Shiitake - appearance, composition, benefits and harm, mushroom cultivation + 72 photos

Where do they grow?

Shiitake cultivation began in the Ancient East. In nature, it is found in forests:

• Japan;
• Korea;
• China.

In Russia, shiitake can be found in the Primorsky Territory and the Far East.

In recent decades, the mushroom has been grown in many countries:

• USA;
• Canada;
• France;
• England;
• Holland;
• Russia.

Japan is still considered the leader in industrial production.

To choose a Shiitake mushroom, it is better to pay attention to Japanese or Chinese manufacturers. In the USA and Europe, a modified product is cultivated that grows faster, but has a low content of vitamins and minerals.

In addition to shiitake, Reishi and Meitake mushrooms grow in these regions. They have similar properties and complement each other well in treatment and prevention:

• central nervous system disorders;
• inflammation and swelling;
• heart disease;
• viral and fungal diseases;
• hypertension;
• problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

Pharmacies sell capsules produced by Solgar with an extract of all three types of mushrooms.

Do shiitake mushrooms fight cancer?

Scientists are still arguing about the benefits and harms of shiitake. Scientists cannot yet give an exact answer about the ability of lentinula to resist cancer pathologies. A lot of research has been carried out on animals, showing that shiitake has enormous potential in the fight against cancer pathologies, but such abilities of mushrooms have not been tested in humans.

The product contains lentinan, which helps increase the body's resistance to the development of various tumor processes or infections. This is an excellent immunostimulant that prevents the appearance of tumors, as well as slowing down the development and growth of existing cancer cells.

In Asian countries, Japanese mushrooms have long been used to treat cancer. There, official medical science has long recognized the medicinal properties of this mushroom miracle. Based on this, the anti-cancer treatment method PROGMA, based on the use of shiitake, was developed.

What does it look like

The fungus grows on stumps or trunks of dead trees. Collection is carried out from spring until the first autumn frosts. Shiitake has several characteristic features that help distinguish it from others:

1. Hat with a diameter of 5 to 20 cm.
2. The color is light brown.
3. The cap is semicircular, velvety, often with cracks and a small amount of white scales along the edges.
4. The leg is fibrous, beige in color with a noticeable fringe.

The entire lower part of the mushroom should have a light shade. The appearance of brown spots in this area signals the aging of the fungus, which means the loss of medicinal properties.

Shiitake tree mushroom - what is it?

Shiitake mushrooms have a lot of names like lentinula edible, Japanese forest mushroom, shiitake, etc. It can be distinguished by several characteristics.

1. A round and convex cap of a hemispherical shape, the size of which reaches 4-20 cm, depending on age. The surface of the cap is dry and velvety to the touch; light scaly irregularities can be felt. In young representatives the surface is soft and light, but as they grow it becomes rough and darkens.
2. Under the cap, plate-like formations are visible, which in young shiitakes are covered with a protective film. If you press on fresh mushrooms, the plates will darken and turn brown.
3. The leg is of medium size, reaching a diameter of about one and a half centimeters. Covered with rough and light skin, with fringe around it. Shiitake can grow up to 20 cm tall.

The product has a pronounced aroma and taste of mushrooms, rich and dense pulp.

Thanks to their extraordinary taste and aroma, these mushrooms are so popular, and in many countries, shiitake cultivation has become an industrial practice.

Is it possible to grow at home

Shiitake can also be grown outside its natural habitat. The climate of the southern regions and central Russia is suitable for this. Several farms, for example, are located in the Moscow region, Voronezh and Saratov.

Outdoor cultivation

Growing mushrooms on site, using wood or stumps, is called extensive. This method produces a larger yield per tree segment, but is limited to spring, summer and early fall.

To get a shiitake harvest, you need to perform several sequential steps to prepare and plant spores:

1. For shiitake, pieces of oak, alder or beech are suitable. The tree should be about a meter long and 20 cm in diameter.
2. You can take freshly sawn wood, or pre-condition it outdoors in the shade, with air humidity above 60%. It is important that several segments do not touch each other during this period.
3. After aging, grooves are cut out on the trunk at a distance of 20 cm from each other, 1.5 cm deep and about 2 cm in diameter.
4. Spores are placed in the cells and sealed with cork or wax. This will prevent mold or bacteria from entering.
5. The place should be ventilated but shaded. The logs are additionally covered with branches so as not to block air circulation.
6. To start the process of mycelium germination, an air temperature of 13 C and high humidity, at least 80%, are required.
7. The seeded log will be overgrown with mycelium within 6-12 months.
8. After this time, the logs are immersed in cold water for a day.
9. The prepared tree is installed vertically or at an angle in the shade after the average daily temperature is above 20 C and the first harvest is expected within 10-11 days.

