A mushroom like shiitake, appeared on our table relatively recently, but despite this, the product managed to win many fans. This Japanese mushroom, distant from us, has managed to prove itself excellently in cooking and folk medicine. The product contains a huge amount of all kinds of useful compounds, which makes it not only a bright note in a variety of dishes, but also a real cure for many ailments. However, most of us have not fully discovered all its benefits for the body. In this article we will try to answer readers’ questions about this product, as well as identify the main benefits and harms of shiitake for human health.

Shiitake is a spore-bearing saprotrophic organism, the main habitat of which is the organic substances of dead plants, mainly trees. Today, this species is one of the most cultivated mushrooms in the world, grown everywhere.
However, under natural conditions it is found only in the south-eastern part of Asia, mainly in the area of ​​​​dense forest plantations. In most cases, shiitake grows on the wood of deciduous trees, and is especially fond of castanopsis acuminate.

Did you know? Shiitake has been known to mankind for many centuries. The first mention of this mushroom dates back to 199 AD. e.

It can also be found in the Primorsky Territory; in this region, the mushroom’s companions are traditionally considered to be Amur linden and Mongolian oak.

The appearance of shiitake is very characteristic. This mushroom has a small hemispherical cap, with a diameter of 3 to 10 cm. Its color is often dark brown, brown or chocolate. Often numerous scales appear on the cap. The mushroom belongs to the lamellar species, its plates are numerous, white or delicate beige.
The height of the leg varies between 2-8 cm, it is solid, much lighter than the cap. This species grows mainly in the warm season, but under artificial conditions it can be cultivated throughout the year.

Composition and nutritional value

The mushroom is one of the foods quite rich in vitamins and minerals. It contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B5, B6, B9, B12, C and D, as well as micro- and macroelements such as: potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, selenium and nitrogen.

Did you know? In the 20th century, shiitake became the first mushroom that humanity began to actively grow under artificial conditions.

The mushroom contains a polysaccharide called lentinan, which has a pronounced anti-cancer effect. In addition, it contains such important amino acids for the human body as: arginine, leucine, histidine, isoleucine, tyrosine, lysine, threonine, phenylalanine, methionine, valine.

100 g of shiitake contains:

• water - 89.7 g;
• proteins - 2.2 g;
• fats - 0.5 g;
• carbohydrates - 4.2 g;
• ash - 0.75 g;
• fiber - 2.5 g;
• calorie content of the product - 35 kcal.

In order to choose the right shiitake, you should pay attention to just a few features of this product. It is believed that mushrooms with a cap diameter of about 5 cm are considered to be of the highest quality and most intense in taste. At the same time, they must be open at least 70%.
Pay attention to the surface of the cap: it should be velvety, with a uniform brown-chocolate tint over the entire surface.

Important! Shiitake mushrooms purchased at the supermarket are only suitable for food purposes. Such mushrooms are often grown on poor substrates, and therefore do not have the necessary amount of useful elements for the preparation of medicinal products.

Fresh mushrooms are stored in the refrigerator, wrapped in a paper bag, at a temperature of +4...+8 °C. In this form, the product retains its freshness for 5-7 days. For longer preservation, it is dried; dry mushroom can be stored in a cool, dry place for 24 months.

As mentioned above, shiitake is a fairly healthy product for the human body. This mushroom has the following beneficial properties:

• inhibits viral and bacterial infections;
• eliminates bleeding and stomach ulcers;
• strengthens the body's protective functions;
• normalizes the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
• facilitates the course of gastrointestinal diseases;
• destroys cancer cells;
• strengthens the nervous system;
• removes toxins and cholesterol from the body;
• prolongs remission in diabetes mellitus;
• prevents heart attack;
• improves the condition of the musculoskeletal system in diseases of the joints and back;
• improves the body's condition in case of hepatitis, stomach ulcers and gastritis;
• restores health after serious illnesses.

Traditional medicine recipes

Often, almost all parts of the mushroom are used for medicinal purposes, on the basis of which many infusions and medicinal remedies are prepared. They are used to eliminate a variety of pathologies, but often such drugs are the best way to prevent many ailments. Let's take a closer look at how this mushroom is used in folk medicine.

Shiitake powder is used for both preventive and therapeutic purposes to maintain the immune system and the body’s overall resistance to a variety of negative environmental factors. You can buy the powder at the pharmacy, or prepare it yourself. For this:

• take fresh mushrooms and cut them into small pieces;
• soak the raw materials in cold water for 30 minutes;
• dry the shiitake naturally or using a dryer at a temperature not exceeding +40 °C;
• grind the dry product using a blender or other device.

