Shiitake Mushroom

Also known as:  Black Forest Mushroom;  Japanese Forest Mushroom;  Winter Mushroom

The Shiitake Mushroom is a type of Japanese Mushroom that grows on the wood of dead deciduous trees.  Physically, the Shiitake Mushroom is dark brown in color and has a full-bodied, meaty flavor.

Botanical Name

 Lentinus edodes

Cardiovascular System

 Shiitake Mushrooms may help to prevent Atherosclerosis.  ^[1]

 Shiitake Mushrooms may lower Blood Pressure in High Blood Pressure patients (due to the Lentinan component of Shiitake Mushrooms).  ^[2]

Immune System

 Shiitake Mushrooms may retard the progression of Cancer (due to the Benzaldehyde, KS-2, RNA & Lentinan content of Shiitake Mushrooms):  ^[3]

 Shiitake Mushrooms (Lentinus Edodes Mycelial Extract) may be an effective treatment for some cases of Cancer - Esophagus. 

 Shiitake Mushrooms may help to prevent Leukemia (due to the Lentin content of Shiitake).  ^[4]

 Shiitake Mushrooms (in the form of Lentinus Edodes Mycelial Extract) may be an effective treatment for some cases of Cancer - Pancreas. 

 Shiitake Mushrooms may stimulate various aspects of the Immune System(due to Lentinan and other compounds in Shiitake Mushrooms): 

 Shiitake Mushrooms (1,500 mg per day) may stimulate the production of Helper T-Cells. 

 Shiitake Mushrooms may activate Macrophages (due to KS-2 and Lentinan). 

 Shiitake Mushrooms may enhance the function of Neutrophils.  ^[5]

 Shiitake Mushrooms may activate NK Lymphocytes (primarily due to their Lentinan content).  ^[6]

 Shiitake Mushrooms may inhibit some Viruses: 

 Shiitake Mushrooms (LEM extract injected intravenously) may stimulate the Immune Systems of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients and may exert anti-viral activity against the HIV virus that is implicated in AIDS.  ^[7]