Blackberry improves brain function and fights cancer

Blackberry: History, Risks and Side Effects
Have you ever tried mushrooms that look like lion's mane? Surprised? However, this type of mushroom promotes brain function, has anti-cancer properties and many other benefits.

Blackberry is a nootropic product that is often used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Several years ago, a large study was conducted to study the effect of the mushroom on brain function. The results were amazing.

One study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry noted that blackberry has "antibiotic, anticarcinogenic, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, antiaging, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, antianxiety properties, and improves cognitive function."

What is combed hedgehog?

The mushroom, whose Latin name is Hericium erinaceus, grows in North America, Europe and Asia, but it is most popular only in Asia. It is also called grandfather's beard, yamabushitake (Japanese name) or lion's mane (English name).

The combed hedgehog has long hanging needles, reaching a length of more than one centimeter. Unlike most mushrooms, whose needles stick out to the sides, those of Hericium erinaceus hang down, giving them the appearance of a lion's mane or beard. Mushrooms grow on both living and dead broadleaf trees and are especially common in late summer and fall.

Studies conducted on cells, animals and humans claim that blackberry has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune-modulating properties. It has been used as a medicinal mushroom for thousands of years, in particular by practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Growing at home and in the country

“Lion’s mane”, like champignons and oyster mushrooms, can be grown at home and in the country. For these purposes, you need to purchase a special substrate consisting of sawdust from various tree species and herbal additives. The most suitable composition: beech sawdust (80%) and corn flour (20%). For breeding, you will also need sterile mycelium of the fungus, which was grown in the laboratory. It can be ordered in specialized stores.

How to grow hericium at home:

1. Pour boiling water over the substrate and wait until it cools down. Heat treatment is necessary to disinfect the composition.
2. Squeeze the substrate well and mix thoroughly with the mycelium (proportions - 1 package: 40 kg).
3. Place the mixture in a plastic bag, press it down and tie it.
4. Make several 4-5 cm cuts on the surface for air exchange.
5. Place the mushroom block in the shade outdoors or indoors in a suspended form.

Light is not needed for the first 3-4 weeks of germination. After 14 days, when the rudiments of the fruiting bodies appear, lighting will be needed. Fruiting occurs in waves; the first 2 periods are the most productive and productive.

Cultivation of Blackberry in an extensive way (on wood):

1. Bars and logs of deciduous trees should be soaked in water for a week.
2. Make a hole in each block (you can drill or cut it).
3. Add pre-prepared mycelium into it. To do this, dilute 1 package into 40 kg of substrate.
4. Cover these areas with adhesive tape or cover with straw. For the mycelium to overgrow, certain conditions will be needed: a ventilated room or a shady garden, an ambient temperature of +7–27°C. Period - 3–6 months.
5. The harvest can be obtained 1-2 times in the spring and the same amount in the fall.

Benefit for health

Improves brain function

Perhaps the most extensively studied property of blackberry is its effect on brain cells and related processes. This unusual mushroom actively affects neurodegenerative diseases.

According to work published in the International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, lion's mane enhances "neurite outgrowth" in the brain. Neurite outgrowth is the growth of axons and dendrites in neurons (remember high school biology class?).

This is a very important discovery. By increasing their growth, we can slow or even stop the degeneration of brain cells, the main cause of diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

A 2012 study in Malaysia found that consumption of damson's grass promoted the regeneration of damaged cells following peripheral nerve injury (injury affecting the delicate tissue between the brain and spinal cord).

When studying the effects of various drugs or treatments on brain diseases, scientists typically use the PC12 cell line for their experiments. As it turns out, extracts and other various forms of crested manger have a significant effect on these cells, protecting them from damage and significantly extending their life. This discovery may have implications for treating or preventing the development of brain diseases.

An animal study published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that these mushrooms stimulated cognitive function and helped improve memory in rats (both healthy and those with Alzheimer's disease). A number of studies have also observed an inverse relationship between crested manger and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, such that symptoms in rats were reduced after taking this extract.