The harvest from such planting is harvested twice per season for 3-5 years.

In order for the mushrooms to survive the winter and be able to produce a harvest the next year, they are placed in a basement or subfloor and covered tightly with straw.

In the greenhouse

In greenhouse conditions, the mycelium produces a harvest every 2-3 weeks from 2 to 4 months a year. To grow shiitake, you need to prepare a substrate and equip a ventilated greenhouse:

1. Hardwood sawdust is mixed with bran or straw of any grain crops in a ratio of 4:1.
2. To prevent the formation of mold and bacteria, the mixture is pasteurized in hot water for 12 hours.
3. Adding chalk or gypsum to the mixture weighing about 3% of the rest of the substrate will have a positive effect on the formation of the fungus.
4. The pasteurized material is dried to a humidity of 70-80%.
5. The sawdust is placed in a plastic bag, the mycelium is placed in the center of the substrate and the bag is loosely tied.
6. The hole is sealed with a stopper.
7. Within 1-2 months the block is overgrown with mycelium.
8. The polyethylene is removed, and the mycelium is placed in cold water for a day, then transferred to a greenhouse.
9. The optimal air temperature for mushrooms is 25 C and air humidity 85%.

It is important to ventilate the greenhouse every day for 2-3 hours. Under such conditions, the first harvest will appear in 2 weeks.

The healing properties of shiitake mushrooms

Let's look at the main beneficial properties of Japanese mushrooms:

1. Shiitake is an essential source of protein and fiber, which is why this product is very popular among people who want to lose extra pounds.
2. Vitamin D is essential for hair growth and also significantly reduces blood sugar levels. This improves the quality of life of patients with diabetes.
3. According to an article by Doctor of Medical Sciences, O. Yu. Kuznetsov, mushroom juice extract has excellent antimicrobial and antifungal properties. At the same time, while taking the drug, there is no disruption of the normal human microflora. No antibiotic today combines antimicrobial properties and probiotic properties. Shiitake juice is active against Candida albicans, Stapfylococcusaureus, Streptococcus faecalis.
4. Taking into account the research of Professor Yanova V.V. from the Amur State Medical Academy, the drugs showed immunomodulatory properties that can activate nonspecific immune cells, which makes it possible to effectively fight cancer. Polysaccharides isolated from fungi, in combination with other methods, such as chemotherapy, radiation treatment, are considered to be strong physiologically active cytokines that enhance the mechanism of antitumor resistance.
5. In addition, the benefits of shiitake in the fight against various forms of hepatitis have been proven. After just a month of taking the drug from the fruiting bodies, patients experienced a sharp decrease in bilirubin levels. The action is based on the formation of antibodies in patients, as well as protection of the liver from autoimmune damage.
6. Materials have been published claiming that shiitake preparations give positive results in the treatment of HIV infection. The success of using lentinan was reported at a conference on immunopharmacology in Italy in 1985.
7. Because the “magic” mushroom is also a good auxiliary remedy against influenza viruses and colds.

This video talks very well about the benefits and harms of shiitake mushrooms, we recommend watching it!

Preparations from shiitake mushrooms - review of products

In pharmacies, dried mushrooms are offered in the form of capsules and coated tablets.

Shiitake capsules must be taken according to the manufacturer's instructions and doctor's recommendations.

The drug can be combined with other medications, except tincture of aconite and aspirin.

It is important not to stop taking the drug as soon as you feel better. Diseases such as cancer do not forgive such serious mistakes. Any medicine is effective only when it is taken until it is completely cured.

Important! More detailed instructions are given by a specialist, taking into account each disease individually.

A brief overview of the most popular dietary supplements made from shiitake mushrooms.

