious, which is the origin of the name.

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Turkey Tail Mushrooms (Coriolus versicolor)
Maintain your immune system throughout the year

Turkey Tail Mushroom (Coriolus versicolor), also known as "Yun Zhi" in China and "Kawara-take" in Japan, has been highly appreciated for its medicinal values by cancer patients in Asian countries for centuries. Extensive research was conducted on the immune enhancing and anti-tumor activities of fruit body of Turkey Tail since 1960s, and the famous PSK (polysaccharide-K; aka. Krestin) was developed from its cultured mycelium. It has been successfully marketed and prescribed for prolongation of life span for stomach, colon, rectum and lung cancer patients after surgery in conjunction with chemotherapy since 1977, and is still on the market in Japan. Also PSP (polysaccharide-peptide) was extracted from mycelium of Turkey tail in China in 1983, and subjected to Phase II and Phase III clinical trials. The result demonstrated significant benefit of PSP against stomach, esophagus and lung cancers.

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Tremella Mushrooms (Tremella fuciformis)
Women's aid for beauty from the Inside, Out.

Tremella Mushroom (Tremella fuciformis), also called Silver Ear Mushroom with its large loose lobes, has been used in Asia as a Qi and immune tonic. Tremella has been also highly prized as a youthful skin tonic for a healthy complexion. It is said that imperial Concubine Yang (719-756), considered to be one of the most beautiful women in Chinese history, used Tremella for her facial and body maintenance. As such, Chinese women have been taking Tremella traditionally to make the skin moist, soft and pliable. According to traditional Chinese medicine Tremella nourishes the lung, stomach and kidney, strengthens the bones, helps maintain ideal weight and provides proper moisturization to the skin which belongs to the lung network. Tremella contains rich dietary fibers and Vitamin D, and modern research indicates Tremella's usefulness as an anti-tumor agent in lowering blood glucose, lowering cholesterol, and protecting against radiation as well.

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Shiitake Mushrooms (Lentinus edodes)
Overall Energy and Liver Enhancer

Shiitake mushroom (Lentinus edodes), very popular worldwide as an edible mushroom, has history of artificial cultivation dating as far back as the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in China. Lentinan, derived from fruit body of Shiitake, is one of the three mushroom origin anti-cancer drugs approved by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in Japan. Lentinan exhibits strong immune responses and has been extensively studied in association with cancers and viral infections. Shiitake contains a variety of constituents that have demonstrated a range of actions, including immune modulation, anti-tumor, liver protecting, cholesterol lowering, anti-viral and blood pressure lowering. Shiitake extract is also a potent anti-fungal agent, effective against candida albicans.

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Reishi Mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum)
Elixir of Immortality.

Reishi Mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum), also known as "Ling Zhi" in China, "Mannen-take" in Japan and "Young Zhi" in Korea, is one of the most famous medicinal mushrooms in the world. Reishi has been prized as the "Mushroom of Immortality" for thousands of years. During the last two decades, researchers have found various bioactive constituents in Reishi which have a wide range of actions, including boosting immune function; anti-viral and anti-bacterial effects; cardiovascular support; lowering blood pressure and serum cholesterol; and heart protection. Research also demonstrated Reishi’s possible usefulness for allergies, bronchitis, cancer, HIV, inflammation, liver and radiation protection.

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Lion's Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus)
The brain tonic, Go beyond ginkgo.

Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is a mushroom with long cascading tendrils, hence the name. It is also known as "bear's head," "monkey's head," "hedgehog fungus," and "Hou Tou Gu" in Chinese. Recent studies support its traditional use for promoting healthy digestive and immune system functions. However, more promising is its ability to stimulate synthesis of the Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), which may protect nerves in the brain and body from deterioration associated with the aging process.

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Cordyceps Mushroom (Cordyceps sinensis)
Stamina, Endurance and Sex Drive

Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis) is a special mushroom that can only be found in the mountains more than 12,000 feet above sea level in the southwestern areas of China and Nepal. Cordyceps is regarded as one of the most valuable and expensive herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. They say that, in ancient China, Cordyceps was taken as an elixir of life and only the imperial family could afford it. In 1993, women track athletes from China astonished the world as they broke world records one after another in the World Championships in Athletics in Stuttgart, Germany and the Chinese National Championship in Beijing, China. One of them broke the record for the 10,000 meter-run by an astounding 42 seconds. What was their secret? They gave credit to an intense training schedule and the use of Cordyceps. Since then, Cordyceps has received international attention, and its pharmacological properties have been evaluated in detail. Cordyceps may be useful as an anti-aging aid; lowering high cholesterol, protecting the liver, increasing sex drive, and supporting the heart.

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Royal Agaricus Mushroom (Agaricus blazei Murill)
Gift from God. For your strong immune system.

Originating from the mountain region of Piedade, Brazil, Royal Agaricus Mushroom (Agaricus blazei Murill) has been prized in Brazil as a panacea being called "Cogmelo de Deus," Mushroom of God. It attracted scientists' attention when they found much lower occurrence of adult diseases in this region. Then studies have been done in Japan in 1980s and 90s, which demonstrated various medicinal properties of Agaricus, including enhancement of immune system, suppression of tumor, reduction of elevated blood glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure. Agaricus became very popular as a cancer aid in Japan in late 1990s.

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