Medicinal Mushrooms

ABOUT MUSHROOMS

Essential Nutrition to Protect Yourself from Coronavirus

ABOUT SHIITAKE

BENEFITS

SIDE EFFECTS & SAFETY

ABOUT SHIITAKE

Shiitake

The Fragrant Mushroom

Species name: Lentinula edodes

Shiitake mushroom is a fungus. An extract made from this mushroom is used as medicine.

Shiitake mushroom is used to boost the immune system and to treat HIV/AIDS, common cold, flu (influenza), and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

How does it work?

Shiitake mushroom contains chemicals that might stimulate the immune system.

Other names

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It is also commonly called "sawtooth oak mushroom", "black forest mushroom", "black mushroom", "golden oak mushroom", or "oakwood mushroom".

Location

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East Asia

Dosage

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As a dietary supplement, take 1,000 mg (scant 1/2 tsp) of shiitake extract powder once or twice daily, or as directed by a physician.

BENEFITS

Benefits of Shiitake

Possibly Ineffective for tooth plaque. Rinsing the mouth with a liquid containing shiitake mushroom does not seem to reduce tooth plaque.

Insufficient Evidence for

Prostate cancer. Early research suggests that shiitake mushroom does not prevent prostate cancer from becoming worse.

Aging.

Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).

Prone to allergies and allergic reactions (atopic disease).

Breast cancer.

Common cold.

Diabetes.

Genital herpes.

Hay fever.

Swelling (inflammation) of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (hepatitis B).

High cholesterol.

High blood pressure.

HIV/AIDS.

Indigestion (dyspepsia).

Flu (influenza).

Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of shiitake mushroom for these uses.

SIDE EFFECTS & SAFETY

When taken by mouth: Shiitake mushroom is LIKELY SAFE when consumed in food amounts. It is POSSIBLY UNSAFE in medicinal amounts. It can cause stomach discomfort, blood abnormalities, and skin swelling (inflammation). It might also cause an increased sensitivity to the sun, allergic skin reactions, and breathing problems.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if shiitake mushroom is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

"Auto-immune diseases" such as multiple sclerosis (MS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions: Shiitake mushroom might cause the immune system to become more active. This could increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases. If you have one of these conditions, it's best to avoid using shiitake mushroom.

A blood disorder called eosinophilia: Don't use shiitake mushroom if you have this condition. It might make eosinophilia worse.