There are other places on the earth besides just rainforests and far-flung, uninhabited areas where you can find medicinal plants beneficial for health. For example, some mushrooms can be grown in your own "backyard" or popped as pills that can cripple viruses like herpes, according to research.
In the wild, mushrooms survive by consuming forest soil and thriving on dead wood and other organic substances. Their everyday ability to remove bacteria and diseases is essential to their survival.
This is excellent news for those eating mushrooms, as fungi have been shown to strengthen our immune systems and contain chemicals and complex components that fight off bacteria, eliminate viruses, and provide many other benefits. They accomplish this via beta-glycosides and beta-D-glucans.
Let’s explore the top mushrooms for herpes and these mushrooms herpes benefits!
Understanding Herpes
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection causes the condition known as herpes. Along with other symptoms, it can result in blisters or sores in or around the genitalia or mouth.
HSV comes in two forms:
Oral herpes, which typically affects the mouth and surrounding skin but can also affect the vaginal area, is brought on by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).
Genital herpes is frequently spread sexually and is caused by the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2).
Herpes has no known treatment. However, it is treatable and can decrease the risk of recurrent outbreaks and partner transmission.
Herpes zoster, also called shingles, results in a painful skin rash. Although it can happen anywhere on the body, the right or left side of the torso usually manifests as a band of blisters.
The varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox, is the virus that causes shingles. If you've had chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in your nervous system's proximity to your spinal cord and brain. However, the virus may resurface years later, resulting in shingles.
Although not life-threatening, shingles can be excruciatingly uncomfortable. Infections can be shortened by early treatment and vaccinations, which lowers the risk and lowers the likelihood of complications.
So, what are the best mushroom for herpes? Onto that next!
Medicinal Mushrooms For Herpes: How Do They Work?
The cell walls of mushrooms and mycelium both contain beta-D-glucans. In addition, the following antiviral responses have been demonstrated to be activated once these beta-D-glucans have entered the body:
1) Neutrophil: Making up between 40% and 70% of white blood cells in humans, neutrophils are essential members of the first line of defense against viruses and other infections.
2) Natural Killer Cells (NK Cells): NK cells can respond quickly to tumor growth and cells infected with viruses. They are exceptional in that they may attack and kill cells even when antibodies are absent, allowing quicker response time.
3) Macrophages: This type of white blood cell uses a process known as phagocytosis to break down cellular waste, microbes, foreign objects, and many other things. They essentially monitor the area looking for everything that shouldn't be there.
Best Mushrooms For Herpes
Four mushrooms stand out for their effective antiviral properties again herpes. Below are the powerful superfood fungi
Reishi
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) was tested against four pathogenic viruses as part of a study(1) to establish its antiviral capabilities. These were:
- Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV)
- Influenza A Virus (Flu A)
- Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1)
- Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2)
These antiviral qualities prevent HSV and VSV cytopathic effects and HSV-2 plaque development. Furthermore, it demonstrated potent antiviral activity against the VSV New Jersey strain. These findings suggest that these fungi may be utilized to develop antiviral medicines.
Cytopathic effects halt the structural changes that the virus causes in infected cells, and preventing plaque development essentially halts the virus's ability to kill cells. In addition, the most well-known medicinal mushroom in Asia, ganoderic acid T-Q and TR, were found to be two potential broad-spectrum inhibitors against influenza NAs, notably H5N1 and H1N1 NAs, in another research(2).
According to this study, specific components of the Reishi mushroom help suppress the H5N1 and H1N1 Neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors. Antiviral medications frequently contain NAs to stop the spread of viruses. According to the study's findings, these factors may have beneficial implications for the design and development of NA inhibitors.
Chaga
Chaga mushrooms may benefit your health as they contain phenols like betulin, betulinic acid, and antioxidants. Making Chaga tea is the most popular way to ingest these mushrooms. Some people are curious as to whether Chaga mushrooms can treat herpes. Chaga mushrooms contain chemicals that, while not a herpes cure, may aid with symptoms.
According to lab and animal data, Chaga mushrooms may have an anti-herpes role.
Chaga mushroom extract inhibited the entry of herpes simplex into cells in a cell culture(3) experiment by interfering with viral glycopeptides and blocking the fusing of cell membranes. In a different study(4), mice with herpes simplex infection were given aqueous extracts of Chaga mushrooms, and the mice survived better.
Turkey Tail
Herpes, shingles, and other bacterial and viral illnesses can be treated internally using Turkey tail, especially when paired with Reishi mushroom. Additionally, it aids in treating cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV). Use tinctures with double extractions that solely employ the mushroom's fruiting body for the most potent results.
Cordyceps
This unusual-looking mushroom, which has anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and antiprotozoal qualities, is beneficial for various viral disorders, including herpes and shingles. Additionally, it strengthens the immune system and decreases the adverse effects of stress. It is a tremendous internal treatment for boosting the immune system and preventing outbreaks.
Incorporating Mushrooms For Herpes Into Diet
You can incorporate medicinal mushrooms into your diet in several ways. First, these mushrooms are frequently available in fresh or dried form, which you may use to cook with them in soups, stir-fries, or even as a meat alternative.
But supplements, such as powders and capsules, are a safe and practical approach to acquiring the health advantages of medicinal mushrooms.
Mushroom powder
The entire fruiting body of the mushroom and its mycelium is harvested, dehydrated, and then ground into a fine powder to produce a mushroom powder. Using mushroom powder is a fantastic technique to access the nutritional advantages of mushrooms easily. The powder has a mild, earthy flavor that you can hardly taste once combined with other ingredients. Blending into smoothies, coffee, gourmet foods, or anything in the kitchen is simple.
Mushroom capsules
Mushroom capsules are perfect for you if you are a go-getter. While traveling, mushroom capsules are a fantastic option for convenient access to medicinal mushrooms.
FAQs About Mushrooms For Herpes
How Should Mushrooms Be Consumed For Herpes Management?
There are several ways to consume medicinal mushrooms, but one of the most popular ways to supplement is with a powder or extract of the mushroom. While many functional fungi are consumed as supplements, some can be consumed whole for herpes treatment.
How Long Does It Take To See The Benefits Of Incorporating Mushrooms Into A Herpes Management Plan?
You might need to wait at least two weeks before seeing any results. This varies from person to person, so that you may see the effect sooner.
Are There Any Potential Side Effects When Using Mushrooms For Herpes?
Yes, supplements containing mushrooms are generally safe to consume, but you should always receive the all-clear from your doctor before starting any supplement. In addition, it may make some individuals feel sick, queasy, dry-mouthed, and itchy.
Key Takeaway
Herpes can be treated with medicinal mushrooms since they have antiviral properties. Reishi, Chaga, and Turkey Tail mushrooms are the most effective for treating herpes, according to research and traditional medicine. The medicinal ingredients in these mushrooms can safely help in symptom relief, even though they are not "magic bullets" that can treat herpes.
References
- Antiviral activities of various water and methanol soluble substances isolated from Ganoderma lucidum, (1)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10624872/
- Inhibition of neuraminidase by Ganoderma triterpenoids and implications for neuraminidase inhibitor design, (2)https://www.nature.com/articles/srep13194
- Aqueous extract from a Chaga medicinal mushroom, Inonotus obliquus (higher Basidiomycetes), prevents herpes simplex virus entry through inhibition of viral-induced membrane fusion, (3)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23510282/
- Protective activity of aqueous extracts from higher mushrooms against Herpes simplex virus type-2 on albino mice model, (4)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24738237/
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