Kelp - A Nutritional Powerhouse

Kelp is a marine brown algae which belongs to the division Phycophyta of the kingdom Protista of Eukarya. Brown algae is a diversified group which ranges from a small size with simple filaments to large blade forms, between 50 to 100 meters in length. Large brown algae are also called seaweeds and some of them like Laminaria, Ascophyllum and Macrocystis are also referred as Kelp. These large brown algae commonly grow along the rocky shoreline in the north temperate zone. These plants are firmly anchored by holdfasts, and when the tide is in, their broad flattened blades are buoyed by air bladders. When the tide is out, they do not dry up because their cell walls contain a mucilaginous, water retaining material. Brown algae provide food and habitat for marine organisms. In several parts of the world they have been harvested for human food consumption and for fertilizer. They also contain algin, a pectin-like substance that is added to ice cream, sherbet, cream cheese, and other products to give them a stable, smooth consistency.

Fucus vesiculosus, Ascophyllum nodosum, and some species of Laminaria, Macrocystis and Nereocystis are quite common. These kelps are also known by common names such as Bull Kelp, Elk Kelp, Giant Kelp. Kelp has many culinary applications and is referred to as a Miracle Plant because of its huge therapeutic values and as the best natural source of trace minerals. Sprinkling a little on your food (about a teaspoonful twice a day) will provide both salt and vital trace minerals. It is a good source of protein and rich source of iodine and iron.

Ascophllum nodosum (Rock Weed) is a type of kelp, which can grow to the length of 200 feet off the coast of Japan, Europe and North America. Early fishermen burned the plant for fuel and wrapped, baked and ate fish in it. This seaweed is very popular as food in Japan and some other east Asian countries. However Europeans and Americans did not develop any taste for kelp. It is rich in iodine, a mineral essential to thyroid health. The amount of iodine in sea kelp exceeds that found in land plants by as much as 20,000 percent. Depletion of iodine causes fatigue, illness, inability to metabolize food efficiently, weight gain and goiter. Norwegian kelp (Ascophyllum nodosum) is also rich in calcium. It is also high in Vitamin C. Kelp has always been an integral part of the traditional Eskimo diet. Another important chemical in Norwegian kelp is sodium alginate, it can absorb 80 to 90 percent of the strontium 90 directly from the intestinal tract.



Norwegian kelp is a nutritional power house, containing many other essential trace elements. It has chromium, essential to glucose utilization, zinc for collagen strength and healthy skin, iron for blood enrichment, potassium for normal nerve transmission, sulfur for preventing cell mutation that could lead to cancer, silver and tin for memory, silicon for skin elasticity, magnesium for sound nerves, manganese for sufficient release of insulin and so on. In addition to numerous minerals as mentioned earlier, kelp is also rich in vitamins A, B complex, C, E, D & K and also contains 20 different amino acids in abundance. The gut flora provides low levels of these but daily use of kelp increases the levels.

The use of powdered or granular kelp as a substitute for table salt has been gaining popularity. Kelp has a pleasant taste and all the necessary elements in a natural balance. Although sodium is present, it is nicely offset by potassium, which is totally absent from ordinary table salt. The use of kelp is a much better choice. It also has the remarkable ability to stop bleeding. Simply sprinkle powdered kelp on the wound.

The sodium alginate in kelp helps prevent absorption of radioactive strontium 90, a by-product of nuclear explosions and nuclear power and weapons facilities. Strontium 90, one of many toxic heavy metals, accumulates in bone tissue and has been linked to several cancers: leukemia, bone cancer, and Hodgkin's disease. Scientific investigations at McGill University show that kelp also protects the body from several other heavy toxic metals such as barium, cadmium, plutonium, and cesium.

There is also evidence that kelp may help in reducing cholesterol and blood pressure. It also interferes with the growth of bacteria and fungi. Kelp might be useful as an emergency bandage for boating, fishing, surfing and diving injuries. For infusions, use 2 to 3 teaspoons powdered kelp per cup of boiling water, steep 10 minutes and drink. Usually 2 to 3 cups a day are recommended.

Always use herbs in consultation with your physician. He or she knows the best about your health and should be aware what else you have been consuming to maintain your health. Always use herbs in moderate amounts unless suggested otherwise by a physician.

