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GROWING GOURMET - Anto2ni.it

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GROWTH PARAMETERS 353<br />

tude sickness, sexual impotency, and even chronic fatigue syndrome, <strong>it</strong> is no wonder that this mushroom<br />

has been for centuries heralded as "The Mushroom of Immortal<strong>it</strong>y".<br />

Two other Polypores enjoying reputations as medicinal fungi are Ma<strong>it</strong>ake, and<br />

Zhu Ling, Polyporus umbellatus. Ma<strong>it</strong>ake has recently been found to be effective, in v<strong>it</strong>ro, against the<br />

HIV virus by the National Cancer Inst<strong>it</strong>ute of the National Inst<strong>it</strong>ute of Health's anti-HIV drug screening<br />

program.* During a vis<strong>it</strong> to the Inst<strong>it</strong>ute of Materia Medica in Beijing, Polyporus umbellatus was<br />

reported to Stamets & Weil(1983) as being exceptionally effective against lung cancer. Aqueous extracts<br />

(tea) were given to patients directly after radiation therapy, w<strong>it</strong>h promising results.<br />

The Polypores covered in this book are Reishi (Ganoderina lucidum ), Ma<strong>it</strong>ake<br />

(=Polyporusfrondosus) ), and Zhu Ling (Polyporus umbellatus = Grifola umbellata)). Many other<br />

Polypores, such as Laetiporus suiphureus (= Polyporus suiphureus), can be grown on stumps. Future<br />

ed<strong>it</strong>ions of this book will expand on the number of Polypore species which I have successfully cultivated.<br />

A short list of these candidates includes, but is not lim<strong>it</strong>ed to:<br />

Albatrellus spp.<br />

Daedalea quercina<br />

Fomesfomentarius<br />

Fom<strong>it</strong>opsis officinalis<br />

Ganoderma applanatum (= Elfvingia applanata)<br />

Ganoderma curtisii<br />

Ganodenna oregonense<br />

Ganoderina sinense<br />

Ganoderina tsugae<br />

Inonotus obliquus<br />

Oligoporus spp.<br />

Oxyporus nobilissimus and allies<br />

Phellinus spp.<br />

Piptoporus betulinus<br />

Polyporus indigenus<br />

Polyporus saporema<br />

Trametes cinnabarinum (= ? Pycnoporus cinnabarinus)<br />

Trametes (=Coriolus) versicolor & allies<br />

Polypores are premier wood decomposers, and can produce annual or perennial fru<strong>it</strong>bodies. None<br />

* De-replication and second tier screening studies are on-going at the time of this wr<strong>it</strong>ing, as well as trials w<strong>it</strong>hAIDSafflicted<br />

patients. The HTV virus apparently becomes encapsulated by a "carbohydrate condom" lim<strong>it</strong>ing reproduction.<br />

Hypothetically, I suspect two distinct modes of activ<strong>it</strong>y. First, the compounds in Ma<strong>it</strong>ake may stimulate the<br />

immune system by providing essential precursor-nutrients. Secondly, these compounds may also be a direct toxin to<br />

the virus. Until human studies can be funded, such hypotheses are purely speculative. However, if proven, this doubleprong<br />

approach, combined w<strong>it</strong>h the fact that Ma<strong>it</strong>ake is an excellent edible and choice gourmet mushroom, brings<br />

Ma<strong>it</strong>ake to the forefront of the medicinal polypores. In my opinion, all polypores should be screened for their anticancer,<br />

anti-HIV and immuno-enhancing properties. There are probably more species w<strong>it</strong>h equal or greater potentials.<br />

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