Nutritional Supplement
Shiitake
Immune System Support
Infection
Shiitake supports the immune system and protects against microbes.InfectionHerbs that support a person’s immune system in the fight against microbes include the following: American ginseng, andrographis, Asian ginseng, astragalus, coriolus, eleuthero, ligustrum, maitake, picrorhiza, reishi, schisandra, and shiitake.
HIV and AIDS Support
Shiitake is medicinal mushroom immune-modulating effects that may be beneficial for people with HIV infection.HIV and AIDS SupportImmune-modulating plants that could theoretically be beneficial for people with HIV infection include Asian ginseng, eleuthero, and the medicinal mushrooms shiitake and reishi. One preliminary study found that steamed then dried Asian ginseng (also known as red ginseng) had beneficial effects in people infected with HIV, and increased the effectiveness of the anti-HIV drug, AZT.6 This supports the idea that immuno-modulating herbs could benefit people with HIV infection, though more research is needed.
Traditional Use (May Not Be Supported by Scientific Studies)
Shiitake has been revered in Japan and China as both a food and medicinal herb for thousands of years. Wu Ri, a physician from the Chinese Ming Dynasty era (A.D. 1368–1644), wrote extensively about this mushroom, noting its ability to increase energy, cure colds, and eliminate worms.7