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Shiitake - the "king of medicinal mushrooms
September 6, 2021
Dr. Dorothee Bös et al.
Many of us know the shiitake as an edible mushroom from Asian dishes or from the greengrocer around the corner. It tastes excellently spicy and is also exceedingly healthy. In East Asia, for this reason, it has been a widely recognized medicinal and vital mushroom for centuries and is even called the “king of medicinal mushrooms” there.
It is used to alleviate a wide variety of ailments such as circulatory disorders, elevated blood lipids, high blood pressure and even cancer. Learn here about the healing substances contained in shiitake and the successes achieved by alternative and complementary medicine with its use.
History and mycology
What is shiitake?
Discovery and cultivation
Where do shiitake mushrooms grow?
The shiitake has its home in the deciduous forests of Japan, China and Korea. There it grows primarily on the dead hardwood of deciduous trees. His favorite is the so-called “mock chestnut”. 
However, the adaptable medicinal mushroom has now also gained a foothold in other parts of the world in isolated cases. Biologists believe that it has escaped from breeding facilities in some places, allowing it to establish new habitats. In Europe and North America, for example, it feels particularly at home on the wood of the oak. But it also thrives on the trunks of beech, maple, chestnut and walnut trees.
A little naming lore
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Appearance
Shiitake can be recognized by its light to dark brown cap, which sometimes tends towards red. Particularly striking are the many delicate white flakes that dot the hat. In the young shiitake, the edge of the cap is slightly rolled inward. The stem usually attaches to the center of the cap, sometimes slightly to the side. It is white to light brown in color and can grow bolt upright or slightly curved. The lamellae of the shiitake are smooth to rough. As they age, they change color from white to yellow to reddish brown.
EXPERIENCE REPORTS
"I have been suffering from a lipometabolic disorder for 27 years. Even when I was 18, I was told about my blood lipid levels: LDL and triglycerides too high, HDL too low. I can hardly tell you how many medications I have taken since then to regulate my cholesterol levels. Because I suffered from the side effects, I had to keep switching to another preparation. By chance, I learned about the shiitake mushroom from an acquaintance with similar problems. After two months of taking the shiitake capsules, my blood lipid levels improved significantly."
Ingredients
Micro and macronutrients
- Potassium
- Zinc
- Iron
- Phosphorus
- abundant magnesium
- Copper
- Calcium
- B vitamins: 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6
- Provitamin D
Ingredients with a health-promoting effect
Shiitake: indications and effects
Ingredients with a health-promoting effect
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), shiitake is known as a tonic. It strengthens the body and helps restore lost strength. It is said that it regulates the life energy Qi as well as balances Yin and Yang. Its traditional areas of application are primarily liver diseases, vascular constriction (arteriosclerosis), immune deficiencies , eye diseases, gout and acute infections.
Shiitake effect is good to use both preventively and therapeutically. In the section that follows, we will discuss the main health problems for which shiitake can provide relief. It is certainly not an exhaustive list. Many areas of impact are still being researched. For example, there is preliminary evidence that the shiitake mushroom promotes oral health and fights tooth decay. Ingredients with a health-promoting effect
Circulatory disorders, arteriosclerosis and high blood pressure
the body breaks down plaques and oxidized cholesterol that have been deposited in the vessels. The waste products are eventually directed to the liver and excreted. This immediately reduces the risk of vasoconstriction. The consequences are a constant blood pressure and a lower probability of cardiovascular diseases.
Shiitake medicinal mushroom has an effect that experts describe as anti-inflammatory. Often there are many small inflammations on the vessel walls that lead to the deposition of foam cells and eventually to occlusion. Since shiitake already prevents inflammation with its action, it reduces the risk of vasoconstriction. Hand in hand with this go the antioxidant effects of shiitake. The amino acid ergothioneine in particular is said to not only protect the nervous system from oxidative stress, but also prevent the oxidation of blood lipids. This further reduces the risk of arteriosclerosis.