Please take care of your health with knowledge. Knowledge and resolve is the key for better living.

My next article will be on the Gotu Kola herb.

Wishing you a safe and healthy winter season,



Ali M. Jafri, Ph.D.

Asparagus - Good Nutrition

Asparagus belongs to the family Liliaceae of the division Liliopsida. It is a popular herb and has been grown in many countries around the world. It is known for its anti-cancer, anti-fungal and diuretic properties. The origin of the name “Asparagus” comes from the greek asparagos meaning sprout or sparrow. The spears we buy in the store are actually the shoots from an underground crown. There are 300 varieties of asparagus and out of them only 20 are edible. They exist in different colors such as green, white and purple. Purple varieties have a high amount of the anthocyanin pigment. Archaeologists also found traces of wild asparagus in Egypt and other areas in Africa. It was also known to have been cultivated since the times of Pharaohs. The Romans preferred asparagus for its unique flavor and texture.

The emperor Augustine is known to have been very fond of it. In the early 16th century, asparagus was very popular among European Royalty. Its production was exclusively for the nobility until the 18th. century, when it became available in the market. Greeks, Romans, Indians and Chinese believed in its health properties. Today, it is recognized as a particularly healthy vegetable. It contains a wide variety of nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

Since ancient times, asparagus has been known as an excellent diuretic as well as a laxative. It contains original substances as asparagines that makes it a remedy for cholera. Asparagus has been used since ancient times in Indian medicine as a cure for many disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Along with its protective effect on the cells of the stomach and intestines, asparagus has also been known to have antioxidant and immune stimulant effects. Further more it has also been used to cure disorders of the nervous system, liver, and certain infections. Asparagus has also been prescribed for the treatment of ulcers in the stomach and intestine. The roots of asparagus contain a wide number of compounds that posses antioxidant qualities. Asparagus is supposed to have highest amount of glutathione among all the herbs known so far. Glutathione is an excellent antioxidant and consumption of this amino acid can be a blessing for longevity.

Asparagus is a natural diuretic, and a heart healthy food, containing no fat, cholesterol or sodium. Ancient Chinese herbalists have used asparagus root to treat maladies from arthritis to infertility. One half cup of cooked asparagus contains significant amounts of folic acid, vitamin c, potassium and beta carotene. Folic acid helps prevent birth defects, cervical cancer, colon and rectal cancer and heart disease. Vitamin c protects against cancer and heart disease, and also helps to boost the immune system, where as potassium helps regulate the electrolyte balance within cells, and also helps maintain normal heart function and blood pressure. In short, asparagus is an excellent source of folate, vitamin K, A and B vitamins- B1,B2,B3 and B6, dietary fiber, manganese, copper, potassium and proteins. Histone is the main protein it contains which is the integral part of the cell growth. It has a sugar called inulin which can not be digested by humans but is a good source of nutrition for beneficial bacteria in our intestine.

Asparagus is well known for its anticancer properties since ancient times. “Asparagus for cancer” printed in the Cancer News Journal in December, 1972. It has shown excellent results against Hodgkin’s disease, cancer of bladder, lung cancer and skin cancer. The Elements of Material Media,edited in 1854 by professors at the University of Pennsylvania, shows that asparagus was used as popular remedy for kidney stones.


To make an extract from asparagus, one of the suggested procedures is:

1. Place the cooked asparagus in a blender and liquefy to make a puree and store it in the refrigerator.
2. Give the patient 4 full table spoons twice daily.

There are many ways of cooking asparagus. One can mix them with other vegetables or make a soup out of it. Mostly it is eaten as a boiled vegetable with little butter, salt and black pepper in this country.

Take care of your health with knowledge. I will post another article on some other interesting herb in the first week of January.

Wishing you all a very happy and joyous holiday season and a happy new year !


Ali M. Jafri, Ph.D.

