Shiitake

Shiitake – the mushrooms having medicinal properties which are widely applied in treatment of malignant tumors. But on it medicinal properties to a shiitaka do not come to an end.

Description

Shiitake is a popular delicious mushroom which is grown up preferential on trees of a kastanopsis dlinnoostrokonechny.

The homeland of a mushroom are the countries of Southeast Asia and China. Grew up it on specially processed wood stumps in mountainous areas of Korea, China, Japan since very ancient times. The first written review of a shiitaka concerning its use in food belongs to 199 g B.C., and in the Chinese medicine it was applied since more ancient times. According to some sources, this mushroom was used by the Chinese emperors to be protected from various diseases and to prolong youth.

In the seventies the last century to a shiitaka began to grow up in America and the countries of Europe where it began to enjoy wide popularity. At a mushroom pleasant aroma and taste, soft texture that allowed it to take the advanced positions among the cultivated mushrooms. Today, along with traditional technologies, the mushroom to a shiitaka began to be grown up successfully and on the sawdust enriched with previously special nutritious additives.

The hat at a mushroom has dark brown color which can have a diameter 5-20 cm. On it it is possible to observe a beautiful pattern from cracks and thickenings. Young mushrooms have a fibrous leg, with the protecting plate which is broken off when maturing a dispute. At what the hat is open for 70% are considered as the most useful mushrooms, in the diameter does not exceed five centimeters, with a dark brown velvety color.

Judging by numerous positive reviews to a shiitaka it is very popular and it is widely applied in cookery. Besides, also treatment to a shiitaka has success. In Japan the mushroom is very much appreciated that it absorbs taste of other ingredients, but at the same time does not suppress them. And in Europe to a shiitaka is irreplaceable ingredient of various dishes thanks to a characteristic caramel smell and simplicity of preparation.

From a mushroom cook a set of soups, seasonings and even drinks. It is added to hot dishes as it is perfectly combined with meat, vegetables and noodles. Preparation to a shiitaka on a grill and roasting in tempura is popular (it is for this purpose better to use mushrooms with hats, big on diameter).

Structure and caloric content to a shiitaka

In 100 g of mushrooms to a shiitaka 89,74 g of water, 4,29 g of carbohydrates, 2,5 g of cellulose, 2,24 g of proteins, 0,73 g of ashes, 0,49 g of fats contain; vitamins: Retinolum (A), thiamin (B1), Riboflavinum (B2), Niacinum (RR), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), folic acid (B9), cyanocobalamine (B12), calciferol (D); macrocells: phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium; microelements: selenium, zinc, copper, manganese, iron.

Caloric content to a shiitaka makes 34 kcal on 100 g of a product.

Useful properties to a shiitaka

In Japan medicinal properties are widely known to a shiitaka. Throughout many centuries it is used preferential for prevention of heart diseases, colds, tumors, by hypertensions. It is considered that treatment to a shiitaka prevents the sexual frustration and problems caused by aging of an organism. Reviews of a shiitaka of residents of Japan demonstrate that they consider it a life elixir which refreshes at the same time both spirit, and a body.

In our latitudes to a shiitaka does not enjoy such popularity though, thanks to a wide range of preventive and medical influence, this exotic mushroom is eaten around the world. Two decades ago to a shiitaka was considered as very expensive and very rare east delicacy. Now in the West the mushroom gains ground therefore it can already be found easily on shelves of supermarkets. Even more often treatment to a shiitaka began to be used at such widespread diseases of the 20th century as AIDS, onko-and cardiovascular diseases.

The mushroom to a shiitaka is ideal protein thanks to the fact that at its structure there are ten amino acids, irreplaceable for a human body, and at such proportion which as much as possible is suitable for food of the person. Along with a set of enzymes and vitamins, the mushroom contains such amino acids as a lysine and a leucine that causes very important medicinal properties to a shiitaka as practically does not contain in grain crops of these amino acids. In addition, the mushroom is a fine source of vitamins of group B including B12 vitamin.

The mushroom contains polysaccharides which strengthen action of immune system. After a number of the conducted researches in a mushroom polysaccharide лентинан, and also such biologically active agents as Interlaken and interferon which strengthen immunity was revealed.

Except prevention of above-mentioned diseases, reviews of a shiitak demonstrate that it is effective at high blood pressure, slows down processes of aging and reduces cholesterol level in blood. The world famous researcher of mushrooms, Mari Kisako, claims that treatment is useful for a shiitaka at stones in kidneys, a diabetes mellitus, stomach ulcer, an anemia, avitaminosis, and also at cold. It is possible to learn from its scientific works that the mushroom possesses strongly expressed antibacteriological and antiviral action as the polysaccharides which are contained in it do not allow viruses and bacteria to breed.

Thanks to the lentinan which is contained in a mushroom antineoplastic property is proved to a shiitaka. At the Tokyo State Oncological Research Institute the researches conducted in the sixties last century scientifically confirmed anticarcinogenic action of a mushroom. Results of tests were published in the American oncological magazine "Cancer Research". Thanks to these data the Japanese scientists achieved impressive results in treatment of the patients who are in a recurrent or advanced stage of a disease.

Today in many cases at treatment cancer tumors along with chemotherapy to patients appoint mushroom extract to a shiitaka for the purpose of decrease in toxic impact of medicines on immune system and healthy fabrics.

According to the last conducted researches it is proved what in the environment of fabric culture to a shiitaka slows down reproduction of a HIV virus which causes AIDS. Scientists of the same Tokyo State Oncological Research Institute came to opinion that mushroom extract to a shiitaka prevents the destruction of a cell caused by a HIV virus. Thus, the mushroom to a shiitaka is of interest to the scientists dealing with problems of treatment of AIDS.

Contraindications

The mushroom to a shiitaka is the only mushroom which can cause allergic reactions in an organism. Therefore it is necessary to enter into a diet it from small portions, gradually increasing them.

Besides, pregnant women and the feeding women are not recommended to use a mushroom as it contains too large amount of biologically active agents.