Shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes)
Synopsis of shiitake mushroom
Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) is a well-known edible and medicinal mushroom native to East Asia, particularly China and Japan. It grows naturally on decaying hardwood trees and is cultivated globally for both culinary and therapeutic use. Shiitake mushrooms are rich in B vitamins, copper, selenium, zinc, polysaccharides (especially beta-glucans), ergothioneine (a powerful antioxidant), and the unique compound lentinan—one of the most studied mushroom-derived immunomodulators.
In herbal and integrative medicine, shiitake is revered for its immune-enhancing, cholesterol-lowering, antiviral, and anti-tumor properties. Lentinan, a beta-glucan polysaccharide found in the mushroom’s cell walls, has been shown to stimulate white blood cell activity, enhance macrophage function, and boost the body's defense mechanisms against infections and certain cancers. Another component, eritadenine, is believed to support cardiovascular health by modulating lipid levels and reducing blood pressure.
Shiitake is commonly consumed in food form, tinctures, powders, or standardized extracts. It is often used to support immune resilience, particularly during cold and flu seasons, and is considered a tonic for vitality, endurance, and healthy aging. It is also explored in adjunctive cancer care, especially in Japan, where lentinan is an approved immunotherapeutic agent.
Historical Use:
Shiitake mushrooms have a medicinal history spanning at least a thousand years. They were first cultivated in China during the Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE), though wild shiitake were gathered and used long before then. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), shiitake is considered a food-grade herb that strengthens the immune system, supports qi (vital energy), and nourishes the blood. It was commonly prescribed to improve stamina, ward off respiratory infections, and support liver and spleen function.
In Japanese Kampo medicine, shiitake has been used as both a food and remedy. Historical records suggest it was reserved for nobility due to its rarity and medicinal potency. Samurai warriors were said to consume it to boost strength and resistance to illness. The mushroom was considered warming and nourishing, and often given to the weak or elderly to promote vitality.
Modern scientific interest in shiitake took off in the 1960s when researchers in Japan isolated lentinan and began investigating its immune-modulating and anticancer properties. Since then, it has become one of the most studied medicinal mushrooms in the world and is used in integrative oncology in several countries.
Today, shiitake remains one of the most widely consumed mushrooms globally, celebrated not just for its rich umami flavor but for its deep legacy as a functional food and powerful botanical ally.
Shiitake mushroom is used for these health conditions
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Scientific)
Anemia (Traditional)
Antibiotics (alternatives to) (Scientific)
Asthma (Traditional)
Autoimmune Disorders (Scientific)
Blood Clots (prevention of) (Scientific)
Cancer (natural therapy for) (Scientific)
Cancer (prevention) (Scientific)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects) (Scientific)
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects) (Scientific)
Cholesterol (high) (Scientific)
Circulation (poor) (Traditional)
Colds (antiviral) (Scientific)
Congestion (bronchial) (Traditional)
Congestion (lungs) (Traditional)
Congestion (sinus) (Traditional)
Convalescence (Traditional)
Diabetes (Scientific)
Digestion (poor) (Traditional)
Energy (lack of) (Traditional)
Fatigue (Traditional)
Hepatitis (Traditional)
Hypertension (Traditional)
Infection (bacterial) (Scientific)
Inflammation (Scientific)
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders (Scientific)
Pets (supplements for) (Scientific)
shiitake mushroom is used to support these body systems
Blood (Traditional)
Digestive System (Traditional)
Gastrointestinal Tract (Traditional)
Immune System (Scientific)
Intestinal System (Scientific)
Liver (Traditional)
Respiratory System (Traditional)
Spleen (Traditional)
Products containing shiitake mushroom
Nature's Sunshine Colostrum (With Immune Factors)
Nature's Sunshine Power Meal
Nature's Sunshine Power Meal