Tea (Camellia sinensis)

Tea is the second most commonly used beverage after water. It is cultivated primarily in India, Srilanka, Indonesia and China. This is a small evergreen tree that grows up to 30 feet in the wild. Tea belongs to the family Theaceae of class Magnaliophyta of the domain Eukarya. There are 2 more commonly available varieties of tea; Camellia sinensis var. sinenensis(China tea) and Camellia sinensis var. Assam (India tea). In cultivation, it is more like a bushy shrub. Its bright green leaves are shiny, often with a hairy underside. Flowers are scented and can occur singly or in a cluster of 2 to 4. Its leaves are processed in both green and black tea. Green tea is simply the dried leaf. Black tea is dried and then fermented. There are also red and white teas. Most people drink it as a mild stimulant, but its best use is to prevent tooth decay, and work as a bronchial decongestant. It is also known to protect from heart disease, stroke, and cancer.



Tea contains high levels of antioxidants, some of which are called polyphenols, flavanoids, and catechins – all of which take care of the “free radicals” in the body and prevent them from harming the healthy cells. Higher quality teas may have more catechin antioxidants than lower quality teas. White tea has more antioxidants than any other tea. Green tea has more catechin antioxidants than black tea, since black tea goes through more processing. More researchers seem to agree that brewed (cold or hot) or caffeinated tea has more antioxidants than instant tea.

Tea helps in lowering blood pressure, cholesterol and protects from heart disease. It also helps in fighting off cancers and AIDS. Green tea has been reported to help in cure of esophageal cancer and black tea can slow down the spread of prostate cancer and cancer caused by smoking. Green and white teas are known to fight off colon cancer (Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon Sate University studies, carcinogenesis, 2003). Hot teas may lower the risk of some skin cancer. Teas also boost the body’s defenses as well as play a role in delaying Alzheimer’s disease.

To get the most health benefits out of tea, choose high quality loose leaf tea from your local or online tea shop. Brew it up and enjoy.

Keep exploring and keep learning! Take care of your health with knowledge.

My next article will be posted in the first week of December on the health benefits of another wonder herb – Asparagus.

Till then……………Adios!

Ali M. Jafri, Ph.D.

H1N1 Influenza Virus Pandemic

Wishing you all a good healthy fall and winter season. This fall we have quite a scare on the horizon. A couple of years back we were confronted with a threat of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), last year it was the avian flu virus(H5N1) and this year there is a full blown threat of swine flu(H1N1). Influenza infections are common every year and the flu is a very contagious disease with a reasonably high rate of fatality.

The Influenza virus is of three types – Influenza A, B and C. Influenza A is the most contagious and fatal and has the broadest host range, from wild birds to pigs and many other animals, and humans. It changes fast due to the high rate of mutation. That is the reason we are on alert every year to make a new vaccine to combat new challenges. H1N1 is one of the sub-types of Influenza A virus; H3N2 is another sub-type which is part of the seasonal flu. Influenza A virus has 2 most prominent proteins – Hemagglutinin and Neuraminidase. There are various types of both of these proteins and that is how different subtypes vary. Both are important proteins in the infection process. Hemagglutinin anchors the virus at the receptors on the cell membrane, then Neuraminidase helps in injecting the viral genome in to the cell which in turn causes infection. So far we have known that genes (segments of DNA) are the ones that do the job of inheritance – whether we get a crooked nose or dimpled cheeks, widow’s peak or continuous hair line – but these influenza viruses tell us that RNA also works as genes. However, RNA genes are only limited to viruses, no other living organism has RNA genes.

Swine Flu (novel H1N1) has been reported to be pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). This is the variant of the virus which caused Spanish Flu (H1N1) in 1918. It is known to have killed 50 to 100 million people around the globe. Due to the high rate of mutation of the virus, you are never sure how it will actually behave, only time will tell. It is certain that our preventive measures will make a lot of difference in the severity of infection as well as spread of the virus. The recommendation from CDC (Center of Disease Control - the Pentagon of infectious diseases) and WHO (World Health Organization) is that we should prepare ourselves to face this threat. There are reports of fatality from this viral infection from many nations across the globe including ours, and our neighbors Mexico and Canada. All nations on this planet should be on full alert and the public needs to be educated and guided in this respect.

