Maitake

Maitake

Scientific Name: Grifola frondosa

Native to: Asia, Europe, North America

In a Word: The definitive 'magic mushroom'

Working in the herbal medicines business, one often meets people who claim herbal remedies have simply not worked for them. More than a few have been heard exclaiming, "Echinacea? I tried that once and it didn't work for me."  Often these people give up on natural remedies without giving them a fair chance. They head back to the all too familiar prescription counter, writing off everything natural as they go. It's true that certain herbs or plant medicines may not work for everyone, but to label them all unworthy after one unsuccessful attempt seems a bit extreme.

The great thing about the world of plant medicines is that it is just that - a world. Though you may have only heard of echinacea of a few other herbs used as medicine, there are hundreds, perhaps thousands of other natural medicines in the plant world waiting to be explored. Due to the renewed interest in herbal remedies, many of these natural products are now available for the consumer to try. Maitake is one such gift from the natural world.

Maitake is an excellent choice for those wishing to supplement their diet with an immune-boosting, natural food.

It's quite likely that you are not too familiar with maitake. To start with, it's pronounced MY-TALK-EE, and no, it's not a Japanese cellular phone, though the Japanese do consume quite a lot of it.  Maitake is a mushroom that is native to Asia, Europe and yes, even North America.  Now, as you will soon discover from the following information, maitake is one serious mushroom. Specimens have been found weighing in at an amazing 100 pounds and some were even 6 feet in diameter!  That's a lot of mushroom. Since the days of the Romans, an no doubt before, maitake has graced the dining table of many mushroom lovers. Even today, it can be found as part of a regular diet in Asia.

Can a mushroom bring you good health? Thousands of Britons would answer that question with a resounding 'YES'.  In the mid 1990s, American Ethnobotanist and Medical Herbalist Douglas Schar introduced maitake to the UK as a natural immune-boosting remedy.  Schar's London-based clinic began using maitake in stay-well regimes for people suffering from diseases that include Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, HIV, Candida, Hepatitis, Influenza and many other viral conditions. Results from various clinical trials using maitake were so impressive, thousands more are now staying well with its regular use. These maitake loyalists have done such a good job of spreading the word about the mushroom's amazing immune-boosting qualities, there is now demand for it in North America.

How does this magic mushroom work? There are now books and medical journals showcasing the marvels of maitake, but we'll try to give you the short version. In brief, maitake contains substances that:

• Stimulate the immune system's white blood cell 'soldiers'

• Kill bacteria

• Kill fungi

• Kill parasites

• Inhibit viruses

• Inhibit cancer

• Directly attack intruders, thereby reducing the immune system's workload

As you can see, maitake really stirs up the pot and fits the bill for a natural product to help a troubled immune system. As for what it is that gives maitake its magic immune-boosting ability, research has revealed that the credit goes to its natural sugars, two of which are trehalose and chitin.

For those that appreciate their information laced with a bit of science, research shows that maitake increases the activity of macrophages, T Cells and NK Cells (natural killer cells). In the area of reducing bacterial infection, maitake contains malic acid, which destroys bacteria on contact.

Earlier, I mentioned that there are some who give up on plant medicine before it is given a fair chance to do its work. Maitake is similar to a lot of tonic medicines, in that it is not an overnight success. It takes time before you may notice its beneficial effects. A good general rule of thumb is not to expect much before at least three months of regular use. Remember, your condition most likely took its time building up in your system. People don't always contract serious illness overnight. In the same way, plant medicines such as maitake need time to undo the damage.

Another great thing about maitake is that you don't have to be ill to try it! Remember, people have been eating this mushroom for centuries. Maitake is an excellent choice for those wishing to supplement their diet with an immune-boosting, natural food. Regular use of maitake will keep you and your immune system charged and able to resist drifting bacteria effectively. Regular users of maitake will tell you they rarely become victim to common viral illnesses, and if they do their charged up immune system fights it off better than it used to. Give maitake a fair chance, and you could join the ranks of those who are enjoying better health!

Although the avid mushroom fan may be able to track down fresh maitake, it is most commonly available and most practical for use in tableted form.  A word of advice: maitake also contains a natural sugar, mannitol, which can act as a natural diuretic and laxative. Maitake will get things moving, but this is not a bad thing, it's merely part of the detoxifying process. Maitake is non toxic and there are no other known side effects.

Practitioners Opinion

The immune system is being run ragged by the demands put upon it. Our lifestyle reduces the number of immune soldiers available and increases the amount of work they have to do. Maitake increases the activity of the immune soldiers. Beyond this, Maitake contains chemicals that directly attack intruders which reduces the work load of the immune soldiers.

One of the most important criteria for selecting any medicine is that it should do no harm while doing good. A medicine that reduces your blood pressure but destroys your liver is not a good medicine. When it comes to selecting a medicine, ideally, they should improve your health generally while addressing your specific problem. This is exactly what you have with Maitake and most tonic plants.

Maitake can be eaten in place of ordinary mushrooms, made into tea, or bought in tablet form. The manner in which you take your maitake will largely depend upon availability. By and large, the most commonly available form is in tablets. From a practical standpoint, Maitake tablets are probably the easiest option, sitting right next to your bottle of multivitamins.

One must have realistic expectations from tonic plants. If you have reasonable expectations when you start using tonic plants, you are more likely to continue taking them and to feel the result. One should not look to have a noticeable change before three months. None of the tonic plants offer quick fixes to long term health problems. Patience is required. Practitioners from around the world will tell you that their patients are stronger and appear to have better immune system function while taking Maitake. Give it some time and you will be grateful you did.

Clinical Trial Reports, Data & Journal Articles:

Maitake & HIV

Maitake and Candida (Thrush)

Grifola frondosa: A Possible Addition to the Materia Medica - Article by Douglas Schar, written for the British Journal of Phytotherapy

QUICK REVIEW

Science: Natural sugars increases the activity of macrophages, T Cells and NK Cells

Practitioners opinion: Slowly but surely, an excellent way to build up resistance and to fire up the immune system.

Directions: Tablets: 1-6 grams of the powdered mushroom every day. If your tablets contain 300 milligrams, you need to take 3 pills to achieve a one gram dose of Maitake. An average dose would be 2 grams a day (6 pills containing 300 milligrams).