The Magical Maitake Mushroom

The Maitake mushroom originates in the mountains of Japan. With a company yet supple base, they're easily identified by their cluster of dark fronds which become slightly crumbly at the edges. It's these dark fronds, which resemble the tail feathers of a hen that offers them their infamous nicknames,"hen of the woods "or"dancing butterfly." We are now able to find Maitake mushrooms growing on deciduous hardwoods in northern US temperate forests. These day there are many firms that specialize in the cultivation of Maitake mushrooms under strict and controlled environments. This obviously, in an effort to preserve the inherent and rich nutritional qualities of this revered mushroom species.

Maitake mushrooms are rapidly becoming fabled for their naturally occurring medicinal properties. Purported uses of this species in other countries include tumor inhibition, treatment of high blood sugar levels, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and immunity system LC. The medicinally active the different parts of Maitake are found in the fruit bodies and the mycelium. Consequently of medicinal uses in other countries, there now exist US laboratories and specialty producers who specialize in cultivating the active agents present in Maitake mushrooms for use within nutraceuticals. We can now find medicinal extracts with this remarkable mushroom species on the market in holistic healthcare offices and health food stores throughout the US.

The maitake mushroom contains high concentrations of a specialized molecule called Beta 1, 3- 1, 6 Glucans. These complex molecular and naturally occurring compounds are thought to enhance the ability of the immunity system to operate at an ideal level. Research means that immunity system cells such as for example macrophages, T-cells, and interleukin -1 cells seem to activate and function at a far more aggressive level when specialized Maitake compounds are taken in oral form. Recent research in addition has implied that naturally occurring maitake plant chemicals independent of the Beta compounds may indeed possess tumor fighting effects as well.