Omphalotaceae
Shiitake Mushroom
Lentinula edodes
✓ Generally Safe
Safe in Pregnancy
Native to: East Asia (China, Japan, Korea)
Also known as: Lentinan, Oak Mushroom, Black Forest Mushroom, Donko
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
Fruiting body
Therapeutic Uses
Cancer adjunct (lentinan IV — approved Japan for gastric cancer), immune support, cardiovascular disease, viral infections, HIV adjunct, liver disease. Most widely consumed medicinal mushroom globally.
Herbal Actions
Immunomodulator (lentinan — NK cell, macrophage, T-cell activation), antitumor (lentinan IV — Japan-approved cancer adjunct), cholesterol-lowering (eritadenine), antiviral, hepatoprotective
Active Constituents
Lentinan (beta-1,3-glucan — primary immunomodulatory polysaccharide), eritadenine (cholesterol-lowering), ergosterol (vitamin D2 precursor), AHCC (active hexose correlated compound), eritadenine
Preparation Methods
💊 CapsulePowder☕ Herbal TeaFood
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 5–10g dried mushroom per 500ml, simmer 20 min, 2x daily or eat as food |
| Tincture | AHCC (standardized extract): 3g daily. Lentinan extract: 1–3g daily. |
| Notes | AHCC (Amino Up Chemical): standardized alpha-glucan from shiitake mycelium — multiple clinical trials for cancer immune support. Beta-glucan: hot water extraction. Culinary use provides therapeutic benefit — add to soups, stir-fries. Expose to UV for vitamin D2 production. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✓ Generally Safe
Pregnancy
Safe in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
Possible — consult doctor
Contraindications: Eosinophilia after prolonged consumption of raw/lightly cooked (lentinan in raw state). Cook thoroughly. Caution with immunosuppressants.
Side Effects: Shiitake dermatitis (raw or lightly cooked — rare). GI upset. Eosinophilia (raw). Thoroughly cooked: very safe.