This most contagious influenza virus can be spread by coughing, sneezing, or nasal secretions. Therefore, it is important to cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with tissue. One should also keep a distance from a sick person. We all know that good hygienic practices go a long way in giving us good health. Any one can get flu, but the rate of infection is highest in children and the elderly. For most people it lasts a few days, but can also last up to 10 days. The infection causes fever, soar throat, chills, fatigues, cough, headache, muscle aches, and sometimes accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea. It can be followed by pneumonia making the existing medical condition worse.

Prevention and control

For seasonal flu, there are 2 types of vaccines available:

i. Inactivated (killed) vaccine, or the flu shot, given by injection into muscle
ii. Live, attenuated (weakened) influenza vaccine is sprayed into the nostrils

There are two kinds of prevention which one can exercise:

i. Vaccination
ii. Boosting the immune system by use of beneficial herbs and vitamins.

Most herbs have antimicrobial properties. There are quite a few herbal remedies. I would suggest you refer to my blog to get further information on this topic: http://www.holistichealthtips.blogspot.com.

The vaccine for seasonal flu is already available and for novel H1N1 will be available soon. It takes close to 2 weeks to develop protection against the virus. Both seasonal flu and novel H1N1 vaccination should be taken. I would also suggest that seniors should take vaccination against pneumonia.

I have borrowed some excerpts from Dr. L. Collins, who has been practicing medicine for a long time and now is my colleague as a Professor in the biology department. Her recommendations on prevention of flu are given here:

Preventive measures are listed below. They all stimulate the immune system to function more efficiently.

1. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables daily.

2. Sleep 7-9 hours nightly.

3. Exercise daily.

4. Wash hands frequently during the day and keep hands away from the face between washes. Wash hands for as long as it takes to sing happy birthday song.

5. Stress reduction modalities.

6. Eat onions and garlic often.

7. Vitamin D 4,000 i.u. daily.

8. Vitamin C 1-2,000 mg. daily according to Gastro-intestinal tolerance.

9. Vitamin B Complex when under stress.

10. Food with probiotics daily. Examples are kimchi, sauerkraut, yogurt, cultured buttermilk, cultured cheese, and cultured sour cream. Or, one may take acidophilus capsules.

11. Ginger tea daily.

12. Elderberry capsules 575 mg., 2 daily. If ill take 2 capsules 4 times a day.

13. Echinacea herb if exposed to the flu. Take for 10 days then go off for 7 days.

14. N-acetylcystine 600mg. twice a day and then if become ill, increase to 4 times a day.

15. Golden seal 400 mg. 1-2 capsules 4 times a day if become ill. Take for 2 weeks and then stop for a week.

For discussion in detail, I refer you to her blog: drlcollinswords.blogspot.com.

You can Call 1-800-232-4636 or visit CDC‘s website at WWW.cdc.gov/flu. CDC is the most authentic source of information on infectious diseases.

This is a humble attempt to furnish you with information on the Swine flu (novel H1N1) virus. For treatment, you should get in touch with your own physician, as he knows the best about your health status. There is a lot of information available through CDC and other web sites.

Please take care of your health with knowledge.


Ali M. Jafri, Ph.D.

Lemongrass - The Body Purifier

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon ciatrus)



Lemongrass is a perennial grass that belongs to the family Poaceae of the division Liliopsida. It is native of India and Nepal and is commonly found and popular in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Caribbean Islands. Lemongrass has been associated with Asian cooking since ancient times. Even today it is very popular in this part of the world, in fact it is liked all around the world. You can even find special lemongrass restaurants. Another popular name for lemongrass is Citronella, the common scent that you usually find in candles, perfumes, and soaps.

Citronella is known for its stress relieving properties and a good sleeping aid for insomniacs. It is also known for its insect repellent properties. Since dogs hate citronella, it is sometimes sprayed on them to prevent barking or just to calm down their behavior. However, I feel it is a cruel act. Lemongrass is a good cleanser that helps detoxify the liver, pancreas, kidney, bladder and digestive tract. It cuts down uric acid, cholesterol, excess fats, and other toxins in the body. It stimulates digestion, blood circulation, and lactation. It also alleviates indigestion and gastroenteritis. Skin improvements are noticeable with use of lemongrass, like reduction of acne and pimples, toning of muscles and tissues. Lemongrass can also reduce blood pressure, and be used as a remedy for fevers and colds.

