Called the “marvelous herb” in China, Reishi tonifies the Qi and helps reduce the symptoms of poor appetite and fatigue often associated with cancer treatments 35. It acts as a nervine (to calm the shen) to reduce insomnia and stress. The polysaccharides contained in Reishi have been shown to decrease the feeling of fatigue and increase the sense of well-being in patients with neurasthenia 36. These same polysaccharides are also involved in the mushroom’s immune-modulating activities 37. Reishi mushroom induces apoptosis, inhibits cell proliferation and suppresses cell migration of prostate cancer cells by modulating MAPK and Akt cellular signaling and inhibiting transcription factors, thus inhibiting some of the early events in angiogenesis 6, 7. The polysaccharide fractions are believed to be the active constituent for this action, but they do not attach cancer cells directly. Instead, they activate different immune responses in the host to reach their full effect. Reishi has also been shown to inhibit both estrogen-dependent and estrogen-independent breast cancers by modulating estrogen receptors and NF-kappaB signaling 8-10.

The Chinese name translates as “Five Flavor Fruit” because the berry contains the flavors of sweet, bitter, sour, salty and pungent used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is a mild astringent, anti-asthmatic and hepatoprotective. It also helps reduce stress-induced immune depletion and helps normalize blood pressure (assists in raising low blood pressure and lowering high blood pressure) 27. Schisandra is an adaptogen that helps strengthen the whole body by fortifying mitochondrial antioxidant status and up-regulating gene expression related to detoxification 14, 15. It is also particularly useful as a hepatoprotective agent. The lignans in Schisandra have been shown to suppress proliferation of hepatic cancer cells and Hepatitis B virus 16. It also has been used to reduce multidrug resistance of cancer cells 17, thus allowing conventional cancer treatments to be more effective.

This herb is mild enough to be taken daily as an adaptogenic tonic. It normalizes endocrine function and strengthens the immune system, thus making it useful for treating Chronic Fatigue Immune Deficiency Syndrome (CFIDS), HIV/AIDS and auto-immune diseases such as fibromyalgia. It has been used by athletes in order to reduce immune depletion from rigorous training. The suggested mode of action is that the ligands in Eleuthero link with stress hormone receptors in the body and in response the body makes more of its energy reserves available for use 28-30. Eleuthero inhibits the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme and lipid peroxidation, both of which are elevated in inflamed and cancerous cells. It selectively inhibits the COX-2 enzyme, which is partially responsible for the pain and swelling experienced with arthritis and inflammatory auto-immune conditions.

The SX polysaccharide fraction of this mushroom has been shown in laboratory studies to improve insulin sensitivity, lower blood pressure, promote weight loss and improve liver and kidney function tests in overweight diabetic animals 31. MT-alpha-glucan isolated from the fruiting body of the mushroom is also effective in this regard and in addition, improves the insulin resistance of the pancreas 32. One of the common side effects of Western cancer treatments is a reduction of white blood cells. This makes the body more susceptible to longer recovery times from the treatment and increases the chance of opportunistic infection. If white blood cell counts are too low, chemotherapy treatments must be suspended until the levels rise again, thus prolonging the treatment cycle. Clinical trials have shown that the herbs in Immune Adapt, taken concurrently with chemotherapy, stabilize white blood cell counts and reduce gastrointestinal and general toxicity symptoms 1, 2. Maitake activates macrophages and T cells, enhances the cytotoxicity of natural killer (NK) cells by stimulating interleukin-12 (IL-12) production and, when used in conjunction with chemotherapy, enhances immune-competent cell activities when compared to chemotherapy alone 3,4. Polysaccharides are also involved in Maitake’s ability to suppress the intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) that permits tumor cell adhesion to vascular endothelial cells 11.

This berry tonifies the Chinese liver and kidney yin and can help reduce dizziness and weakness in the back or knees. Deficient liver yin can result in blurred vision, dry macular degeneration and poor night vision. Ligustrum nourishes the liver yin and reduces these effects 33. The berry also has shown antioxidative and antiviral effects in laboratory studies 34.  Ligustrum has been shown in animal studies to inhibit lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor TNF-alpha production, regulate lipid metabolism, increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes and modulate glucose levels 18-20.

Atractylodes tonifies the middle jiao (burner) and dries excessive dampness caused by edema, diarrhea, vomiting or other fluid retention. Laboratory studies with human cancer cells demonstrate that Bai Zhu is effective in inducing apoptosis (cell death) in liver cancer and leukemia cells 38.

Licorice is a demulcent and anti-inflammatory that is soothing to the respiratory system. As such it can be used for dry spasmodic coughs and sore throats. Combined with its antiviral abilities, it is useful in treating xerostomia and aphthous ulcers often associated with cancer therapies 39, 40. It is anti-inflammatory to gastric mucosa and inhibits Helicobactor pylori infection, making it a useful adjunct to treat gastric ulcers 41.

