Maitake

Scientific Name(s): Grifola frondosa (Dickson ex Fr.) S. F. Gray.
Common Name(s): Dancing mushroom, Hen of the woods, Huishu hua, King of mushrooms, Maitake, Monkey's bench, Ram’s head, Sheep’s head, Shelf fungus

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 23, 2021.

Clinical Overview

Use

Maitake has been used for its antiviral action and to treat diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and obesity. Maitake has been studied to a limited extent for treating cancer; however, the information available is not sufficient to recommend it for this use.

Dosing

Disease-prevention doses of commercial preparations range from 12 to 25 mg of the extract and 200 to 250 mg or 500 to 2,500 mg of whole powder daily. A trial among HIV-positive patients used doses of 6 g/day whole powder or 20 mg purified extract with 4 g whole maitake powder.

Contraindications

Contraindications have not been identified.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Information regarding safety and efficacy during pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

Information is limited.

Toxicology

Information is limited.

Scientific Family

• Polyporaceae

Botany

The maitake mushroom is found in northeastern Japan but also grows and is cultivated in the United States and Europe.1, 2 It is a basidiomycetes fungus in the Polyporaceae family (synonym, Polyporus frondosus Dicks. ex Fries).3, 4 The maitake mushroom grows in clusters near the foot of oak trees and can reach 50 cm in base diameter. One bunch can weigh up to 45 kg (100 lbs). Maitake has a rippling, flowery appearance resembling dancing butterflies, hence one of its common names, dancing mushroom.1

History

In China and Japan, maitake mushrooms have been consumed for 3,000 years, valued most for their legendary properties. Maitake's scientific name, G. frondosa, is derived from an Italian mushroom name referring to the gryfon, a mythological half lion and half eagle beast. Many years ago in Japan, the maitake actually had monetary value and was worth its weight in silver. In the late 1980s, Japanese scientists identified the maitake as more potent than lentinan, shiitake, suehirotake, and kawaratake mushrooms, all of which are used in traditional Asian medicine for immune function enhancement.1

Chemistry

The polysaccharide beta-glucan is present in low quantities (0% to 0.2%)2 in most of the mushrooms in the Polyporaceae family (eg, reishi mushroom) and possesses antitumor activity.1 The D fraction of beta-glucan appears to be the most active and potent form of the polysaccharide, a protein-bound extract developed in Japan.5 An MD-fraction has now been described, as well, with purportedly superior activity.1, 6 Both structure-functional relationship7 and fractionation by anion exchange chromatography of beta-glucan8 have been reported.

Neutral, acidic, and water-soluble polysaccharides have been extracted from maitake, and their structure has been determined.2, 4, 9, 10 Two different glycan conformations have been obtained from the plant.11 The beta-1,3-glycan grifolan conformatio...