Shiitake (Lentinula edodes)
Extensive Japanese medical research has proven
shiitake to be valuable for a number of nutritional and medicinal
benefits. Currently, they are valued for their disease-preventing
qualities – enhancing the immune system, proving beneficial
in fighting cancer with anti-tumor and antiviral properties and as an
aid in the prevention of cerebral hemorrhagic strokes by regulating
blood pressure. Also, researchers S. Suzuki and Oshima found that a raw
Shiitake eaten daily for one week lowers serum cholesterol by 12%.
Concentrated forms of lentinan, a polysaccharide and a naturally
occurring fat-absorbing compound, has been used to treat cancer, AIDS,
diabetes, fibrocystic breast disease and other terminal conditions, as
well as aid in weight loss.
According to Dr. Kanichi Mori,
shiitake mushrooms have very low fat content, no starch, and more
vitamin B12 than milk and fish. He considers shiitake mushrooms
nutritionally more valuable than Western staples, such as corn,
turnips, potatoes, tomatoes, and carrots. They contain a full range of
essential amino acids and twice the protein of other mushrooms,
comparable to peas and green beans, though they contain less protein
than meat. Shiitakes contain a good amount of calcium, phosphorus,
iron, and other minerals, a low caloric count, and are said to be rich
in Vitamins A, B1, B2, C, D2, and niacin, with a fair amount of lipids,
fiber, and carbohydrates
Shiitake have been grown on logs in temperate mountainous regions for many years. The first record of cultivating shiitake was during the Sung Dynasty, by Wu Sang Kwuang in China [1].
Shiitake have many medicinal properties, as it is:
anti-bacterial,
anti-candida,
antitumor,
antiviral,
improves blood pressure,
moderates blood sugar,
reduces cholesterol,
enhances immunity,
acts as a kidney tonic,
liver tonic,
is a sexual potentate,
and stress reducer [2].
As well, shiitake have been shown to be effective against numerous cancers, including breast, liver, melanoma, and prostate [3]. Shiitake have shown direct antiviral activity against Herpes simplex I, HIV, Influenza, and Vesicular stomatitus [4].
Shiitake have a protein content of 33%, one of the highest of all mushrooms.