The leaves and base of this tender perennial are used as food flavoring and its essential oils are used medicinally. Citral, an essential oil found in lemon peel, is the constituent responsible for its taste and aroma .Lemongrass is also known as Sweet Rush and sometimes called Fever Grass in the Caribbean.

There is no grass like lemongrass, a very useful medicinal herb with a tasty food flavor. It wards off anxiety, headaches, fever, and insomnia and also lowers blood pressure. One can drink lemongrass as a tea 3 to 4 times a day by placing about 2 gram leaves in a cup of hot water. You can also make an extraordinary medicinal drink with lemongrass. Just take a few fresh or dried leaves of lemongrass, 2 to 3 cloves, a small cinnamon stick and some turmeric powder and boil them in milk. Drink it when it cools down. This is also a good remedy to for coughs and colds.

Scientists are now studying Thailand’s favorite soup: Tom Yum Kung, which contains garlic, fresh chillies and cilantro, with lemongrass as the main ingredient. Tom Yum is considered capable of combating colds, the flu, and even some cancers.

Recently Dr. Weinstein, of Ben Gurion University in Israel, published his successful research on the role of lemongrass in apoptosis (cell death) of cancer cells in vitro. There is quite a bit of excitement about this research. In fact, in Israel, some doctors advise cancer patients to drink about 8 glasses a day of lemongrass tea before going for radiation treatment.

As always, your doctor should be informed about your eating habits and alternative medicine treatments. Take care of your health with knowledge. My next article will be posted in the first week of October, on Tea - a popular drink.

With much blessings,

Till then……………!


Ali M. Jafri, Ph.D.

Flax Seed

Flax Seed (Linum usitatissimum)



Flax linseed is a member of the genus Linum and belongs to the division Magnoliophyta of the kingdom Plantae. It is native to the area extending from the eastern Mediterranean to India. Flax was extensively cultivated in ancient Egypt, Mesapotamia and Assyria and now it is grown all over the world. It is an annual plant growing to the height of 1.2 meters. Its flower is of a pale blue color. Flax seed has been used since ancient times. Flax is grown for both its seeds and fiber. Fabric, dye, paper, medicines, fishing nets, hand gels and soaps have been made from different parts of this plant. It is also grown as an ornamental plant in gardens.

Flax seeds come in 2 varieties – Brown and Yellow . Both have almost similar nutritional values. Flax seeds are known to have a high level content of omega-3 fatty acids, lignan (antioxidant) and fiber. Flax seeds as a whole are stable seeds, but milled seeds can go rancid at room temperature in as short as one week. Excessive consumption of flax seed can also cause diarrhea.



Our modern diet is highly processed and is deficient in nutrients and fiber. Flax seed is an excellent source of omega 3 fatty acids, lignan and fibers. It has been shown to lower cholesterol and triglycerides, as it contains an abundant amount of alpha-linolenic acid, a compound which is known for its heart protective abilities. Some studies suggest that omega 3 fatty acids can reduce blood levels of homocysteine which if elevated could result in bad heart conditions and stroke.

Flax seed is also used as a treatment for diverticulitis. Two to three tablespoons of crushed flax seeds 2 to 3 times a day is recommended in cases of diverticulitis as well as for relief of chronic constipation. If you are using this amount of flax seed, you must drink plenty of water, at least 8 glasses a day to keep the bulk moving through your digestive system. Flax seeds contain generous amount of lignans, which help control endometrial cancer (and maybe breast cancer). Flax seed is also beneficial in treatment of psoriasis.

I personally have been taking for quite a while ground flax seed – one tablespoon with my cereal; and strongly feel it has been quite a help in maintaining my over all health. Recently, we have started making a cocktail of different seeds. This consists of 2 tablespoons flax seed, 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds, 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds, 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds ground together. I was influenced by my niece, Dr. Noshin Ahmed of New Jersey during her visit this summer to our place, in the use of this concoction.

Use everything in moderation and always remain in consultation with your doctor. Wishing you all very good health and start of a beautiful fall season. Take care of your health with knowledge. My next article will be on another fascinating herb – lemon grass.

Till then………….!


Ali M. Jafri, Ph.D.

