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Our Products
Turkey Tail (Tramestes versicolor)
This very widely researched and documented mushroom is the source ingredient for our products: Turkey Tail Dual Extract ™ and our Turkey Tail Green ™ capsules.
The Capsules
Each of the Turkey Tail Green ™ size 0, Vegitarian, Chlorophyll - capsules contains 500 mg. of wild harvested, sun-dried and ground; powdered T. versicolor. With 2 to 4 capsules being the suggested daily dosage. As opposed to Chaga, this dried/powdered form of T. tramestes, is accessible to humans.
The dual extract
The greatest proportion of this mushroom's effective compounds can be extracted by simmering in water. We've chosen to provide the double extraction for two reasons: 1) Various authorities state that ingestion of the dual extraction (the form most studied) is a superior way to absorb the healthful components. 2) The tincturing acts to preserve the blend. The alcohol in the double extraction does tend to precipitate some of the polysaccerides so be sure to shake the bottle before each use.
Since 1977, in Japan, the T. versicolor fraction known as PSK has been approved of use in cancer treatment. Likewise in China, and other Asian countries, since the 1980's closely related fractions (PSP) have been marketed as anti-cancer drugs and adjunctive therapies. We make no such claims for our product, but suggest that the interested reader consult some of the more than 300 published clinical studies and, in concert with their health care providers, make up their own minds. Some of these studies are double-blind and these particularly should interest both potential users and allopathic physicians.
In cancer, the runaway cells often secrete compounds known as cytokines, chemical messenger cells, some of which give false signals to immune cells to stop working. This enhances the ability of the cancer to survive. Other cytokines i.e., T helper cells are specifically toxic to cancer cells. An unfortunate side effect of chemotherapy and radiation therapy is that these further damage the immune system, in part by inadvertently killing T helper cells. T. versicolor has been shown to restore or stimulate the production of these cytokines. Thus, according to several studies' the fractions (PSK and PSP) found in T. versicolor, have been particularly effective as adjuvant treatment, along with radiation or chemotherapy. Among the cancers studied were: gastric, esophageal, colorectal, breast, and lung cancer. Both of these fractions appear to be effective both as oral and as injectable protocols.
The spectrum of components provided include:
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Beta glucans
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Proteanated polysaccharides such as PSP (an isolated polysaccharopeptide) and PSK beta (1,4) D glucan protein
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Ergosterols
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Triterpenoids
Turkey tail should not be taken with immunosuppressive drugs, such as those prescribed to people with organ transplants, without first consulting a health care professional.
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus )
The Chaga we harvest is not what one usually thinks of as a 'mushroom' that is: a fruiting body (meant for spreading spores), but rather the sclerotium. of the fungus. Chaga has a hard, deeply cracked black exterior the interior has a rusty yellow-brown color, somewhat granular, (almost 'corky'), in appearance,
and may be mottled with whitish or cream-colored veins.
This, relatively rare, and perhaps, strange looking mushroom has been a powerful component in natural medicine and herbal shamanism for centuries in places like Russia & Siberia. It grows slowly, primarily on Birch trees, and requires extensive sub zero temperatures in order to proliferate successfully. Fortunately such conditions exist in the local Catskill Mountains where we wild-gather these, using sustainable harvesting practices, (leaving intact Chaga remaining on every tree that is harvested from), as the source ingredient for Forest Dryad Dual extraction ™.
These extractions are the form most studied, and is the preferred way to absorb the healthful components. Our extraction is performed by percolating USP organic sugarcane alcohol through sun dried and ground mushrooms to produce a tincture. Then we use heated, deep artesian well, water to dissolve the water soluble components from the remaining mast. And finally we blend the two. The immune modulating properties are the primary aspects of the mushroom's health benefits, but it is also useful as a general tonic. This concentrated liquid dual extract of wild Chaga uses up substantially less natural resources than the powdered extract equivalent. It is effective rapidly because it absorbs directly into the bloodstream via the capillaries underneath the tongue.
Reishi (Ganoderma tsugae)
The Reishi Mushroom has been written about for centuries in ancient Chinese herbal texts. The Reishi Mushroom, also known as (Ling Zhi, Red Reishi or Ganoderma tsugae), is often referred to as the mushroom of immortality.