The fight against mild cognitive impairment in humans was the subject of a study published in the journal Phytotherapy Research. 8-16 weeks of supplementation with combed manger showed significant improvements in the condition of volunteers, but the effect did not persist after discontinuation of this drug.

The damage that coronary artery disease (associated with insufficient blood circulation) can cause to neurons often leads to brain damage. In a laboratory experiment conducted in Taiwan, lion's mane mushroom demonstrated the ability to prevent this type of damage.

Taking this mushroom as a dietary supplement may also have a protective effect against the spread of Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, according to a study published in the Journal of Translational Medicine.

Currently, this research is in its early stages and has not yet shown significant results in humans, but the discovered effect of hedgehog on brain cells cannot be ignored.

May protect against cancer

Scientists believe that the crested hedgehog may be effective in treating cancer. Food supplements containing this type of mushroom can slow down the development and spread of the following diseases:

• Leukemia
• Stomach cancer
• Lungs' cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Liver cancer
• Colon cancer
• Mammary cancer

A study conducted by South Korean scientists showed that comb grass helps to significantly reduce the number of leukemia cells. Further research by the Department of Molecular Biotechnology at Ajou University, South Korea, found that due to the substances present in these mushrooms, the dietary supplement had a “therapeutic effect on leukemia patients.”

Regarding gastric cancer, work published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules suggests that crested manger causes cell death and cell cycle arrest in gastric cancer. The scientists concluded: "Our study provides in vitro evidence suggesting that HEG-5 may be effective in the treatment of gastric cancer."

Research published in the Journal of Natural Products and the Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences claims that the comb mushroom can treat lung cancer. The Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology and the Journal of Ethnopharmacology also report that grandfather's beard has an anticancer effect on colon, breast and other cancers.

Some studies suggest that taking blackberry supplements may help treat cancer, but these studies were not large enough or long-term.

Psilocybin mushrooms relieve anxiety and depression in cancer patients

Another interesting observation concerns metastasis (spread of cancer) from the colon to the lungs. When cancer spreads beyond the organ where it appeared, we are talking about stage IV of the disease. During an animal study in South Korea, rats were given a water- or ethanol-based extract of blackberry. As a result of the experiment, the animals showed a slowdown in the development of cancer cell metastases in the lungs by 66% and 69%, respectively.

Supports heart and circulatory health

The crested hedgehog can prevent the development of heart diseases. The study found that the mushroom extract controlled LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels while increasing HDL (“good”) levels, and also lowered the amount of triglycerides in the blood, an early marker of heart disease.

Stroke (brain damage caused by insufficient blood supply) can sometimes be caused by blood clots. It can also be caused by atherosclerosis, a serious disease of the blood vessels. A study conducted by the Department of Cell Signaling at the Graduate School of Pharmacology at Tohoku University, Japan, found that hedgehog extract may prevent the formation of clots and reduce the risk of stroke.

May improve gastrointestinal health

Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, grandfather's beard helps in regulating the functioning of the stomach and digestive system.

Numerous studies have shown that these mushrooms protect against and reduce stomach ulcers. Thus, an experiment on rats conducted by the Fungal Research Center at the University of Malaysia showed that the bioactive components included in the composition of the blackberry can have a gastroprotective effect on animals. A study conducted by Chinese scientists and published in the International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms confirms this, Fr.

Human gastrointestinal tract

Lion's mane mushroom significantly reduces the symptoms of two major inflammatory diseases of the digestive system: gastritis and inflammatory bowel disease.

Relieves inflammation

Natural methods of relieving inflammation are the main methods of disease prevention among practitioners of traditional medicine and the object of research by scientists.