Mushrooms - Food for the gods

Mushrooms are an interesting group, very different from plants. They have no roots, leaves, flowers and seeds and completely devoid of chlorophyll. So they cannot make their own food and grow as saprophytes. They belong to an entirely different kingdom, Fungi of domain Eukarya. There are close to 14,000 species of mushrooms out of which only 3000 are edible, about 700 have medicinal value and less than one percent are poisonous. Mushrooms are found growing naturally all over the world since ancient times. However, their cultivation started in Europe some time in the 16th century. The first cultivation was near Paris, even today there are huge areas under cultivation of mushrooms in France. In the United States, mushroom cultivation started in the late 19th century. Most mushrooms are grown in the state of Pennsylvania. United States is supposed to be one of the biggest country to grow mushrooms commercially.

Most people are not aware of the medicinal value of mushrooms. This is a wonderful herb loaded with medicinal values. Nowadays, there is a lot of focus on mushrooms and their anti-cancer attributes. They have anticancer and antiviral properties and high nutritional value. There are many types of mushrooms available, however I will focus briefly only on 4 different types – button mushrooms, maitake, reishi and shiitake.

Button Mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus): These mushrooms look like little umbrellas. They have a dense umbrella like cap attached to a stem called stipe. There are 3 types of button mushrooms: white mushroom, crimini and portabello. White mushroom is cream in color and most commonly found in stores. Crimini mushroom looks just like a button, is coffee colored and has a more distinct flavor. The portabello mushroom is of a larger size and has a meaty flavor. The scientific name of these type of mushroom is Agaricus bisporus. Crimini mushroom is called by many other names as well- cremini, baby bellas, and portabellini.



Button mushrooms have grown wildly since prehistoric times. They have been consumed by early hunter-gatherers. Since ancient times, mushrooms are known to have special powers. The Egyptians believed that they grant immortality. Pharaohs believed they were the only ones worthy of this gift. The common people were not supposed to touch mushrooms, let alone eat them. In ancient Rome, mushrooms were thought to be food for the gods. Greeks used to feed mushrooms to their warriors for the strength. Also in China, Russia and Mexico, it is believed that eating mushrooms grants them superhuman power.

New research indicates that button mushrooms are equally rich in antioxidants as their more expensive cousins maitake, reishi and shiitake. The button mushroom is the foremost cultivated mushroom in the world with thousands of tons being consumed every year. It is often thought of as poor nutrition and lower medicinal value in comparison to other expensive forms. But that does not seem to be true any more. Recent research proves that these mushrooms are equally good and sometimes proven to have more antioxidants than other expensive ones. They are also as good in lowering cholesterol and preventing chronic diseases. White button mushroom is supposed to have high amounts of ergothionein with anti aging properties. It also protects against cancer, cellular destruction and other diseases.

Maitake (Grifola frondosa). This is one of the popular mushrooms from Japan. This delicious edible mushroom is known by mushroom hunters as “hen-of-the-woods”, because it grows in clusters on the ground at the base of the trees and stumps, clusters that resemble fluffed tail feathers of a nesting hen. The Japanese also call it dancing mushroom. The underside of this mushroom is white with tiny pores instead of gills. Grifola belongs to a family of mushrooms called Polypores. In general polypores are non-toxic, but only few are edible. Most are tough and woody, growing as brackets or shelves on dead or living trees. In the western part of the world, polypores mushrooms are of interest to forest pathologists because they cause heart rot in living trees and are important decomposers of dead drying trees, but in the far east they are highly esteemed as medicinal herbs.



Maitake supplements are used to cure cancer, AIDS and chronic hepatitis. It is claimed to boost immune system and also used as a remedy for chronic fatigue syndrome and environmental illnesses. Maitake is specially recommended for the stomach and intestine, as well as blood sugar levels. It has been actively investigated by Japanese scientists and doctors.

