All About Shiitake
Shiitake Mushroom History In the 12th century, shiitake mushroom cultivation began in the mountains of central China. Using fallen trees and then wood logs, early cultivators were able to plant spores and help nature produce a larger crop. A fragrant and delicious edible mushroom, shiitake is now the second most popular cultivated mushroom in the world. Shiitake Mushroom Uses In the 1970’s, the Japanese mushroom industry supported extensive research into the nutritional and medicinal properties of shiitake. The scientist Goro Chihara fractionated shiitake polysaccharides and named the most active fraction lentinan, a pure beta-1-3-glucan. This compound was developed into a drug that has been utilized as a complement to traditional medical practices for cancer therapy. Research has also discovered a compound in shiitake, eritadinine, that has lowered cholesterol in some studies. Proudly Made in China In 1996, CEO and Founder of Nammex, Jeff Chilton organized organic mushroom productio