As our outer shell, the skin has several tasks to perform. In the process, it is exposed to influences both inside and outside the body. It keeps out UV rays and forms a protective shield against the temperatures prevailing in the environment. It also repels pathogens and serves as a buffer in the event of accidents. The skin also contains various sensors that allow us to feel our surroundings: We feel heat, cold, pain and can touch things. Finally, our skin also fulfills functions in the context of metabolism: it forms vitamin D and can store fat as well as water or salt.Roughly speaking, we distinguish between epidermis, dermis and hypodermis.
The epidermis consists of the horny layer with underlying germ layer. As the name suggests, the horny layer consists of horny cells that intercept the coarsest influences from the environment. The germ layer provides replenishment, so that the horny layer is completely renewed about every four weeks. The germinal layer, in turn, is divided into the so-called basal and prickle cell layers.
The dermis is a layer of connective tissue. It provides elasticity, but is clearly subject to aging processes in this function. Blood and lymph vessels as well as nerve fibers run in the dermis. In addition, the hair follicles, sebaceous and sweat glands are located here.
Below the dermis lies the hypodermis. It consists of loose connective and fatty tissue. Their main functions are protection against cold and the storage of energy. It also forms the shifting layer between the outer skin and the connective tissue around the muscles.
As you can see, our skin has a very complex structure and must meet a wide variety of requirements. Now when we talk about curing skin diseases naturally, the focus must always be on external as well as internal influencing factors. Only then can we do justice to the complexity of our skin and its problems.
Our organism is confronted with toxins on a daily basis. We ingest them through our food, for example. Metabolic processes can also produce toxins, which the body then has to render harmless and eliminate. Some diseases in the area of the skin indicate that the body can no longer “keep up” with detoxification. When the usual excretory pathways via the intestines and kidneys are overloaded, a kind of “emergency detoxification” takes place via the skin. This explains the close connection between liver and skin health: if the liver, as the central detoxification organ, is in bad shape, the skin also suffers from toxin overload. Here, the vital mushroom Reishi can be a good help. In fact, it protects the 
In the liver, harmful substances are processed and released into the intestines via the kidneys or together with the bile. This must now eliminate the bound toxins. If digestion is sluggish or there are other problems in the intestines, detoxification also comes to a standstill. This in turn can have a negative effect on the skin.
Overall, neurodermatitis affects significantly more children than adults in industrialized countries. For the last decades, statistics also indicate a strong spread of the skin disease. In 1960, for example, around 4% of children in the “Western world” suffered from neurodermatitis. Today it is between 15 and 20 %! Among adults, the prevalence currently varies between about 2 and 8%.
A typical symptom is the silvery-white skin flakes that occur in large quantities. In addition, the skin often appears reddish in color due to inflammation and heavy blood flow. In 50 to 75% of those affected, the disease also occurs in the area of the nails. Between 5 and 20% also feel the autoimmune disease in their joints. In this case, it is essential to clarify before treatment whether it is actually psoriasis or possibly rheumatoid arthritis.
Since 70 to 80 % of all adolescents suffer from acne, the skin disease is primarily known as a phenomenon during puberty. The main reason for this is hormonal changes. However, acne is the most common skin disease worldwide and can also affect adults. In addition to hormonal fluctuations, certain cosmetics, chlorine and medications are possible triggers. Typical signs are pustules, pimples and blackheads. These spread mainly on the face, but can also appear on other parts of the body. Often the vital mushrooms Polyporus, Reishi or for adults Maitake are recommended for acne.
Also known for symptoms on the skin is the group of herpes viruses. They include, for example, herpes simplex type 1, the so-called “cold sore”. Another herpes virus, the varicella zoster virus, causes chickenpox and shingles, respectively.
As a liver mushroom, the Reishi promotes first and foremost the detoxification of the body via the liver. All toxins that are discharged via the liver and intestines no longer represent a burden for the skin. In addition, Reishi is also considered a benefactor of the intestine: it promotes healthy intestinal flora and, in particular, inhibits the spread of such bacteria that produce LPS. It also supports the health of the intestinal mucosa, which even counteracts problems typical of a leaky gut.
Thus, the vital mushroom prevents allergens, toxins or even microorganisms from the intestinal tract from entering the body. At the same time, it also promotes intestinal flora. It stimulates the proliferation of bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids. The body needs these in particular for its nerve fibers. The intake of Hericium is always recommended in cases of dysbiosis and following antibiotic therapy to strengthen the intestinal environment and thus also prevent skin diseases.
Researchers consider cordycepin to be the most important substance here. Studies have shown that during the intake of cordyceps the levels of urinary substances such as urea, uric acid and creatinine decrease. If you suffer from edema, you should seek advice on a combination of Cordyceps and Polyporus.
As a vital mushroom that gets things “flowing,” polyporus promotes yet another important detoxification agency in the body: the lymphatic system. By stimulating the flow of lymph, it prevents congestion. These are particularly fatal for the skin, because when the lymph is stagnant, the only way out is through the skin to remove harmful substances. The positive influence on the lymph has proved particularly useful for people who, for example, have congestion due to venous weakness.
Thus, it can efficiently counteract TH2 dominance with its ingredients by stimulating higher natural killer cell activity and increased production of messenger substances from TH1 cells. Its use has been proven in chronic viral infections as well as in inflammations and allergies. In addition, it protects to some extent against new infections, but also accelerates the regeneration after an infection. Possible symptoms in the area of the skin thus subside more quickly. Promising studies have been conducted, for example, on diseases caused by herpes simplex and Epstein Barr viruses. By the way, despite its stimulating properties, Coriolus can also be taken for autoimmune-related diseases!
Thanks to its beta-D-glucans, glycoproteins, blazeispirol A and C, and blazein, it effectively supports the treatment of tumors. For example, it promotes so-called apoptosis (the death of cancer cells), but also provides important enzymes and protects the bone marrow. It also promotes the immune response, which is directed against degenerated or infected cells.
Especially for allergic reactions of the skin, but also for psoriasis, neurodermatitis, acne and dry-scaly areas, the Chaga has proven itself many times. One reason is probably hidden in its inotodiol ingredient, which acts directly on the mast cells and reduces the release of histamine here. In laboratory studies on mice, its administration significantly alleviated the symptoms of food allergy.
Furthermore, the mushrooms should have been dried gently – i.e. at a maximum of 40° Celsius. Higher temperatures destroy important enzymes, whose health-promoting effect is thus irrevocably lost.
