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Maitake mushroom

The maitake mushroom, also known as the common rattling sponge, has been used as a food in Asia for thousands of years. In addition to this, maitake mushrooms are used to make medicine. Maitake mushrooms are used to treat cancer and to alleviate some of the side effects of cancer chemotherapy. Maitake mushrooms are also used for HIV/AIDS, chronic fatigue syndrome, hepatitis, hay fever, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and infertility due to a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome. Maitake mushrooms are also used for weight loss and to support weight control.

How do maitake mushrooms work?

Maitake mushrooms contain chemicals that can help fight tumors and stimulate the immune system. There is evidence that maitake mushrooms may lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, lower blood sugar levels and reduce weight in rats, but none of this has yet been shown in humans.

How effective is the maitake mushroom?

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of maitake mushrooms for cancer, HIV/AIDS, chronic fatigue syndrome, hepatitis, hay fever, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and polycystic ovary syndrome, as well as use to support chemotherapy or use to support weight loss and weight control. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of maitake mushrooms in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Maitake mushrooms may be safe and safe for most people when used as a medicine, but there is not much information about potential side effects.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Not enough is known about the use of maitake mushrooms during pregnancy and breastfeeding. For this reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised to refrain from using it.

Operations: Maitake mushrooms may lower blood sugar levels and there are therefore concerns that maitake mushrooms may interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. For this reason, it is advisable to stop taking Maitake mushrooms two weeks before an operation.

Interactions

Care should be taken when combining maitake mushrooms with the following medications:

Diabetes medication

Maitake mushrooms could lower blood sugar. Diabetes medication is also used to lower blood sugar levels. Taking maitake mushrooms in combination with diabetes medication could result in an excessive drop in blood sugar levels. For this reason, blood sugar levels should be carefully monitored. It is possible that the dosage of diabetes medication may need to be adjusted.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of maitake mushroom depends on various factors such as age, state of health and others. At the present time, there is insufficient scientific data to be able to make a statement about appropriate dosage ranges for maitake mushrooms. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

References

  1. Adachi K, Nanba H, Kuroda H. Potentiation of host-mediated antitumor activity in mice by beta-glucan obtained from Grifola frondosa (maitake). Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 1987;35:262-70.
  2. Chen JT, Tominaga K, Sato Y, et al. Maitake mushroom (Grifola frondosa) extract induces ovulation in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a possible monotherapy and a combination therapy after failure with first-line clomiphene citrate. J Altern Complement Med 2010;16:1295-9.
  3. Hanselin MR, Vande Griend JP, Linnebur SA. INR elevation with maitake extract in combination with warfarin. Ann Pharmacother 2010;44:223-4.
  4. Kabir Y, Kimura S. Dietary mushrooms reduce blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 1989;35:91-4.
  5. Kabir Y, Yamaguchi M, Kimura S. Effect of shiitake (Lentinus edodes) and maitake (Grifola frondosa) mushrooms on blood pressure and plasma lipids of spontaneously hypertensive rats. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 1987;33:341-6.
  6. Konno S, Tortorelis DG, Fullerton SA, et al. A possible hypoglycaemic effect of maitake mushroom on Type 2 diabetic patients. Diabet Med 2001;18:1010.
  7. Kubo K, Aoki H, Nanba H. Anti-diabetic activity present in the fruit body of Grifola frondosa (Maitake). I. Biol Pharm Bull 1994;17:1106-10.
  8. Kubo K, Nanba H. The effect of maitake mushrooms on liver and serum lipids. Alt Ther Health Med 1996;2:62-6.
  9. Nanba H, Kubo K. Effect of Maitake D-fraction on cancer prevention. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1997;833:204-7.
  10. Nanba H. Activity of maitake D-fraction to inhibit carcinogenesis and metastasis. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1995;768:243-5.