قارچ شیتاکه ایران

This  is  an  edible  mushroom  occurring  widely  in Japan  and  China,  growing  on standing  and  decayed  broadleaf  trees such  as  oak, walnut  and beech.  It  can  also cause  heart  rot in  standing  trees.   Originally  collected  from  the wild, it  is  now extensively  grown artificially  on logs  and sawdust  mixtures making  this  mushroom available all  the year  round.  It  is  known in  the  West as  the hedgehog  or  monkey head  fungus and in  China as  Shishigashida  because the  fruiting  body  looks like the head of  a lion.

 When  air  dried and  extracted  with hot water  it  is  used  extensively  in traditional  Chinese  medicine (Houtou), to  promote digestion and general  vigour, strength and general  nutrition.   The  polysaccharide  from  this  mushroom  have cytostatic  effects  on gastric,  oesophageal, hepatic  and  skin cancers (Mizuno,  1999; 

Mizuno  et  al., 1992).   Mycelium  produced from  several  Hericium  spp. and then extracted with hot water  formed  the basis of  a  sports drink  named Houtou  that was used in  the 11th  Asia  Sports Festival  (1990)  and is  believed to  have  contributed  to the remarkable  activities of  Chinese  players!! It is anticipated  that  this  mushroom  will become  an  important  component  in future  health foods.     Key active  constituents Beta-D-glucans  (antitumour) Ergosterol  (provitamin  D) Cyathane derivatives (nerve  growth stimulators)