An extract from the turkey tail mushroom (Trametes versicolor)—commonly found in the woods of North America, Asia and Europe—may boost the immune system, according to a study presented this week at the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians’ annual meeting.

The turkey tail mushroom (illustrated above) is too tough to eat, but it may be ingested as a liquid or powdered extract, note researchers from Bastyr University’s School of Natural Health Sciences and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. One such extract, known as Polysaccharide Krestin (PSK), is produced by Kureha, Inc., in Tokyo, Japan, and it has shown some beneficial effects in the treatment of certain cancers—especially when used in conjunction with chemotherapy.

Bastyr and UT researchers isolated immune cells from blood taken from nine healthy volunteers. Their findings suggest PSK may strengthen the immune system against diseases like cancer. It should be noted, however, that this study sample was extremely small, so further testing is necessary. The researchers believe their study, funded in part by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, invites further examination of selected extracts from medicinal mushrooms.

As with any herb or supplement, always check with your traditional or natural healthcare provider before adding it to your organic food regimen.

Suggested Reading

• Medicinal Mushrooms: An Exploration of Tradition, Healing & Culture
• Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms
• All That the Rain Promises, and More: A Hip Pocket Guide to Western Mushrooms

Casey Kellar, author of The Good Earth Home & Garden Book, has a not-too-messy alternative for organic gardening enthusiasts who want to give their plants a helping hand. She recommends mixing equal parts of water and tuna “juice”—the liquid you normally drain from canned water-packed tuna (about 1/2 cup each). Then add a drop of unscented mild detergent to the mix, and pour it into a bottle. Shake and use immediately.

It’s a bit stinky, Kellar admits, but she says plants absolutely adore her “fish fertilizer.” You can order her book through Amazon.com.

Medicine Hunter Chris Kilham (left)

Looking to spice up your love life this Valentine’s Day?

Chris Kilham is the “medicine hunter” behind two natural herbal products for romance seekers committed to an organic lifestyle.

An ethnobotanist and explorer-in-residence at the University of Massachusetts, Kilham recently returned from a global search for botanical aphrodisiacs that put him face to face with native shamans and herbalists in Peru, Siberia, Malaysia and the Himalayas. Two supplements—Hot Plants for Him and Hot Plants for Her—are the result of his intercontinental trek, while Hot Plants: Nature’s Proven Sex Boosters for Men and Women chronicles his adventures.

“Our modern culture is infected with DINS—that is, dual income, no sex,” Kilham says. “Forty-five percent of married couples report having intimacy only one to three times per month. Thirty million American men suffer from performance issues, while record numbers of women complain of low libido due to the stress and fatigue of daily living. Ancient cultures treated intimacy problems using indigenous plant medicines. These treasured botanicals have worked for centuries. Today, substantial scientific research validates their value.”

Human clinical studies have shown improvement in sex drive, sexual function and overall satisfaction utilizing traditional hot plants, including Maca from Peru, Rhodiola Rosea from Siberia, Tongkat Ali from Malaysia, Panax Ginseng from Korea and Yohimbe from West Africa. Important note: Just be sure to read Hot Plants package labels before buying or using the products to review contraindications (i.e., high blood pressure, heart/kidney/liver/thyroid disorders, prostate conditions, etc.) that warrant discussion with your healthcare provider.

Hot Plants is available at natural food stores, including Whole Foods Market, Wild Oats and GNC. Next month, Kilham’s new “Medicine Hunter” television series will broadcast to 20 million U.S. homes on The Healthy Living Channel. A year ago, he appeared on ABC’s 20/20 to dispel the myth that herbal aphrodisiacs are “a bunch of hooey.”