Reishi Mushroom, kisshotake or the lucky fungus

I have known about the effects of mushrooms and their importance to our health for quite some time. But what exactly do they look like and just how important are they. I mean, what exactly are they going to do for me (and you) and just how much do I need.

Over the next few days I will give you vital information on four different types of mushrooms. I will show you what they look like and ideas on how much you should take. You can give me feedback on weather you take them or think maybe you should.

The Reishi Mushroom also known as kisshotake or the "lucky fungus has been hailed in ancient Eastern medicine as the "mushroom of immortality" and the "medicine of kings".

Rebecca Wood in her book "New Whole Foods Encyclopedia." She explains reishi's has a wide range of uses: "An immunostimulant, it is helpful for people with AIDS, leaky-gut syndrome, Epstein-Barr, chronic bronchitis and other infectious diseases. It can be used as an aid to sleep, as a diuretic, as a laxative and to lower cholesterol."


Reishi has been rated the top medicinal herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for over 2000 years and Reishi's effects on treating and preventing cancer have been so dramatic that the Japanese government officially recognizes it as a cancer treatment.

Besides treating cancer you might reap the rewards by fighting other diseases like; Heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. It can even help if you suffer from allergies.

Reishi has six (6)different types, all classified by color. Herbalists generally call red reishi the most potent and the medicinal variety. This is the most commonly used form of reishi in North America, Japan, China, Taiwan and Korea.

Now, with Reishi being 90% indigestible fiber and having a bitter taste it is not one that you might just want to add to your food. I suggest checking out you local heath food store for a high quality capsule, tablet or extract.

How much should you take?

In the "Vitamin Bible for the Twenty-first Century," vitamin expert Earl Mindell advises an average dose of 100 milligrams of reishi extract daily to boost your immune system, reduce inflammation and ease joint pain. On the other hand, Dr. Linda B. White recommends up to three 1,000-milligram tablets up to three times per day in her book "The Herbal Drugstore."
Because of this wide range of dosage suggestions and additional risks it might pose for pregnant or lactating women (even though reishi has no known toxicity) you should check with a physician, preferably a naturopath, before adding reishi to your regimen. Similarly, you should be aware that reishi does have some side effects, including abdominal upset, dizziness, nose bleeds and dry mouth and throat, according to "Natural Pharmacy" author Schuyler W. Lininger. In other words, it's up to you and your naturopath to decide which dose of reishi is right for you.

Additional information can be found at:
Natural News
Medical News Today
Antimicrobial Study

AC Free For Arizona Couple

I had heard about the story a few weeks back while listening to the radio. Then when I saw the Arizona Republic last Sunday (Aug. 9th 2009) and I got to put a face with the story.

I must say at first I really thought they were nuts. I mean I live in the Valley of the Sun, so we are like neighbors. I know how the desert sun can turn you into a sweat ball and then dry you up like a raisin. So yes, I thought they were crazy and had more than a screw loose.

But, wait a minute. I grew up in Arizona and I was raised by my Grandparents. What they call, "Old School". We had no Air Conditioning, we used a Swamp Cooler and Fans. We opened our windows and spent more time outdoors. We ate cooler foods like cold fried chicken, potato salad and watermelon. We took cooler showers, and I say cooler because there is no cold water in Arizona. Adults sat outside in the shade and the kids played in the yard. We drank plenty of ice cold water and lemonade and no body melted.

My life is a little different now and my Multiple Sclerosis might run a muck if I even dared go with out AC (I have to keep cool or I can't walk), but I do give Chris & Dani a lot of credit. They have opened my eyes and reminded me of the many things we CAN go without.

My contribution to the AC/Electric demand for the year was a new energy efficient AC unit, the old one was a classic (197? I think) and I increased the temperature by two degrees.
EACH DEGREE RAISED = + - 3% SAVINGS

Check out Chris's Blog
and let me know; Could, Would or Do YOU go without Air Conditioning?

Your Liver. The TOXIC Effects May Be Killing YOU!!

You may think this is a bold statement.

In fact you may never think of your liver at all. I mean you think about your brain because you are worried about your memory. You think about your heart because you can feel it beating and your lungs because you need them to breath. But what about your Liver.

