Links to Research Publications

On this page, we have collected a group of studies and research papers that we have found to be thought provoking, informative, and inspiring.  We add to this page often and we hope you enjoy!

Functional Mushroom and Herbal Supplement Research

Over the last decade, there has been an increasing amount of research about functional mushrooms, herbal supplements, and their effect on various diseases.  This is evidenced on PubMed and other websites where anyone can access over 12,000 publications about the use and efficacy of mushrooms in clinical, animal and human studies.

Many scientists agree that much more study is warranted before this research can be substantiated. These publications should not be used as a guideline, advice or substantiation for self-diagnosis and/or treatment for any health condition.

 

Lion’s Mane Research

A discussion on the use of lion’s mane in gastrointestinal disease:  Hericium erinaceus, a medicinal fungus with a centuries-old history: Evidence in gastrointestinal diseases

This is an interesting paper about the use of lion’s mane for depression:  Therapeutic Potential of Hericium erinaceus for Depressive Disorder

Important study showing how lion’s mane can help reduce the effects of plastic toxicity from phthalate (DEHP), a plasticizer known to cause neurotoxicity and that is capable of crossing the blood brain barrier:  Hericium Erinaceus Prevents DEHP-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Apoptosis in PC12 Cells

Evidence of lion’s mane administration reducing behavioral changes and hippocampal neuronal degeneration in Alzheimer’s patients:  Key Mechanisms and Potential Implications of Hericium erinaceus in NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation by Reactive Oxygen Species during Alzheimer’s Disease

Study showing memory benefits from lion’s mane:  The Monkey Head Mushroom and Memory Enhancement in Alzheimer’s Disease

 

Shiitake Research

Therapeutic values and nutraceutical properties of shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes): A review:  Therapeutic values and nutraceutical properties of shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes): A review

Exploration of the anti-viral, anti-fungal and immunity boosting benefits of shiitake mushroom:  The Unexplored Anticaries Potential of Shiitake Mushroom

Summary paper on the efficacy of Shiitake and Turkey Turkey tail in treating symptoms, medication side effects, anti-tumor effects, and survival outcomes in gastric, breast, and colorectal cancers. Findings from this review suggest that medicinal mushrooms have the potential to prevent lymph node metastasis, prolong overall survival, decrease chemotherapy-induced side effects (e.g., diarrhea, vomiting), affect the immune system, and help maintain immune function and quality of life in patients with certain cancers.  Therapeutic Effects of Medicinal Mushrooms on Gastric, Breast, and Colorectal Cancer: A Scoping Review

 

Red Reishi Research

An evaluation of the immune modulating effects of Red Reishi:  Evaluation of Immune Modulation by β-1,3; 1,6 D-Glucan Derived from Ganoderma lucidum in Healthy Adult Volunteers, A Randomized Controlled Trial

Study demonstrating that the polysaccharides in red reishi may help prevent cancer:  Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharides as an anti-cancer agent

Summary of the nutritional profile and potential health benefits of red reishi as a functional food:  Nutritional Profile and Health Benefits of Ganoderma lucidum “Lingzhi, Reishi, or Mannentake” as Functional Foods: Current Scenario and Future Perspectives

Research indicating that red reishi may stimulate longevity pathways, leading to healthier aging:  Ganoderma lucidum stimulates autophagy-dependent longevity pathways in Caenorhabditis elegans and human cells

An isolate from red reishi is shown to promote wound healing in deep burns:  An active ingredient isolated from Ganoderma lucidum promotes burn wound healing via TRPV1/SAn active ingredient isolated from Ganoderma lucidum promotes burn wound healing via TRPV1/SMAD signaling

Research paper discussing the anti-anxiety and depression response of red reishi:  Biochemical and Pharmacological aspects of Ganoderma lucidum: Exponent from the in vivo and computational investigations

A review of potential medicinal benefits of red reishi, including metabolic disorders and viral infections:  Exploring the Potential Medicinal Benefits of Ganoderma lucidum: From Metabolic Disorders to Coronavirus Infections

 

Turkey Tail Research

Results of a human trial that indicated turkey tail extract improved the immune response in patients undergoing chemotherapy:  Phase 1 Clinical Trial of Trametes versicolor in Women with Breast Cancer

Study of the efficacy of turkey tail in treating lung cancer that concluded that PSK, an active compound in Turkey Tail has the potential to improve immune function, reduce tumor-associated symptoms, and extend survival in lung cancer patients:  Polysaccharide K and Coriolus versicolor Extracts for Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review

