The multifaceted nature of herbs is the perfect reflection of our own biology, and their interactions highlight how each plant or mushroom can uniquely act on various parts of our interconnected bodily systems—for the benefit of the whole. While TCM certainly reflects an understanding that “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” zooming in on these parts can also bring clarity to the bigger picture. While present in a variety of organisms, polysaccharides are the most common mushroom-derived bioactive compound, thus helping us better understand the fungal kingdom… and our own bodies.
Polysaccharides are a diverse group of complex carbohydrates that play an important role in both biological systems and human health. Medicinal mushrooms are particularly known for their rich content of beneficial polysaccharides, which contribute significantly to their health-promoting properties. These compounds are especially powerful for taming inflammation, targeting cancerous cells, and enhancing overall immunity. Considered stimulating to the immune system, polysaccharides actually help cells communicate with the immune system to improve overall function. In fact, we do have immune receptors that are highly sensitive to polysaccharides and can bind specifically to their structures, triggering a variety of responses, including: T cell proliferation and differentiation, cytokine production, the clearance of pathogens and apoptotic cells, and modulating the response to infections.
Both Eastern and Western medicine agree that there is a strong connection between immunity and gut health. Interestingly, mushroom polysaccharides also function as dietary fibers that greatly support the abundance of beneficial bacteria in the gut, while helping to minimize the presence of pathogenic bacteria. As Dr. Sanchari Sinha Dutta explains, “In the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, mushroom polysaccharides are degraded by the gut microbial populations. Some gut bacteria use polysaccharides as energy sources to produce various secondary metabolites with health-enhancing properties, including short-chain fatty acids, valerate acid, acetone, and propionate.” Thus, polysaccharides play an important role in building robust immunity, including by bringing balance to the gut microbiome, stimulating enzyme production, and enhancing the integrity of our gut barrier function.
What are some of the most common and beneficial polysaccharides found in functional mushrooms?
Beta-Glucans: Found in mushrooms like Reishi, Cordyceps, and Chaga, these polysaccharides are well-known for their ability to enhance immune function by activating various immune cells and modulating cytokine production. They can also inhibit the growth and proliferation of cancer cells by inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death) and cell cycle arrest in these cells, which helps reduce the size and spread of tumors.
Ganoderan: A polysaccharide from Reishi mushroom, ganoderan modulates the activity of inflammatory pathways and stimulates the activity of various immune cells, including macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, and T cells. It also has immunomodulating effects through its production of cytokines, which are signaling molecules that regulate immune responses.
PSK and PSP: Abundantly found in Turkey Tail, these polysaccharides play an important role in this mushroom’s success as an adjunct cancer treatment. Like antioxidants, PSK and PSP have powerful inflammation-taming properties; however, while antioxidants combat free radicals, these compounds seem to activate other immune system cells. PSP stimulates the production of cytokines, while PSK has been shown to fortify the immune system and help repair immune cell damage that’s caused by chemotherapy.
It's important to note that these bioactive compounds are not exclusive to mushrooms and TCM has a long history of prizing polysaccharide-rich plants, which are known for supporting immunity, tonifying Qi, and increasing vital energy. In addition to some of the best-documented traditions of working with the aforementioned functional mushrooms, other renowned Chinese herbs like Astragalus, Eleuthero, and Ginseng are also rich in polysaccharides. Interestingly, polysaccharides are known to play a crucial role in the adaptogenic effects of many medicinal herbs, marked by an intelligence demonstrated through their bidirectional mechanisms. This means that the herb’s constituents will perform as needed in order to help restore the stressed physiological conditions to a normalized state, thus promoting balance that fosters resilience. Of course, a strong immune system, gut health, and healthy stress response all contribute to our adaptive capacity—a primary pillar of vibrant health according to TCM.
