Xiang Gu
Unknown
☯ TCM Properties
Tonifies Qi Deficiency, strengthens the Spleen, stimulates the appetite; Expel Wind and promotes eruptions; Resolves Phlegm and regulates the flow of Qi; Removes toxicity and treats cancer
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Xiang Gu is the shiitake mushroom, Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler (Omphalotaceae), a saprotrophic basidiomycete native to East Asia and cultivated for over a millennium on hardwood logs of Quercus, Castanea, and Castanopsis. The fruiting body bears a convex to plano-convex cap 5-12 cm in diameter, dry, smooth to scaly, ranging in color from pale tan to dark brown, often cracking in cold weather to reveal white flesh and yielding the prized 'donko' grade. The gills are white, crowded, and notched at the stipe, which is firm, fibrous, and centrally to off-centrally attached. Long valued as food and medicine in China, Japan, and Korea, shiitake is documented in Wu Rui's 1313 Ri Yong Ben Cao as a qi-tonifying food. Polysaccharides (lentinan, eritadenine) have demonstrated immunomodulatory and cholesterol-lowering activity.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 9-30g | Daily | — | — | — |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.