Nature's Way, Shiitake Maitake, Standardized, 60 Capsules

• Premium extract
• Food supplement

Compound:

Take 1 capsule once or twice a day, preferably with food.

Fungiology, Lentinuda Edodes (Shiitake), 90 Vegetarian Capsules

• Made from organic shiitake mushrooms
• Food supplement
• Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth

Compound:

• 100% certified organic mushrooms
• Assembled and packaged in the USA
• Full spectrum (primordia, mycelium, fruiting bodies and extracellular compounds)

Take 1 serving (3 capsules) daily, or as directed by your doctor. Can be taken with or without food.

FungusAmongUs, Organic Shiitake Mushrooms, 1 oz (28 g)

• Organically grown
• USDA Organic
• Member of the Organic Trade Association
• Instructions for cooking mushrooms inside

Reviews of people taking shiitake mushrooms

There are 10 capsules left. I took 1-2 capsules per day as a prevention of cancer and as immune protection against colds, herpes, etc. I didn’t feel such a pronounced effect, but in winter I caught colds less often, and this summer my allergies (polynosis to flowers and house dust) were somewhat less pronounced. I believe that Chinese medicine works miracles, although they may not always be immediately noticeable!

How to grow medicinal shiitake mushroom?

You can grow mushrooms yourself in your garden plot.

To do this, you can use pieces of dead wood in the open air (extensive method), or equip a film greenhouse and use a sawdust substrate.

Alder, oak, and beech are used as wood for growing outdoors.

You can use freshly sawn material, or kept in a dark place in the air for a month.

In greenhouse conditions, cultivation is carried out using a mixture of sawdust from deciduous trees and wheat bran.

The substrate is sterilized, moistened and placed in plastic bags. The mycelium is introduced into a specially made channel.

You can either prepare the substrate yourself or purchase it ready-made.

Where to buy and how much they cost

The easiest way to purchase this oriental delicacy is in dried form. Many online stores offer to order it with delivery throughout the country.

In pharmacies, the product is sold in powder form, which is left to stand in warm water for 10-12 hours and drunk 20 minutes before meals 2-3 times a day. They also produce tablets with the addition of mushroom extract and vitamins.

Shiitake powder is not a medicine. It is recommended to consult a doctor before using it.

In large chain supermarkets such as Perekrestok, Vkus Vill, Auchan, the imperial mushroom is found fresh, and some sites also provide delivery of the delicacy from nearby farms.

Dried mushroom

Application in medicine

Mushrooms help fight cancer

It has been used in Eastern medicine for several centuries. Modern fungotherapy uses medicinal preparations based on this product for many diseases and disorders in the human body:

1. Immune stimulation: the polysaccharides it contains help produce interferon, which is necessary to fight disease.
2. Reducing blood cholesterol levels: Japanese researchers have proven that daily consumption of shiitake for 7 days causes a decrease in this component by 12%.
3. Fighting cancer: it is considered one of the means for treating cancer patients, because The lentinan it contains helps fight cancer by forcing the body to stop the development of malignant cells.
4. Treatment of cardiovascular diseases: the chemical composition helps normalize blood pressure and dissolve cholesterol plaques, preventing vascular thrombosis.
5. Combating diabetes mellitus and preventing its complications: the benefit of its chemical composition is to gradually increase the production of insulin by restored pancreatic cells.
6. Benefits for the liver: they have the ability to produce antibodies to fight hepatitis and restore human health.

Irina Selyutina (Biologist):

Research has shown that shiitake spores contain components identical in properties to the influenza virus. However, they are completely harmless to humans. With regular consumption of this mushroom, they stimulate our body to produce interferon, a special protein that is an immunostimulant.

Dried shiitake mushrooms are widely used in Chinese and Japanese folk medicine. At home, a tincture is prepared from them. To do this, they are crushed, filled with alcohol and left for 21 days in a sealed glass container. Then the tincture is filtered and consumed in a dosage of 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day before meals.

Shiitake mushroom extract is produced industrially. This medicinal drug is added to dietary supplements, where the main active ingredients are the polysaccharide lentinan and lentinacin with a complex of amino acids and vitamins. Mushroom extract in the form of tablets is taken for a long time according to a certain scheme, strictly following the instructions and recommendations of doctors.