Use this remedy 2-3 teaspoons 1-2 times a day 40 minutes before meals for 3 weeks. It is recommended to drink the powder with warm boiled water. You can also make mushroom tea. To do this, 1-2 teaspoons of powder are infused in 300 ml of boiling water for an hour.

Important! All kinds of shiitake-based extracts should be used for medicinal purposes only after consulting a doctor. Self-medication can worsen your overall health.

The mixture is drunk warm 10 minutes before meals, no more than 2 times a day. The decoction can also be used to prepare all kinds of soups, but such dishes must be consumed immediately after preparation.

For hepatitis, multiple sclerosis and general malaise, it is recommended to use shiitake oil infusions. You can prepare them without much difficulty at home:

• measure and chop 1 g of dried mushrooms;
• take 150 ml or olive oil and heat it to +37 °C;
• pour oil over the mushrooms and keep in a warm place for 2 hours with the lid closed;
• put the mixture in the refrigerator for 5 days.

This oily liquid should be consumed 2 times a day on an empty stomach, morning and evening, 1 tablespoon. The oil should be shaken thoroughly before use.

Shiitake tincture

Alcohol tinctures from the mushroom make it possible to alleviate hypertension, normalize blood sugar and stimulate the functioning of the cardiovascular system. The product is prepared as follows:

• measure 10 g of mushroom powder (7-8 heaped teaspoons);
• pour the powder into a liter glass container and pour 500 ml of a 40-proof alcoholic drink (vodka or cognac of your choice);
• Seal the lid of the container tightly and leave the mixture to infuse in a dark, cool place for 2-3 weeks;
• after this time, strain the liquid through gauze or a cotton-gauze filter;
• Pour the resulting mixture into a glass container and place in the refrigerator for storage.

The resulting infusion is taken 1 teaspoon 40 minutes before meals for 1 month. After this, you should take a two-week break and continue the procedure to consolidate the effect.

As mentioned above, this mushroom contains a specific polysaccharide lentinan, which has anticancer activity. An impressive number of laboratory studies have revealed that this substance helps improve immunity.
Thanks to this, the body destroys cancer cells and foci of their reproduction on its own. As a result, in just a few courses of taking shiitake extracts it is possible to almost completely stop the development of oncology.

Did you know? The anti-cancer properties of shiitake were discovered by Japanese scientist Tetsuro Ikekawa in 1969.

You can prepare such a healing remedy with your own hands, for this:

• take a liter glass bowl and pour 50 g of mushroom powder into it;
• pour 750 ml of 40-proof alcohol (cognac or vodka) into the powder and stir thoroughly;
• Cover the mixture with a tight lid and leave it to infuse for 2 weeks in the refrigerator (during infusion, the liquid must be stirred well once a day).

Take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day 40 minutes before meals. The preventive course is 1 month.

In cooking, shiitake mushrooms are used on a par with familiar or local forest mushrooms. They can be boiled, stewed, fried, etc.
In this form, the product can become both a main dish and an excellent addition to meat or vegetables.

It is often used to prepare all kinds of sauces; in this form, the mushroom can become a rather interesting note for many dishes. There are also many recipes for preserving shiitake online; in this state it can be preserved until the onset of spring warmth.

In cosmetology, the mushroom has found its application no less widely than in cooking and medicine. It is used to prepare face masks, which are famous for their rejuvenating, nourishing and anti-inflammatory effects.

Such products help to permanently eliminate most age-related skin problems and saturate it with all the necessary vitamins and elements.

Preparing such a cosmetic product is quite simple:

• take 100 g of raw shiitake, wash and peel thoroughly;
• chop the mushrooms as finely as possible;
• pour everything into a glass bowl and pour in 250 ml of vodka;
• cover the mixture with a tight lid and put it in the refrigerator for 2 weeks;
• After 2 weeks, the mask is ready; before use, you need to strain it to remove the mushroom particles.

The resulting mask must be moistened with a special cosmetic napkin or gauze and applied to a clean, pre-cleaned face.
After 25-30 minutes, you can remove it, then wash thoroughly with cool water. Such procedures are used in small courses, once a day for a month, then you should take a break.

Important! The components of the mushroom can be strong allergens, so before the first use of the procedure, you need to moisten your wrist with the extract for 15-20 minutes. If discomfort, burning, etc. occur, the mask should never be applied to the face.

Like most other products, shiitake has its contraindications for use. These include:

• age up to 12 years;
• pregnancy;
• lactation period;
• asthma;
• individual intolerance to components.

This mushroom is a fairly strong allergen, so it should be introduced into the diet carefully and in small portions. Despite the fact that it can be consumed without restrictions, exceeding the dose (more than 200 g of fresh and 20 g of dried mushrooms per day) can cause serious allergic reactions on the body, rash and itching.

