Hypsizygus marmoreus

BotanicalCulinary mushroomBest with a meal

What is it

Hypsizygus marmoreus, also called buna shimeji or beech mushroom, is an edible mushroom widely consumed in East Asian cuisine. Extracts of the fruiting body appear in some functional-mushroom supplements.

How it works

Like other edible mushrooms, Hypsizygus marmoreus contains beta-glucans and other polysaccharides that may modulate immune cell activity in laboratory studies. It also provides ergothioneine, an antioxidant amino acid concentrated in mushrooms. Human trials specific to Hypsizygus marmoreus extracts are limited. Most claims rely on extrapolation from other medicinal mushroom research and small in vitro studies.

Dosage

There is no established daily intake recommendation for Hypsizygus marmoreus extract. Supplement labels typically suggest 500 to 1,000 mg of fruiting body extract per day, mirroring other mushroom products.

When and how to take it

Mushroom extracts are typically taken with meals to reduce any gastrointestinal sensitivity. Time of day is not critical.

1 commercial form

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Buna shimeji fruiting body extract

Most products are hot-water extracts of the dried fruiting body, sometimes standardized to beta-glucan content.

Beta-glucans act locally in the gut; ergothioneine is absorbed via a specific transporter.

Safety

Hypsizygus marmoreus is eaten as a food and is generally well tolerated. Adverse events from extract supplements are rare and usually limited to mild digestive upset.

Who should be cautious

People with mushroom allergies should avoid Hypsizygus extracts. People on immunosuppressive therapy should consult a clinician before adding immune-modulating mushroom supplements.

Interactions

No significant interactions reported. Theoretical caution applies for high-dose beta-glucan immunomodulation in people on immunosuppressants.

Food sources

Beech mushroom (cooked)

Amount
1 cup
%DV
—

Frequently asked questions

What is buna shimeji?⌄

It is the Japanese name for Hypsizygus marmoreus, an edible mushroom sold fresh in many grocery stores.

Are buna shimeji supplements effective?⌄

Specific human evidence is limited. Eating the mushroom regularly is a reasonable food-based approach.

References

Hypsizygus marmoreus on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Hypsizygus marmoreus on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Hypsizygus marmoreus (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.