In a recent podcast I interviewed medicinal mushroom expert Jeff Chilton. One of the points we spoke about that was enlightening for me is the diversity of ways that one popular medicinal mushroom can be grown and sold, Ophiocordyceps sinensis– sometimes referred to as Caterpillar fungus.

This fungus (which isn’t quite a mushroom) is so interesting, in many ways. The way it grows in it’s natural state is a bit scary but it’s also interesting because of how many benefits Cordyceps has.

There are lots of different species of the Cordyceps fungus, but they all have something in common. They are a parasitic fungus. Each type of Cordyceps as it’s own host, and that is the body of an insect, a different insect for every cordyceps. There’s one type of Cordyceps fungus that exists in the jungles of Brazil and targets ants. It takes over the body of the ant it’s inhabiting and effectively turns it into a zombie, controlling it’s host body to get to a place that is just right for the fungus to grow. This type of Cordyceps is called Ophiocordyceps unilateralis. 

Scientists who have been studying the fungus have found that it can control the ants by growing into the spaces around the ants muscles and controlling the muscles like a puppet. It leaves the brain intact to keep the ant alive, but severs the connection between the ants brain and it’s muscles, so it’s quite possible the ant is trapped in a body that is acting against it’s will. Freaky stuff.

You probably know already that I’m a nerd in more than one form – I love digging through scientific literature and reading text books, but I also love to read fantasy fiction and play video games. One of my all time favourite video games is the Playstation game ‘The Last of Us’. This game takes the zombie apocalypse concept and puts a different spin on it to the standard virus concept – and it’s all to do with our friend the Cordyceps fungus. The premise is much like how the fungus affects ants, but with humans as the victim, and so we have a group of zombies infected with the Cordyceps fungus running around biting people. Of course this is fiction, and like all good fiction there’s a nod to reality.

the Last of Us – Clicker by thomaswievegg on DeviantArt

If you don’t like video games I have heard this is coming out as a movie soon! I for one am excited to see it.

Thankfully, the type of Cordyceps mushroom humans use as medicine is quite different – no mind control here! Also, Cordyceps can’t infect humans so if you ever encountered the ‘zombie’ form, you wouldn’t have an issue then either.

Medicinal Cordyceps

This fascinating fungus has been used in traditional Chinese medicine, however the form that is originally sourced from is incredibly rare and expensive. Wild Ophiocordyceps sinensis takes residence in the caterpillar of the ghost moth. The fungus spreads throughout the caterpillar, consuming the nutrients of it’s host, and the caterpillar then expires. It is gradually covered by dirt and over time a fungal protusion will emerge from the caterpillar, a blade-like mushroom body growing from one end. The size of the mushroom is tiny, and when harvested the caterpillar is usually taken along with it. Its common Chinese name is “Winter worm, summer grass” because of the life cycle of the pair.

Image from Wikipedia

There isn’t anyway to cultivate this particular strain of mushroom so it has to be wild harvested, but this is damaging to the environment. So, scientists have found a way of growing the mycelium of this mushroom by growing it on liquid fermentation (no caterpillars involved) but it doesn’t grow a fruiting body. The mycelium has been shown to have a similiar chemical profile to the wild Cordyceps and is used in many cordyceps supplements – this product is known as Cordyceps CS-4.

There is also a different type of Cordyceps called Cordyceps militaris, and researches have found that the chemical profile is actually quite similiar to that of the fruiting body of the Cordyceps sinensis, in fact some of its constituents are actually higher than C. sinensis, making this a great alternative.

Image from Wikimedia

Benefits of Cordyceps

A lot of the claims for Cordyceps come from the traditional use of Cordyceps sinensis. It has been used for:

• Boosting energy
• Supporting athletic performance
• A tonic for those who have been recently ill
• A tonic for the post-partum period
• A sexual tonic, boosting libido
• To boost lung health, helpful for coughs and asthma

The cultivated mycelium known as CS-4 and the similiar Cordyceps militaris have been found to have properties which support these traditional uses. They have been shown to improve physical performance and fitness in athletes, to improve energy and to support immune health.

How to Take Cordyceps

Like most medicinal mushrooms you need to take it consistently for a few weeks to observe an effect.

You can mix the powder into your food or drink (such as coffee) or take the capsules.

The dosage varies on the form that you choose, so follow the instructions on the product or take as advised by your practitioner.

Always look for quality – look for CS4 or the Cordyceps militaris fruiting body

Resources

How the Zombie Fungus takes over ants bodies to control their minds

Cordyceps Supplement Guide – Real Mushrooms

The anti-fatigue effect of Cordyceps militaris in mice

The post Fascinating Fungus – How one type of Cordyceps can turn ants into zombies, and one can improve your health appeared first on Alison Mitchell Naturopath.

