Shiitake Mushroom Health Benefits

Shiitake Mushroom Health Benefits

The Shiitake mushroom is prized around the world for its medicinal properties. It is one of the most popular sources of protein in China, Japan, and the rest of Asia. It's popularity is not due to it's ample protein but it's delicious flavor and other medicinal attributes.

Shiitake mushrooms have a strong antiviral effect which is believed to be caused by the amount of interferons inherent in the mushroom. Inteferons are natural proteins that are typically created in vertebrates which create them as a reaction to viruses, bacteria, cancerous cells, and parasites. They help to inhibit the replication of these pathogens and therefore the existence of them in shiitake mushrooms boosts the immune system of the consumer.  It has also been discovered that the consumption of shiitake mushrooms lowers blood cholesterol levels by up to 40-45%. The results were most apparent in the studies when Shiitakes were simultaneously consumed with high cholesterol foods. Because it contains no cholesterol itself but is an excellent substitute for cholesterol heavy meats, it is the perfect choice for someone who needs to cut back on their red meat intake. 

Japan has developed an extract from Shiitakes known as Lentinan. The extract is used with patients undergoing traditional cancer therapy. In fact, in Japan mushroom extracts have become the leading prescription treatment for cancer. Lentinan may also prevent chromosomal damage induced by ant-cancer drugs. There are no known serious side effects yet in the west we have yet to make immunopotentiators such Lentinan available to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. In experiments in Japan, mice treated with Lentinan prior to chemotherapy completely protected them from a reduction in white blood cell counts.

As a food source, Shiitake contains all eight of the essential amino acids in a better ratio than meat, milk, eggs, or soy beans. Not to mention they contain an excellent combination of vitamins and mineral including A, B, B12, C, and D. In addition, Shiitake produces a fat-absorbing compound which is perfect for those wanting to lose weight. It's no wonder why the shiitake is also known as the "miracle mushroom".

Source : Natural Mushrooms
link     : naturalmushrooms.com/shiitake_mushroom_medicinal.php

Types of Mushrooms found in World

Types of Mushrooms found in World

Currently there are over 10,000 known types of mushrooms. That may seem like a large number but mycologists suspect that this is only a fraction of what's out there! We can put these various species in one of 4 categories: saprotrophic, mycorrhizal, parasitic, and endophytic. These categories describe how the the organism feeds itself.

1. Saprotrophs - Thriving on Decay

Saprotrophic mushrooms are decomposers. They release acids and enzymes that break down dead tissue into smaller molecules they can absorb. Thus decaying wood, plants, and even animals
can become food for a saprotroph. Think of all the dead matter on the ground. Now imagine what would become of it if there were fewer organisms to recycle it into compost or soil. You can easily see how important saprotrophs are to the food chain! It's no wonder this category includes so many gourmet and medicinal types of mushrooms. Some examples are below:

• Morels (Morchella angusticeps, Morchella esculenta, etc) - These elusive, delicious species are very popular with mushroom hunters (see picture at right). Known to be mycorrhizal as well.

• Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) - Highly prized in Chinese medicine, this mushroom is now the subject of many medical studies.
• Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) - Famous for both its great taste and medicinal properties.
• White Button (Agaricus bisporus) - Common in supermarkets all over the world. The average mushroom-loving American eats about 2 lbs of these a year!
• Cremini (Agaricus bisporus) - Another Agaricus bisporus strain that's a great edible. Come learn the real difference between a cremini and a portobello.
• Oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus) - Another popular edible, also known for its cholesterol-reducing effects.
• Maitake (Grifola frondosa) - Edible, known anti-tumor properties, and it looks like a brain!
• Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) - Although too tough to be edible in any manner other than a tea, this is one of the most well-studied medicinal mushrooms.
• Giant Puffball (Calvatia gigantea) - These large mushrooms are only edible when young.
• Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus sulphureus) - Younger specimens are known to taste similar to, you guessed it, chicken. Also known to be parasitic

• Enokitake (Flammulina velutipes) - Easy to cultivate and often used in soups.
• Shaggy Mane (Coprinus comatus) - This unique looking mushroom melts mere hours after being picked.
• Black Trumpet (Craterellus cornucopioides) - The best tasting edible mushroom out there!
• Yellow Houseplant Mushroom (Leucocoprinus birnbaumii) - Famous for popping up in potted houseplants.

