The Maitake mushroom (Grifola frondosa) has carried a legendary reputation for centuries. The word maitake comes from the Japanese for “dancing mushroom”—which is said to refer to how people would break into dance if they stumbled across one in the wild. And it’s easy to understand why. In feudal Japan, Maitake was such a rare (and profitable) delicacy that expert foragers would guard their hunting spots like secrets. But the reasons it was so coveted have to do with both its many delicious culinary uses and its renowned health benefits.
Fast forward to today, and Maitake still retains its reputation as a potent superfood with many health benefits, although thankfully it’s much more accessible today than in feudal Japan! Both traditional healers and modern researchers have found that this mushroom packs serious potential. From women’s health and metabolism to immunity and gut support*, Maitake can be both a powerful and versatile addition to anyone’s diet.
Health Benefits of Maitake
Women's Health
For generations, Maitake has been considered a friend to women’s health. Practitioners of traditional medicine leaned on it to ease reproductive challenges and menopausal transitions, and modern science is starting to affirm why and how Maitake works in these areas.
Take polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) for example. In one study (12), women with PCOS were given a Maitake extract called SX-fraction (MSX). The MSX induced ovulation in 77% of the subjects. For those who didn’t respond to MSX alone, pairing it with clomiphene citrate (CC) was successful in inducing ovulation in all remaining subjects. Though the sample size is small, the results are striking.
Menopause is another area where Maitake shines. Menopause can bring increased health risks like bone loss and cardiovascular changes, but some of Maitake’s compounds may strengthen the body’s resilience to these changes. For example, in one study polysaccharides from G. frondosa (GFP) were given to mice with ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis (9). It was found to reduce production of inflammatory compounds, thereby easing inflammation and oxidative stress. Another study found that postmenopausal breast cancer patients taking GFP showed significantly improved immune function (19). A lot of our Maitake tincture users are women who cite menopause as a main reason for taking our tincture.
While more large-scale human studies are needed, the early results and traditional medicine both show that Maitake can be a powerful natural ally for women at all stages of life.
Weight Loss & Metabolism
Maitake has been cooked and consumed across Asia for centuries to combat circulatory issues that we could now identify as diabetes and/or hypertension (15). Modern research is starting to back up this traditional usage. And while the cooked version of Maitake does certainly contain valuable compounds, a double extract of Maitake will contain an even higher concentration, packing a strong punch.
Several studies have identified compounds in Maitake extracts that can support healthy blood sugar and lipid balance. For example, one study found an alpha-glucan that showed antidiabetic effects in mice (26). Additionally, a glycoprotein derived from Maitake was patented for its antidiabetic effects, in addition to lowering blood pressure, preventing obesity, and improving cholesterol profiles (34).
Other research has found Maitake compounds with hypoglycemic properties (37), acting through alpha-glucosidase inhibition, and one study demonstrated decreased hyperlipidemia through reduced inflammation and improved lipid metabolism (13). Together, these results show Maitake has a lot to offer to help optimize your wellness.
Cardiovascular & Circulatory Health
What’s good for metabolism often turns out to be good for the heart, and Maitake is no exception. The same pathways that help regulate weight and blood sugar also have potential benefits for cardiovascular and circulatory health.
Maitake compounds have been shown to support healthy blood pressure, cholesterol, and circulation. Glycoproteins isolated from Maitake demonstrated anti-hypertensive and anti-hyperlipidemic effects in preclinical studies (34), while traditional use has long included Maitake as a natural aid for hypertension and cardiovascular balance (15). By reducing oxidative stress and inflammation—two major drivers of vascular damage—compounds from Maitake may also help protect arteries from stiffening and plaque buildup.
This overlap between metabolic and cardiovascular health is important. When these compounds from Maitake regulate lipid metabolism, lower blood sugar, and reduce inflammation, they’re not just helping with weight management, they’re also easing the burden on the heart and blood vessels. That’s why researchers often see its metabolic and cardiovascular effects as two sides of the same coin, and why Maitake has great potential for both heart health and metabolic health.
Read about more Mushrooms for Cardiovascular Health
Immune Health
If Maitake has a superpower, it’s immunity. This mushroom is chock full of polysaccharides and, more specifically, beta-glucans—the highly valued immune boosters of the mushroom world. All of Birch Boys’ mushrooms contain polysaccharides and beta-glucans, but Maitake has a unique profile that is especially potent.
Back in the 1980s, researchers discovered a Maitake compound called D-fraction (2). Since then, it’s been studied extensively for its ability to kick the immune system into gear, from boosting cytokine production to activating immune cells and balancing the gut microbiome (16, 17, 18, 19, 20).
In addition to all that, MD-fraction has shown antitumor potential, slowing tumor growth, preventing spread, and even encouraging cancer cells to self-destruct (22, 24, 25). Other compounds called MZ-fraction and MT-alpha-glucan have also demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic effects (25, 26, 27). Add in Maitake’s glycoproteins (32, 33, 34, 35) and polysaccharide-protein complexes (PPCs) (6), and you have a mushroom overflowing with immune boosting compounds.
The big picture? Maitake is a multitasking immune system supporter that can help the body fight infections and stay balanced.
Gut Health & Digestion
A happy gut often means a happy body, and Maitake can help keep your microbiome regulated and thriving. One study showed Maitake extracts activated pathways that regulate gut flora (7). Another highlighted polysaccharides found in Maitake and their ability to support the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which nourish the gut and regulate digestion (8). Still another study showed Maitake helped calm intestinal inflammation by shaping healthy bacterial balance (13).
Maitake has also been tested against ulcerative colitis (UC), with two studies showing encouraging results in mice (4, 6). Maitake polysaccharides reduced UC effects like colon shortening and also boosted anti-inflammatory activity, pointing to promising prebiotic and anti-inflammatory potential.
Safety & Side Effects
Maitake is considered gentle, with relatively few reported side effects. Still, it’s worth noting a few precautions:
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It may raise white blood cell count (21).
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It can increase bleeding risk for those on blood thinners (15).
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It may lower blood sugar, so if you’re on glucose-lowering medications, talk to your doctor first (15).
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Maitake may not be suitable if you’re on hypoglycemic drugs, since it can amplify their effects (20).
Bottom Line
Maitake has certainly earned its “dancing mushroom” moniker, not just for the joy of finding it in the wild, but for the growing body of evidence that it can support health in remarkable ways. From women’s wellness to immunity, metabolism, gut health, and beyond, Maitake has so much to offer.
About The Author
Penny Grey graduated from Union College in the Capital District of New York in 2017 with a degree in English. While at Union, she developed a love for the Adirondacks as well as a passion for sustainability and protecting wild lands. More recently, she’s been trained in the world of mushrooms and mycology by NYS mushroom ID expert Garrett Kopp and Birch Boys VP Kaitlin Lawless. Penny now lives in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado surrounded by the public lands of Arapaho National Forest. A lifelong outdoorswoman, Penny spends her time hiking, skiing, and advocating for land stewardship and sustainability.
References
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Comments (1)
This is such informative info.
Thank you