Maitake

Effects and Benefits

Core Identification

Common Names:
- Maitake
- Hen of the woods
- Sheep's head
- Dancing mushroom
- Cloud mushroom
- King of mushrooms
- Hui shu hua (Chinese: "gray tree flower")
- Klapperschwamm (German)

Latin Name: Grifola frondosa

Category: Mushroom (Fungal Supplement)

Uses

Traditional Uses

• Immune support and disease resistance - Japanese folk medicine, centuries of use
• Arthritis and joint conditions - Traditional Japanese medicine
• Hepatitis and liver protection - Traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine
• Digestive strengthening - Traditional Chinese medicine, described as "moistening the lungs"
• Stomach, heart disease, hemorrhoidal, and nervous system conditions - Traditional Japanese Kampo medicine

Modern Uses

• Immune modulation - Beta-glucans enhance activity of macrophages, natural killer cells, and T cells | Research quality: Strong
• Key findings: Laboratory tests showed maitake increased activity of macrophages by 140%, NK cells by 186%, and T cells by 160%. Boosts neutrophil and monocyte function in humans.

• Source citations: Hobbs - Medicinal Mushrooms; WRCHM Western Materia Medica II; Balch - Prescription for Herbal Healing

• Blood sugar regulation (Type 2 diabetes support) - Contains natural alpha-glucosidase inhibitor | Research quality: Moderate

• Key findings: Clinical research shows maitake mushroom polysaccharide (MMP) can lower blood glucose in type 2 diabetes patients. Multiple animal studies confirm hypoglycemic effects.

• Source citations: WRCHM Western Materia Medica II; Hobbs - Medicinal Mushrooms; WRCHM Herb-Drug-Nutrient Interaction

• Adjunctive support during chemotherapy - Reduces side effects and enhances treatment efficacy | Research quality: Moderate

• Key findings: Japanese clinical study of 165 patients found maitake plus chemotherapy reduced typical side effects (loss of appetite, nausea, low white blood cell count). Reported improvement in symptoms: 11/15 breast, 12/18 lung, 7/15 liver patients.

• Source citations: Brewer - Encyclopedia of Vitamins; Balch - Prescription for Herbal Healing

• Cholesterol and blood lipid regulation - May lower total cholesterol levels | Research quality: Preliminary

• Key findings: Animal studies suggest maitake may lower fat levels in blood and blood pressure. Partially inhibits cyclooxygenase for antioxidant effects.

• Source citations: Hobbs - Medicinal Mushrooms; WRCHM Western Materia Medica II

• Blood pressure support - Adaptogenic effect helps normalize blood pressure | Research quality: Preliminary

• Key findings: Animal studies demonstrate blood pressure lowering activity in fruit body extracts.

• Source citations: WRCHM Western Materia Medica II

• Antiviral activity - Shows activity against hepatitis B in laboratory studies | Research quality: Preliminary

• Key findings: D-Fraction showed suppressive effect on hepatitis B in laboratory studies.
• Source citations: Hobbs - Medicinal Mushrooms

Active Compounds

Primary Active Ingredients:
- Beta-1,6-glucans (D-fraction) - Unique complex polysaccharide that stimulates immune chemicals (lymphokines, interleukin-1, interleukin-2); increases activity of immune scavenger cells (macrophages) and natural killer cells
- Beta-D-glucan - Well absorbed orally; primary polysaccharide researched for immune modulation
- Grifolan - Beta-glucan fraction shown to have immunomodulating effects on antibody and cytokine production
- Thiamin (Vitamin B1) - B-vitamin content contributes to nutritional value
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) - B-vitamin content contributes to nutritional value
- Alpha-glucosidase inhibitor - Naturally occurring compound that helps regulate blood sugar

Nutritional Content:
- Approximately 40% usable protein
- 15%+ fiber
- 8% fats
- 9% minerals (especially potassium)
- 26% beta-glucans
- Vitamin D and B-complex vitamins

Dosage Information

Standard Dosage:
- Form: Dried mushroom powder
- Amount: 1–4 grams per day
- Purpose: General health maintenance and immune support

Therapeutic Dosage:
- Form: Dried mushroom powder or extract
- Amount: 3–7 grams per day (whole mushroom); 4–7 grams for specific conditions
- Purpose: Blood sugar support, immune enhancement, adjunctive therapy
- Duration: Can be used long-term; best results often seen with consistent use

Extract Dosage:
- Form: Standardized liquid extract (D-Fraction)
- Amount: 5–20 drops three times daily
- Form: Capsule extracts
- Amount: 600 mg per day

