Shiitake Mushrooms, King Immune System

Traditional Medicine (Shiitake Mushrooms)

Shiitake Mushroom (Lentinula edodes) is a fungus that originally came from East Asia. This fungus is now widely cultivated for medicine and for culinary. Shiitake mushroom is the common name is in Japanese. In Japan, these mushrooms are so named because he grows on trees "Shii".
Shiitake has been bred for over 1000 years. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), Chinese physician Wu Jue wrote that this fungus can be used as a cure upper respiratory tract infections, blood circulation is not smooth, pathogenic liver disorders, tiredness, premature aging and as a Qi tonic.
Shiitake has a taste that is simple, making it widely accepted by the culinary world. Many chefs choose dried Shiitake because the drying process seems to strengthen the flavor and aroma of this mushroom. Interestingly, the effect of ultraviolet light on fungi, convert ergosterol to vitamin D. This makes it a favorite for dried Shiitake varieties sources of vitamin D in the diet. Shiitake diitumis often in Chinese dishes, give the soup flavor in Japanese cuisine, and also steamed, boiled or fried in Thai cuisine.

From another perspective, Shiitake mushrooms are fascinating because of the widespread benefits in health. In addition, the fungus is easily cooked and guaranteed safety. Recent research found that extract of Shiitake contain regulators of the immune system, antibacterial agents, antiviral and prevention of blood clotting. A study quoted by the Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology in 2009 reported that polysaccharides Shiitake extract can stimulate the function and activation of macrophages. Macrophages are white blood cells involved in first response to infection. Macrophages play an important role to destroy pathogens and transmit chemical signals to the immune system to attack foreign organisms.
In 2006, the Biological Pharmacology Bulletin, published a research on the efficacy of hot water extract of Shiitake in protecting liver cells from toxic substances D-galactosamine. The result, 0.5 mg / ml extract of Shiitake able to fully suppress cytotoxic, ie liver cells that have been poisoned by D-galactosamine. Further study is researching the effects of Shiitake extract injections in rats that had been given D-galactosamine. This study shows that there is little leakage of AST and ALT, which is an indication of liver cell injury, compared to conditions without injection Shiitake.

Traditional Medicine (Shiitake Mushrooms)

 Lentinan, general Shiitake extracts for medicinal purposes, have been investigated regarding its relationship with the immune system and HIV. In 1998, the Journal of Medicine (Division of AIDS, San Francisco General Hospital) to test a placebo in 98 patients infected with HIV. Patients were given 2, 5 or 10 mg Lentinan and Placebo (non-medicinal ingredients) once a week for 8 weeks. Lentinan Side effects are generally not so prominent although injection performed more than 30 minutes. Positive effects, patients receiving Lentinan showed a tendency to increase in CD4 cells, the cells are attacked by HIV. In addition, in some patients, injection Lentinan also increased neutrophils which is the main white blood cells involved in the handling of the infection.
As with all the food we swallow, there is potential for allergic body of Shiitake. Be careful when eating raw or Shiitake Shiitake extract for the first time. Shiitake is very easy and cheap to be cultured at home. These fungi provide a healthy food choice and add additional aroma and flavor for culinary family.