But that is still not all. Eritadenin from the medicinal mushroom can even prevent platelets from sticking together. This reduces the risk of circulatory disorders and thrombosis. In addition, healers have had experiences with shiitake that indicate a soothing effect on headaches, migraines, and tinnitus. They see the reason for this in the regulation of vascular tension by the shiitake mushroom and its beneficial effect on the liver. The ingredient tyrosinase, which has a general lowering effect on blood pressure, may also be involved, and shiitake has traditionally been used to treat low blood pressure. Immune system
Lentinan promotes the formation of sIgA, killer cells, T-helper cells, macrophages and other immune cells. It also increases the number of leukocytes in the blood. For example, the shiitake mushroom helps the immune system fight various viral diseases such as influenza, measles, herpes and HIV. In AIDS patients, studies also show a general immune-boosting effect. Taking shiitake capsules also inhibits the spread of parasites, bacteria and fungi such as Candida Albicans. Recent studies indicate that lentinan may even mitigate disease progression in Covid 19 patients. It arguably prevents cytokine storms that bring acute lung problems and even death.
In addition to lentinan, other polysaccharides and ergosterol support the immune system quite significantly. In addition, experts say that shiitake has an effect that regulates the spread of pathogens. That is why fewer harmful bacteria settle in the intestine when taking shiitake. Pathogens that are already present spread much more slowly. In addition, the shiitake mushroom promotes the release of endogenous messenger substances that act against viruses as well as tumor cells.
In a recognized scientific study, researchers observed over several weeks how the body reacts to the intake of five or ten grams of shiitake daily (equivalent to about 1-2 grams of mushroom powder). They were able to observe both increased production and activity of cells of the immune system, as well as increased synthesis of certain immunoglobulins (slgA). In addition, there were lower levels of inflammation (CRP) and a change in cytokine patterns. These last two findings suggest that the inflammatory processes in the body must have decreased. Cancer
These antioxidants and enzymes are important for the organism to detoxify, prevent damage to cell DNA and prevent inflammation. Studies showed that taking shiitake capsules supports the effect of radiation and antibody therapy. In addition, taking shiitake decreases the risk of developing metastases. In this context, we would like to take a closer look at one ingredient: lentinan.
Basically, a strong immune system is a good protection against cancer cells. For this reason, lentinan, with its immune-enhancing effect, has long been approved in Japan as a cancer drug in injection form. In fact, it is now the eighth most commonly used anticancer drug. The lentinan stimulates the immune cells and ensures that they can locate and destroy the cancer cells more easily.
In addition to its function as a support for the immune system, lentinan has both a preventive and a direct inhibitory effect on tumor growth: while malignant cells block the synthesis of TH1 cytokines, lentinan activates TH1 cells and macrophages. This causes IL-2 to be released, which inhibits the tumor’s growth. This mechanism is particularly interesting for cancer patients who are still waiting for conventional medical treatment. But it is also a good support during therapy.
A scientific study concluded that mice given Lentinan are less likely to develop cancer than other mice not given Lentinan. Another study looked at people who were receiving chemotherapy for their stomach cancer. Although the cancer was no longer curable at this stage, the administration of Lentinan significantly increased life expectancy. Similar findings now exist for breast, prostate and colorectal cancer.
These are interesting findings, but much more exciting is the question: does only lentinan do this or also shiitake powder? The answer is yes. In one experiment, mice were fed powdered shiitake mushroom and a carcinogen was administered to these mice and a control group. 100% of the mice without shiitake powder developed bladder cancer – only half in the shiitake powder group. For example, the shiitake powder increased the activity of macrophages and killer cells. The research of lentinan and all the other ingredients is highly interesting to explain the numerous mechanisms of action of shiitake. Arthritis, gout and rheumatism
People with such joint diseases have had experiences with the shiitake, which speak for a therapeutic mode of action. Thus they report under the income of the welfare mushroom of an improved mobility as well as diminishing pain. Overall, a strengthening of all joints is observed in people who take shiitake capsules. Here, shiitake can well complement a plant-based and thus alkaline and anti-inflammatory diet.
