The Oyster mushroom (Hiratake, píng gū, 平菇)

is a natural source of the statin drug Lovastatin

(brand name: Mevacor, Altoprev), a drug used to lower cholesterol. Tests have shown the oyster mushroom contains up to 2.8% Lovastatin on a dry weight basis.

Animal research has demonstrated that oyster mushroom consumption lowers cholesterol levels. Research has also shown the oyster mushroom has anti-cancer properties. An in vivo experiment showed a beta-glucan isolated from the mushroom reduced colon cancer growths and increased antioxidant activities in rats.

An in vivo experiment, demonstrated the mushroom's anti-cancer activity in rats with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine induced cancer.

This mushroom can be used to treat aspergillus niger, Bacillus cereus, escherichia coli, plasmodium falciparum, pseudomonas aeruginosa, pseudomonas fluorescens and HIV.