Maitake Mushroom Advantages (and Why You Want It!)

Enjoyable reality: I’ve an entire basket of mushroom coffees and drinks on my coffee bar. One of many powerhouse mushrooms you’ll discover in there’s maitake. 

This humble mushroom can also be known as “hen of the woods.” Its overlapping fronds resemble the feathers of a nesting hen, therefore the identify. Over the centuries, maitake’s many advantages have sparked the curiosity of researchers and well being lovers alike. Not solely is it a medicinal mushroom, however its scrumptious umami taste makes it a prized culinary ingredient. 

What Are Maitake Mushrooms?  

The maitake mushroom, also called Grifola frondosa, is an edible mushroom native to China. It additionally grows within the mountains of northeastern Japan, Europe, North America, and different parts of Asia. Apart from hen of the woods, one other widespread identify for this mushroom is “sheep’s head.”

“Maitake” means dancing mushroom in Japanese. The identify supposedly comes from individuals dancing for pleasure upon discovering it. Folks have identified for hundreds of years how useful the sort of mushroom is. It’s one of many mushroom varieties thought of a “medicinal mushroom.” Maitake has a protracted historical past of each culinary and medicinal use: “Let meals be thy drugs.”

Vitamins in Maitake Mushrooms

Maitake mushrooms are a wonderful supply of amino acids, B nutritional vitamins, vitamin D, phosphorus, and potassium. Additionally they present dietary fiber to feed useful intestine micro organism. Their cell partitions are wealthy in anti-inflammatory beta-glucans that assist help the immune system.

Vitamin D

Maitake mushrooms are a pure supply of vitamin D, however the quantity can differ as a consequence of rising circumstances, solar publicity, and maturity. When Maitake mushrooms are uncovered to daylight or ultraviolet (UV) gentle throughout their progress, they’ll synthesize vitamin D. It’s sort of like what human pores and skin does when uncovered to daylight. The kind of vitamin D present in fungi is D2 reasonably than D3. 

Phosphorus

Maitake mushrooms even have phosphorus. Our physique makes use of this important mineral for many completely different physiological processes. A number of examples embody bone well being, power metabolism, cell membrane construction, and DNA/RNA synthesis. 

Potassium

Potassium is current in most crops and fungi and is essential for the human weight-reduction plan. This important mineral performs an necessary position in sustaining well being, together with fluid stability.

Together with sodium and magnesium, potassium is an electrolyte. These components carry an electrical cost and are concerned in 1000’s of a number of essential processes. Past its position in fluid stability, it helps nerve operate, muscle operate, and coronary heart well being. 

Therapeutic Advantages of Maitake Mushrooms

Maitake mushroom has gained consideration for its potential well being advantages.

It has many bioactive compounds, together with polysaccharides, beta-glucans, antioxidants, and other phytonutrients. These compounds probably contribute to its medicinal properties, making it a sought-after mushroom. 

Immune-Supporting

Medicinal mushrooms are identified for supporting the immune system. Maitake mushrooms aren’t any exception. Like different medicinal mushrooms, Maitake mushrooms include beta-glucans. These mushroom-based polysaccharides assist help a wholesome immune response.  Polysaccharides typically are complicated carbohydrates made up of smaller sugar molecules. These sugars could help quite a lot of processes that make the physique extra resilient.

A 2014 animal examine regarded on the immune-enhancing impact of each maitake and shiitake mushrooms. The researchers discovered maitake mushrooms stimulated an intense immune response. Nevertheless, they labored synergistically with shiitake for a stronger impact. The mushroom mix was essentially the most highly effective, whereas the maitake alone got here in at a detailed second.

Present Most cancers Assist 

As a result of they’re good at modulating the immune system, maitake mushrooms could help the physique in fighting against cancer. Analysis reveals the beta-glucans in maitake have an antitumor immune response. In some scientific research, maitake blocked tumor progress in mice.

The beta-glucans could improve the exercise of particular immune cells, akin to pure killer (NK) cells and macrophages. These cells play a vital position in figuring out and destroying most cancers cells. By supporting immune operate, maitake mushrooms could assist our capacity to fight most cancers. 

One other approach maitake mushrooms can assist with most cancers is by selling apoptosis. Apoptosis is programmed cell loss of life that eliminates broken or irregular cells (like most cancers cells). Some research counsel maitake mushroom extracts may induce apoptosis in bladder and breast cancer cells. 

A promising extract is maitake D-fraction, which is accessible in complement type. Vitamin C enhances the motion of each D-fraction and MD-fraction maitake mushroom extracts.

Maitake mushrooms shouldn’t essentially substitute different most cancers therapies. Nevertheless, they’ll complement different therapies. All the time observe the medical recommendation of a healthcare skilled you belief.

Could Steadiness Ldl cholesterol Ranges 

One other approach Maitake mushrooms could assist beat back continual sickness is by balancing levels of cholesterol. Whereas LDL (low-density lipoprotein) ldl cholesterol is also known as “unhealthy” ldl cholesterol, it’s not fairly so easy. Lipoprotein knowledgeable Dr. Cromwell explains extra right here in this podcast episode. Different well being components (particularly insulin resistance) play a giant position in our levels of cholesterol. 

