Family Name: Tricholomataceae or Marasmiaceae or Omphalotaceae
Botanical Name(s): Lentinula edodes
Popular Name(s): Mushroom (Shiitake), Black Mushroom, Hua Gu
Parts Used: Fruiting body
Habitat: Shiitake is an edible mushroom native to East Asia.
Description: Shiitake mushroom is native to China and has been
cultivated for thousand years. The mushroom is cultivated not only as a
food but also as a medicine. But its stems are rarely used in cuisines
as the stems are harder than the soft fleshy caps which are more popular
in cuisines.
Uses: Shiitake has many uses in cuisines. Besides this it has
medicinal uses too. Shiitake mushrooms are effective in treating all
forms of hepatitis, including hepatitis B and C. Extracts from shiitake
mushrooms have been researched for many immunological benefits, ranging
from anti-viral properties to possible treatments for allergies as well
as arthritis.