Maitake also contains grifolin, an important beta-glucan polysaccharide. Grifolin has been shown to activate macrophages, a cell considered “heavy artillery of the immune system”. D-fraction, one of the polysaccharides in maitake mushroom, also energizes the immune system. This mushroom is reported to be effective against leukemia , stomach and bone cancers. Responses were further improved when maitake D-fraction and chemotherapy were used together. Individuals receiving maitake D-fraction polysaccharide also experienced relief from the side effects of chemotherapy, such as loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea, hair loss and deficiency of white blood cells. In addition, many doctors in Japan use maitake mushroom to lower blood pressure and blood lipids. It also helps digestion by regulating the stomach and intestines, and helps eliminate food stagnation.

Shiitake (Lentinus edodes); Shiitake is a symbol of longevity in Asia, because of its health promoting properties. It has been used by the Chinese for more than 6000 years. Now this mushroom of rich smoky flavor is getting common in the United States and can be found in supermarkets across the country. This mushroom treats nutritional deficiencies, liver ailments and heart disease. It is known to have a compound called lentinan (branched beta–glucan) that has antiviral, immune stimulating, anti tumor properties and also strengthens an individual’s ability to fight other infections and diseases. Against influenza and other viruses, lentinan has been shown to be even more effective than prescription drugs. It even improves the immune status of individual infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Another compound of much interest called eritadenine has been found in shiitake mushrooms, which lowers cholesterol levels in various circumstances. The more you take it, the more your cholesterol level drops.



Another interesting compound discovered in this mushroom is L-ergothioneine. It is a powerful antioxidant. At the 2005 American Chemical Society meeting in Washington, D.C., researchers reported that mushrooms contain higher concentrations of L-ergothioneine than either of the two dietary sources previously believed to contain the most: chicken liver and wheat germ. They found that shiitake, maitake, and oysters contain the highest amounts, with up to 13 mg in a 3 oz. serving, whereas portabella and criminis have about 12 times more of this chemical than chicken liver and wheat germ.


Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum): Asians commonly use reishi mushrooms. It is highly regarded in China and has been dubbed as “the medicine of kings”. Scientific reports mention the use of this mushroom in significantly reducing altitude sickness in Tibet when people climb to the heights of 15,000 ft. Reishi increases blood oxygen consumption. 16th century Ming dynasty texts say that this marvelous medicinal mushroom “mends the heart”. Albert Leung, Ph.D. says in his Better Health with (mostly) Chinese Herbs and Foods that reishi has considerable value in preventing and treating arrythmia. It is considered a heart tonic like hawthorn and ginkgo. It improves blood flow to the heart and reduces coronary demand for oxygen and helps ease the chest pain of angina.



Reishi mushroom is particularly beneficial for asthma patients and people with other respiratory complaints. It has healing effect on the lungs and good for respiratory strength and coughing. For four millennia, the Chinese and Japanese have used reishi mushroom as a medicine for liver disorders, hypertension, and arthritis. Today’s researchers have found that reishi has anti-allergic, anti- inflammastory, antiviral, antibacterial and antioxidant properties. There is also suggestion that reishi may help in fighting cancer. In addition, a protein isolated from reishi –Ling Zhi-8 may reduce the risk of transplant rejection.

Reishi is also claimed to elevate the spirit, and also a mood-elevating substance. Traditionally, reishi is believed to help transform individuals into a more spiritual being. Just as mushrooms transform decayed material on the ground into life giving nourishment, reishi converts hostility and other negative feelings to more positive form, thereby raising the spirit and unshackling the mind. Individuals can consume reishi every day to support immune system, peace of mind and physical vigor. Reishi is available in syrups, teas, tinctures, tablets, soups and by injection.

Maitake, shiitake, reishi and button mushrooms all have overlapping properties – good nutritional value and high medicinal and curative properties. Raw mushrooms are naturally cholesterol, fat and sodium free. They contain very few calories -five medium sized button mushrooms added together only have 20 calories. I must say that it is one of the best foods to maintain your optimal health.

Most of these mushrooms are available in syrups, teas, tinctures, tablets and in capsules. Follow the instructions given on the package. I will recommend that you add them in your favorite food such as in soups, on burgers, as part of a sandwich or cook them with other vegetables. Of course many of us order pizza with mushroom and green onion toppings. Always use herbs in moderate amounts in consultation with your Physician.

My next article will be on the health benefits of another important herb – Flax Seeds. Wishing you well and have an enjoyable summer season.


Ali M. Jafri, Ph.D.