Shiitake Health Benefits

Although the rich flavor has only recently become an American favorite, the mushroom culture in China has been alive and well for thousands of years. The shiitake mushroom is even considered a symbol of longevity, as the health benefits have been recognized and well documented.

These organic mushrooms are as mysterious as they are unique and delicious. While most people think of them as being a vegetable they are actually a fungus. This means they are a special kind of living organism without roots, seeds, flowers or leaves. They have been found to contain over 80 nutrients that are wonderful for the body and have become very popular as a healthy addition to meals.

The shiitake mushroom can attribute some of its healthful benefits to the fact that it contains a substance called lentinan. This has been known to boost the body's ability to protect against diseases and enables is to fight off different viruses, such as influenza. It has even been known to be more potent than prescription medication in treating some viruses, such as AIDS, which is a huge plus to those afflicted with the disease.

Lentinan is a polysaccharide and studies have indicated that it has good anti-cancer properties. It tends to produce reticular fibers at the site of the tumors and these fibers in turn become immune cells, which then spread throughout the body into different tissue areas. They have the ability to take in the bacteria and the old cancer cells, reducing the number in the body. The medicinal effects of the lentinan in these mushrooms could be a great boon to cancer research and treatment.

Specialty health food stores normally carry the shiitake mushroom if you are not able to find them at your local grocery market. You should also check out any Asian markets that may be in your area, as it is a good bet that they will carry a variety of mushrooms. Try to avoid mushrooms that appear to have any slimy spots or that are wrinkled. You'll want to look for the ones that appear clean, firm and plump. Dried, shiitake mushrooms can also be placed in some kind of airtight containers and can be placed in the freezer or refrigerator where they will keep for anywhere from six months up to a year. Fresh mushrooms are best stored in a loosely sealed paper bag in order for them to stay fresh for approximately one week.

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Shiitake Mushrooms
Growing gourmet and medicinal mushrooms has become even more popular in recent years, yet they have been used for both their medicinal and culinary value for thousands of years, especially in Asian cultures. The shiitake mushrooms are the third most widely cultivated mushrooms in the world behind the oyster and button mushrooms, with the American market increasing the fastest. These dark brown, umbrella shaped mushrooms are a very popular protein source in Japan, as well as being a major staple in China's diet.

Maitake Mushrooms
The maitake mushroom also has another unique quality. When taken orally, it has the highest rate of effectiveness of any of the other mushrooms used for medicinal purposes. Before that time, research had shown that products such as the reishi mushroom extract were best administered by injection.

Do You Know About Active Mushrooms?
According to experts, people took these mushrooms for their hallucinogenic effect, in order to make a path to follow to the afterlife and God. However, they also ate this active, organic mushroom as a dietary supplement. The Mayans were thought to have a mushroom culture or cult, as they built massive temples in honor of the mushroom, which played a role in the religion of the natives.