The efficacy and function of shiitake mushrooms

Chinese medicinal materials are very common, and there are many types of them. There are also some differences in their efficacy. Therefore, you need to have a good understanding before choosing. Do you know about the medicinal material shiitake mushroom?

[Other names] Xiangxin (Compendium of Materia Medica), Shiitake mushroom (Sui Xi Ju Diet).

[Source] It is the fruiting body of the Lentinula edodes plant of the Pleurotus ostreatus family . It can be harvested in spring, autumn and winter. After harvesting, the mud, sand and impurities are removed and the fruit is dried in the sun or by baking.

[Original morphology] The cap can reach a diameter of 10 cm, the surface is dark brown with irregular cracks; there are many forked gills underneath. The stipe is curved and white. The cap membrane is wooly, and after the cap is opened, only the wooly traces remain on the upper part of the handle.

[Habitat distribution] It parasitizes on the trunks of chestnut, oak, etc., and is usually cultivated artificially. It is found in Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, Anhui, Guangxi, Guangdong and other places.

[Chemical composition] The edible part of dried shiitake mushrooms accounts for 72%. Every 100 grams of edible part contains 13 grams of water, 1.8 grams of fat, 54 grams of carbohydrates, 7.8 grams of crude fiber, 4.9 grams of ash, 124 milligrams of calcium, 415 milligrams of phosphorus, 25.3 milligrams of iron, 0.07 milligrams of vitamin B1, 1.13 milligrams of vitamin B2, and 18.9 milligrams of niacin. In addition to 85-90% water, fresh shiitake mushrooms also contain 19% crude protein, 4% crude fat, 67% soluble nitrogen-free matter, 7% crude fiber, and 3% ash in their solids. The protein contains albumin, glutenin and alcohol-soluble protein, and the ratio of the three is 100:63:2. Dried shiitake mushrooms also contain a kind of protein, the content of which is about 2.35%, of which the content of glutamate is 17.5%. The water extract of dried shiitake mushrooms contains histidine, glutamic acid, alanine, leucine, phenylalanine, valine, aspartic acid, asparagine, acetamide, choline, adenine and trace amounts of trimethylamine. The iodine value of fat is 139, which shows that the unsaturation degree of fatty acids it contains is very high. The oil part obtained by ether extraction consists of 30% unsaponifiable matter and 60% mixed fatty acids; among the latter's saturated fatty acids, palmitic acid accounts for 80% and cerotic acid accounts for 10%; among the unsaturated fatty acids, linoleic acid accounts for more than 80% and oleic acid accounts for 10%; among the unsaponifiable matter, in addition to ergosterol, there are also mycosterol and the like. It also contains a "wax" with a strong odor, a melting point of 38°C, and -CHO, -SH, and -SS- groups in its molecules. The ergosterol in shiitake mushrooms can be converted into vitamin D2 whether exposed to sunlight or ultraviolet rays, so shiitake mushrooms are one of the anti-rickets foods. Shiitake mushrooms contain very little vitamin C (those produced in Northeast China contain 0.27 micrograms) and lack vitamin A and provitamin A. The largest carbohydrate content in shiitake mushrooms is hemicellulose, in addition there are mannitol, trehalose, glucose, glycogen, pentosan, methylpentosan, etc. The flavoring substances of shiitake mushrooms are a group of water-soluble substances, among which adenine is one of the main ones; the aroma of fresh shiitake mushrooms is mainly matsutake alcohol (accounting for 90%), in addition to 4-6% n-pentyl ethyl ketone; the aroma of dried shiitake mushrooms is mainly ketone. The dried shiitake mushrooms produced in Zhejiang and Anhui are roasted over charcoal fire. Only after being roasted do they have the unique aroma of "shiitake mushrooms", which is very different from fresh ones. Fresh shiitake mushrooms contain enzymes that break down nucleic acids and hydrolyze nucleic acids to produce purine and other components.

[Pharmacological action] Lentinus edodes has the effect of lowering serum lipids. When rats were fed a diet containing Lentinus edodes (with 1% cholesterol, 18% casein, and 5% cottonseed oil) for 1 to 2 months, the serum cholesterol content was lower than that of the control group without Lentinus edodes, but the cholesterol content in the liver was no different from that of the control group. Giving shiitake mushrooms one month after giving cholesterol is also effective (i.e., the rate at which the serum cholesterol level decreases is faster than when shiitake mushrooms are not given). The part soluble in water and dilute alcohol is effective, while the part soluble in ether is ineffective. After patients with hyperlipidemia (those with atherosclerosis, diabetes and hypertension) took 150-300 mg/day of the active ingredient of Lentinula edodes for 15 weeks, their triglycerides, phospholipids, total fat and non-ester fatty acids all decreased. After stopping the drug, the blood lipids increased, but they could be reduced again after taking the drug again. There was no effect on liver function (SGOT, SGPT, serum total protein, prothrombin, etc.). Its active ingredients have been isolated, the main one being eritadenine; another minor ingredient isolated is 2R-hydroxy-(-adenyl)-butyric acid, which is far less effective than eritadenine.

【Nature and flavor】 Sweet, neutral.

【Meridian】 ① "Ben Cao Qiu Zhen": "Specially enters the stomach."

【Functions and indications】 Boosts stomach qi and relieves acne.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 2 to 3 qian.

【Note】 "Sui Xi Ju Diet" states: "Avoid eating after smallpox, childbirth, or illness."

[Explanations by various scholars] "Compendium of Materia Medica" states: "Mushrooms are a good food. All mushrooms are naturally hot and toxic, but mushrooms are sweet and mild in nature. They can greatly benefit the stomach and help with digestion, and regulate urination. However, they are extremely stagnant and moist in nature. They are beneficial for people with weak constitutions, but harmful to people with cold and stagnation. Choose the ones that are harvested in winter and have thick flesh and are as thin as coins."

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

Above we introduced what shiitake mushrooms are. We know that shiitake mushrooms are actually a kind of Chinese medicinal material that can bring us health benefits and have almost no major side effects, so you might as well try it in your spare time.