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2. Zhang, XQ, Liu, SJ, and Pan, XY. Clinical Study on Treatment of Chemo- or Radiotherapy Induced Leukopenia with Fuzheng Compound. Zhong guo zhong xi yi jie he za zhi 16(1), pp 27-28, 1996.

3. Kodama, N, Asakawa, A, Inui, A, et al. Enhancement of Cytotoxicity of NK Cells by D-Fraction, a Polysaccharide from Grifola frondosa. Oncol Rep 13 (3), pp 497-502, 2005.

4. Kodama, N, Komuta, K and Nanba, H. Can Maitake MD-Fraction Aid Cancer Patients? Altern Med Rev 7 (3), pp 236-239, 2002.

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6. Stanley, G, Harvey, K Slivova, V, et al. Ganoderma lucidum Suppresses Angiogenesis Through the Inhibition of Secretion of VEGF and TGF-beta 1 From Prostate Cancer Cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 330 (1), pp 46-52, 2005.

7. Sliva, D, Labarrere, C, Slivova, V, et al. Ganoderma lucidum Suppresses Motility of Highly Invasive Breast and Prostate Cancer Cells. Biochem Biophys Commun 298 (4), pp 602-612, 2002.

8. Thyagarajan, A, Jiang, J, Hopf, A, et al. Inhibition of Oxidative Stress-induced Invasiveness of Cancer Cells by Ganoderma lucidum is Mediated Through the Suppression of Interleukin-8 Secretion. Int J Mol Med 18 (4), pp 657-664, 2006.

9. Jiang, J, Slivova, V, and Sliva, D. Ganoderma lucidum Inhibits Proliferation of Human Breast Cancer Cells by Down-regulation of Estrogen Receptor and NF-kappaB Signaling. Int J Oncol 29 (3), pp 695-703, 2006.

10. Wasser, SP. Medicinal Mushrooms as a Source of Antitumor and Immunomodulating Polysaccharides. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 60 (3), pp 258-274, 2002.

11. Masuda, Y, Murata, Y Hayashi, M and Nanba, H. Inhibitory Effect of MD-Fraction on Tumor Metastasis: Involvement of NK Cell Activation and Suppression of Intercellular Adhesion Molecule (ICAM)-1 Expression in Lung Vascular Endothelial Cells. Biol Pharm Bull 31 (6), pp 1104-1108, 2008.

12. Raman, P, Dewitt, DL and Nair, MG. Lipid Peroxidation and Cyclooxygenase Enzyme Inhibitory Activities of Acidic Aqueous Extracts of Some Dietary Supplements. Phytother Res 22 (2), pp 204-212, 2008.

13. Zou, YH and Liu, XM. Effect of Astragalus Injection Combined with Chemotherapy on Quality of Life in Patients with Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 23 (10), pp 733-735, 2003.

14. Ko, KM and Chiu, PY. Biochemical Basis of the “Qi-invigorating” Action of Schisandra Berry (Wu-wei-zi) in Chinese Medicine. Am J Chin Med 34 (2), pp 171-176, 2006.

15. Choi, ED, Lee, N, Kim, HJ et al. Schisandra Fructus Extract Ameliorates Doxobubicin-induced Cytotoxicity in Cariomyocytes: Altered Gene Expression for Detoxification Enzymes. Genes Nutr 2(4), pp 337-345, 2008.

16. Loo, WT, Cheung, MN and Chow, LW. Fructus Schisandrae (Wuweizi)-containing Compound Inhibits Secretion of HBsAg and HBeAg in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Line. Biomed Pharmacother 61 (9), pp 606-610, 2007.

17. Huang, M, Jin, J, Sun, H and Liu, GT. Reversal of P-glycoprotein-mediated Multidrug Resistance of Cancer Cells by Five Schizandrins Isolated from the Chinese Herb Fructus Schizandrae. Caner Chemother Pharmacol 62 (6), pp 1015-1026, 2008.

18. An, JH, Jeong HJ, Um, JY et al. Fructus Ligustrum lucidi Inhibits Inflammatory Mediator Release Through Inhibition of Nuclear Factor-kappaB in Mouse Peritoneal Macrophages. J Pharm Pharmacol, 59 (9), pp 1279-1285, 2007.

19. Lin, HM, Yen, FL, Ng, LT and Lin, CC. Protective Effects of Ligustrum lucidum Fruit Extract on Acute Butylated Hydroxytoluene-induced Oxidative Stress in Rats. J Ethnopharmacol 111 (1), pp 129-136, 2007.

20. Gao, D, Li, Q, Li, Y et al. Antidiabetic Potential of Oleanolic Acid from Ligustrum lucidum Ait. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 85 (11), pp 1076-1083, 2007.

