Maitake Mushroom Is Beneficial To Cure Various Maladies

Maitake Mushroom is a polypore mushroom that grows in clusters at the base of trees, particularly oaks.The mushroom is known by its japanese name maitake meaning dancing mushroom.It is called Grifola frondosa.In English, the mushroom is known as Hen-of-the-woods, ram's head, and sheep's head.

Although the mushroom has been alleged to cause allergic reactions rarely.Maitake mushroom grows from an underground tuber-like structure known as sclerotium, about the size of a potato.The fruiting body, occuring as large as 100 cm, is a cluster consisting of multiple-grayish brown caps which are often curled or spoon-shaped, with wavy margin, and 2-7 cm broad.The undersurface of  each cap bears aporiximately one to three pores fir millimeter, with the tubes rarely deeper than 3 mm.The milky-white stipe (stalk) has a branchy structure and become tough as the mushroom mature.

The characteristics of Maitake Mushroom  :

• Pores on hymenium.
• Offset or indistinct cap.
• Decurrent hymenium.
• Lacks a stipe.
• White spore print.
• Parasitic
• Edible

Maitake mushroom is rich in minerals such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium and various vitamins like vitamin B2, vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin D2,and fibers and amino acids.One active constituent in maitake mushroom for enhancing the immune activity.Maitake mushroom contains antioxidants and may partially inhibit the enzyme cyclooxygenade.An experiment showed that an extract of maitake inhibited angiogenesis via inhibition of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).The reason maitake lowers blood sugar is because the mushroom naturally contains an alpha glucosidase inhibitor.


The Benefits of Maitake Mushroom

• Kettering Cancer Center showed Maitake mushroom could stimulate the immune systems of breast cancer patients.
• Lowers blood sugar in people with diabetes.
• Decreases weight.
• Regulates blood pressure.
• Enhances the immune systems.
• Modulates glucose levels.
• Increases insulin production.
• Lowers cholesterol.
• Treats hay fever.
• Treats HIV/AIDS
• Treats hepatitis.
• Supports chemotheraphy.
• Treats chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
• Treats an ovary disorder (polycistic ovary syndrome).
• For medicinal use, its dosage 500 mg of powdered extract per day

The Effects of Maitake Mushroom :

• Surgery

Maitake mushroom can affect blood sugar levels so it is difficult to control blood sugar during and after surgery.

• Women in pregnancy and breast-feeding

The consumption of maitake mushrooms are not recommended for women in pregnancy and breast-feeding.

• Low blood pressure.

People with low blood pressure may not consume maitake mushroom because it functions to lower blood pressure.