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It’s getting close to exam time, and stressed out students (and teachers and parents) are making more of an appearance in my clinic this last month.

The good news is that the stress and anxiety of the looming HSC doesn’t have to take over your health. So what can be done?

Boosting your brain health

There are a few key strategies I recommend when it comes to making sure your brain is in tip top shape.

Eat well

Teenagers have a very high requirement for nutrients, and this is second only to during pregnancy and lactation. The best way for teenagers to make sure they’re getting all of these nutrients is to eat a diverse diet high in different coloured fruits and vegetables, whole grains (such as brown rice, quinoa, barley, and millet), nuts and seeds, legumes and beans, seafood, moderate amount of meats (or alternatives) and dairy (or alternatives if intolerant/allergic).

The NHANES and NHANES III (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) both concluded that:

“The highest prevalence of unsatisfactory nutritional status occurs in the adolescent age group”

They found that teens were most likely to be deficient in:

• Calcium
• Iron
• Riboflavin (vitamin B2)
• Thiamine (vitamin B1)
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Zinc

Calcium

Teen girls aren’t likely to be thinking about their risk for osteoporosis, but maybe they should be.  Peak bone density is reached for most women in their early 20s, and what they are eating in their teen years has an enormous impact on the health of their bones later in life.

While calcium is most well known for it’s role in bone and teeth health, it’s also important for muscle and nerve function, cell health and involved in blood clotting. Dairy is the most well known source of calcium, but it’s not always the most ideal source as many people experience intolerances and/or allergies to dairy. Some good sources are fish with bones (such as tinned salmon and sardines), seaweeds, broccoli, leafy greens, almonds and black strap molasses.

Calcium requirements vary based on need – and the need increases during times of growth, such as during teen growth spurts.

Before rushing off and supplementing with calcium, keep in mind that calcium works best when accompanied by it’s co-factors, in particular vitamin K2, magnesium, boron and vitamin D.

Zinc

Zinc is a really common deficiency, especially in teenagers. It’s important for hormone health, immune health, mood health, hair and skin, growth and development, and in the formation of the reproductive organs.

Deficiency of zinc often shows first in a reduced sense of taste and appetite. It’s very common for this to happen in girls. Skin problems, frequent infections, poor wound healing and mood imbalances are some other common deficiency signs in teens. Fussy eaters are often low in zinc, as deficiency alters taste and appetite.

The best sources of zinc are meat, liver, eggs and seafood (especially oysters), but it’s also found in nuts, legumes, mushrooms, green beans and pumpkin and sunflower seeds.

Iron

Iron is another common deficiency. It’s a mineral that exists mostly within our red blood cells, helping to carry oxygen molecules around the body. When you’re low in iron it can cause feelings of fatigue and difficulty thinking clearly. Iron deficiency can affect thyroid function, and it can also cause the immune system to weaken.

A common sign of iron deficiency is pale nail beds, pale lower eyelids and brittle hair. In severe iron deficiency cases the nails take on a spooned shape.

Iron is found in meat, organ meat and seafood, as well as in nuts, legumes, some fruit and dried fruit and some vegies including beetroot and spinach.

Calorie and nutrient requirements

• The best way to keep the hunger at a reasonable level and reduce the urge to splurge on junk food is to eat regularly, and to keep a varied, low GI diet.
• Ensure there’s plenty of good fats such as coconut oil, butter, nuts and seeds, olive oil and avocado. Nut butter and almond butter are a great snack idea and really help to satisfy hunger.
• Beans, legumes and brown rice are a cheap way to add in some extra fibre, complex carbs and calories. Have a side of these with your main meals, and make dips with beans for some extra sustenance throughout the day. To reduce the gas you can experience with them, use dried beans, soak them overnight then cook on the stove for a few hours, rather than buying the tinned. You can keep them in the fridge for about a week.
• Aim for 2 to 3 pieces of fruit a day, and at least 5 serves of vegetables a day. Starchy veg like sweet potato, potatoes and pumpkin are a great source of calories and have plenty of fibre.
• If you choose, you can use Meat, chicken and fish for additional protein.
• Whether you choose to include grains and dairy in the diet depends on the individual, but if there’s no intolerance than yoghurt and cheese are a good addition, and melted cheese can help make a lot of veg more palatable for fussy teens.

Snack ideas:

• Apple slices with nut butter
• Vegie sticks with dip
• Popcorn
• Full-fat yoghurt (avoid brands with added sugar and thickeners)
• Fruit
• Baked corn chips with bean dip
• Hard boiled egg and a piece of fruit
• Trail mix
• Muesli bar
• Protein/bliss balls
• Roasted chickpeas with seasoning
• Edamame beans

Get a good night sleep

Most teens get 7.5 hrs a night, but they actually need about 9 hours. This lack of sleep builds up what is known as sleep debt making them feel pretty lousy in the mornings.