Another form of its use is shiitake capsules that contain a highly concentrated medicinal extract from mushrooms. Capsules are also used as a dietary supplement to food. You can also take this miracle of nature as tea, using a soluble form of the drug. At the same time, its medicinal properties are not reduced; the doctor selects the optimal dose necessary for treatment.

How to choose and how long to store

It is better to immediately cover freshly picked mushrooms in plastic, so they will not lose their moisture and will retain their taste longer.

To choose delicious and fresh shiitakes in the store, you need to pay attention to several points:

1. Plastic packaging preserves the properties of mushrooms longer.
2. There should be no condensation inside.
3. Young mushrooms are much healthier and last longer. A cracked cap and dark stem indicate an overripe product.

After purchase, the shiitake is placed in the refrigerator. In such conditions it is stored for about 1.5 weeks. The manufacturer indicates a more precise period on the packaging.

Dried mushroom can be stored for up to a year. To make supplies, fresh mushrooms are dried in the sun, then stored in a dry, ventilated room in a fabric bag.

The manufacturer indicates the expiration date of shiitake powder in the instructions for use of the dietary supplement or on the packaging.

Ways to grow shiitake mushroom

Shiitake can be successfully grown at home. There are two main methods for this:

• The intensive method involves the use of a substrate to which seed mycelium is mixed.
• An extensive method is growing mushrooms on wood. In this case, conditions are created that are close to the natural way of life of the shiitake: the mycelium is placed in prepared trunk trimmings.

Features of growing shiitake in an intensive way

Intensive technology makes possible year-round fruiting of mushrooms. Cultivation must be organized in specially equipped premises.

When preparing a room for growing shiitake intensively, the following requirements must be taken into account:

• availability of good ventilation;
• availability of lighting;
• high level of air humidity – 70-80%;
• the ability to maintain optimal temperature, for shiitake it is +15-18 degrees during the day and +10 degrees at night;
• the presence of a drip irrigation system.

The room in which shiitake will be grown must be clean and disinfected.

For intensive cultivation of mushrooms, it is necessary to prepare a substrate, the main part of which should be maple, beech or oak sawdust. Sawdust from coniferous trees is not suitable for this. Sawdust makes up 60-90% of the total mass of the substrate. The volume is supplemented by additives: straw, grain bran, gypsum, husk.

The prepared substrate must be sterilized in order to suppress the development of competitive organisms that can destroy the mycelium. Bags with a volume of 1-6 liters made of dense polyethylene are used as containers for placing the substrate in them.

After heat treatment, the mixture is cooled and the mycelium is inoculated. It should be purchased in specialized stores that sell seeds.

For 100 kg of substrate you need 2-5 kg ​​of mycelium. It should grow in warmth for 1.5-2.5 months. During this period, the spores almost completely spread and mature for further growth. After this, the mycelium is transferred for fruiting to cool rooms with a high level of humidity.

To get a good mushroom harvest, it is recommended to water the plantings daily. You need to monitor this especially carefully during the period when the mushrooms begin to sprout and gain weight.

The yield of the mushroom is 20-30% of the total mass of the prepared substrate. Each mycelium can bear fruit for 5-7 years. It must be remembered that myceliums need to be periodically given rest.

Shiitate grows and ripens in waves, so after the first harvest, the block with the substrate should be soaked in cold water - this stimulates the growth of the second wave. The block should be kept for a week - this will restore the original volume and humidity level.

Extensive method of growing mushrooms

Shiitake can be grown in garden plots, on stumps or logs. Any deciduous trees are suitable for this, but beech and oak are best.

Each square meter of wood used for adding mycelium and growing mushrooms brings up to 250 kg of shiitake per year.

To grow mushrooms in your summer cottage in an extensive way, you must do the following:

• select long tree trunks with a diameter of 7-15 cm and a length of 1 m;
• make sure that there is enough moisture in the wood (about 40%), and if the trunks are dry, you need to water them a few days before adding the mycelium;
• drill holes on the stems in a checkerboard pattern, maintaining a distance of 10 cm from each other along the length of the barrel; between rows of holes you need to retreat 7 cm;
• mycelium is introduced into the prepared holes and the trunks are laid horizontally, forming tall woodpiles;
• the holes are closed with plugs or covered with garden varnish, and they are covered with film on top.

