Shiitake or Hua gu is a type of mushroom and has been used as a food and medicine in China and Japan for thousands of years. It is now cultivated all over the world. The mushroom head is used in herbalism and is combined with another mushroom, known as reishi.
Medicinal Properties of Shiitake
Shiitake contains triterpenoids and glucans (polysaccharides), namely lentinan which has potent immune stimulating and regulating properties. It is also antiviral, anti-cancer, cholesterol lowering and adaptogenic.
Shiitake Herbal Remedies
Historically Shiitake has been used to treat a number of conditions including:
Chronic fatigue syndrome (M.E)
Colds
Gastric and colorectal cancer (intravenous lentinan under medical supervision)
Genital warts (extracts of lentinan)
Hepatitis
HIV infection (intravenous lentinan under medical supervision)
Infections
Lack of energy
Pancreatic cancer (intravenous lentinan under medical supervision)
Prostate cancer (intravenous lentinan under medical supervision)
Stress
Weak immune system
Worms
Other Shiitake Information
This may be useful at keeping the immune system regulated in people with HIV and may lessen the side effects for anyone undergoing chemotherapy. It is often bought dried and can be used in cooking or as a medicine. It is found in tinctures, capsules, tablets and as an extract called Lentinus Edodes Mycelium (LEM), which is high in active constituents, especially lentinan. Lentinan can be extracted from shiitake but is only available as a drug in Japan, for treatment of cancers and HIV infection. Research suggests that combining lentinan with the HIV antiviral drug – didanosine may be more helpful at fighting the infection – than didanosine alone.
Side Effects of Shiitake
Safety during pregnancy and lactation has not been sufficiently studied and should therefore be avoided.
At the time of writing there are no well known side effects, drug interactions or contra-indications.
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