2. Mycorrhizae - Successful Partnering with Plants

Mycorrhizal mushrooms have a fascinating relationship with trees and other plants. The mycelia of these fungi enter into a beneficial union with the roots of plants by either weaving into the root cells (endomycorrhizal) or wrapping around the roots themselves (ectomycorrhizal).

How is this beneficial? The mycelia bring in additional moisture, phosphorous, and other nutrients to their hosts. In return they gain access to sugars (such as glucose) that the hosts produce. This allows plants to grow bigger, faster, and stronger than their nonmycorrhizal counterparts. Many farmers and gardeners will inoculate their crops with a mycorrhizal fungus for better growth.

An estimated 95% of plants form mycorrhizal partnerships with fungi. The types of mushrooms these fungi produce are difficult to cultivate and are often found only in nature. The ones below make a delicious treat if you can find them:

• Porcini (Boletus edulis) - Often used in soups and sauces, this mushroom can grow quite large.
• edible chantarelle mushroomsTruffles (Tuber melanosporum, Tuber magnatum, etc) - These gourmet delights are very expensive.
• Chanterelles (Cantharellus cibarius, Cantharellus formosus, etc) - Another prized edible found on many continents (see picture above).
• Matsutake (Tricholoma matsutake) - Highly sought after for their flavor and aroma in cooking.
• Caesar's Mushroom (Amanita caesarea) - One of the few edible Amanitas. This stately mushroom is popular in Italy.

3. Parasites - Feeding on the Weak

Parasitic types of mushrooms also take plant hosts. Although in this case the relationship is one-sided. These fungi will infect the host and eventually kill it. Sometimes the line between parasitic and saprotrophic is not so clear. The honey mushroom is a known parasite yet it will also continue to live saprotrophically on the dead wood of its host. Most true parasitic fungi do not produce mushrooms and are too small to be noticed on a tree until it's too late. Some notable types of mushroom producing parasites are:

• Honey Fungus (Armillaria mellea, Armillaria ostoyae, etc) - Some species in the Armillaria genus (see pic at right) are edible, some are bioluminescent, and one colony is suspected to be the
• largest organism on the planet!
• Caterpillar Fungus (Cordyceps sinensis) - A true parasite that preys on insects. This interesting mushroom may just be my favorite.
• Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) - This strange specimen possesses spiny teeth instead of the traditional cap. In addition to being edible, it's also suspected to help heal nerve tissue!
• Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) - While it looks like an unassuming black mass on the side of a birch tree, this fungus has gained a huge reputation as a medicinal mushroom over the past few decades.

4. Endophytes - A Mysterious Symbiosis

Endophytic fungi deserve their own category due to their behavior. Endophytes partner with plants by invading the host tissue. However, unlike with parasitic fungi, the host remains healthy and seem to benefit with increased nutrient absorption and resistance to pathogens. Unlike mycorrhizal fungi, most endophytes can be easily cultivated in a lab without their host present.

Successful cultivation aside, much is still unknown about this category of fungi. Many species do not produce mushrooms and their partnership with plants is not fully understood. Some mycologists suspect that certain parasitic and saprophytic fungi will reveal themselves as endophytes as the field expands. Time will tell what discoveries will emerge as this group is studied further.

BY: Mushroom Appreciation
SOURCE : mushroom-appreciation.com/types-of-mushrooms.html

History Shiitake Mushrooms - The World's Healthiest Foods

A Mature Shiitake Mushroom

Shiitake (as well as reishi and maitake) mushrooms have grown wild since prehistoric times. Their therapeutic value has been prized in Asian countries, where they originated, for thousands of years. They play a critical role in Asian medicinal traditions and were noted in some of the first books on herbal medicine written thousands of years ago. In the past few decades, these mushrooms have become more popular in the United States as a result of an expanding body of scientific research supporting their numerous health benefits. The U.S. is currently home to approximately 200 commercial growers of shiitake mushrooms, and nearly half of those growers use forest farming to produce shiitake mushrooms in a natural forest setting using downed hardwood trees as the cultivation medium.

Although Japan was at one time the world's largest producer of shiitake mushrooms, that distinction now goes to China, which produces over 80% of all commercially sold shiitake mushrooms. Japan, Korea and Taiwan also produce shiitake mushrooms, as does the United States. One quickly growing market for shiitake mushrooms is Brazil, which currently produces more shiitake mushrooms than any other South American country.