Allergies and Sensitivities: Can Medicinal Mushrooms Offer Relief?

Allergies and sensitivities affect more than 100 million people in the United States. This impacts quality of life and often presents challenges in diagnosis and management. Allergies, characterized by immune system overreactions to specific environmental triggers, can manifest as a range of symptoms from mild discomfort to severe reactions. 

Conversely, sensitivities involve delayed immune responses to food triggers, often resulting in broad and delayed symptoms, making identification challenging. Addressing these immune system responses is crucial for effective management and relief. 

Medicinal mushrooms may offer a natural way to support the management of symptoms associated with allergies and sensitivities, providing potential immune modulation and anti-inflammatory effects. Historically valued in traditional practices, medicinal mushrooms such as Reishi, Cordyceps, and Shiitake have gained attention for their diverse health benefits, including immune support, cognitive enhancement, and stress modulation. 

Integrating medicinal mushrooms into dietary supplements, teas, or food sources may offer complementary support for individuals seeking to manage allergic and hypersensitivity responses. By combining conventional and integrative approaches, individuals can explore the potential benefits of medicinal mushrooms while optimizing their overall health and well-being.

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Understanding Allergies and Sensitivities 

An allergy and a sensitivity reaction are immune system responses to environmental triggers. Responses vary based on how the immune system is triggered. An allergy, known as a Type 1 hypersensitivity reaction, starts with the immune system mistakenly identifying substances such as pollen, peanuts, and shellfish as an “invader.” This signals the immune system to respond and create IgE immunoglobulins. The next time that individual comes into contact with the same substance a heightened immune response occurs, causing the release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators. This results in outward responses such as skin reactions, coughing, itchy eyes, or, in worse-case scenarios, anaphylaxis. 

A sensitivity pertains to a delayed reaction to food triggers. This immune response creates a different type of antibody called IgG or Immunoglobulin G. Unlike an IgE reaction, the symptoms of sensitivity reaction are more broad and delayed, which often makes it difficult to determine the culprit food. Understanding which type of immune response occurs when some display negative signs and symptoms is vital to investigation and management. 

Overview of Medicinal Mushrooms

Medicinal mushrooms are a group of fungi that have various health and wellness benefits. They may help support the immune system, manage fatigue, and provide vitamins and minerals. As a functional food and supplement, medicinal mushrooms can provide the body with antioxidants, support inflammation management, and are a great source of polysaccharides. 

In modern-day holistic healthcare, there are three commonly used medicinal mushrooms: Reishi, Cordyceps, and Shiitake. In addition to the benefits mentioned above, these mushrooms may help with cognitive function and modulate stress through their adaptogenic properties. 

Each mushroom has unique benefits and can be used independently or in combination for a synergistic effect. 

• Reishi, also known as Ganoderma lucidum, is often considered when seeking restorative sleep during times of heightened stress. Specifically, G. lucidum is used in cases of insomnia, significantly if a mental health condition is associated. 
• Cordyceps is sometimes chosen when stress is associated with feelings of low mood. 
• Shiitake, on the other hand, can be a great tool in supporting cardiovascular health, providing nutrients like vitamin D that aid in bone health and can support oral health. 

The potential benefits of medicinal mushrooms make these natural resources an option for complementary wellness practices. 

Medicinal Mushrooms and Immune Modulation

Medicinal mushrooms may exert immunomodulatory effects that help regulate immune system responses.

Reishi Mushrooms and the Immune System

• Ganoderma (Reishi) is high in terpenoids, a carbon compound that may support the expression of genes that code for immune-responsive proteins. 
• Mushrooms are also inherently high in protein, which supports innate immunity, a response that happens during a hypersensitivity allergy immune response. 
• Reishi has the potential to support the management of allergies because it may stimulate a Th1 response, which can enhance immune function and balance the Th2 response that is actively going on in cases of allergies.