Maitake’s antioxidants may cut back oxidative stress and irritation. As irritation decreases, there’s much less accumulation of ldl cholesterol within the arteries. The result’s safety towards coronary heart illness.

Could Scale back Blood Strain

Discovering methods to devour maitake commonly could cut back hypertension. In a single animal examine, researchers gave maitake extract to rats and diminished age-related high blood pressure. The researchers had been stunned to search out the D-fraction extract additionally improved insulin sensitivity. This might assist clarify why maitake additionally helps with ldl cholesterol stability.

In an older animal examine (1989), researchers fed maitake mushrooms to rats for eight weeks. On the finish of the examine, blood stress, triglycerides, and levels of cholesterol all went down. Maitake mushrooms’ capacity to decrease these markers implies they might assist cut back the danger of metabolic syndrome and heart problems. 

Helps Blood Sugar Steadiness & Diabetes 

A Japanese examine examined a powdered maitake fruiting physique on diabetic mice. The maitake mushroom powder had highly effective anti-diabetic properties. The enhancements occurred over 4 months — the period of the examine. 

One other examine regarded on the results on diabetic rats. Feeding this mushroom to the rats improved their glucose tolerance and blood glucose ranges by the tip of the examine. The researchers concluded that the bioactive compounds within the mushrooms might be able to cut back the signs of diabetes.

Promotes Fertility 

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a situation that causes the ovaries to develop cysts round their outer edges. These fluid-filled cysts include follicles, however they don’t commonly launch eggs. This leads to rare intervals, lack of ovulation, and extra hair progress. Girls with PCOS could produce other hormone-related signs, however essentially the most discouraging one is infertility. 

Maitake mushrooms might be able to assist. A 2010 Japanese examine adopted women with PCOS who took both maitake extract or the drug clomiphene citrate. The end result was that maitake extract induced ovulation for 77% of PCOS sufferers. The mushroom was virtually as efficient because the prescription drug.

Dangers & Precautions of Maitake Mushrooms 

Maitake mushrooms are usually thought of fit for human consumption. They’ve a protracted historical past of culinary and medicinal use in Asian international locations. Nevertheless, it’s essential to pay attention to potential dangers and unwanted side effects and take essential precautions. Listed below are just a few concerns for maitake mushrooms: 

As a result of maitakes can decrease blood sugar ranges, it’s important to watch out when on blood sugar-lowering medicines. In some circumstances, maitake lowered blood sugar ranges an excessive amount of, which may result in hypoglycemia. 

How one can Use Maitake 

Your native grocery retailer could carry contemporary maitake mushrooms within the produce part. If not, you possibly can typically discover dried maitake in a pure meals retailer or on-line. To retailer, hold maitake mushrooms in a paper bag within the fridge to permit them to “breathe” and take up extra moisture.

Maitake mushrooms are scrumptious in soups, stir-fries, omelets, and casseroles. You may also take pleasure in them sauteed in butter or olive oil. This hen of the woods can also be wonderful when paired with an precise hen, like roast chicken. Listed below are some extra methods to take pleasure in Maitake mushrooms:

• Sauteed or Stir-Fried: Prepare dinner them in butter or olive oil over medium warmth till tender and barely browned. Use as a facet dish or add them to salads, rice (risotto), or your favourite kind of pasta. 
• Roasted: Roasting maitake mushrooms enhances their taste and creates a pleasant texture. Toss the mushrooms with olive oil, garlic, and herbs, then unfold them out on a baking sheet and roast within the oven till golden brown and crispy on the edges.
• Grilled: Maitake mushrooms are wonderful for grilling. Merely brush them with oil and season with salt and pepper. Then grill them till tender and barely charred. Grilled maitake mushrooms make a scrumptious and savory addition to any BBQ or cookout.
• Tea and Broths: Conventional Chinese language Drugs (TCM) generally makes use of maitake mushrooms in natural teas or broths. These are simple methods to get the well being advantages of maitake. 
• Mushroom Espresso: You’ll typically discover powdered mushrooms or maitake mushroom extract in mushroom coffees. Take a look at this blog post to be taught extra about mushroom espresso.

A Few Suggestions For Consuming Maitake

When cooking with Maitake mushrooms, clear them correctly earlier than use. Gently wipe them with a humid material or use a delicate brush to take away dust or particles. Keep away from washing them as they take up water simply. Once they tackle an excessive amount of water, it will possibly have an effect on their texture and taste.

Maitake mushrooms can be found contemporary, dried, or in complement type. When you’re utilizing dried Maitake mushrooms, rehydrate them in heat water earlier than cooking to revive their texture and taste. If you need the advantages of Maitake mushrooms with out consuming them each day, you could find them in complement type. Ideally, they’re standardized to 30% D-fraction.

Maitake and different medicinal mushrooms are a wonderful addition to your well being routine.

What I Do

I commonly drink medicinal mushrooms in tasty mushroom “coffees” and teas. The youngsters and I additionally love Four Sigmatic’s scorching chocolate and Golden Chai Latte that includes medicinal mushrooms!

 To be taught extra about different sorts of medicinal mushrooms and their advantages see:

Have you ever eaten or taken maitake mushrooms in some type? What had been your outcomes? Share beneath!