{"id":1533,"date":"2018-04-17T20:58:23","date_gmt":"2018-04-18T01:58:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medicinalherbals.net\/?p=1533"},"modified":"2024-01-07T11:43:25","modified_gmt":"2024-01-07T16:43:25","slug":"maitake-mushroom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medicinalherbals.net\/maitake-mushroom\/","title":{"rendered":"Maitake Mushroom (Hen of the Woods): The Best 10 Health Benefits"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What is Maitake Mushroom?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Maitake mushroom, also known as the Hen of the Woods, the Dancing Mushroom, Sheep\u2019s Head, Sheepshead, Rams Head, the King of Mushrooms, the Cloud Mushroom, or by its scientific name Grifola frondosa<\/em>, is a popular medicinal mushroom<\/a> that initially gained popularity in Japan. Although it is most popular in Japan, it can also be found in the forests of North America, Europe, and China, where it is commonly found at the base of oak, elm, and maple trees. They are often harvested from September to October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Maitake mushrooms have a very characteristic appearance. The top portion of the mushroom possesses several layers of caps that are curved upwards like spoons. The caps can obtain massive proportions, averaging anywhere from 40 to 50 pounds in the wild, although records exist that report specimens upwards of 100 pounds. The mushrooms change color over the fungi\u2019s lifetime, with younger mushrooms being more yellow in color that later fade into grey or brown as it becomes older.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people enjoy the strong flavor associated with maitake mushrooms, and it can often be found at local grocery stores and specialty markets. The caps are usually the portion that is eaten, because the stems can be quite thick and difficult to chew. A ripe, edible Maitake mushroom is still firm to the touch and has an earthy flavor. Some people also claim it has a mild spiciness to it as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While many mushrooms have been used in traditional Asian medicinal practices, the amount of research backing the use of maitake mushrooms for several conditions is astounding. While many areas of research still need further study, the preliminary results are promising and warrant further study with human clinical trials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maitake Mushroom Benefits and uses<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cancer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A Japanese study conducted in 2002 reported that maitake mushrooms contain compounds that may aid the fight in cancer. Those compounds (beta-1 and 6 glucan with beta-1,3 branched chains) increase the cellular immune response. In that study, people aged 22 to 57 with stage 2,3, and 4, cancers were given powdered maitake, and 58% of cancer patients with liver, breast, and lung cancers experienced improved symptoms. However, maitake was not shown to be significantly effective for patients with leukemia, stomach cancer, and brain cancer. This shows that maitake mushroom may have targeted effects on particular cancers. When maitake was taken in combination with chemotherapy treatments, cellular immune activities were also enhanced more than usual. While more research is still needed, animal studies were also conducted that support the same results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Diabetes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although only preliminary research is available, the effects of maitake mushrooms on diabetes is promising. In 2010, an animal study was conducted where diabetic rats were given a maitake mushroom treatment. The results showed that maitake mushrooms were responsible for a decrease in body weight, improved insulin sensitivity, lower cholesterol, and several other health benefits. The compound thought to be responsible for those effects is MT\u2010\u03b1\u2010glucan, which is thought to have an anti-diabetic effect. Another study also showed that maitake mushrooms also improved glucose levels in rats as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blood Pressure<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In 1987, a study was performed on hypertensive rats to determine the effects of maitake mushrooms on blood pressure. The rats were fed a diet that consisted of 5% maitake mushroom for a 9-week period. Not only did the experiment show that the mushrooms lower blood pressure, but it also had a positive effect on cholesterol as well. Those results were supported by several other animal studies performed in the early 2000\u2019s; however, human studies and clinical trials have not been performed yet. Even though there are no human studies, many people report having lower blood pressure when regularly supplementing with maitake mushroom capsules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weight Loss<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many of the studies that show maitake mushrooms may be beneficial for diabetes also had an unexpected result: weight loss. This weight loss, along with several other factors, contributes towards managing the condition. However, you do not need to have diabetes in order to reap the benefits of weight loss from maitake mushrooms. Maitake mushrooms are low in calories, fat, and cholesterol, making them a great addition to any diet. They also possess many key vitamins and nutrients such as vitamin C, D, B2, niacin, magnesium, potassium and calcium, making them a superfood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Herpes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In 2007, an anti-viral compound was extracted from the fruiting bodies of freshly grown maitake mushrooms. That protein was recognized in a test-tube experiment to inhibit the properties of herpes simplex virus type 1, the version of the virus that produces cold sores. While the effects of the specific compound on herpes type 2, the version of the virus that produces genital herpes, are not yet known or tested, maitake mushrooms themselves have been tested in a few animal studies and one small clinical trial in the 1980\u2019s and 1990\u2019s with promising results. Although more research is still needed, many people swear that it prevents the spread of cold sores and genital herpes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hepatitis<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A compound called D-fraction was extracted from maitake mushrooms during a study in 2007. This compound was used in combination with a standard hepatitis treatment, human interferon (IFN). The results showed that when the two treatments are used together, it may be effective for treating patients with chronic hepatitis. Another study was conducted that tested the effects of maitake mushrooms on 32 patients with hepatitis. While the placebo group was given an ineffective capsule, the treatment group was given capsules containing maitake mushrooms. The control group had a faster recovery from hepatitis than the placebo group, warranting further study in this line of research with a larger clinical trial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lymphoma<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Maitake mushrooms are thought to have an anti-tumor effect, and the compounds they contain promote both lymphocyte and macrophage activity. Although this line of research lacks studies on humans, it has been tested in dogs. The compound PET fraction was extracted from the mushrooms, and 3 drops per kilogram per day was administered to 15 dogs with intermediate or high-grade lymphoma. Although the results were inconclusive, no adverse effects were reported, and more research will hopefully be conducted that explores this area further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Immune System<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Every study performed on cancer as well as studies testing the effects of viruses (e.g., HIV, herpes, and hepatitis) report that maitake mushrooms stimulate the immune system. In many of the cancer studies, researchers report that maitake mushrooms boost the immune system, allowing the body to fight the cancer itself. Similar processes are seen in fighting viruses. Even though there is still not much research on immune activity alone, in its use as a traditional Chinese medicine, maitake mushrooms were most commonly used to boost the immune system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HIV<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the year 2000, a study was performed testing a maitake mushroom extract on 35 HIV-positive individuals. The majority of the patients had increased T-cell counts and 85% of the patients reported an increased sense of well-being regarding their condition and the effects of secondary viruses and illnesses. While this experiment still needs some fine-tuning and needs to be repeated with a much larger sample size, those initial results are promising regarding treatment for HIV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inflammatory Bowel Disease<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In this 2010 study, liquid extracts were removed from maitake mushrooms, and their effects on colon inflammation were evaluated. This study tested the effects of the extract on isolated human cells, and the results were so promising that a rat model was developed to also test the effects. In the rat model, the maitake mushroom extract was shown to be as effective as a standard IBD treatment, and if mushrooms were taken in combination with standard IBD treatment the results were even more promising. While human studies are still needed, the researchers suggest that maitake mushrooms may be an important food for the treatment of IBD.