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Snow Fungus
Tremella fuciformis
Other names - Bai
Mu Erh, Shirokikurage, Silver Tree-ear, Fungus, White Jelly-leaf, White
Muer, White Tree-ear
Snow fungus is a white,
nearly translucent, "trembling" fungus that grows on a great variety of
trees throughout Asia and in warmer climates worldwide.
Uses
Snow fungus is an immune stimulant that fights infection, especially
chronic infections. Studies have found that it also demonstrates
antitumor activity, lowers levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or
"bad" cholesterol), protects the liver, and fights inflammation, and
that it may slow the aging process. Supposedly, if snow fungus is eaten
regularly, facial freckles will disappear, although this has not been
tested in any scientific fashion.
Benefits
of snow fungus for specific health conditions include the following:
Atherosclerosis and high cholesterol. In Japan, snow fungus is used to
prevent atherosclerosis, in which cholesterol gathers into plaques
within the arteries. It does this by lowering total blood-cholesterol
levels. To date, however, only one preliminary clinical study has
confirmed the value of snow fungus for this purpose. However, research
on snow fungus polysaccharides as infection-fighters has confirmed that
they help maintain cholesterol levels in the linings of cells, where
cholesterol is needed, possibly helping to draw it out of the
bloodstream.
Cancer
- Scientific studies have
found that the mucilage like polysaccharides found in snow fungus fit
like keys into receptor sites on certain immune cells. This increases
the production of interferon and interleukin-2 (IL-2), two important
immune-system chemicals, and stimulate the production of germ-eating
macrophages. Snow fungus also increases the activity of natural killer (NK)
cells and enhances the effectiveness of antibodies. In addition, snow
fungus reduces the rate at which cancers spread. In order to grow and
spread, tumors have to establish their own blood-vessel systems. Snow
fungus compounds counteract a blood chemical called platelet-activating
factor (PAF), which makes the blood less likely to clot and spin a
fibrin "net" on which blood vessels to serve the tumor can form.
Laboratory tests have demonstrated that snow fungus extracts kill
cervical cancer cells, as well those taken from other types of tumors.
Snow fungus is known to sensitize the cervix and uterus to radiation
treatment, making that treatment more effective. One of the most
valuable medical uses of snow fungus is to prevent leukopenia, or low
white blood cell counts, in people undergoing chemotherapy or radiation
treatment for cancer
Wood Ear Fungus
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