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18 once already
helped

Shiitake mushrooms have been known to the world for more than 2000 years. Considered an Eastern symbol of longevity, they have many beneficial properties and are widely used for medicinal purposes.

Since ancient times, the medicinal properties of shiitake have been used to combat diseases such as:

• cardiovascular diseases,
• colds,
• stomach ulcer,
• diabetes mellitus,
• cancer.

The taste and aroma of shiitakes (mistakenly called shiitakes) are reminiscent of wild mushrooms, as they have the same meaty texture. Under natural conditions, they grow on trees in Asia: China, Japan. However, they are also grown artificially, this has been especially popular recently due to the healing properties that they possess.

The beneficial properties of shiitake mushrooms are difficult to overestimate due to their rich chemical composition. These mushrooms are rich in minerals and vitamins necessary for the development and health of our body. They are very rich in composition, they include:

• selenium,
• iron,
• proteins,
• vitamins B and C,
• potassium,
• calcium,
• magnesium,
• phosphorus,
• zinc.

And this is only a small list of substances that are so useful to humans.

Shiitake is called the ginseng mushroom due to the beneficial properties it possesses.

Strengthening the immune system

Shiitake mushrooms are an excellent remedy in the fight against viral diseases. The polysaccharides they contain have a positive effect on the body's production of interferon, a protein that prevents the proliferation of viruses and bacteria. Having a gentle effect on the body, these mushrooms introduce it to the immune system, which causes the virus to die. This significantly reduces the likelihood of contracting a virus or bacteria again.

The healing properties of shiitake are also associated with a polysaccharide called lentinan, which is included in their composition. In world medicine, a dry extract of this substance is successfully used to treat benign and malignant tumors, such as fibroids, fibroids, and melanoma. Lentinan slows down the growth of cancer cells and allows the treatment of cancer patients to achieve significant remission of the disease, from several months to 10 years. Mushrooms also successfully fight the effects of chemotherapy and radiation. The polysaccharides they contain are even used in the treatment of diabetes and AIDS.

Fight cholesterol

The benefit of shiitake mushrooms is to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood, thanks to the amino acid eritadenine they contain.

Research conducted by Japanese scientists showed that people who consumed shiitake mushrooms every day for a week had a 12% reduction in serum cholesterol levels.

What is useful about eritadenine is that it prevents the formation of blood clots in the body, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Regular consumption of this mushroom in food can achieve a good effect in reducing high blood pressure and atherosclerosis.

Use for preventive purposes

Currently, shiitake mushrooms are widely used in medicine for preventive purposes. The beneficial substances included in its composition normalize metabolism, cleanse the blood, and increase the elasticity of blood vessels. Shiitake-based preparations heal ulcers and erosions in the stomach and intestines.

Shiitake contains zinc, which has a positive effect on male potency, so preparations from these mushrooms are often used to normalize the functioning of the prostate gland.

Scientists have proven that eating shiitake prolongs youth and health; it’s not for nothing that residents of Japan and China, where this mushroom comes from, call it the “elixir of life.”

In recent years, the shiitake mushroom has become a common inhabitant of store shelves in the post-Soviet space, meanwhile, it has been known in China for 2 thousand years, and it also grows in Japan. In these eastern countries it not only grows in the natural environment, but is also cultivated with great success. In Chinese medicine, it is considered a very healing product that can significantly increase life expectancy when consumed regularly.

In recent years, shiitake mushroom has become a common inhabitant of store shelves in the post-Soviet space.

Today, this mushroom is used not only in cooking, but also as a medicinal product. In order to grow it in an artificial environment, there are several methods.

If shiitake is grown using pressed sawdust, which is mixed with mycelium, then although they will have the desired taste, they will contain minimal beneficial active substances. The product grown in this way is sold in grocery stores. For shiitakes to have medicinal properties, they must be grown in natural conditions or cultivated on wooden logs. In the eastern region, extracts of this species of mushrooms grown in nature are used to create biologically active preparations and various useful food additives.

What is the benefit

After studying the composition, scientists found that this type of mushroom contains vitamins B, C, D, retinol, trace elements, a large number of essential amino acids (those substances that can only be obtained from the external environment; the body does not produce them on its own), fatty acids acids. In addition, Q10 was also found in the composition - a coenzyme, which is a powerful antioxidant that affects redox processes in the cells of the whole body.

Polysaccharides, which are also contained in this type of mushroom, can have a positive effect on the formation of interferon, thereby significantly improving the functioning of the immune system and resistance to various infectious agents. The product's properties for stimulating the immune system allow it to be compared with another plant common in the East - ginseng.

In Chinese medicine, this mushroom is considered a very healing product.