For most teens, sleep is a low priority. They stay up late, often because they’re busy doing things, but it can also be because they have trouble falling asleep.

Normally our bodies work to a biological clock and this helps us to feel tired when it’s time to go to bed and then wakes us up at a regular time, but this clock isn’t working properly in teenagers.

There’s been several studies which have found that teens who get better sleep often perform better in academic and skill tests. Getting a good night sleep can give you a bigger advantage than anything else you can do. One study showed that when teens got a better night sleep, they improved their test scores by roughly 40% compared to when they slept poorly. That’s a pretty huge amount and goes to show the value of good sleep.

Keeping stress under control

It seems that now more than ever teenagers are susceptible to experiencing stress, and this can result in feelings of anxiety, anger, depression as well as sleep disturbances, hormone imbalances and immune problems.

Helpful methods of managing stress don’t vary too greatly to those for adults, but the key point is that teenagers need to be taught how to deal with stress. If at all possible, start the lessons of mindfulness and stress management early (from primary school). Teens who don’t know how to cope with their stress are more likely to release the stress in the form of anger, behavioural issues or substance abuse, and often are unaware that these actions are a result of the stress they are feeling, and are often unaware of the impact stress is having on their mental and physical health.

• Take up an enjoyable hobby – this can be anything from art, music, reading or going to the movies.
• Get physical – sport, particularly that with a social element to it can be a great way to burn off stress.
• Talk it out – a trusted teacher, a family member, a friend, a counsellor. Anyone who will make them feel listened to, and allow them to express how they are feeling. Many teenagers report feeling unheard
• Mindfulness, meditation, relaxation – there are several smartphone apps that could be helpful, one of my favourites is Headspace
• Journalling – getting the thoughts out of your head and onto paper is a great way to reduce stress
• Herbal and nutritional medicine – If the above stress management techniques aren’t helping it may suggest that stress has been going on for too long, depleting vitamins and minerals that are essential for stress management. The worse the deficiency the more stress has an impact – a catch 22 situation. If this is the case, see a practitioner who can help to break the cycle with the correct supplements.

Herbal medicine

My favourite herb to help boost brain function, in particular in preparation for exam time is Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri). Also known as Brahmi, this herb has been used traditionally in Ayurvedic medicine as a ‘nerve’, and taken up more readily by western herbalists in the last decade or so to help with memory, mood and brain health.

The Ayurvedic common name ‘Brahmi’ derives from the Sanskrit ‘Brahman’, which denotes the (divine) intelligence behind creation and, from that, is associated with all aspects of general intelligence, such as cognition, reasoning and memory.

Bacopa has been studied in both adults and children and found that it helps to boost cognitive function, at best when taken consistently for 3-4 months. There were no major side effects reported. These studies were performed using a specific extract of Bacopa known as BacoMind^®.

Another extract of Bacopa, KeenMind (CDRI 08) has also been found in several studies to promote memory and concentration, as well as reducing the anxiety felt when under pressure when needing to multitask.

It is thought that some of the other mechanisms of Bacopa aid in it’s affect on cognitive function. Bacopa has been shown to reduce anxiety, reduce oxidation, reduce digestive spasm and promote healing of gastric mucosa, support thyroid function, and possibly aid in the treatment of epilepsy

While Bacopa is usually the staple for my exam readying, brain boosting herbal protocol I will often include other herbs which may be indicated, however this is usually based on the individual.

A student who experiences a lot of anxiety with digestive issues at the same time may be given some herbs with dual action for the nervous system and the stomach such as Lemon Balm, Manuka or Chamomile. A student who feels overwhelmed by stress and tired as a result may be given some adaptogens (herbs that enhance the bodies stress ability to deal with stress) such as Withania, Rhodiola or Siberian ginseng. Students whose sleep suffers may be given some herbs that help them deal with stress during the day, but a separate sleep formula for the evening. Sometimes there’s a combination of situations, and that’s where herbal medicine is so wonderful, as it can be individualised for each scenario.

If you are interested in seeking support for yourself, or perhaps you’d like an appointment for your son or daughter then please do not hesitate to contact me to organise an appointment. If you’re unable to make it into the clinic, skype consults are now available. Use the form on the contact page, or call the clinic directly on 02 45776215 to make a booking.

Works cited.

Annette Morgan and John Stevens. Does Bacopa monnieri Improve Memory Performance in Older Persons? Results of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Trial The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. July 2010, 16(7): 753-759. doi:10.1089/acm.2009.0342.

