Evidence supporting the use of: Shiitake
For the health condition: Hair (loss or thinning)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) have been used in East Asian traditional medicine and cuisine for centuries, prized for their nutritional content and purported health-promoting properties. In the context of hair health, traditional uses are largely anecdotal and based on the mushroom’s general reputation for promoting vitality, including benefits to skin and hair. Shiitake is a source of B vitamins, copper, selenium, and specific polysaccharides, all of which are important for overall health and may indirectly support hair growth if there are dietary deficiencies.

However, there is little to no robust scientific evidence directly linking shiitake mushroom consumption or topical application to the prevention or treatment of hair loss or thinning. Most claims are extrapolated from the mushroom’s nutrient content, particularly copper, which is essential for melanin production and hair pigmentation, and B vitamins, which play a general role in cell metabolism. Some commercial hair care products include shiitake extract based on these associations and traditional use, but human clinical trials specifically assessing shiitake for hair loss are lacking. Thus, its use for hair support is primarily justified by tradition rather than scientific validation.

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Products containing Shiitake

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