Shiitake mushroom
From RationalWiki
Shiitake mushrooms are common in oriental cuisine and popular among gourmet food aficionados, and they make a pretty tasty soup. They are easily found at your local supermarket or from a quality grocer.
However, they are also touted by some quacks and alternative health gurus as being a cure for cancer.
There is research into possible useful products:
Shiitake mushrooms have been researched for their medicinal benefits, most notably their anti-tumor properties in laboratory mice. These studies have also identified the polysaccharide lentinan, a (1-3) β-D-glucan, as the active compound responsible for the anti-tumor effects.
Extracts from shiitake mushrooms (such as ichtyol) have also been researched for many other immunological benefits, ranging from anti-viral properties to possible treatments for severe allergies, as well as arthritis.
Lenthionine, a key flavour compound of shiitake, also inhibits platelet aggregation, so it is a promising treatment for thrombosis.
Shiitake are also one of a few known natural sources of vegan and kosher vitamin D.
[edit] Home growing
It is now possible to buy logs impregnated with shiitake and to harvest your own.
[edit] Footnotes & Links
- A sample seller of Shiitake logs
- See the Wikipedia article on these fungi.
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