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22. Sagar, S and Wong, R. Chinese Medicine and Supportive Cancer Care: A Model for an Evidence-based, Integrative Approach. Evidence-based Integ Med 1(1), pp11-25, 2004.

23. Zhao, L, Lan, LG, Min, XL et al. Integrated Treatment of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine for Early- and Intermediate-Stage Diabetic Nephropathy. Nan Fang Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao 27(7), pp 1052-1055, 2007.

 24. Ahmed, MS, Hou, SH, Battaglia, MC et al. Treatment of Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy with the Herb Astragalus membranaceus. Am J Kidney Dis 50(6), pp 1028-1032, 2007.

 25. Brunetti, L and DeSantis, ER. Treatment of Viral Myocarditis Caused by Coxsackievirus B. Am J Health Syst Pharm 65(2), pp 132-137, 2008.

26. Cho, WC and Leung, KN. In vitro and In vivo Anti-Tumor Effects of Astragalus membranaceus. Cancer Lett 252(1), pp 43-54, 2007.

27. Winston, D and Maimes, S. Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina and Stress Relief. Rochester VT: Healing Arts Press, 2007, pp195-198.

28. Gaffney, BT, Hügel, HM and Rich, PA. Panex ginseng and Eleutherococcus senticosis May Exaggerate an Already Existing Biphasic Response to Stress Via Inhibition of Enzymes Which Limit the Binding of Stress Hormones to Their Receptors. Med Hypotheses 56(5), pp 567-572, 2001.

29. Hartz, AJ, Bentler, S, Noyes, R et al. Randomized Controlled Trial of Siberian Ginseng for Chronic Fatigue. Psychol Med 34(10), pp 51-61, 2004.

30. Gaffney, BT, Hügel, HM and Rich, PA. The Effects of Eleutherococcus senticosus and Panex ginseng on Steroidal Hormone Indices of Stress and Lymphocyte Subset Numbers in Endurance Athletes. Life Sci 70(4), pp 431-442, 2001.

31. Talpur, N, Echard, BW, Yasmin, T, et al. Effects of Niacin-bound Chromium, Maitake Mushroom Fraction SX and (-)-hydroxycitric acid on the Metabolic Syndrome in Aged Diabetic Zucker Fatty Rats. Mol Cell Biochem 252 (1-2), pp 369-377, 2003.

32. Hong, L, Xun, M and Wutong, W. Anti-diabetic Effect of an Alpha-Glucan from Fruit Body of Maitake (Grifola frondosa) on KK-Ay mice. J Pharm Pharmacol 59 (4), pp 575-582, 2007.

33. Chen, JK and Chen, TT. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology. City of Industry, CA: Art of Medicine Press, 2004, pp 962-964.

34. Ma, SC, He, ZD, Deng, XL et al. In vitro Evaluation of Secoiridoid Glucosides from the Fruits of Ligustrum Lucidum as Antiviral Agents. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 49(11), pp 1471-1473, 2001.

35. Chen, JK and Chen, TT. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology. City of Industry, CA: Art of Medicine Press, 2004, pp 770-771.

36. Tang, W, Gao, Y, Chen, G et al. A Randomized, Double-Blind and Placebo-Controlled Study of a Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharide Extract in Neurasthenia. J Med Food 8(1), pp 53-58, 2005.

37. Chen, X, Hu, ZP, Yang, XX, et al. Monitoring of Immune Responses to a Herbal Immuno-Modulator in Patients with Advanced Colorectal Cancer. Int Immunopharmacol 6(3), pp 499-508, 2006.

38. Huang, HL, Chen, CC, Yeh, CY and Huang, RL. Reactive Oxygen Species Mediation of Baizhu-Induced Apoptosis in Human Leukemia Cells. J Ethnopharmacol 97(1), pp 21-29, 2005.

39. Burgess, JA, ven der Ven, PF, Martin, M et al. Review of Over-the-Counter Treatment of Aphthous Ulceration and Results from Use of a Dissolving Oral Patch Containing Glycyrrhiza Complex Herbal Extract. J Contemp Dent Pract 9(3), pp 88-98, 2008.

40. Martin, MD, Sherman, J, ven der Ven, P and Burgess, J. A Controlled Trial of a Dissolving Oral Patch Concerning Glycyrrhiza (Licorice) Herbal Extract for the Treatment of Aphthous Ulcers. Gen Dent 56(2), pp 206-210, 2008.

41. O’Mahoney, R, Al-Khtheeri, H, Weerasekera, D et al. Bactericidal and Anti-Adhesive Properties of Culinary and Medicinal Plants Against Helicobacter Pylori. Worl J Gastroenterol 11(47), pp 7499-7507, 2005.

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