In addition, these mushrooms contain substances that prevent the formation of blood clots and help significantly reduce cholesterol levels: with regular consumption, its level in the blood decreases by 10%.

Eating shiitake helps reduce the risk of strokes, heart attacks, and arterial hypertension.

In oriental medicine, these mushrooms are used to treat diabetes mellitus, as well as complications associated with it, to detoxify the body and strengthen the nervous system. A dietary supplement containing a mushroom extract is prescribed as one of the components in the complex therapy of respiratory, oncological, dermatological, and nervous diseases.

In oriental medicine, these mushrooms are used to treat diabetes mellitus, as well as complications associated with it.

Eating shiitake helps normalize metabolism, has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, and stimulates the breakdown of fats (for this reason, those who want to lose weight often add them to their diet).

Gallery: shiitake mushrooms (25 photos)

King of medicinal mushrooms (video)

Against oncology

Years of persistent research have revealed that the polysaccharide lentinan, contained in shiitake, is needed by the human body in order to produce special substances that can resist cancer cells, as well as phytoncides - they will fight influenza, hepatitis and HIV viruses.

In such eastern countries as Singapore, Korea, Vietnam, Japan, China, the method of combating cancer, including the use of shiitake (PROGMA), is even recognized by official medicine. Doctors can prescribe it in combination with traditional cancer treatment methods. PROGMA is prescribed for both malignant and benign neoplasms at any stage. Similar treatment is also used to restore the body weakened by radiation or chemical therapy.

Treatment of various diseases with the help of mushrooms (fungotherapy) involves the use of their extracts, since in this form the concentration of healing substances is much higher compared to alcohol tinctures, which are prepared based on mushroom powder, or other means. Shiitake is often used in capsules that contain the required dosage of dry extract with the addition of B vitamins and tocopherol.

This dietary supplement still has some contraindications: pregnancy, lactation, age under 12 years.

Despite the enormous benefits of the product, eating shiitake requires caution due to its high chitin content. This substance is unable to be digested when it enters the stomach, for this reason it should not be abused. In addition, individual intolerance to the drug and exacerbation of bronchial asthma may occur due to allergens contained in the composition. Therefore, before using this product, you should consult a specialist to eliminate the possibility of negative consequences.

Despite the enormous benefits, the use of these mushrooms requires caution due to their high chitin content.

In addition to its use in medicine, this mushroom has become widely used in cosmetology. Those cosmetics that contain shiitake extract have a beneficial effect on the skin:

• it becomes smoother, more elastic;
• the depth of wrinkles is noticeably reduced;
• sebum secretion is normalized;
• cell regeneration improves;
• enlarged pores are reduced.

In order for these mushrooms to bring only benefits to the body, it is necessary to choose them correctly: they should not be under-dried or covered with mold. It is best to purchase a ready-made, proven drug in capsules at a pharmacy (supplements), but take it only after prior consultation with your doctor.

Shiitake mushrooms (video)

Shiitake mushrooms have medicinal properties and are widely used in the treatment of malignant tumors. But the medicinal properties of shiitake do not end there.

The nutritional value
A portion 100 g
Amount per serving
Calories from fat 4,41
% Daily value *
Total fat 0.49 g
Cholesterol
Sodium 9 mg
Potassium 304 mg
Total carbohydrates 6.79 g
Sugar 2.38 g
Alimentary fiber 2.5 g
Squirrels 2.24 g
Vitamin B6
Vitamin D
* Calculation for a daily diet of 2000 kcal

The ratio of BZHU in the product

Source: depositphotos.com

How to burn 34 kcal?

Description

Shiitake is a popular delicacy mushroom grown primarily on Castanopsis longacuminate trees.

The homeland of the mushroom is the countries of Southeast Asia and China. It has been grown on specially treated tree stumps in the mountainous regions of Korea, China, and Japan since very ancient times. The first written review of shiitake regarding its use as food dates back to 199 BC, and it has been used in Chinese medicine since even more ancient times. According to some sources, this mushroom was consumed by Chinese emperors to protect themselves from various diseases and prolong youth.

In the 70s of the last century, shiitake began to be grown in America and European countries, where it became extremely popular. The mushroom has a pleasant aroma and taste, soft texture, which allowed it to occupy a leading position among cultivated mushrooms. Today, along with traditional technologies, shiitake mushrooms have been successfully grown on sawdust, previously enriched with special nutritional additives.

The cap of the mushroom has a dark brown color, which can reach 5-20 cm in diameter. You can see a beautiful pattern of cracks and thickenings on it. The stalk is fibrous, in young mushrooms with a protective plate, which breaks when the spores mature. The most useful mushrooms are those whose cap is 70% open, does not exceed five centimeters in diameter, and has a dark brown velvety color.

