Lentinus edodes

Latin Name: Lentinus edodes

Common name: Shitake 

Family: Marasmiaceae

Parts used: Fruiting bodies

Constituents: Nutrients, polysaccharides, alkaloids

Medicinal actions: Immune stimulation/modulation, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, anti-hypertensive antioxidant, adaptogen.

Medicinal use: Chronic immune dysfunction/disease, altered adrenal function, cancer, chronic fatigue immunodeficiency syndrome, HIV infection and AIDS, cancer, Lyme disease, high cholesterol, hyperglycemia and diabetes.

Pharmacology:

• Polysaccharides are responsible for immune modulation, they induce interferon production, thus disrupting viral replication and inhibiting bacterial infection. Also increase RNA and DNA in bone marrow, thus increasing lymphocyte production.
• Alkaloids inhibit release of histamine and reduce immune response to allergens, as well as improve oxidative damage.

Pharmacy:

• Powder 5-10g daily in divided doses.
• Infusion: 1-2 tsp/cup, TID.
• Tincture: (1:4, 40%), 2-4ml TID
• Food (in soups)

Toxicity: None known.

Contraindications: Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Interactions: Use with caution with anti-coagulants. Vitamin C appears to enhance the absorption of these immuno-stimulatory polysaccharides and reduces the high molecular weight of mushroom polysaccharides, reducing their viscosity and hence increasing their bioavailability.