Milan Schirlo

One of the most important effects of fungi used in medicine is to strengthen the body's immunity. Studies show that thanks to complex polysaccharide complexes, these mushrooms are able to strengthen the body in the fight against bacteria and viruses, but also candida and other pathogens. Our body has about 33% of the same DNA structure as the mushrooms used in Chinese traditional medicine. The DNA similarity of plants is only 10%. Very interesting is the fact that organisms attacking fungi (bacteria, yeasts, viruses) can also attack the human body. This is not so common in plants. Most microorganisms capable of attacking plants do not attack humans. It seems logical, therefore, that fungi used in medicine have the above-mentioned properties and, thanks to their development, which has lasted longer than that of man, they can have a positive effect on the immunity of the human body. There are several possibilities to look into the defence system from the position of traditional Cho medicine:
In the most general terms, we can define what the body produces in terms of Zheng Qi (ordinary Qi) and what is alien to the body, pathological, Xie Qi (harmful Qi). Pathogens (in traditional medicine created by harmful winds, for the Western doctor - viruses, bacteria, yeasts) constantly surround the body and look for an entrance through which they can penetrate. If the Zhenq Qi is sufficient and strong (we live harmoniously) there is no possibility for the Xie Qi to penetrate. However, there are situations when with strong Zhenq Qi, Xie Qi will penetrate. This is especially true for epidemic diseases where the pathogen is exceptionally strong and can break the protective shield of Zheng Qi.
Another possible insight is the concept of Wei Qi versus Ying Qi. It is not a different Qi compared to the previous ones, but a different division. Ying Qi is recuperative and Wei Qi is defensive. Wei Qi circulates on our surface and creates peripheral protection against the influence of pathogens from the outside.
This whole traditional view can be compared to the military. If it is strong enough, has high morale, it is able to defend its territory. The enemy can penetrate either due to the negligence of the army (bad nutrition, stress, poor mental condition) or the enemy's forces are greater (epidemic diseases). However, most of the diseases of external origin are caused by the negligence of one's own "army".
According to Chinese medicine, the traditional organs responsible for immunity are the spleen, lungs and kidneys. The spleen deals with the conversion of food into Qi. Eating unhealthily weakens Wei Qi and immunity decreases. The lungs control the surface (skin, pores, nose), i.e. the area that pathogens penetrate. If the Qi of the lungs is weakened, passage spaces for the enemy are created. According to Chinese tradition, the kidneys are the source of prenatal and postnatal essence - the root of Wei Qi. The quality of this essence depends unfortunately (and sometimes fortunately) on the parents. It is said to contain the Qi quality of the three previous generations. If our ancestors did not live properly, our Wei Qi may be weakened from birth or have the disposition to do so. It is up to us what we do about it.
Based on modern research, we know that polysaccharide complexes can strengthen the body's defenses. Despite the lack of knowledge about polysaccharides in ancient times, Chinese, imperial physicians were able to use the properties of mushrooms very well. If we look at the individual tropisms of mushrooms we can see their narrow relationship to specific oragnes responsible for immunity in traditional Chinese medicine, e.g. Reishi - lungs, Cordyceps - lungs, kidneys, Coriolus - lungs, spleen... It is very important that many mushrooms can not only strengthen immunity, but also regulate it when the body's reactions are excessive. This effect is used in atopic problems, rheumatism, etc.

Milan Schirlo - practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine(www.tcm-point.cz) and consultant to MycoMedica