Judging by the numerous positive reviews, shiitake is very popular and widely used in cooking. In addition, the treatment of shiitake is also successful. In Japan, the mushroom is highly prized for absorbing the flavors of other ingredients without overpowering them. And in Europe, shiitake is an indispensable ingredient in various dishes due to its characteristic caramel smell and ease of preparation.

Many soups, seasonings and even drinks are prepared from the mushroom. It is added to hot dishes, as it goes well with meat, vegetables and noodles. It is popular to grill shiitake and bake it in tempura (for this it is better to use mushrooms with large caps).

Composition and calorie content of shiitake

100 g of shiitake mushrooms contain 89.74 g of water, 4.29 g of carbohydrates, 2.5 g of fiber, 2.24 g of protein, 0.73 g of ash, 0.49 g of fat; vitamins: retinol (A), thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (PP), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), folic acid (B9), cyanocobalamin (B12), calciferol (D); macroelements: phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium; trace elements: selenium, zinc, copper, manganese, iron.

The calorie content of shiitake is 34 kcal per 100 g of product.

Useful properties of shiitake

The medicinal properties of shiitake are widely known in Japan. For many centuries, it has been used primarily for the prevention of heart disease, colds, tumors, and hypertension. Treatment of shiitake is believed to prevent sexual disorders and problems caused by aging of the body. Reviews of shiitake from Japanese residents indicate that they consider it an elixir of life, which refreshes both spirit and body at the same time.

In our latitudes, shiitake is not so popular, although, thanks to its wide range of preventive and therapeutic effects, this exotic mushroom is eaten all over the world. Just two decades ago, shiitake was considered a very expensive and very rare oriental delicacy. Currently, the mushroom is becoming increasingly widespread in the West, so it can already be easily found on supermarket shelves. Increasingly, shiitake treatment began to be used for such common diseases of the 20th century as AIDS, cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

Shiitake mushroom is an ideal protein due to the fact that it contains ten amino acids that are essential for the human body, and in precisely the proportion that is most suitable for human nutrition. Along with many enzymes and vitamins, the mushroom contains amino acids such as lysine and leucine, which determines the very important medicinal properties of shiitake, since grain crops practically do not contain these amino acids. In addition, the mushroom is an excellent source of B vitamins, including vitamin B12.

In addition to preventing the above-mentioned diseases, reviews of shiitake indicate that it is effective against high blood pressure, slows down the aging process and reduces cholesterol levels in the blood. World-renowned mushroom researcher, Marie Kisako, claims that shiitake treatment is useful for kidney stones, diabetes, stomach ulcers, anemia, vitamin deficiency, as well as colds. From his scientific works you can learn that the mushroom has a strong antibacterial and antiviral effect, since the polysaccharides it contains prevent viruses and bacteria from multiplying.

Thanks to the lentinan contained in the mushroom, the antitumor property of shiitake has been proven. At the Tokyo State Oncology Research Institute, studies conducted in the 60s of the last century scientifically confirmed the anti-cancer effect of the mushroom. The trial results were published in the American oncology journal Cancer Research. Thanks to these data, Japanese scientists have achieved impressive results in the treatment of patients in recurrent or advanced stages of the disease.

Today, in many cases, in the treatment of cancerous tumors, along with chemotherapy, patients are prescribed shiitake mushroom extract in order to reduce the toxic effects of drugs on the immune system and healthy tissues.

According to recent studies, it has been proven that in a tissue culture environment, shiitake inhibits the reproduction of the HIV virus that causes AIDS. Scientists from the same Tokyo State Cancer Research Institute came to the conclusion that shiitake mushroom extract prevents cell destruction caused by the HIV virus. Thus, the shiitake mushroom is of interest to scientists involved in the treatment of AIDS.

Contraindications

Shiitake mushroom is the only mushroom that can cause allergic reactions in the body. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce it into the diet from small portions, gradually increasing them.

In addition, pregnant and lactating women are not recommended to consume the mushroom, as it contains too many biologically active substances.

Video from YouTube on the topic of the article:

In Russia and neighboring countries, the white mushroom is unconditionally considered the king of mushrooms. However, the situation is completely different in Japan and China, where there is another emperor mushroom, the shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes). This is despite the fact that shiitake is less attractive in appearance than its solid white counterpart from Russia. However, this is quite in the Japanese spirit - to see beauty and greatness in the ordinary.

Without pretending to provide a complete overview of this topic, we can say that the Japanese have been considering the emperor mushroom for about three millennia. And this mushroom acquired such a reputation not for its taste, but specifically for its medicinal qualities. In any case, not a single medical treatise could ignore shiitake, where this mushroom is placed on a par with ginseng.