A 2015 study in Japan found that combed manger can reduce inflammation in fatty tissue. This finding is important because inflammation in adipose tissue is a factor in metabolic syndrome, a group of disorders that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Blackberry also has an antibacterial effect on H. Pylori, “the most pathogenic bacterium in human history.” For many people, this bacteria does not cause any symptoms. But for some people, it causes serious problems, such as ulcers in the stomach and intestines.

Acts as a powerful antioxidant

Fighting harmful free radicals brings enormous benefits to the body, including protecting against many diseases. Molecules in the urchin have antioxidant properties and help prevent and manage oxidative stress caused by poor diet and exposure to environmental pollutants.

Antioxidants can be useful, for example, in wound healing. A study on rats from the University of Malaysia found that a liquid extract of the mushroom significantly accelerated the healing of various injuries.

Antioxidants can also:

• Prevent the development of osteoporosis
• Protect the liver from damage caused by alcohol
• Slow down skin aging

Improves mental health and overall well-being

A dietary supplement containing damson's mantle also improves well-being by helping you sleep better and relieving symptoms of mental illness.

Experiments on mice have shown that polysaccharides extracted from lion's mane extract fight apathy. As shown by an experiment conducted on mice by the Department of Agroecological Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, this substance is also capable of normalizing circadian rhythms. This finding has major implications, particularly for people at high risk of developing dementia.

Blackberry may be a natural remedy for depression and anxiety. In one study, 30 women were asked to consume this mushroom or a placebo for 4 weeks. The scientists concluded: “Our results show that Hericium erinaceus supplementation helps relieve depression and anxiety, suggesting a new mechanism for stimulating nerve growth factor (NGF) by this mushroom.” This may be due to the inflammatory factor caused by depression.

Strengthens the immune system

You need to know how to strengthen your immune system so that your body can fight infections. Studies on mice have shown that the polysaccharides present in combed manger support the functioning of the immune system.

May be useful for diabetes

A 2013 animal study noted normalization of blood glucose levels, insulin sensitivity, and several other symptoms of diabetes after animals ingested grandfather's beard extract.

And antioxidants may help relieve pain caused by diabetic neuropathy.

Nutritional properties

Due to the limited mass use of the hedgehog, it is difficult to judge its characteristics. However, we do know that one 84 gram serving of this mushroom contains 20 calories, 2 grams of protein and 3 grams of carbohydrates.

Scientists believe that blackberry is a source of at least 32 bioactive compounds. Although we don't know for sure what vitamins and minerals it contains, it is believed to be rich in potassium, zinc, iron and selenium. The object of study of lion's mane was most often the polysaccharides present in it. Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrate structures like glucose.

Blackberry contains the polysaccharide beta-glucan, which is known for its beneficial properties, such as protecting heart health and stimulating the immune response.

Spreading

This is a very rare mushroom - its numbers are rapidly falling every year. This is due to environmental pollution, large-scale deforestation and unwise collection by people. Today, the combed hedgehog is on the verge of extinction, and therefore it is listed in the Red Book.

In its natural environment, the mushroom can be found in North America, Russia and China. In particular, it prefers zones with a temperate, warm climate. For example, if we talk about our Motherland, then the “lion’s head” can be seen in the Primorsky Territory, Amur Region, Crimea, as well as in the deciduous forests of Khabarovsk.

Use in traditional medicine

In many Asian countries, the hedgehog has been used for many centuries not only as a food product, but also as a medicine. Over the past 10 years, this medicinal mushroom has become more popular due to its therapeutic abilities in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases.

In the East, mushrooms are traditionally revered and called “spiritual plants.” They are believed to bestow longevity and spiritual strength. A study published in the Journal of Restorative Medicine states that Chinese and Japanese medicinal practices have traditionally used the urchin to normalize intestinal function, strengthen the spleen, and as an anti-cancer agent. In traditional medicine, this mushroom is considered very beneficial for five internal organs: lungs, heart, spleen, kidneys and liver. It is also able to improve digestion, give strength and vigor.

