Reishi is the most searched medicinal mushroom on the Internet, used in China for at least two millennia as a panacea to alleviate things from everyday nuisances like the common cold or skin disorders to terminal conditions such as cancer.

Working with cancer research at the Linus Pauling Institute of Science & Medicine is Dr. Fukumi Morishige, a strong proponent for the use of reishi in cancer treatment.

Re-printed in the Chinese Traditional Medicine Part III was a speech by Dr. Morishige that included the case studies listed below.

Growing up in Japan as Dr. Morishige did, it was impossible not to have heard of reishi. But he dismissed it as a mild herbal remedy to be used with limited results for non-terminal illnesses, not as a viable option for treating terminal conditions such as cancer. His curiosity arose when two of his cancer patients showed signs of remission, which they themselves claimed were due to their use of reishi.

The first was a 39-year-old female with lung cancer. Several hospitals had given her the same prognosis. The condition was too far progressed; there was nothing they could do to help her. She\’d also been having secondary complications to the cancer in the form of edema of the chest cavity. But by the time she came to see Dr. Morishige six months later, those symptoms had completely disappeared. The patient herself insisted the improvement was due to 4 grams of reishi per day.

After that, there was the case of the young boy with congenital liver cancer. Four years before he came to see Dr. Morishige, the boy\’s original doctor had sent him home with his parents, claiming the condition was terminal and there was nothing he could do to help. But when Dr. Morishige examined the now 9-year-old-boy, he could find no trace of the tumor. The boy\’s parents said they had been giving their son reishi via his naso-gastric feeding tube. This is when Dr. Morishige decided that reishi deserved a closer look.

The following are five of his case studies using reishi and Vitamin C (for prevention of side effects):

Case 1: A patient with a 5 cm (2 in.) brain tumor who had lost consciousness was placed on 6 gm of reishi per day in June of \’86. By September, this 70-year-old-male patient had emerged from his comatose state. The reishi was decreased to 3 gm per day. Another three months later, December of 1986, scans showed diminishing size of the tumor. After it shrunk to 1 cm (0.4 in.), the hospital released the man to return home and live with his family.

Case 2: A 50+ female with metastatic lung cancer and hemoptysis (coughing up blood) began a regimen of 6 gm/day of reishi. Six months later, the tumor had disappeared. And whereas before she had experienced severe shortness of breath, she could now effortlessly climb stairs.

Case 3: A woman with breast cancer and metastatic bone cancer suffered excruciating pain and an inability to move below the neck. Dr. Morishige started her out on 9 gm/day of reishi and then increased it to 20 gm/day. In two months, the patient was free from pain, able to walk, and was released from the hospital.

Case 4: A male patient with rectal cancer and liver metastasis began using 6 gm of reishi per day. After six months, CT scans showed diminished tumor size and patient demonstrated improved general health.

Case 5: A patient with pancreatic cancer and short life prognosis was put on 9 grams of reishi per day, orally, and 30 grams of Vitamin C, intravenously. Twelve months later, he reported that he longer experienced any symptoms and was back to work. He said he\’d continued taking 5 grams per day of reishi after leaving the hospital.

Note: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The product mentioned herein has not been approved by the FDA for use in treating cancer. Never use this or any other herb to treat a life-threatening disease without consulting a licensed physician.

Reference: Morishige, Fukumi, 1987. Chinese Traditional Medicine Part III, Page 12 – 23, ISBN4-88580-053-6 C-0077

Lots of parents confront the extremely actual situation of having their child experience plastic surgery for cleft lip within just a few months of their birth. It is a extremely scary experience.

Nevertheless, if you get yourself in the state, it is important to know and understand that it is a significant element to your child’s recovery from this birth defect.

Typically, if your child is born with a cleft lip, they will be assigned what is called a “Craniofacial Team” in order to assist with their plastic surgery.

This team has a pediatrician, social worker, plastic surgeon, dentist, psychologist, ear, nose, and throat specialist, and several other professionals.

These professionals work together to ensure that the plastic surgery goes well according to the individual case.

While plastic surgery may not be something that you want to consent to, it is important to understand that it will help your child in the long run.

Reconstructive surgery works to develop the lip, and the surrounding mouth and nose area. This will ensure that the child is able to eat, breath, and function appropriately. If you are unable to afford plastic surgery for cleft lip, the March of Dimes will assist with the costs.

Remember, it may be difficult for you to observe your child endure plastic surgery, but it will be a rewarding experience for both of you in the end.