Agaricus blazei

Agaricus blazei Murill – also known as ABM or Royal Sun Agaricus, is a popular immune support supplement. It was originally found in Brazil in a region where the people are known to live longer and healthier lives than the average.When the Government studied this region to see why, they found the population there consumed Agaricus mushrooms as a regular part of their diet. Aloha Medicinals Agaricus blazei is specially grown in America from the original Brazilian strains, in an FDA certified manufacturing plant with organic ingredients, using a special solid state fermentation process to develop the highest concentration of bio-active compounds.

Agaricus blazei is commonly combined with Cordyceps to gain the benefits of both supplements. A great combo to help you live the healthier, happier life you want.

Aloha Medicinals Agaricus blazei is Certified Free of Agaratine:

We are often asked if our Agaricus blazei contains the carcinogenic compound agaratine. The answer is absolutely NO. We only grow Agaricus strains that are certified free of agaratine, and all lots are independently tested and certified free of all toxins. See independent lab report [pdf] for a typical analysis.

This product contains NO ingredients from China.

Active Ingredients

There are several active ingredients that have been identified in Agaricus blazei. Some of the more important of these are the following;

Beta-(1-3)-D-glucan, Beta-(1-4)-a -D-glucan & Beta – (1-6)-D-glucan. Known collectively as Beta-glucans, these substances are the most potent immune supporting substances yet found and are responsible for supporting the bodies’ own immune support response.

Ergosterol derivatives, also known as provitamine D2 is a potent protective agent.

Proteoglucans and Protein bound Polysaccharides (low molecular weight) – Immune support

There are undoubtedly many more substances found in these mushrooms with direct health supporting properties. As time and research goes on, we will update this site with the latest info.

Cultivation of Agaricus Blazei

This mushroom was first identified to modern science in 1917 from a specimen found in Louisiana by the mycologist R. Murrill. It has been found on the grasslands of Florida and South Carolina, but is generally thought to be extremely rare in nature. The only place that it has been found readily growing in nature is a small area of Brazil. This is the Piedate region southwest of San Paulo, which is where most of the worlds supply is grown today. [update: May 2004 – The strains found in Brazil are now classified by some mycologists as a different species. It remains to be seen whether the North American and South American varieties will turn out to be strains of the same species or end up with different Latin names. The debate rages on…] Just like any other living thing, there is a significant difference in the mushrooms’ properties and qualities, depending on how and where it is grown. Perhaps the most important difference, with regards to what chemical constituents are found in the mushroom, has to do with what type of substrate it is grown on.

Agaricus blazei is a secondary saprophite. This means it grows off material that is already being broken down by other organisms. Because of this characteristic, almost all Agaricus blazei today is being grown on composted straw/cow manure. This is the material of choice for growing the common white button mushroom that you see in the grocery store. We are growing it differently in Hawaii, however. Our research shows that the best quality mushrooms, with by far the most Beta-glucan content, are grown directly on grain; specifically, organic sorghum and millet grain. Our Hawaii grown Agaricus blazei mushrooms are also probably the largest in the world today, with an average size of 6-8 inches across the cap and an average weight of about half a pound each.  While growing these on organic grain is certainly not the cheapest way to do it, we think it is worth it. We are dedicated to producing the very finest quality Blazei possible.

This plant (extract) is used as medicine. Agaricus mushroom is used for cancer, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, “hardening of the arteries” (arteriosclerosis), ongoing liver disease, bloodstream disorders, and digestive problems.Agaricus blazei is believed to stimulate the immune system, fight cancer, reduce blood cholesterol levels, cure digestive and circulatory disorders, prevent peptic ulcer and osteoporosis, improve the quality of life of diabetics, and fight emotional and physical stress. A growing number of scientific researches support these claimed health benefits of the Agaricus blazei, especially on cancer treatment.

Complex polysaccharides isolated from Agaricus blazei like beta-glucans have been found in laboratory studies to inhibit tumor growth and directly kill cancer cells. Other studies also suggest the ability of Agaricus blazei extract to inhibit cancer metastases.

Beta-glucans from Agaricus blazei works on a cellular and molecular level to stimulate the vital components of the immune system such as neutrophils, eosinophils, macrophages, monocytes, and natural killer (NK) cells. These immune system cells do not only help the body fight infection but also fight tumors and cancer cells.

Agaricus blazei has also been found to exhibit antioxidant properties. The antioxidants in the mushroom will prevent the oxidation of cholesterols, which form plaques in the inner linings of blood vessels, hardening blood vessels and obstructing blood flow. Cholesterol plaques in blood vessels are the major culprits in incidents of heart attack and stroke. Antioxidants also benefits the body by neutralizing unstable and harmful free radicals that damages cells and tissues.