|
Maitake
Botanical name: Grifola
frondosa
Maitake is a
very large mushroom, which grows deep in the mountains
of northeastern Japan, as well as in North America and
Europe. Famous for its taste and health benefits,
maitake is also known as the “dancing mushroom.” Legend
holds that those who found the rare mushroom began
dancing with joy. Others attribute its name to the way
the fruit bodies of the mushroom overlap each other,
giving the appearance of dancing butterflies.
Maitake is
extremely sensitive to environmental changes, which have
presented many challenges to those cultivating this
mushroom. However, Japanese farmers have succeeded in
producing high-quality organic maitake mushrooms,
allowing for wider availability both in Japan and the
U.S. The fruiting body and mycelium of maitake are used
medicinally.
Historical
or traditional use
Historically, maitake has been used as a
tonic and adaptogen (a substance that invigorates or
strengthens the system). Along with other “medicinal”
mushrooms, such as shiitake and reishi, maitake was used
as a food to help promote wellness and
vitality.
Active
constituents
A common
denominator among some mushrooms and some herbs is the
presence of complex polysaccharides in their structure.
These active constituents help support immune system
function and are sometimes called immunomodulators. The
polysaccharides present in maitake have a unique
structure and are among the most powerful studied in
test tubes to date. The primary
polysaccharide, beta-D-glucan, is well absorbed when
taken orally and is being studied as a potential tool
for prevention and treatment of cancer and as a
adjunctive treatment for HIV infection. Animal studies
suggest maitake may lower serum cholesterol and
triglycerides. However, this research is still
preliminary and requires human trials for
confirmation.
How much is
usually taken?
Maitake can
be used as a food or tea and is also available as a
capsule or tablet containing the entire fruiting body of
the mushroom. For maitake, the fruit body is higher in
polysaccharides than the mycelium, which is why it is
recommended. Whole-mushroom maitake supplements, 3–7
grams per day, can be taken. Liquid maitake extracts
with variable concentrations of polysaccharides are
available, and should be taken as
directed.
How much is
usually taken?
Maitake can
be used as a food or tea and is also available as a
capsule or tablet containing the entire fruiting body of
the mushroom. For maitake, the fruit body is higher in
polysaccharides than the mycelium, which is why it is
recommended. Whole-mushroom maitake supplements, 3–7
grams per day, can be taken. Liquid maitake extracts
with variable concentrations of polysaccharides are
available, and should be taken as
directed.
| 