One of the reasons for this is the lowering of uric acid levels. Relatively high uric acid levels can lead to the formation of uric acid crystals. These lead to inflammation in the joints. This is the classic problem with gout, for example. Since shiitake has a lowering effect on uric acid levels when taken regularly, the risk of joint pain is reduced. Liver
- Shiitake accelerates the breakdown of cholesterol in the liver.
- Eritadenin from shiitake influences phospholipid metabolism in the liver. As a result, blood lipid levels decrease, especially serum cholesterol.
- In the vital mushroom, the so-called thioproline is also formed during drying. It binds a substance that can put a lot of stress on the liver, namely nitrite.
However, shiitake not only supports the normal functioning of the liver. It also builds a kind of protective shield around the liver cells through its polyphenols. This makes them more resistant and less susceptible to disease. Studies have also found a therapeutic effect in pre-existing liver disease. Thus, shiitake increases the production of antibodies in hepatitis B. If toxic hepatitis is present, the regulating influence of lentinan on SGPT and GPT levels provides relief. In acute or fulminant liver failure, conventional medicine performs a transplant. Buy and take shiitake
At this point, we have collected some more information for you, which deals quite practically with the purchase of high-quality shiitake preparations and their intake. It is important to know that you can take health-promoting mushrooms such as shiitake both for an acute condition and for preventive reasons.
Where can I get shiitake mushrooms?
In answering this question, it all depends on whether you are looking for fresh shiitake to cook with or are looking for high quality shiitake capsules to take daily.
You can now easily get the fresh shiitake in the vegetable section of most major supermarkets. 
The greengrocer at the weekly market also has it on sale. Often, in addition to the fresh mushrooms, you can find dried specimens. These have a better shelf life and you need to soak them in water before preparing them. Basically, when used in the kitchen, it should be noted that heating destroys some valuable ingredients. Thus, shiitake can enrich your diet due to its spicy taste, but does not unfold its full health-boosting powers like a gently prepared preparation.
When buying fresh mushrooms like shiitake, make sure they look juicy and plump. However, spots, cracks, or some scales on the cap are perfectly fine with shiitake. They do not indicate reduced quality. Loosely wrapped in paper, the edible and vital mushroom keeps up to a week in the refrigerator. However, if you are looking for the positive effects on health described here, you should resort to shiitake powder in capsules. Only here you will actually find all the ingredients that will do your body good in the way described above.
What should I look out for in shiitake capsules?
The strictest in this regard are the German organic guidelines. Therefore, we recommend buying shiitake from a German grower who is skilled in the gentle production of mushroom powder. This also includes drying at below 40° Celsius. Some of the high-quality ingredients cannot withstand higher temperatures.
Otherwise, the dried and ground into powder shiitake mushroom also contains all the flavors, nutrients and active ingredients as the fresh mushroom. The exact composition of the substances depends strongly on the cultivation methods. For example, as a breeding ground can be used quite classically the hardwood of deciduous trees. However, shiitake usually grows on sawdust, rice bran, or similar growing media in a greenhouse with constant humidity and temperature. How do I take shiitake?
With medicinal mushrooms, the exact dosage generally depends greatly on the problem at hand. The individual physical constitution must also be taken into account. In some cases, the combination with other vital mushrooms such as Reishi or Cordyceps can make sense. Since no general statements can be made here, please feel free to contact our competent consultants, who will work out an optimal dosage with you.
For mushroom powders there are many suppliers
You will find trustworthy suppliers with controlled organic cultivation in Germany, but unfortunately also less recommendable importers of cheap goods. Read what is important when buying.
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Every person is unique!
Our experienced team will be happy to advise you in detail and free of charge on all matters relating to your health.
Scientific studies / sources
- Sugiyama K., Akachi T., Yamakawa A.: “Hypocholesterolemic action of eritadenine is mediated by a modification of hepatic phospholipid metabolism in rats.”; The Journal of Nutrition, Vol. 125 (8); 2134-44.
- Jianzhe Y., Mao X.: “Icons of Medicinal Fungi from China”; CRC Press; 1989.
- Hobbs, C.: “Medicinal Mushrooms”, Botanica Press, 1995.
- Prof. Dr. med. Ivo Bianchi: “Modern Mycotherapy”; Hinckel Druck, 2008