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Among the various herbal medicines used by ancient civilizations such as the Chinese, mushrooms seem to be the most popular even in the western part of the world. A plethora of mushroom species have been discovered and tested as an alternative medicine to be used in treating life-threatening diseases such as cancer. One of these mushrooms is Coriolus versicolor, a polypore mushroom that comes in variety of colors. History Coriolus versicolor or turkey-tail mushroom has been considered as one of the effective traditional Asian medicines. Also known as yun zhi or cloud mushroom in China, it has been used as tonic during the Ming Dynasty. Experiments on Coriolus versicolor using modern technology began in Japan during the 1970s. Researchers were able to extract polysaccharide-K (PSK), one of its active ingredients and recommended to patients suffering from various diseases such as cancer and the human papilloma virus. Clinical trials were relatively successful, and the mushroom was offered in the marker as a diet supplement, generating a billion dollars of annual sales. Chinese researchers began experimenting on the mushroom in the early 1980s. Coriolus versicolor soon became one of the most studied mushrooms with over 400 published animal and human clinical trials and studies worldwide. Active Ingredients Polysaccharide-K and polysaccharide peptide (PSP) are the two most active ingredients of Coriolus versicolor mushroom. Polysaccharide-K is a type of polysaccharide that acts as an antioxidant that blocks free radicals from damaging cells in the body. This type of polysaccharide from the mushroom became the first antitumor drug from mushroom, as it was patented for immunity enhancement. Polysaccharide peptide, on the other hand, is another type of polysaccharide discovered by a group of researchers in Shanghai led by Dr. Q. Yang. According to scientific tests, such polysaccharide extracted from Coriolus versicolor mushroom has been proven to be more effective than PSK. Major universities in Hong Kong, New Zealand, and Japan, and Taiwan started their own research, and PSP became a new drug in China in 1992. Hot Water and Alcohol Extraction Because dried Coriolus versicolor is not recommended for consumption, the best way to reap its benefits is through extraction. Coriolus versicolor mushroom extract can be prepared as a hot water or alcohol solution. For hot water extract, the mushroom must be brewed for three to four hours. The mushroom extract is usually dark and must be stored in the refrigerator to prolong its use. Alcohol extraction, on the other hand, can be prepared by filling a jar of dried mushroom with vodka. The jar must be stored in a cool, dry place for six weeks.
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coriolus, versicolor, mushroom,
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