P.D. Usha, P. Wasim , J.A. Joshua , P. Geetharani , B. Murali , A.S. Mayachari , K. Venkateshwarlu , V.S. Saxena , M. Deepak and A. Amit , 2008. BacoMind^®: A Cognitive Enhancer in Children Requiring Individual Education Programme. Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 3: 302-310.

Gohil KJ, Patel JA. A review on Bacopa monniera: Current research and future prospects. Int J Green Pharm 2010;4:1-9

Dave UP, et al. An open-label study to elucidate the effects of standardized Bacopa monnieri extract in the management of symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children. Advances in mind-body medicine. Spring 2014; 28(2): 10-5.

Benson S, et al. An acute, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study of 320 mg and 640 mg doses of Bacopa monnieri (CDRI 08) on multitasking stress reactivity and mood. Phytotherapy research: PTR. April 2014; 28(4):551-9.

Stough C et al. The chronic effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy human subjects. Psychopharmacology. Aug 2001;156 (4): 481-484.

Downey LA et al. An acute, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of 320 mg and 640 mg doses of a special extract of Bacopa monnieri (CDRI 08™) on sustained cognitive performance. Phytotherapy research: PTR. Sep 2013;27(9):1407-13.

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Devil’s Claw: Harpagophytum procumbens

Also known as Wood Spider, Hook Plant or Grapple Plant, this gnarly looking herb from South America is used to reduce inflammation in osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic back pain, tendonitis and has been used traditionally in the topical treatment of ulcers, boils and other skin lesions. Traditional South Africans also used it for pain relief during and after childbirth, and some sources report it to have an oxytocic effect.

We have come to understand that when used internally it can help reduce inflammation via the inhibition of inflammatory chemical NF-ĸB and TNF-α, and of the COX-2 pathways.

It also contains iridoid glycosides, primarily harpagoside, which are responsible for it’s bitter flavour and action on the digestive system.

Works cited

Please note: This post does not serve as a prescription, rather as information to increase awareness of herbal medicine and empower you as an individual. Always consult with your health practitioner before making decisions about taking remedies.

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Withania: Withania somnifera

One of my most beloved herbs, this herb has long been utilised in Ayurvedic medicine for it’s calming, restorative properties. It is also known as Ashwaganda, Winter Cherry and Queen of Ayurveda. Interestingly, its species name somnifera means ‘sleep inducing’ in Latin.
In herbal medicine the root is used, but there are benefits in all of the plants parts – the leaves act as an insect repellent, the fruit can be used as a soap and the young shoots and seeds are used in food and as a thickener in the making of vegan cheese.

Withania is often prescribed for those who are tired, stressed and need regenerating. It has a blood building action, making it a fantastic herb to support anaemia, and it also helps to regulate inflammation and balance hormones. It’s also commonly prescribed for male fertility, improving sperm count and motility.

Unlike the others herbs in its class of adaptogens which are stimulating, Withania is calming.

There is some research showing Withania to have a positive effect on the immune system, as well as supportive in reducing tumour cell proliferation.

We have learnt that the main constituents of Withania are withanolide D and withaferin-A.

Please note: This post does not serve as a prescription, rather as information to increase awareness of herbal medicine and empower you as an individual. Always consult with your health practitioner before making decisions about taking remedies.

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Mistletoe (Viscum album)

Mistletoe is synonymous with Christmas, often seen hanging from ceilings, encouraging those who stand beneath it to kiss. To whom we owe this kissing tradition is not known, but the hanging of Mistletoe dates back to the rituals performed by the early Celtic tribes and druids, when it was used in ceremonies as a ‘cure-all’ and fertility enhancer, and later hung from ceilings to ward off evil spirits.

European mistletoe (leaves) is the variety commonly used by herbalists here in Australia, and it is often prescribed for its action on the cardiovascular and circulatory system. It helps to lower blood pressure and heart rate. It also has a stimulating effect on the digestive system and calms the nerves.

Traditionally, large doses of the fresh plant was used to promote labour as it stimulates the uterus to contract, however this is a rare practice in modern times.

In Europe Mistletoe is sometimes used in the support of cancer treatment. This gained notoriety in 1916 when Rudolf Steiner first advocated the use of fermented mistletoe extract injections to minimise the effect of chemotherapy and enhance the immune system, however this is practice rarely used outside of Germany.

The main active ingredients on Mistletoe are lectins and viscotoxins (polypeptides) however the concentration of these ingredients varies depending on where and when the Mistletoe is harvested.

Works Cited

Please note: This post does not serve as a prescription, rather as information to increase awareness of herbal medicine and empower you as an individual. Always consult with your health practitioner before making decisions about taking remedies.

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