No, you should not eat shiitake mushrooms raw as they can cause a severe, itchy rash called Shiitake Dermatitis due to a compound called lentinan, which is neutralized by heat; cooking them thoroughly (until tender and browned) is essential to prevent this reaction. Even if you haven't reacted before, you could still develop the rash, which looks like whip marks and appears a day or two after eating, sometimes with a delay, making it hard to connect to the mushrooms<br>
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Shiitake mushrooms offer benefits like
boosting immunity with polysaccharides, supporting heart health by lowering cholesterol (eritadenine, beta-glucans) and blood pressure (magnesium, potassium), and providing antioxidants (phenolic acid). They are rich in B vitamins, copper, selenium, zinc, and iron, and act as a rare plant-based source of Vitamin D, promoting energy, bone health, and cellular function while fighting inflammation and infections