Cultivation of the medicinal mushroom Agaricus blazei began in Japan in 1993, even though the strains used were collected from fields northwest of Sao Paolo, Brazil.
As with most medicinal mushrooms, the primary focus of research on Agaricus extract has been on its anti-tumoral properties. Results are promising, particularly in regard to uterocervical cancers. [25]
According to one Japanese research paper, Agaricus blazei has more beta glucans than any other medicinal fungus. Research on beta glucans as isolated compounds is not included in this article but would be worthwhile investigating. [25]
While Agaricus extract appears to have little to no effect on cancer cell cultures grown in labs (in vitro), the tests conducted on live patients (in vivo) have been all the more promising. The conclusion from this would be that it works by stimulating the natural cancer-fighting mechanisms of the human immune system. [135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140]
A Japanese study from 2002 reported that Agaricus extract appeared to stimulate macrophages (white blood cells) to perform a two-phased assault on cancer cells. The first phase began eight hours after the intake of Agaricus extract, when the patient's macrophages began excreting a cancer killing agent known as "alpha tumor necrosis factor." The second phase started another four hours later, when the same macrophages began excreting a different agent designed to finish off the cancer cells weakened by the first assault. [141]
An additional cancer protective property of Agaricus extract is that it helps inhibit the production of aromatase, a human enzyme associated with breast cancer development. [142]
Both water and alcohol extracts of Agaricus blazei contain potentially important therapeutic compounds. [143] The mycelium ("roots") in particular appear to contain high concentrations. [25]
The immune enhancing properties of Agaricus extract may also make it useful against other diseases. E.g. a study on Agaricus blazei against salmonella reported positive results. [144]
Before ending this article, some words of caution: A test conducted in 2003 showed that Agaricus blazei from China had much higher concentrations of cadmium (a heavy metal) than U.S. cultivated Agaricus. [145]
The second caution is that, even though Agaricus blazei shows great cancer-fighting potential, it also contains carcinogenic compounds known as agaritines. (The agaritine compounds are also found in portobellos, crimini and button mushrooms.)
A paper by Stijve et al. published in 2003 reported that Paul Stamets' Agaricus blazei extract, produced in Washington state, contained drastically less of the carcinogenic agaritines compared with samples from China or California by a factor of 8000% and 2000% respectively. [145]
"Years ago, Paul Stamets ... developed methods that precluded agaritines, and Stijve et al. (2003) published a comparison of commercial products from the US, China, and Japan. All but [Paul Stamets] products contained significant amounts of agaritine." [145]
A few additional areas of promising research on Agaricus extract are listed by Paul Stamets in his book Mycelium Running: Colorectal cancer; sarcoma; viruses; blood sugar; cholesterol. [134]
Note: The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Never use any herb (or mushroom) except as advised by a licensed medical practitioner. - 27772
As with most medicinal mushrooms, the primary focus of research on Agaricus extract has been on its anti-tumoral properties. Results are promising, particularly in regard to uterocervical cancers. [25]
According to one Japanese research paper, Agaricus blazei has more beta glucans than any other medicinal fungus. Research on beta glucans as isolated compounds is not included in this article but would be worthwhile investigating. [25]
While Agaricus extract appears to have little to no effect on cancer cell cultures grown in labs (in vitro), the tests conducted on live patients (in vivo) have been all the more promising. The conclusion from this would be that it works by stimulating the natural cancer-fighting mechanisms of the human immune system. [135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140]
A Japanese study from 2002 reported that Agaricus extract appeared to stimulate macrophages (white blood cells) to perform a two-phased assault on cancer cells. The first phase began eight hours after the intake of Agaricus extract, when the patient's macrophages began excreting a cancer killing agent known as "alpha tumor necrosis factor." The second phase started another four hours later, when the same macrophages began excreting a different agent designed to finish off the cancer cells weakened by the first assault. [141]
An additional cancer protective property of Agaricus extract is that it helps inhibit the production of aromatase, a human enzyme associated with breast cancer development. [142]
Both water and alcohol extracts of Agaricus blazei contain potentially important therapeutic compounds. [143] The mycelium ("roots") in particular appear to contain high concentrations. [25]
The immune enhancing properties of Agaricus extract may also make it useful against other diseases. E.g. a study on Agaricus blazei against salmonella reported positive results. [144]
Before ending this article, some words of caution: A test conducted in 2003 showed that Agaricus blazei from China had much higher concentrations of cadmium (a heavy metal) than U.S. cultivated Agaricus. [145]
The second caution is that, even though Agaricus blazei shows great cancer-fighting potential, it also contains carcinogenic compounds known as agaritines. (The agaritine compounds are also found in portobellos, crimini and button mushrooms.)
A paper by Stijve et al. published in 2003 reported that Paul Stamets' Agaricus blazei extract, produced in Washington state, contained drastically less of the carcinogenic agaritines compared with samples from China or California by a factor of 8000% and 2000% respectively. [145]
"Years ago, Paul Stamets ... developed methods that precluded agaritines, and Stijve et al. (2003) published a comparison of commercial products from the US, China, and Japan. All but [Paul Stamets] products contained significant amounts of agaritine." [145]
A few additional areas of promising research on Agaricus extract are listed by Paul Stamets in his book Mycelium Running: Colorectal cancer; sarcoma; viruses; blood sugar; cholesterol. [134]
Note: The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Never use any herb (or mushroom) except as advised by a licensed medical practitioner. - 27772
About the Author:
Dr. Rafael has worked with natural health since finishing Chiropractic College in the mid-90's. He now focuses on medicinal fungi, including Extract of Agaricus, in cooperation with Cordyceps Reishi Extracts, LLC. For the scientific references to this article, go to the Extract of Agaricus blazei page. Click on a reference number to find the reference.
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