Study of the use of turkey tail vaginal gel in HPV patients:  Exploring the Bioactive Mycocompounds (Fungal Compounds) of Selected Medicinal Mushrooms and Their Potentials against HPV Infection and Associated Cancer in Humans

In this study, they concluded that turkey tail extract exhibited anti-inflammatory as well as anti-fibrotic properties, inhibited diabetic-induced cardiomyopathy, and served as a therapeutic in many other vascular illnesses:  Coriolus versicolor alleviates diabetic cardiomyopathy by inhibiting cardiac fibrosis and NLRP3 inflammasome activation

Summary paper on the efficacy of shiitake and turkey tail in treating symptoms, medication side effects, anti-tumor effects, and survival outcomes in gastric, breast, and colorectal cancers. Findings from this review suggest that medicinal mushrooms have the potential to prevent lymph node metastasis, prolong overall survival, decrease chemotherapy-induced side effects (e.g., diarrhea, vomiting), affect the immune system, and help maintain immune function and quality of life in patients with certain cancers:  Therapeutic Effects of Medicinal Mushrooms on Gastric, Breast, and Colorectal Cancer: A Scoping Review

In this review, a wide spectrum of research data showing the potential of turkey tail in the treatment of COVID-19 and cancer diseases was presented:  COVID-19 and Cancer Diseases—The Potential of Coriolus versicolor Mushroom to Combat Global Health Challenges

 

American Ginseng Research

Interesting American ginseng study that investigated its effectiveness against anxiety, neuro-inflammation, and oxidative stress:  GABA-BZD Receptor Modulating Mechanism of Panax quinquefolius against 72-h Sleep Deprivation Induced Anxiety like Behavior: Possible Roles of Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Neuroinflammation

There’s a section in this paper titled “Anti-neurodegenerative diseases” that summarizes several studies showing ginseng’s potential beneficial effect against anxiety, multiple sclerosis, cognitive performance and memory:  A review for discovering bioactive minor saponins and biotransformative metabolites in Panax quinquefolius

Here’s a link to a human study on American ginseng that was referenced in the paper above. It was a double blind study for a commercial ginseng supplement that indicated significant cognitive improvement only three hours after ingestion:   Effects of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) on neurocognitive function: an acute, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study

Ginseng shown to alleviate stomach ulcers in mice and rat experiments:  Protective effect of ginsenoside Re on acute gastric mucosal lesion induced by compound 48/80

 

Elderberry and Elderflower Research

Elderberry and Elderflower are shown in this in-vitro study to both kill the influenza virus and reduce the duration of symptoms:  Inhibition of several strains of influenza virus in vitro and reduction of symptoms by an elderberry extract (Sambucus nigra L.) during an outbreak of influenza B Panama

The probiotic potential of elderberry was researched in this study. They measured elderberry's ability to promote five probiotic strains (Lactobacillus plantarum, L. casei, L. rhamnosus, L. fermentum and Saccharomyces boulardii). Elderberry promoted positive cell growth for all five probiotic strains:  Bioactive Potential of Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.): Antioxidant, Antimicrobial Activity, Bioaccessibility and Prebiotic Potential

The anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of elderberry are discussed in this paper that shows the efficacy of both alcohol and water based elderberry extracts (Druzy Fusion Elderberry Tincture combines both extraction methods):  Elderberry and Elderflower Extracts, Phenolic Compounds, and Metabolites and Their Effect on Complement, RAW 264.7 Macrophages and Dendritic Cells

This research paper discusses the stimulatory influence of black elder extract and its constituents, such as rutin, anthocyanins and agglutinins, on the viability and steroidogenesis of healthy ovarian cells as well as their ability to promote apoptosis and reduce the viability and proliferation of ovarian cancer cells:  Black Elder and Its Constituents: Molecular Mechanisms of Action Associated with Female Reproduction

Goldenseal Research

Study showing the efficacy of goldenseal leaf extract against penicillin-resistant staphylococcus. It’s worth noting that the active component, berberine, was credited for the antiviral action and that goldenseal roots contain substantially more berberine than the leaves:  Quorum Quenching and Antimicrobial Activity of Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Goldenseal shows promise to support healthy liver function in this study:  Protective effects of goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity through inhibition of CYP2E1 in rats

In-vitro study showing the efficacy of goldenseal in breast cancer treatment:  The alkaloid Berberine inhibits the growth of Anoikis-resistant MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines by inducing cell cycle arrest