Tincture Dosage:
- Amount: 2–3 droppersful (2–3 mL) once or twice daily

Fresh Mushroom:
- Amount: Several ounces, cut and stir-fried or added to soups

Dried Fruiting Body Tea:
- Amount: 6–20 grams per day made into tea

Bioavailability Notes:
- Beta-D-glucan is well absorbed when taken orally
- Vitamin C improves absorption and effectiveness of maitake mushroom
- D-fraction extracts concentrate the immunomodulating beta-glucans for increased potency

How to Take It

Timing:
- Can be taken any time of day
- With or without food
- Consistent daily use recommended for best results

Preparation Methods:
- Capsules or tablets containing dried mushroom powder
- Liquid D-fraction extract
- Tincture
- Dried mushroom prepared as tea
- Fresh mushroom cooked in soups, stir-fries, or other dishes
- Commercial products: maitake tea, whole powder, granules, drinks, tablets

Synergies - What It Works Well With

Complementary Supplements:
1. Vitamin C - Improves absorption and effectiveness of maitake | Enhanced immune support and better utilization of beta-glucans
2. Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) - Complementary immune-modulating mushroom | Broader adaptogenic and immune effects; both considered top medicinal mushrooms
3. Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) - Fellow medicinal mushroom with immune benefits | Combined polysaccharide profiles for comprehensive immune support
4. Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) - Another beta-glucan-rich mushroom | Enhanced immune modulation with different polysaccharide structures
5. Cordyceps - Adaptogenic energy and immune support | Combined adaptogenic effects plus respiratory and energy benefits

Avoidance - What NOT to Combine With

Supplement Interactions:
1. Other hypoglycemic herbs and supplements - Maitake lowers blood glucose; combining with other blood-sugar-lowering supplements may increase risk of hypoglycemia | Monitor blood sugar closely | Examples include: alpha-lipoic acid, bitter melon, chromium, devil's claw, fenugreek, garlic, guar gum, horse chestnut seed, Panax ginseng, psyllium, Siberian ginseng

Drug Interactions:
1. Antidiabetes medications - Maitake can lower blood glucose; combining may increase risk of hypoglycemia | Monitor blood glucose levels closely | Severity: Moderate
2. Warfarin (anticoagulants) - Case report of elevated INR (5.1) in stable warfarin patient after one week of maitake D-fraction; beta-glucan may cause warfarin dissociation from protein | Monitor INR closely; may require warfarin dose adjustment | Severity: Moderate
3. Immunosuppressant medications - Maitake stimulates immune function, which may interfere with immunosuppressive therapy | Use with caution under medical supervision | Severity: Moderate

Food Interactions:
- No significant food interactions known

Safety Information

Contraindications:
- Pregnancy - Insufficient data on effects on fetus; avoid use
- Breastfeeding - Insufficient data on effects on infant; avoid use
- Autoimmune conditions - Use with caution due to immune-stimulating effects

Side Effects:
- Common: Generally well-tolerated as an edible mushroom
- Occasional: Mild indigestion, loose stools
- Rare: Allergic reactions in sensitive individuals

Long-Term Use:
- Considered safe for long-term use as a food and supplement
- Very few reports of side effects when used at recommended dosages
- No toxic effects known at normal doses

Special Precautions:
- Surgery: May affect blood sugar and blood clotting; discontinue at least 2 weeks before scheduled surgery
- Diabetes: Monitor blood glucose closely; may need to adjust medication dosages
- Anticoagulant therapy: Monitor INR and clotting parameters closely

Primary Uses At-a-Glance

Primary: Immune support and modulation, blood sugar regulation (type 2 diabetes support), adjunctive therapy during chemotherapy

Secondary: Blood pressure support, cholesterol regulation, antiviral support, general adaptogenic tonic, hepatitis support

Sources

Local Library:
- Hobbs, Christopher - Medicinal Mushrooms: The Essential Guide
- WRCHM - Western Materia Medica II
- Brewer, Sarah - TDT Encyclopedia of Vitamins
- Balch, Phyllis - Prescription for Herbal Healing
- WRCHM - Herb-Drug-Nutrient Interaction
- Connors, Martha - The Everything Guide to Herbal Remedies
- White, Linda B. - 500 Time-Tested Home Remedies

General Knowledge:
- Nanba H. research publications on Maitake D-fraction (1993, 1997)
- FDA IND approval (1998) for Phase II pilot study on D-fraction in breast and prostate cancer
- Japanese clinical trials on maitake and chemotherapy (165 patients)
- Chinese clinical studies on bladder cancer recurrence