It is known that Emperor Kushido, who ruled Japan in the 12th century for fifty years, owed his longevity to the emperor mushroom. Already at a young age, he fell ill with diabetes, which the court doctors could not cope with. Those of them who survived after this said that the young emperor had no more than five years to live. However, an ordinary doctor came to the ruler’s aid, offering him stewed shiitake. Despite the skepticism towards such a simple remedy, the treatment turned out to be effective. After this, Emperor Kushido began to eat shiitake mushrooms and drink the extract of this mushroom daily.

All this was just a beautiful legend if it weren’t for the fact that it was Kushido who issued the law on the industrial cultivation of shiitake on special plantations. After this, shiitakes became an obligatory part of the imperial courts. For some time they were even considered a secret medicine available only to the nobility. But this did not last long and shiitake treatment first took over Japan, then China, and in the 20th century it began to gradually take over Europe. Currently, the conquest has become large-scale and over forty thousand articles and monographs are devoted to this mushroom.

Some Cautions When Treating Shiitake

The main problem that an ordinary person who decides to improve their health with the help of shiitake may encounter is the low quality of the mushroom. The reason for this is that when shiitake became popular in the West, the Americans decided to put its cultivation on stream. And since it has been grown naturally for quite a long time, enterprising Americans decided to improve the mycelium itself. The result was a mushroom that was more intended for delicacy than for medical use. This soon spread to Europe. In a word, now American and European shiitakes have little in common with Japanese ones in medicinal terms.

Fortunately, with some effort, you can purchase the mycelium of real Japanese shiitake mushrooms. Despite the significantly higher price, such mushrooms have proven to be incomparably more effective in the treatment of some serious diseases, for example, multiple sclerosis. In addition, they turned out to be very effective as an antiviral agent and more.

Contraindications for the treatment of shiitake

First of all, it should be noted that traditional treatment with shiitake is associated with a number of additional requirements that are not always possible to fulfill on your own. In view of this, it is advisable to carry out treatment under the guidance of an experienced fungotherapist (mushroom treatment specialist).

As for contraindications, their list is small:

1. Bronchial asthma
2. Lactation
3. Pregnancy
4. Individual intolerance

True, regarding the last point, it is worth saying that such a reaction to shiitake is extremely rare and can be eliminated using the simplest means.

The benefits of shiitake for various diseases

• Multiple sclerosis
• Viral diseases
• Malignant and benign tumors
• Weak immunity
• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Hepatitis B

Shiitake against cancer

The antitumor properties of shiitake have contributed greatly to the popularization of this mushroom. The anti-cancer effect was discovered back in the 14th century in China. The discoverer of this property was the doctor Wu Rui, who used decoctions and tinctures of shiitake in the treatment of cancer patients. The archives even preserve the exact recipes used by this doctor. Oddly enough, but Chinese official medicine for a long time ignored these recipes, considering them a relic of the “dark past.” Microbiologists from Hungary gave them a second life in 1981. After their experiments, the effect of shiitake on cancer cells became a scientific fact. In turn, Japanese scientists have proven that shiitake aqueous extract has a very high level (up to 92%) of inhibition of cancer tumors.

Moreover, further studies demonstrated that on average, 60% of the mice recovered completely, while the remainder had an 81 percent tumor control rate. In other words, even in those mice that were not completely cured, the tumors almost always stopped metastasizing and progressing.

At the same time, polysaccharides, previously unknown to science, which were the active component of the mushroom, began to be isolated from the shiitake mushroom. Using the resulting white powder on mice, it was found that two-thirds of the mice were cured of cancer. A year later, a scientific article was published describing the powerful effects of certain polysaccharides contained in shiitake. They were given the name "lentinan". The mechanism of its action remains unknown, but it is clear that even in small doses it has a great antitumor effect. Even at a dose of just half a milligram per 1 kilogram of weight, 80% of mice experienced complete tumor regression (“sarcoma 180”), and at twice the dose, the tumor stopped progressing in all mice. It is important to note that, based on indirect evidence, the effects of lentinan were immunological rather than cytotoxic or chemotherapeutic. Subsequent experiments confirmed this.

The discovery of Japanese scientists created a real sensation of global significance, since lentinan turned out to be many times stronger than all other herbal medicines with anti-cancer activity.

Numerous clinical studies of lentinan have shown excellent results everywhere. Even Kaposi's sarcoma could be treated with this polysaccharide. However, it was never possible to find out the mechanism of action of lentinan, as well as the shiitake mushroom itself. According to some researchers, the secret of the anti-cancer effectiveness of the mushroom lies in the so-called “mushroom phytoncides” (volatile compounds included in the mushroom). Others claim that the secret of shiitake lies in its immune-stimulating effect. At present, even more original assumptions are being made, which, if confirmed, will be able to explain not only the mechanism of action of shiitake, but also the very reason for the appearance of cancerous tumors.

