A mushroom like shiitake, appeared on our table relatively recently, but despite this, the product managed to win a lot of fans. This Japanese mushroom, which is far from us, has managed to prove itself in culinary and traditional medicine. The product contains a huge number of all kinds of useful compounds, which makes it not only a bright note in a variety of dishes, but also a real cure for many ailments. However, most of us have not fully discovered all of its benefits to the body. In this article we will try to answer readers' questions about this product, as well as to identify the main benefits and harms shiitake for human health.
Description
Shiitake is a sporiferous saprotrophic organism, whose main habitat is organic matter of dead plants, mainly trees. Today, this species is one of the most cultivated mushrooms in the world that are grown everywhere. 
However, under natural conditions, it is found only in the southeastern part of Asia, mainly in the zone of dense forest stands. In most cases, shiitake grows on the wood of deciduous trees, and especially liked the sharp-pointed castanopsis.
Did you know? Shiitake is known to mankind for many centuries. The first mention of this mushroom dates from the year 199 n. er
You can also meet him in the zone of Primorsky Krai, in this region limewood Amur and Mongolian oak are traditionally considered as companions of the mushroom.
The appearance of shiitake is very characteristic. This mushroom has a small hemispherical cap, with a diameter of 3 to 10 cm. Its color is often dark brown shades, brown or chocolate. Often numerous flakes appear on the cap. The mushroom belongs to the lamellar species, its plates are numerous, of white or delicate beige color. 
The height of the legs varies between 2-8 cm, it is solid, much lighter than the cap. This species grows mainly in the warm season, but in artificial conditions it can be cultivated throughout the year.
Composition and nutritional value
Mushroom is a fairly rich variety of vitamins and minerals products. It contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B5, B6, B9, B12, C and D, as well as such micro and macronutrients as: potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, selenium and nitrogen.
Did you know? In the 20th century, shiitake became the first mushroom that humankind began to actively grow in artificial conditions.
The fungus contains a polysaccharide such as lentinan, which has a pronounced anti-cancer effect. In addition, it contains such important amino acids for the human body as: arginine, leucine, histidine, isoleucine, tyrosine, lysine, threonine, phenylalanine, methionine, valine.
100 g of shiitake contain:
- water - 89.7 g;
- proteins - 2.2 g;
- fat 0.5 g;
- carbohydrates - 4.2 g;
- ash - 0.75 g;
- Fiber - 2.5 g;
- Caloric content of the product - 35 kcal.
Selection and storage
In order to choose the right shiitake, you should turn your attention to just a few features of this product. It is considered that the mushrooms of a cap of about 5 cm are considered to be the most qualitative and intense in taste. At the same time, they must be open by at least 70%. 
Pay attention to the surface of the cap: it should be velvety, with a uniform brownish-chocolate shade over the entire surface.
Important! Purchased in a supermarket shiitake are suitable only for food purposes. Such mushrooms are often grown on poor substrates, and therefore do not have the necessary amount of useful elements for the preparation of medical devices.
Fresh mushrooms are stored in the refrigerator, wrapped in a paper bag, at a temperature of + 4 ... +8 ° C. In this form, the product retains its freshness for 5-7 days. For a more long-term preservation, it is dried, the dry mushroom can be stored in a dry cool place for attraction for 24 months.
Beneficial features
As mentioned above, shiitake is a fairly useful product for the human body. This mushroom has the following beneficial properties:
- inhibits viral and bacterial infections;
- eliminates bleeding and ulcerative manifestations of the stomach;
- strengthens the protective functions of the body;
- normalizes the cardiovascular system;
- facilitates the course of gastrointestinal diseases;
- destroys cancer cells;
- strengthens the nervous system;
- removes slags and cholesterol from the body;
- prolongs remission in diabetes mellitus;
- prevents heart attack;
- improves the condition of the musculoskeletal system in diseases of the joints and back;
- improves the state of the body with hepatitis, gastric ulcer and gastritis;
- restores health after serious illnesses.
No less useful are such mushrooms as: white podgruzoviki, svinushki, cep, boletus, milk mushrooms, boletus, chanterelles, boletus mushrooms, boletus and champignons.
Recipes of traditional medicine
Often, for medical purposes, almost all parts of the fungus are used, on the basis of which many infusions and remedies are prepared. They are used to eliminate a variety of pathologies, but often these drugs are the best way to prevent many ailments. Let's take a closer look at how this mushroom is used in traditional medicine.
Shiitake powder
Shiitake powder is used in both preventive and therapeutic purposes to maintain the immune system and the overall resistance of the body to a variety of negative environmental factors. You can purchase the powder at the pharmacy, or you can prepare it yourself. For this:
- take fresh mushrooms and cut them into small pieces;
- soak the raw materials in cold water for 30 minutes;
- dry shiitake naturally or with a dryer at a temperature not higher than +40 ° C;
- grind the dry product with a blender or other device.
Apply this tool for 2-3 teaspoons 1-2 times a day for 40 minutes before meals for 3 weeks. It is recommended to wash down the powder with warm boiled water. You can also cook mushroom tea. To do this, 1-2 teaspoons of powder insist in 300 ml of boiling water for an hour.Important! To apply for therapeutic purposes all sorts of extracts based on shiitake should be exclusively after consulting a doctor. Self-medication can aggravate general health.