Where is your Liver, what does it do, how does it work, and can we live with out it? These are all questions I want you to think about. Keep reading and you may be surprised. You may even want to make some changes, remember every little bit helps.

Your Liver is a 4 pound organ located on the right side of your abdomen, just beneath your rib cage.

The Liver performs more than 500 functions and chemical reactions every single day, 24 hours a day, every day that you are alive.

These include:

*Production of approximately 1 quart of Bile a day. Bile is a greenish/yellow fluid. It is made in your liver, stored in your Gallbladder and works like your favorite dish washing detergent, breaking down grease or fats.

*Produces more than 13,000 vitally important hormones and chemicals which include cholesterol (remember you body actually needs cholesteral), estrogen and testosterone.

*Is a giant warehouse for essential vitamins and minerals like A, D, K, and B12.

*Filter toxins, chemicals and harmful substances our of nearly 100 gallons of blood a day. (Sorry about the fish, but I think you get the picture)

*Regulates blood sugar levels

*Removes internal and external toxins from your blood. If your liver stopped working, you would be dead in a matter of hours.


So what are some of the every day burdens that affect you liver?

*Prescription and Over the counter drugs.
"Liver damage is the most frequent safety-related cause for pulling drugs from the market"

"acetaminophen remains the leading cause of liver failure in the U.S., sending 56,000 people to the emergency room annually, according to the FDA."

*Alcohol use.

* Household Chemicals/Toxins. This list is enormous and includes everything that is eaten, inhaled or absorbed by the body. Remember the skin is the largest organ and what is put on it has to be detoxed out of it.
See: Household Toxin List for more ideas.

*Pesticides

*Environmental Pollutants like; Smog, Automobile exhaust, cigarette smoke, etc.

*Water in the form of drinking, bathing, swimming, etc. Problems to the liver here come from chlorination, fluoride, and heavy metals. All which have to be neutralized by the liver.

*Chemical Food Additives.

*High Protein Intake.

So as we can see, just about everything that goes on in our lives affects our liver.

Next we need to know what kinds of problems we could experience if our liver is really over taxed. We will list a few and then see what we can do to counter act the problem.

Health Problems:
High Blood Pressure
Decreased Immune System
Inflammatory Conditions (like Muscle Aches & Joint Pain)
Unstable Blood Sugar levels
Hot Flashes, heavy sweating & Body odor
Headaches
Skin Problems (rashes, acne, itchy patches, etc)
Chronic fatigue
Depression
Kidney Stones
Mood Swings or Mental Changes
(and on, and on, and on...)

By now your probably thinking; Yes, I know where my Liver is and I know it's over worked. I know there are things I could do, but is it really worth it.

My answer to that is easy. Find someone on dialysis. Ask them if they enjoy spending 3 days a week at the dialysis center. Ask them if they enjoy being sick, tired, poked and prodded with numerous hospital stays. Ask them if they enjoy missing out on family functions and vacations d/t having to be tied to a machine every couple days. Ask them if they could go back, would they change 1, 2 or 3 little things to prevent this. I put money on their answer being, YES.

Help You Liver:

1) Decrease or stop taking; Over The Counter (OTC), Prescription or Illegal Drugs.

2) Decrease or stop Alcohol consumption

3) Change your Diet;
Eat less Meat, Saturated Fats and Processed Foods .
Eat more Fruits, Vegetables and Whole Grains.
Switch some or all of you food products to Organic, All Natural, Range Fed, locally grown, etc.

4)Drink plenty of pure filtered Water (this helps flush out what the liver is removing)

5) Change or Reduce Household Cleaning and Personal Products.
This could be as simple as switching from Windex to Vinegar & Water for cleaning or your shampoo & conditioner to an All Natural & Organic product.

6) Change outdoor Pesticides to all natural or learn how to make your own.

7) Find an All Natural Liver Cleanse with ingredients such as;
Milk Thistle
Artichoke Leaf
Burdock Root
Tumeric Root
Dandelion Root
Olive Leaf
Reishi extract

Just remember, everything you put in, on or around your body must be counteracted by your liver.

Little steps and little changes make a difference. Your Liver will Thank You.