Crested hedgehog

Lion's mane is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to relieve symptoms of Qi deficiency (lack of "vital energy"), and is also used for problems with the central nervous system, insomnia and weakness.

Buyers' opinion

Reviews of comb blackberry from customers say the following:

• Improves memory and attention (results after a week of use);
• Normalizes sleep (for 2-3 days);
• Relieves digestive problems (in 1-2 days, has a mild effect);
• Does not cause side effects;
• Helps children with autism spectrum disorders (together with ginkgo biloba; only a neurologist selects the dosage for children);
• Normalizes the psycho-emotional state (relieves mild depression in 2-3 weeks);
• Helps with gastritis;
• Stabilizes the condition of Alzheimer's;
• Pleasant to the taste, does not cause disgust;
• Inhibits tumor growth (subject to complex therapy);
• Increases immunity.

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Blackberry and reishi

Both types of these mushrooms are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for various therapeutic purposes. They have a lot in common, for example, both mushrooms are able to strengthen the immune system and fight oxidative stress.

However, lion's mane is known and valued for its neuroprotective properties. This mushroom promotes cognitive health by stimulating “neurite outgrowth,” which plays an important role in the formation of neurons and relieving inflammation. Blackberry is widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to restore Qi and treat central nervous system problems. The mushroom is recommended for patients suffering from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, depression, anxiety, insomnia and cognitive impairment.

Reishi also has powerful healing properties. Like the crested hedgehog, this type of mushroom is capable of providing anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating effects. Reishi is used to increase mental clarity and combat stress; it is thought to behave in many ways as an adaptogen. Reishi mushrooms also contain polysaccharides, which give them anti-cancer properties.

Where to find and how to use

Unfortunately, residents of more western countries find it difficult to find combed hedgehog in stores (of course, unless you go to an oriental food store).

However, a way out can be found. First, you can grow your own mushrooms by purchasing seeds online.

Keep in mind, their taste is often compared to seafood. Mushrooms go great with brown rice or quinoa, especially if you add fresh vegetables like onions or bell peppers.

If this option does not suit you, then you can purchase blackberry in the form of a dietary supplement. When purchasing a drug, make sure of its quality.

Recipes

Before cooking, remove all dirt from the blackberry, cut off the part that touched the wood, and chop the rest. Then fry in a dry frying pan for a few minutes. To create a crispy crust, it is necessary that all the water comes out of the mushrooms.

As soon as the mushrooms begin to darken, add a little vegetable oil, olive oil or ghee, salt, pepper and continue to cook over low heat until they turn golden brown.

While frying the mushrooms, add some garlic, onion or other vegetables that you think go well with the shrimp, as the two have similar flavors.

Try making vegetarian ceviche; the blackberry will add an unusual fishy flavor to the dish.

Fruiting body

The size of the fruiting body reaches 20 cm, and the weight can reach up to 1.5 kg. The shape can be irregular or round, the color can be white, cream, beige or something close to this color palette. The surface of the mushroom is spiny, with thin needles hanging down, so hedgehogs are very similar to Blackberry. It has whitish and fleshy flesh, which turns yellow when deprived of air.

The blackberry has numerous elongated hymenophore spines. The fruit body has a round shape, which is slightly flattened on the sides. Over time, the spines of the hymenophore acquire a brown tint, as they tend to dry out, and, accordingly, darken when dry.

Blackberry has a fairly elastic and dense structure.

Dosage

Dietary supplements with crested manger are often used to strengthen the immune system and support cognitive function. They can be seen in extract, powder, capsule form and can be purchased online or at a pharmacy.

In capsules, blackberry may be the only ingredient or part of a complex aimed at improving brain function. In this case, it may include nootropic products such as reishi, cordyceps, ginkgo biloba and ashwagandha.

Before using a dietary supplement, read the instructions carefully and take only the recommended dose. It usually varies in volume from 300 to 3,000 mg 1-3 times a day. To avoid an unwanted reaction from the body, start taking it with a small dosage and gradually increase it.