Cordyceps and the Immune System

• Cordyceps extract has been shown in research to stimulate immune cells such as interleukins, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), and responses that lead to phagocytosis (a process of ingesting and removing substances). 
• This mushroom contains polysaccharides, which are considered immunoprotective and provide promising results as an antitumor property. 
• While cordyceps have shown promising results in animal studies and allergy-induced asthma, there is a need for further investigation into the potential of this to support airway health in allergic rhinitis.

Shiitake Mushrooms and the Immune System

• Shiitake mushrooms can also support the body in response to allergens through the constituent Beta-glucans, which may increase the number of circulating B-cells. 
• Our B-cells produce IgE, an immunoglobulin that triggers the release of mast cells to combat the allergens while protecting the creation of IgG (memory for any future exposures). 
• One study with Shiitake mushrooms included 52 healthy adults aged 21 to 41 who were given dry shiitake mushrooms to consume for four weeks. Blood testing revealed that 4 ounces of Shiitake mushrooms daily improved gamma delta T-cells and reduced inflammatory markers.

How to Incorporate Medicinal Mushrooms into Your Routine

1. Adding Medicinal Mushrooms to Your Diet

Incorporating these mushrooms as a functional food in your diet as a whole mushroom or as a powdered extract are two simple ways to make it a part of your nutrition. 

Shiitake mushrooms can easily be added to soups and salads, sauteed with a steak, or added to homemade pasta dishes. 

Many sauces, dressings, baked goods, or smoothies can easily get a nutrition boost by adding powdered extracts of mushrooms. 

There are even options to substitute or supplement your coffee with mushroom coffee alternatives! 

2. Taking Medicinal Mushrooms as a Supplement

Supplemental medicinal mushrooms should be added to your regimen as a capsule or extract under the guidance of a plant medicine-trained practitioner. Dosage varies depending on the mushroom and the intended use. 

One study showed that Cordyceps can enhance immune responses at a dose of 1.5g per day, while Reishi can benefit a variety of aspects of health at a capsule dose of 500mg to 1000mg up to three times daily. 

In a study previously noted, Shiitake mushrooms at 5 to 10mg per day benefit immune function. 

It’s important to remember that quality should always be at the forefront when considering any new herbal or plant-based supplement. This is one of the many reasons why working with a practitioner can provide you with quality control measures in supplement options. 

Safety and Side Effects of Medicinal Mushrooms 

Medicinal mushrooms are generally considered safe, but there are a few possible side effects, interactions, and contraindications to be aware of. 

Reishi Side Effects

• Reishi can decrease blood sugar and blood pressure and should be supervised by those on antidiabetic or blood pressure-lowering medication. 
• It can also thin the blood, making it a plant medicine to avoid after surgeries or in those on anticoagulant medications.

Cordyceps Side Effects

• One potential interaction when it comes to Cordyceps is that they can be immune stimulants and potentially need to be avoided in those on immunosuppressant drugs. 
• Some people have reported gastrointestinal issues after eating cordyceps, such as diarrhea, dry mouth, and nausea.

Shiitake Side Effects

• A known allergic reaction is to Shiitake, called Shiitake Dermatitis, a skin reaction resembling a “whiplash” appearance. This is caused by the Polysaccharide lentinan, which is present in raw Shiitake. 
• One way to avoid this is to consume a cooked version of this mushroom because this component is broken down when cooked. 

When considering medicinal mushrooms, it is important to consult with your healthcare provider as there are some interactions with drugs or conditions. It’s also important to seek a provider that understands when it is appropriate to utilize medicinal mushrooms.

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Key Takeaways 

• A complementary approach to managing allergies and sensitivities could include medicinal mushrooms. 
• Seeking holistic professional guidance when navigating your allergies and hypersensitivity response can provide you with additional resources in relief and root-cause management options. 
• Medicinal mushrooms such as Shiitake, Reishi, and Cordyceps, whether as functional food or in supplement form, can provide immune support and symptom management while supporting other organ systems and stressors in life. 
• It’s important to consult with conventional medicine providers and integrative medicine modalities for the best possible outcomes.