Besides being a delicious food, Shiitake has been used for many conditions in traditional Asian medicines. Japanese research showed that LEM has the significant immune modulating, lipid-lowering, and antiviral properties. 2 It has been found to be able to activate macrophages and lymphocytes to modulate the release of cytokines, which may account for its antiviral properties. In a clinical trial of 40 patients with chronic hepatitis B, LEM improved liver function and reduced viraemia. 4 Some other studies also reported LEM has the capacity to inhibit HIV virus infection in vitro, 5 and may heave the hope as a therapy for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.