If you experience an allergic reaction (itching, indigestion, rash), stop taking the drug immediately.

Preparation

After collecting mushrooms, you need to immediately process them, because they can retain their appearance only for 2-3 hours, and then they darken.

Tincture recipe

The healing agent is recommended for use in combination therapy in the treatment of oncology, as it reduces the negative effects of radiation and chemotherapy on the body.

Ingredients:

• dried mushrooms – 25 g;
• vodka – 0.5 l.

How to cook:

1. Place the chopped mushrooms in an opaque container. Fill with vodka or alcohol.
2. Leave in a dark place for 3 weeks.
3. Strain, squeeze out, discard the sediment.
4. Take 1-2 teaspoons 2-3 times a day half an hour before meals.

Preliminary processing

If you need to preserve the collected mushrooms for a long time, you need to place them in the refrigerator. Do the following first:

1. To get rid of worms, blackberries need to be soaked in salt water.
2. Allow the water to drain and remove damaged areas with wormholes.
3. Place in a deep container and cover with a paper towel.
4. Before further use as food, it is recommended to boil the blackberries to give them the necessary softness.

Cooking

Properly processed mushrooms should be placed in a deep saucepan, in which 1-2 tablespoons of salt must first be dissolved in 5 liters of water. Boil the yamabushitake for 10-15 minutes, and then you can cook other, very tasty dishes from the “gnome mushroom”.

Pickling

Blackberries are quite often prepared in pickled form. This dish will pleasantly surprise all guests.

Ingredients for 1 liter of marinade:

• salt – 1 tbsp. l.;
• garlic – 2-3 cloves;
• bay leaf – 2-3 pcs.;

• vinegar 6% – 200 ml;
• peppercorns – 2-3 pcs.;
• cloves – 2-3 buds.

How to cook:

1. First you need to make the marinade. To do this, mix all the ingredients in a deep container and let the liquid boil.
2. Place the pre-washed and peeled blackberry mushrooms into the pan.
3. Cook the mushrooms over medium heat for a quarter of an hour.
4. Remove hericium from the container using a slotted spoon and place in clean jars.
5. Pour the boiling marinade in which the fruiting bodies were cooked.
6. Seal and cool. Store in a cool place.

Freezing

Boil pre-peeled mushrooms for 10-15 minutes in salted water. Divide the entire volume into small portions that will be convenient to freeze and use once.

Place the yamabushitake in plastic bags and place in the freezer. In the future, simply remove them from the packaging and use them for their intended purpose.

Frying

Hericium is a universal product of nature; it can be used not only for treatment, preparations, but also for creating delicious gourmet dishes. Learn how to prepare blackberry comb mushroom. This quick method will allow you to enjoy the taste of mushrooms in just half an hour.

Ingredients:

• Blackberry mushrooms – 1 kg;
• butter – 60 g;

• vegetable oil – 60 ml;
• salt, pepper - to taste.

How to cook:

1. Boil the washed, peeled mushrooms in salted water for 10–15 minutes. Place in a colander and allow the liquid to drain. Dry on a paper towel.
2. Heat the oil mixture in a frying pan or saucepan.
3. Fry the blackberries for 10 minutes until the liquid evaporates. A golden brown crust should appear on the surface of the fruiting bodies.
4. Serve as a side dish.

Pickling

Find out how to pickle blackberries using the cold method. This does not require any special knowledge or skills. Prepare regular table salt without additives (this is important), in an enamel or wooden container. Spices are not used in this method.

The cooking process consists of the following stages:

1. Rinse the peeled mushrooms in salted or acidified water.
2. Place the blackberries in layers in an enamel bowl, add salt at the rate of 30-40 grams per 1 kg of fruiting bodies.
3. Place a weighting agent on top: a special disk or container filled with water.
4. Pickles can be consumed in food after 30-40 days.