As a bit of an aside: there are two species of mushrooms referred to as reishi- G. tsugae and G. lucidum. We gather and process only the former as they grow wild in our region. Good authorities lump the two, in terms of medicinal properties, under the name- reishi.
We control every aspect of the gatherering and processing of our ForestDryad double extraction. Our extraction agents are: certified organic sugarcane alcohol and deep artesian well water. Although Reishi has been cultivated for over 30 years and many reishi products are based upon those cultivars, our Reishi is exclusively wild gathered in the NE United States. The historical records only discuss the benefits of Wild Reishi, hence our decision to use only wild material.
Because of its hepatoprotective and immune boosting capabilities, it is a frequently prescribed drug among cancer and HIV patients in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine); particularly for patients under chemotherapy treatment as it is claimed to prevent several side effects of such forms of cancer treatment. Since Ganoderma tsugae enhances the levels of the brain’s neurotransmitter, serotonin, TCM considers it essential in reducing anxiety, improving memory and concentration, and improving one’s overall mental health. The literature also cites anti-ageing properties, and it can thus be used in reducing the appearance of age spots, blemishes and fine lines.
Literally hundreds of peer-reviewed papers address G. tsugae. Here is a small portion of an abstract of a paper focused on myocardial injury stress reduction: “The triterpenoid fraction of G. tsugae, composed of a mixture of nine structurally related ganoderic acids (GAs), provided cardio-protection by inhibiting the ISO-induced expression of Fas/Fas ligand, oxidative stress, and apoptosis.” Other papers address such medical areas such as anti-tumor, wound healing, and significant proliferation and migration of fibroblast cells. These papers focus on the Triterpenoids and the polysaccharide, and glycan components of extractions. Recent papers have also emphasized the life extension aspects of reishi. These mice lived 9% to 20% longer under a Reishi regimen.
Throughout the literature we find that the combined hot-water/ alcohol extraction technique we use produces the most favored results.
The Double extract of reishi provides , among the greater than 100 different types of polysaccarides: Beta-D glucans, Gamma -D mannans, Heteropoly saccerides, and Glycoproteins. Also provided are, among the greater than 200 identified Terpenes: Ling Zhi-8, a number of ganodermic acids, and a series of ergosterols.
Lion’s mane (Hericium Erinaceus)
Lion’s mane or Hericium erinaceus has many aliases. In Chinese, it’s known because of its shape as ashóu tóu gū, or monkey head mushroom. We have long known of the beneficial qualities of H. erinaceous, but have not been able to offer extracts because we hadn’t found it locally in sufficient quantities to conscientiously gather, process and bottle it. In doing research for a friend of mine who has some mild cognitive disorders, and whom we know would benefit from it, we came across a west coast mushroom gathering group who offered it for sale. We contacted them and have secured a working arrangement that assures us that we will have sufficient supplies of the mushroom to offer the extracts commercially.
Hericium erinaceus has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine. Among the major components are diverse phytochemicals, including polysaccharides, such as β glucan, as well as hericenones and erinacines. Other compounds include vitamin D, hexadecenoic acid (26%), linoleic acid (13.1%), phenylacetaldehyde (8.9%) and benzaldehyde (3%), and volatile oils, such as 2-methyl-3-furanthiol, 2-ethylpyrazine and 2,6-diethylpyrazine. This type of polysaccharide is known for its immune-boosting properties. Low concentrations of ergosterol are also present. (Reference: Wikipedia)
Research shows that lion’s mane mushrooms improve cognitive function in mice, especially memory and visual recognition. This is appears to be because the fungus increases the production of nerve growth factor or NGF. Studies have found that lion’s mane mushrooms also contain two special compounds that can stimulate the growth of brain cells: hericenones and erinacines. Additionally, animal studies have found that lion’s mane may help protect against Alzheimer’s disease, a degenerative brain disease that causes progressive memory loss.
Other animal studies have found that lion’s mane extract can also help regenerate brain cells and improve the functioning of the hippocampus, a region of the brain responsible for processing memories and emotional responses.