The mixture is drunk in the form of heat 10 minutes before meals no more than 2 times a day. The broth can be used for cooking all kinds of soups, but such dishes should be consumed immediately after cooking.
Oil extract
For hepatitis, multiple sclerosis and general malaise, it is recommended to use oil extracts of shiitake. You can easily prepare them at home:
- measure and chop 1 g of dry mushrooms;
- Take 150 ml of flaxseed or olive oil and heat it to +37 ° C;
- pour mushrooms on the oil and keep warm for 2 hours with the lid closed;
- put the mixture in the fridge for 5 days.
Eat this oily liquid should be 2 times a day on an empty stomach in the morning and evening for 1 tablespoon. Before use, the oil should be thoroughly shaken. 
Shiitake tincture
Alcoholic tinctures of the fungus make it possible to facilitate the course of hypertension, normalize blood sugar and stimulate the cardiovascular system. The tool is prepared as follows:
- measure 10 g of mushroom powder (7-8 teaspoons with a small slide);
- pour the powder into a liter glass container and pour 500 ml of 40-degree alcoholic beverage (vodka or brandy to choose from);
- seal the lid of the container tightly and put the mixture in a dark cool place for 2-3 weeks;
- after this time, strain the liquid through gauze or cotton gauze filter;
- Pour the resulting dough into a glass container and put in the refrigerator for storage.
Read also about the medicinal properties of the tincture: propolis, aconite, from the bison and tincture of the bee moth.
The resulting infusion take 1 teaspoon 40 minutes before meals for 1 month. After that, you should take a two-week break and continue the procedure to consolidate the effect.
Shiitake and Oncology
As mentioned above, this fungus contains a specific polysaccharide lentinan, which has anti-cancer activity. An impressive amount of laboratory tests revealed that this substance contributes to an increase in immunity. 
Due to this, the body destroys cancer cells and their centers of reproduction on their own. As a result, in just a few courses of taking extracts, shiitake can almost completely stop the development of oncology.
Did you know? The anti-cancer properties of shiitake were discovered thanks to the Japanese scientist Tetsuro Ikekawa in 1969.
To prepare such a healing tool you can do it yourself, for this:
- Take a liter glass container and pour 50 g of mushroom powder into it;
- pour powder 750 ml of 40-degree alcohol (brandy or vodka) and carefully move;
- close the mixture with a tight lid and leave to infuse for 2 weeks in the refrigerator (during infusion, the liquid must be mixed well once a day).
Take the tool for 1 tablespoon 3 times a day 40 minutes before meals. Preventive course is 1 month.
Cooking Application
In cooking, shiitake is used along with champignons or local forest mushrooms known to us. They can boil, simmer, fry, etc. 
As such, the product can be both a main course and a great addition to meat or vegetables.
We recommend you read about pickling, drying and freezing mushrooms.
Often it is used for the preparation of various sauces, in this form the mushroom can be a rather interesting note for many dishes. There are many recipes for preservation of shiitake in the network, in this state it can be preserved until the onset of spring heat.
Application in cosmetology
In cosmetology, the mushroom has found its application no less widely than in cooking and medicine. With it, prepare a mask for the face, which is famous for rejuvenating, nourishing and anti-inflammatory effects.
Such tools help to permanently eliminate most of the age problems with the skin and saturate it with all the necessary vitamins and elements.
Preparing such a cosmetic tool is quite simple:
- Take 100 g of raw shiitake, wash and clean thoroughly;
- cut mushrooms as small as possible;
- pour everything into a glass dish and pour 250 ml of vodka;
- close the mixture with a tight lid and put in a refrigerator for 2 weeks;
- After 2 weeks, the mask is ready, before applying it must be drained from the particles of the fungus.
The resulting mask must be moistened with a special cosmetic napkin or gauze and put on a clean, pre-cleansed face. 
After 25-30 minutes it can be removed, then thoroughly wash with cool water. Apply such procedures in small courses, 1 time per day for a month, then you should take a break.
Important! The components of the fungus can be strong allergens, so before the first application of the procedure it is necessary to moisten the wrist for 15-20 minutes with the extract. In the case of unpleasant sensations, burning and other things, the mask should in no case be applied to the face.
Harm and contraindications
Like most other products, shiitake has its contraindications. These include:
- age up to 12 years;
- pregnancy;
- lactation period;
- asthma;
- individual intolerance to the components.
This fungus is quite a strong allergen, so it should be introduced into the diet carefully and in small portions. Despite the fact that it can be used without restrictions, excess doses (more than 200 g of fresh and 20 g of dried mushrooms per day) can cause serious allergic manifestations on the body, rash and itching. 
In this case, you should immediately stop using the product and seek medical help.
Shiitake is a distant guest from the East, who has not yet managed to open up to our compatriots in full. Despite this, the fungus has been actively used by man for many centuries. This product can have a beneficial effect on many organs and systems, as well as strengthen the immune system. However, during its use, remember the permissible rate and contraindications.
