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Nov 01, 2024

Maitake Mushroom: Risks, Benefits, and More

The Maitake mushroom (Grifola frondosa) is an edible and medicinal fungus that grows wild in Japan, China, and North America under oak, elm, or maple trees. The mushroom has only gained popularity in

The Maitake mushroom (Grifola frondosa) is an edible and medicinal fungus that grows wild in Japan, China, and North America under oak, elm, or maple trees.

The mushroom has only gained popularity in the United States over the last 20 years. People praise it for its promises of health, vitality, and longevity. Read on to learn what evidence research has found to support these claims.

Maitake (sometimes called maitako) means “dancing mushroom” in Japanese, as people would dance with joy upon finding it. It’s considered an adaptogen, helping the body fight against physical and mental difficulties.

Maitake mushroom can be cultivated and even grown at home, though it typically won’t grow as well as it does in the wild. You can usually find the mushroom during the autumn months.

While this mushroom can be used in cooking, it’s considered a medicinal mushroom. That’s likely because it’s known for being rich in:

The mushroom is also:

According to various studies, maitake mushrooms may help the body fight cancer cells through three pathways: protecting healthy cells, preventing tumor spread, and inhibiting growth.

Researchers have also found that using extracts like D-fraction has some promise in reducing tumor size and improving outcomes for different cancers. Other compounds contained in the mushroom have also been found to display similar properties.

Other studies have also found that certain components in maitake may help boost your immune system by activating important cells that can help you fight off cancerous cells. Additional components may be able to influence genes involved in cancer growth and promote cancer cell death.

That said, many of the studies conducted on maitake mushrooms are outdated. In addition, the conclusion that the mushroom has these properties can’t be used to suggest that eating the mushroom can actually cure cancer.

More clinical research on people living with cancer is needed to understand whether the mushroom could be used as part of any type of cancer treatment.

Various studies have shown that maitake mushrooms may help fight viral infections like hepatitis B, EV71, HSV-1, and HIV. Compounds from this mushroom may help improve recovery rates, inhibit infection, and support the immune system.

Generally, polysaccharide extracts from different mushrooms, including maitake, have also been found to be helpful in fighting influenza (flu) in living organisms.

That said, more human studies are needed to understand whether maitake mushrooms can be directly used to treat or prevent infection of any kind.

Multiple studies have shown that extracts from maitake mushrooms may help reduce blood sugar in animals. This is relevant because high blood sugar is associated with developing diabetes.

Components in mushrooms, such as polysaccharides, pyrrole alkaloids, ergosterols, and unsaturated fatty acids, may contribute to this by affecting the way insulin interacts with glucose in the body.

That said, these older studies were conducted on animals. Newer research on human subjects is needed.

Various studies have also explored the effect of maitake mushrooms on cholesterol metabolism and blood pressure.

For instance, research on rats found that the mushrooms helped lower triglyceride, cholesterol, and phospholipid levels in their blood.

Other animal research also found that mushrooms may help support the liver’s ability to metabolize cholesterol and may lower systolic blood pressure.

However, like other potential benefits, these findings came from primarily older animal studies and need to be confirmed in newer research based on human subjects.

Maitake mushrooms contain beta-glucan. Among its benefits, this compound may have some properties that help it hydrate skin, promote collagen production, heal skin inflammation, wounds or burns, and reduce signs of aging.

For example, recent laboratory and mouse research has that an extract of the mushroom may help reduce symptoms of atopic dermatitis (eczema).

In addition, these mushrooms also contain antioxidants like fatty acids and polyphenols that may help improve skin health.

A 2022 research paper explored the potential use of mushroom extracts in cosmetics. The study tested three types of mushroom extracts — maitake, lion’s mane, and reishi — as potential ingredients in cleansing products. The results showed that maitake had the strongest antioxidant properties of the three.

While these findings suggest that maitake mushrooms may be beneficial to skin, more research in humans is needed before the mushroom can be used as a skin remedy.

There’s little information about side effects or risks related to consuming maitake mushrooms. Just in case, it’s a good idea to ask your doctor before incorporating any mushrooms into your diet.

A general problem with mushrooms is that it can also be difficult to tell which mushrooms are safe because they can look similar.

Make sure you know what kind of mushroom you’re using, especially if you got it by foraging and not from the grocery store. Even in species considered safe to ingest, an allergic reaction is possible.

You can add maitake mushrooms to any food in which you would normally add mushrooms.

If you’re buying maitake fresh, buy it whole to increase its shelf life. Store it in a paper bag in the refrigerator. You may be able to find it dried at some grocery stores. It freezes well, so you can keep it in stock if you can find it fresh. You can also freeze it raw.

Maitake may also be taken as a liquid concentrate or in dry form in capsules. If you decide to take it as a supplement, look for maitake D-Fraction, which is an extract of the mushroom.

That said, know that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t regulate supplements, and it’s difficult to know what ingredients are in a supplement and whether they’re safe.

Always check with your doctor before trying any kind of supplement. As much as possible, choose a supplement made of 100% extract. Also, do your research and only buy from a company that provides you with sufficient information about the product.

If you begin experiencing any unusual symptoms or discomfort, discontinue use and consult your doctor.

Learn more: What are adaptogenic mushrooms? Benefits, risks, and types.

Research shows that the Maitake mushroom has the potential for healing, but more studies in humans are needed to understand its effects.

Be sure to talk with your doctor if you wish to add this to your diet or take it as a supplement. They can discuss the potential risks and benefits and help advise you on the best option for you.