Maitake (Grifola frondosa) has been used and cultivated in Korea, China and Japan with impressive immune system support that has been valued for centuries.
It's Japanese name means "dancing mushroom", perhaps for the way its ruffled fruit body's appear to move.
Well documented in traditional Chinese medicine and in ancient herbal scriptures dating back to 200 BC and 200 AD.
They state that this medicinal mushroom "has been used frequently for improving spleen and stomach ailments, calming nerves and mind, and treating hemorrhoids"
Grifola frondosa can be found at the base of dying oak trees or decaying stumps, where they tend to come up year after year.
The fruit body is composed of multiple, overlapping caps that share a common base. They are primarily found in northeastern regions of Japan, temperate regions of China and Europe, Canada, and through the northeast U.S.
Enhances Immune System!
Like all the
medicinal mushrooms,
Maitake contain high levels of beta glucan
polysaccharides
which promote immune system health by binding the immune cells with the open receptor cite of the beta glucan molecule.
The specific beta glucans in Grifola frondosa have been shown to provide immune stimulation and a dismantling of any potentially damaging cells that may compromise our complete health.
One of the polysaccharides responsible for its immunostimulatory components is a three branched 1,6 beta-glucan called grifolan, which was shown to be present in both the mycelium and the mushroom itself.
It acts as a cytotoxic agent to cancerous cells, including T-4 leukemia and Hela cerival cancer cells.
It also maintains a mixture of complex branched polysaccharides called D-fraction. D-fraction constituents are acid-insoluble, hot-water-extractable, alkali-soluble fractions that has shown promise in cancer treatment.
They give us the ability to adapt under stress challenges or environmental pollutants. This, in addition, also offers a powerful boost to immune response.
Health Benefits:
reduced blood pressure
lowers cholesteral
decreases blood sugar levels for diabetes
reduces chronic fatigue
inhibits wide array of cancers
Research:
The National Cancer Institute show that Grifola or "hen of the woods" has significant activity against the AIDS virus when tested.
It is the first of the medicinal mushrooms proved to have anti-HIV results by both Japanese and U.S. scientists.
How to Use:
Maitake is delicious when harvested fresh and steamed or saute slightly. It remains more meaty and less slimy than other mushrooms when heated.
For medicinal use it is appropriate to employ the powdered extracts and to mix them with other mushrooms like
Reishi
and
Coriolus
to potentize its effectiveness.
Like all the
Maitake is delicious when harvested fresh and steamed or saute slightly. It remains more meaty and less slimy than other mushrooms when heated. 