Mycelium germination occurs from 6 months to one and a half years.

When a white coating forms on the surface of the logs, and the log makes a dull sound when tapped, the logs with mycelium are taken out into the open air, to an area where there is damp soil. It must be protected from drafts and direct ultraviolet rays.

When growing shiitake using the extensive method, the highest level of fruiting is observed in the second year after the addition of mycelium.

Watch the video showing how to grow shiitake on logs:

Chemical composition and calorie content

In terms of nutritional properties and vitamin-mineral composition, 10 g of dried mushroom is equal to 100 g of fresh mushroom.

100 g of dried product contains 296 calories, of which:

The maximum amount per day for an adult is 20 g of dried product or 200 g of fresh product.

Shiitake is very low in calories, and the glycemic index of the raw product is only 5. These indicators make it an indispensable ingredient in the diet of a person who wants to lose weight.

Just 25 g of dried shiitake is enough to get the daily requirement of vitamin B5, which is responsible for energy metabolism, increases cortisol levels and stabilizes the functioning of the central nervous system.

Risotto with shiitake

Contraindications and harm

Although lentinula has proven benefits, it is not safe for everyone.

1. Sometimes the product provokes allergic reactions, so people prone to allergies are advised to avoid its use.
2. Also, you should not get carried away with Japanese mushrooms if you have a history of bronchial asthma, as they can provoke an attack of such a disease.
3. The product is also contraindicated for women carrying a child or nursing mothers. It contains a lot of bioactive components that can harm the fetus or infant.
4. Pediatricians recommend not giving lentinul to children under 14 years of age, since children's digestive systems are not yet sophisticated enough to successfully digest such a heavy product.
5. Like other mushroom varieties, lentinula contains a chitinous component, which is difficult to digest, so you should not overuse the product.

An adult needs 150-210 g of fresh shiitake or 15-22 g of dried shiitake per day.

Benefits for the body

Healers of ancient China and Japan considered the shiitake mushroom to be a panacea for almost all diseases. They were not far from the truth. In 1969, at Purdue University in Tokyo, Dr. Tetsuro Ikekawa began studying the effects of shiitake mushrooms on cancer tumors. During the research, an unknown active substance was isolated, which was named Lentinan. The polysaccharide greatly enhances immunity, thereby helping to fight many diseases:

• Benign and malignant tumors.
• Various viruses, including HIV, hepatitis and influenza.
• Multiple sclerosis.

The ability to boost immunity helps people who have undergone chemotherapy during cancer treatment to recover.

Lantinan affects the liver, provoking the release of enzymes that break down fat. Shiitake mushrooms are included in many weight loss supplements because they help speed up your metabolism.

In addition to lentinan, shiitake contains essential amino acids, other important polysaccharides and high levels of essential vitamins and minerals. According to research conducted at the Institute of Microbiology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (https://www.webcitation.org/6VXvxllZ9), shiitake has a beneficial effect on the body:

• Fights viruses by increasing immunity.
• Lentinacin fights bacteria.
• Lowers blood sugar levels.
• Tyrosinase regulates blood pressure.
• Erytadenine lowers cholesterol levels.
• Improves the tone of the liver and kidneys.
• Kojic acid works as an antioxidant.
• Increases stress resistance.

In terms of the concentration of beneficial substances, the most effective is considered to be shiitake extract, which is sold in capsules in pharmacies and acts as an ingredient in medicinal and cosmetic preparations.

Health Benefits

Let's look at the benefits and potential harm of shiitake mushrooms - a symbol of longevity, since its consumption saturates the body with vitamins and minerals.

The intake of important substances helps strengthen the immune system, increase the body's resistance to colds and viral infections (flu, herpes, hepatitis).

Positive Impact:

• strengthening the nervous system;
• increasing protective forces;
• eliminating feelings of malaise and fatigue;
• improved mood.

The antiparasitic properties of this medicine are also known, eliminating infections caused by parasites and even helminths.

The video will tell you in detail about the beneficial properties of shiitake mushrooms:

Contraindications

Shiitake mushroom contains difficult-to-digest substances, which is why it is not recommended for consumption:

1. Pregnant and lactating women.
2. Children under 12 years old.

The delicacy is also a strong allergen, so it should not be included in the diet if you have bronchial asthma or individual intolerance.

