Maitake - A Medicinal Gourmet Mushroom
Known for its high content of beta-glucans [71, 72], powerful immune-stimulating polysaccharides, the gourmet mushroom Maitake is one of the most commonly used medicinal mushrooms in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
American mushroom hunters will know Maitake by its common English name as Hen-of-the-woods, so named because it resembles the fluffed up tail feathers of a hen that grows in the woods. As one of the most easily identified food mushrooms of North America, Hen-of-the-woods can be found in the eastern U.S. down to the Mid-Atlantic States, as well as eastern Canada.
Maitake extract has been found to increase the so called tumor-necrosis-factor [73, 74, 75] as well as other cancer fighting mechanisms. [76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81] Specific cancer types studied include colorectal, prostate, liver, lung and breast. [82] FDA has approved a Phase II study of Maitake extract on breast and prostate cancer. [83]
Other Maitake research has focused on its ability to enhance the immune system, both in general [84, 85, 86] as well as in cancer patients. [87] The anti-viral potential of Maitake extract has been of particular interest. [88] Viruses are, after all, notoriously difficult to treat. Research on Maitake and HIV is being conducted. [89]
Of further interest is the well demonstrated blood sugar lowering effect of Maitake extract. One study on insulin-resistance found blood glucose drops of 25% average. [90, 91, 92]
Apart from research conducted specifically on Maitake extract, there's also a sea of research done on the active compounds themselves, most importantly the beta-glucans. For example, there is a patent application on "Methods of using beta glucan as a radio-protective agent." More specifically, the patent "relates to methods for treating and preventing radiation and/or chemotherapy related injury and/or afflictions, such as myelosuppression and decreased macrophage activity," [93] which is probably why NASA gives beta glucans to astronauts, for the prevention of radiation poisoning and the degradation of the immune system.
Many other effects of Maitake extract have been researched with promising results, including: blood pressure regulation, respiratory conditions, stress and nerve tonic, anti-bacterial and anti-Candida. [25]
Medicinal mushroom expert Paul Stamets, in his book Mycelium Running, also lists Maitake extract as showing some positive effect on leukemia. [134]
Note: The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a licensed medical practitioner before using any herb (or mushroom) for medicinal purposes.
Credits: Thank you, Paul Stamets, for research references. - 17268
American mushroom hunters will know Maitake by its common English name as Hen-of-the-woods, so named because it resembles the fluffed up tail feathers of a hen that grows in the woods. As one of the most easily identified food mushrooms of North America, Hen-of-the-woods can be found in the eastern U.S. down to the Mid-Atlantic States, as well as eastern Canada.
Maitake extract has been found to increase the so called tumor-necrosis-factor [73, 74, 75] as well as other cancer fighting mechanisms. [76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81] Specific cancer types studied include colorectal, prostate, liver, lung and breast. [82] FDA has approved a Phase II study of Maitake extract on breast and prostate cancer. [83]
Other Maitake research has focused on its ability to enhance the immune system, both in general [84, 85, 86] as well as in cancer patients. [87] The anti-viral potential of Maitake extract has been of particular interest. [88] Viruses are, after all, notoriously difficult to treat. Research on Maitake and HIV is being conducted. [89]
Of further interest is the well demonstrated blood sugar lowering effect of Maitake extract. One study on insulin-resistance found blood glucose drops of 25% average. [90, 91, 92]
Apart from research conducted specifically on Maitake extract, there's also a sea of research done on the active compounds themselves, most importantly the beta-glucans. For example, there is a patent application on "Methods of using beta glucan as a radio-protective agent." More specifically, the patent "relates to methods for treating and preventing radiation and/or chemotherapy related injury and/or afflictions, such as myelosuppression and decreased macrophage activity," [93] which is probably why NASA gives beta glucans to astronauts, for the prevention of radiation poisoning and the degradation of the immune system.
Many other effects of Maitake extract have been researched with promising results, including: blood pressure regulation, respiratory conditions, stress and nerve tonic, anti-bacterial and anti-Candida. [25]
Medicinal mushroom expert Paul Stamets, in his book Mycelium Running, also lists Maitake extract as showing some positive effect on leukemia. [134]
Note: The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a licensed medical practitioner before using any herb (or mushroom) for medicinal purposes.
Credits: Thank you, Paul Stamets, for research references. - 17268
About the Author:
Dr. Markho Rafael has worked in the area of natural health since finishing Chiropractic College in 1996. He currently focuses on medicinal fungi, including Maitake Extract, in partnership with the business Cordyceps Reishi Extracts, LLC. For the numbered references in this article, go to the Maitake Supplements page and click on any number to view its reference.
posted by X - Men at
2:38 AM
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