Drying

The technology for harvesting for future use is simple: prepared blackberries are laid out in one layer on a baking sheet and heat treated in several stages.

First, they are dried at a temperature of 80-100 ° C for 2-3 hours, then cooled. The procedure is repeated until the mushroom crumbles when broken.

It is very important to complete the process and prevent mold from insufficiently dried fruit bodies. The dried product can be used for preparing vegetarian dishes and during fasting.

Soup with melted cheese

An excellent, tasty, nutritious soup with blackberries will warm you up during the cold season. For cooking, you can use “Mushroom noodles” in dried form.

Ingredients:

• Blackberry mushrooms – 400 g;
• chicken fillet – 300 g;
• processed cheese – 200 g;
• potatoes – 3 pcs.;

• onion – 1 pc.;
• butter – 30 g;
• salt pepper.

How to cook:

1. Make regular chicken broth from the fillet. It will become the basis for the soup.
2. Fry the pre-prepared blackberries in butter over medium heat. Season.
3. Place diced potatoes into the broth and cook for 7-10 minutes.
4. Mix all ingredients: broth with vegetables, blackberries. Cook for another 5-7 minutes.
5. Grate the processed cheese on a fine-mesh grater. It can be added to the soup at the last stage or sprinkled on the finished dish.

Mushrooms with vegetables in Chinese

This recipe was borrowed from oriental cooks. This dish will certainly be appreciated by gourmets.

Ingredients:

• blackberry mushroom – 150-170 g;
• bell pepper – 2 pcs.;
• sesame seeds and oil - 1 tsp each;

• soy sauce – 30 ml;
• oyster sauce – 15 ml;
• sugar – 30 g.

How to cook:

1. Pre-boiled blackberries and bell peppers should be cut into very thin strips.
2. Fry these products in hot oil until a crust forms.
3. Add oyster and soy sauces, sugar, fry for 1 minute.
4. Add sesame seeds, cover the pan with a lid and simmer for 10 minutes. Some gourmets prefer to add honey to this dish instead of sugar.

Stewed mushrooms

You can prepare hericium not only fried, but also stewed with the addition of cream. The treat is served with any side dish.

Ingredients:

• blackberries – 200-250 g;
• butter – 50 g;
• cream – 150 ml;

• soy sauce – 20 ml;
• flour – 1 tsp;
• fresh rosemary, parsley, ground pepper.

How to cook:

1. Pre-boiled blackberries need to be fried in a frying pan with the addition of butter until an appetizing golden brown crust appears.
2. Pour half the entire portion of cream and soy sauce into the container. Cook with the lid closed for 10–15 minutes.
3. Dilute the flour in the remaining portion of cream and add to the mushrooms.
4. Season the dish with rosemary and spices.

Story

Like many other useful products, comb grass is widely used in Asia to maintain health and treat ailments. In Japan, it has been used for hundreds of years (and maybe even a millennium), and Buddhist monks considered it a mystical source of power.

The vestments of the group of Buddhist hermit monks known as the Yamabushi are called "suzukake" and consist of many long strips of fur, resembling a blackberry mushroom. Perhaps for this reason, in some regions the mushroom is known as yamabushitake.

Some sources claim that the hedgehog was served only to members of the royal family.

Introduction

Many mushrooms are part of the usual diet, often appearing on the dinner table. Their popularity as an attractive food product is due not only to their taste, aroma and texture, but also to their beneficial effects on health.

The mushroom kingdom offers a wide range of biological properties, some of which are beneficial to human health, and some, on the contrary, are toxic. A number of mushrooms have received particular attention due to their medicinal effects, particularly immunomodulatory, anti-cancer and anti-aging properties, as reviewed elsewhere. One of the recognized actions is the adjuvant effect of mushroom extracts, although the active principle and the molecular mechanism of its action are not yet fully understood. This indirect action is sometimes referred to as biological response modification (BRM) and is discussed as a possible basis for the activity of polysaccharides, particularly β-glucans.