A new product should be introduced into a child’s diet gradually. The first portion of the product should not exceed 1/2 teaspoon. After which it is necessary to observe the body’s reaction for 1-2 days.

Contraindications for shiitake mushrooms

The medicinal properties and contraindications of shiitake mushrooms are inseparable from each other. Basically, the product brings great benefits, but in some conditions it is better to avoid it.

In particular, contraindications for shiitake are:

• the presence of individual intolerance, an allergy to mushrooms or the components present in them is not very common, but if it exists, then it is necessary to completely abandon the product;
• bronchial asthma - shiitakes can provoke an exacerbation of the disease, especially if you are predisposed to allergies, since asthma is often one of the manifestations of an allergic reaction;
• tendency to constipation - any mushrooms are very rich in vegetable protein, and protein foods in large quantities make digestion difficult;
• pregnancy and breastfeeding, it is better not to consume shiitake during the period of bearing and feeding a child, since the substance chitin, if it enters the baby’s body, even in small quantities, can cause significant harm;
• children's age, it is recommended to offer a healthy product to a child for the first time only after 14 years of age, since previously the sensitive child's stomach may not be able to cope with the digestion of shiitake.

When using the product, it is recommended to adhere to small daily dosages. Even with a healthy stomach, eating shiitake should not exceed 150 g per day. It is best to consume the product in the morning or daytime; if you eat mushrooms shortly before resting at night, this will interfere with healthy sleep, since the body will be busy digesting food.

Use in cosmetology

Shiitake extract is included in many cosmetic products. Lentinan regenerates epithelial cells and helps:

1. Fight acne and inflammation.
2. Reduce pigmentation.
3. Fight wrinkles.
4. Slow down aging.
5. Dry oily skin.
6. Narrow pores.

In Japan, it is believed that the soft, velvety skin of geishas became so thanks to the use of the mushroom.

What are the benefits of shiitake mushrooms?

The health benefits of shiitake mushrooms are varied and have beneficial effects on almost every system of the body. Namely:

• strengthen immune resistance and make the body more resistant to viruses;
• reduce the level of bad cholesterol and improve the condition of blood vessels;
• protect the cardiac system from the development of dangerous ailments and thereby prolong life;
• increase resistance to cancer - medicine uses shiitake mushrooms for cancer;
• prevent the formation of blood clots and are of great benefit if you are prone to varicose veins;
• improve the state of the metabolic system and promote weight loss during dieting;
• have a beneficial effect on the skin and help delay the aging process;
• promote healthy blood flow to the brain, strengthen memory and improve concentration;
• help remove toxic substances and accumulated waste from the body;
• help increase overall endurance and prevent the development of anemia;
• have a positive effect on the condition of the stomach and intestines.

Japanese mushrooms are useful to use if you are prone to nervous disorders. They are beneficial for long-term stress and depression, help cope with emotional stress and relieve insomnia.

Taste and use in cooking

Shiitake is one of the main delicacies of oriental cuisine. The taste of the mushroom is delicate, somewhat reminiscent of a mixture of porcini mushrooms and champignons.

Traditionally, people try to use caps in cooking, since the stems are much harder. The delicacy is added to recipes for many dishes:

• soups;
• sauces;
• yoghurts;
• goulash.

Mushroom extract is added to drinks and desserts.

How to cook

To boil mushrooms, just throw them in a small amount of water for 4-5 minutes. For 1 kg of product, 200 ml of boiling water is enough.

Roasted shiitakes go well with:

• fish;
• rice;
• chicken;
• vegetables;
• pasta.

Fry the mushrooms in a hot frying pan with the addition of a small amount of oil until the juice secreted by the mushroom is completely dissolved. During frying, the mushroom is constantly stirred. Two minutes before cooking, you can add onions, spices or walnuts to the pan.

Edibility of shiitake

Shiitake is the most popular edible mushroom in Chinese, Korean and Japanese cuisine. It is sold dried and soaked in water before use. These mushrooms are also eaten fresh, since during the drying process some changes in the taste of the shiitake occur.

Mushroom caps are used as food because the flesh in their stems is hard. Shiitake is used in pickled, fried and boiled forms.