Shiitake mushrooms have been revered in Asia, Japan in particular, as a strengthening, nourishing, and immune building tonic. They are a popular edible mushroom due to their unique flavour and are the third most cultivated edible mushroom worldwide.
They are known as the ‘elixir of life’ and is revered as a Qi (Chi) Tonic. Shiitakes are used in cooking and as a supplement to help improve immune function and deficiencies, tonify the heart, protect the liver, improve circulation and strengthen the respiratory tract. They also boast high amounts of amino acids (including all 8 essential amino acids), plenty of minerals, vitamin D and B vitamins which help boost energy and brain function.
As an antioxidant, Shiitakes help protect against oxidative damage caused by environmental stress. They also possess antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Shiitakes also show promise in the treatment of obesity as well as cancer therapy. In fact, compounds in Shiitake have been linked inhibiting tumour growth in multiple types of cancer and inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death).
Consuming these medicinal mushrooms also lowers the amount of inflammatory molecules in the bloodstream, and can benefit conditions such as arthritis, gout, digestive disorders and migraines.
Due to their high content of Selenium as well as antioxidants, Shiitake mushrooms benefit skin health and have even been called a natural acne treatment (as acne is often linked to deficiencies in selenium).