For example, Professor Toki Mori (Japan) claims that cancer cells are present in any organism. However, the body normally produces perforin. This enzyme is like a bloodhound that finds these dangerous cells and penetrates their cytoplasm, exploding the nucleus. Thus, the body itself produces cancer cells and destroys them. But after 35-40 years, the production of perforin may fail and if it stops being produced or its values ​​drop to a minimum, cancer cells will begin to divide rapidly. According to Toki Mori, it is lentinan that increases the production of perforin several times and thereby indirectly fights cancer.

This led to one conclusion, which has already been substantiated theoretically and proven in practice. According to him, in order to maintain normal perforin production and not give cancer cells a single chance, it is enough to take an alcohol or water infusion of shiitake just once a year (we are, of course, talking about a real Japanese mushroom, and not about its Western version).

However, even when patients resorted to chemotherapy and radiation, parallel administration of shiitake could significantly reduce side effects.

Use of shiitake against benign tumors

Doctors from Hungary decided to use shiitake for this purpose for the first time. They were able to experimentally prove that lentinan not only has a tumor-stopping effect, but can also lead to their reduction.

Dr. Tetsuro Ikekawa from the University of Purdue (Japan), who is actually the author of the fundamental research on shiitake in 1969, was amazed by the discovery of the Hungarian doctors. The fact is that the immune system usually fights foreign cells. She perceives benign ones as normal and does not want to fight such cells. The discovery of Hungarian doctors completely goes beyond traditional ideas about how the immune system works.

After some time, scientists from Japan and Hungary began to conduct serious research on this issue. The initiative turned out to be quite successful, since some medical publications have already reported that the actual antitumor activity was several times higher than expected. For example, women suffering from benign gynecological tumors were successfully cured in 60% of cases, and in 30% of cases the tumors stopped progressing and their division slowed down many times (sometimes hundreds of times). Both Japan and Hungary are already developing a new wonder drug from shiitake that can cure benign tumors.

Shiitake against viruses

The first serious clash between shiitake and virus occurred in 1983. Then lentinan was tested on a patient affected by HIV infection. The effect turned out to be so strong that the patient never encountered any manifestations of this disease in the future. Over time, positive reactions to HIV infection became less and less and, at the same time, pathological abnormalities became less. This continued until everything returned to normal. Two years later, the results of this experience were presented at the 3rd International Conference on Immunopharmacology held in Florence (Italy).

After some time, a 57-year-old patient was treated with lentinan. She initially underwent surgery for breast cancer and subsequent radiation. To stop the progressive weakness, she was prescribed lentinan therapy. Presumably it was during a blood transfusion during surgery that she was infected with HIV.

The patient received regular injections of lentinan for five months (1 mg of the substance by intravenous drip twice a week). During this time, all manifestations of the viral infection disappeared and general health indicators improved significantly. Three years after the end of treatment, the woman was still healthy and did not need further use of shiitake. Despite the fact that this fact (like the first one) is unknown to the general public, it has entered the medical annals. Three years later, the Japanese government approved lentinan for use in a special research program to combat HIV infection.

The first positive results were obtained very soon on the example of hemophiliacs who were accidentally infected with HIV. In just three months or even less, some of the lymphocyte cells were restored to almost normal conditions. After this, the potential of lentinan in the treatment of HIV began to be studied in 16 medical institutions in Japan. Advances in this direction have led to clinical trials of lentinan also beginning in the United States.

Of course, shiitake is not limited to just fighting the AIDS virus. It also works great against simpler viruses. Therefore, during a flu epidemic, it is able to protect a person from infection.

Shiitake against multiple sclerosis

The effectiveness of shiitake in this direction is very high. Modern research shows that shiitake is 45% effective in combating this disease. True, taking shiitake tincture by patients with multiple sclerosis can lead to an increase in temperature and mild headaches, however, both of them soon go away and a long remission begins.

It must be said that multiple sclerosis continues to remain a mysterious disease. Researchers have differing opinions about its nature, but the three most common suggest that the cause of multiple sclerosis is:

• Genetic predisposition
• Viruses
• Stress

The latter point of view is quite well confirmed by the experience of doctors who claim that the symptoms of this disease are preceded by a mild infection that replaces stress. According to Boris Levenzon and Caroline Gerstein (Israel), stress deprives cells of protection and this leads to the fact that the virus begins to act directly in the myelin sheaths of cells.

