Shiitake is one of the best known medicinal mushrooms. In Chinese herbalism, it is reported to boost "Qi" within the body - the essential energy that flows through the meridians in the body (in Acupuncture they use the needles to adjust the flow of Qi energy through the meridians).

Shiitake extracts are also used to tonify the liver and support overall immune health. Modern research suggests that extracts of Shiitake mushrooms may also help to maintain healthy cholesterol levels that are already within the normal range.