• Push the immune system to restore its level of protection
• Destroy pathogenic flora in areas of inflammation
• Restore myelin, building a chain in place of the missing link

Abroad, the drug Proper-Mil, which is a synthetic extract of shiitake mycelium, is more often used to treat multiple sclerosis. So far, this is the only drug that demonstrates high efficiency and is also affordable, unlike betaferons. You can use a natural preparation from shiitake mushroom, which is more effective and completely safe.

Shiitake and heart disease

Shiitake is effective in the fight against hypertension. Just two mushrooms eaten a day reduce blood pressure by five units. High results are also shown in the fight against atherosclerosis, angina pectoris and tachycardia. Recovery after a heart attack is also faster if accompanied by shiitake intake. The healing effect of mushrooms on diseases of the cardiovascular system was studied back in 1988.

The activity of twenty widows of mushrooms in the fight against atherosclerotic plaques was tested. Only two mushrooms turned out to be effective, and one of them was, again, the emperor mushroom.

The amino acid eritadenine contained in shiitake helps lower cholesterol. It makes the conversion of low-density lipoproteins to high-density lipoproteins faster and ultimately greatly reduces serum cholesterol levels. If there are other factors that can reduce cholesterol levels. Clinical studies of the mushroom showed that the amount of plasma cholesterol decreased by almost half compared to the placebo group.

Shiitake dishes

Catalyzing properties of shiitake

A catalyst is a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction. And in addition to chemical ones, there are also plant catalysts, thanks to which medicinal substances act much more effectively and are more fully absorbed by the body. These properties have long been known to experienced herbalists and healers. For example, a similar effect is attributed to thyme and lemon balm. The Chinese also knew this, and they recommended shiitake as a means of enhancing the effect of any medicine. This has been confirmed by modern practice, in particular by Dr. Kisaku Mori (Japan).

Strengthening your immune system with shiitake

A large amount of data on the immunostimulating effect of shiitake has led to the fact that the effect of the emperor mushroom on the immune system began to be studied in many countries. It was found that shiitake helps the immune system produce special bodies that are capable of not only destroying viruses and pathogenic flora, but also, as mentioned above, benign and malignant tumors.

Treating diabetes with shiitake

The results that shiitake has shown in treating this disease have been noteworthy, but the mechanism of action, as in most other cases, has not yet been clarified. To this end, Japanese scientists are conducting clinical studies of the effect of shiitake against liver diseases and diabetes. According to Kisaku Mori, shiitake will become a new milestone in the treatment of diabetes. The first drugs for the treatment of diabetes based on this mushroom have already appeared in Russia. The basis of the action, as expected, is not even a decrease in sugar levels, but the prevention of tissue necrosis, which occurs very often in diabetes (as a rule, this is gangrene of the upper or lower extremities). Taking shiitake extract or tincture prevented diabetic complications such as gangrene, ulcers and ischemia by approximately 60%, giving hope that Kisaku Mori's words are not unfounded.

Medicinal preparations based on shiitake extract

What is a mushroom triad?

Mushroom triad is a method of treating cancer using shiitake mushrooms. This method has shown its best performance even in the later stages of this disease. It demonstrated the greatest effect in the fight against squamous cell cancer. The mushroom triad turned out to be effective even when irradiation was powerless.

Mushroom triad technique

This technique can have many variations depending on the specific diagnosis of the patient. An example is the following recipe:

• Shiitake (water or oil infusion or vodka tincture). Take 3-5 spoons/day on an empty stomach between meals.
• Silver water (according to the Tarakanov method). Used as lotions or internally.
  Chaga (water infusion). 2-3 glasses a day.
• For certain types of cancer, fly agaric vodka tincture is also used in the amount of 1-3 teaspoons per day.

It is important to note that using mushroom triad with plant poisons is not recommended. However, it can be combined with decoctions of antitumor herbs.

How to take shiitake?

Different diseases will naturally have different ways of using shiitake. Therefore, only a preventive prescription can be universal. To do this, take 1 teaspoon of shiitake tincture on an empty stomach. Ideally, this should be done before bedtime, dissolving the tincture in a glass of weak tea or juice. In other cases, the dosage may vary. So, for cancer tumors, the standard dose increases to three teaspoons, and for heart disease - to two.

Shiitake in cosmetics

Although shiitake owes much of its fame to its healing properties, it has also found use as a cosmetic. In any case, it was on the basis of shiitake that famous Japanese geishas prepared face masks, which kept their faces fresh for a long time, despite the active use of blush and powder.

Currently, whole series of lotions, tonics and creams are produced based on shiitake extract, since it has been discovered that some substances contained in shiitake contribute to skin rejuvenation.