Maitake Mushroom

botanical
View products

Maitake (Grifola frondosa) is a culinary and medicinal fungus native to temperate regions of Asia, Europe, and North America. It typically grows at the base of trees, especially oak, elm, and maple, and is known for its shaggy, overlapping caps and rich, earthy flavor and meaty texture. Beyond its use in cooking, it is studied for bioactive compounds called beta-glucans. These polysaccharides are believed to support immune modulation and may also support metabolic health. The mushroom also provides various vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that contribute to its nutritional profile. Historically, it was used in traditional Japanese and Chinese medicine to support vitality and immune function. Research continues to explore these potential benefits and its uses as a functional food and supplement.

Natural sources
Base of oak treesBase of elm treesBase of maple treesDeciduous forests in temperate regions

Ingredient forms

No public comparison lists found.

Timing & Intake
AnytimeWith food
This can be taken at any time of day, with or without food. Taking it with a meal may help reduce the chance of mild digestive upset.
Optimal Dosage
Minimum500 mg
Maximum2000 mg
Safety & Toxicity
5 safety notes
  • Individuals with known mushroom allergies should avoid Maitake.
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult a healthcare professional before use due to limited safety data.
  • Individuals with diabetes should monitor blood sugar levels closely, as Maitake may affect glucose metabolism.
  • Individuals with blood pressure conditions should consult a healthcare provider, as Maitake may influence blood pressure.
  • Due to potential mild anticoagulant properties, caution is advised for individuals with bleeding disorders or those undergoing surgery.
Goals
Immunity
Immunity
Impact
High effect
Typical dose:500–1500 mg

The D-fraction in Maitake is a specific beta-glucan known to strongly activate macrophages, NK cells, and T-cells. This enhances the body's surveillance and pathogen-clearing capabilities, making it a valuable tool for bolstering overall immune defense.

Focuses on
Respiratory symptom durationNatural killer cell activityInnate immune modulationNeutrophil functionAntiviral signaling
Most relevant for
Healthy adults and those seeking to support innate immune cell responses or manage the duration of respiratory symptoms.

Potential benefits

  • Managing symptom duration.Specific preparations may reduce the number of days spent with fever or runny nose during a respiratory illness, though they do not prevent infections from occurring.
  • Activating defense cells.Maitake extracts have been shown to enhance the activity of natural killer cells and neutrophils, which are essential components of the body's early immune defense.
  • Supporting antiviral markers.In older adults, certain strains may support the expression of genes involved in antiviral responses and increase the frequency of specific dendritic cells.

Limitations

  • No preventive effect.Controlled human research indicates that Maitake supplementation does not lower the overall frequency or incidence of respiratory infection episodes.
  • Complex immune responses.Clinical studies show that Maitake can simultaneously stimulate and inhibit different immune markers, making a uniform immune boost unpredictable.
  • Preparation and strain dependency.Immune effects vary significantly between different mushroom strains and doses, meaning findings for one product may not apply to another.
Things to consider

Potential mild side effects include nausea, rash, or joint swelling. Some clinical trial participants experienced asymptomatic increases in eosinophil counts during use.

Study evidence

4 studies

Maitake Mushroom can alter immune-cell activity, and selected preparations may lessen some respiratory symptoms. The available controlled research did not reduce overall respiratory infection episodes, while clinical studies show both immune stimulation and suppression, so a general immunity boost is not established.

View goal

Studies

Research connections will load here.
Interactions

Positive Interactions

Vitamin C
May enhance immune-supporting effects when combined with Maitake.
Vitamin D
May offer synergistic benefits for immune health when taken with Maitake.
Zinc
Supports immune function, complementing Maitake's effects on the immune system.
Selenium
Provides additional antioxidant support when combined with Maitake.
Turmeric
May offer synergistic anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits when combined with Maitake.
Curcumin
As the active compound in Turmeric, Curcumin may provide synergistic anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits with Maitake.
Astragalus
Both are known for immune-modulating properties and may offer synergistic support for immune health.
Green Tea
May provide additional antioxidant support and general health benefits when combined with Maitake.
Ashwagandha
As an adaptogen, Ashwagandha may support overall well-being and stress response, complementing Maitake's general health benefits.

Negative Interactions

Fish Oil
Maitake may possess mild anticoagulant properties. Combining with Fish Oil (rich in EPA/DHA, which also have mild blood-thinning effects) could theoretically increase the risk of bruising or bleeding in sensitive individuals, especially at high doses.
EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid)
Given Maitake's potential mild anticoagulant properties, combining it with EPA (known for mild blood-thinning effects) could theoretically increase the risk of bruising or bleeding in sensitive individuals, especially at high doses.
DHA
Considering Maitake's potential mild anticoagulant properties, combining it with DHA (which can also have mild blood-thinning effects) could theoretically increase the risk of bruising or bleeding in sensitive individuals, especially at high doses.
Vitamin E
High doses of Vitamin E can have mild anticoagulant effects. Combining with Maitake, which may also possess mild anticoagulant properties, could theoretically enhance this effect and increase the risk of bleeding.
Turmeric
Turmeric is known for mild anticoagulant properties. Combining it with Maitake, which may also have mild blood-thinning effects, could theoretically lead to an increased risk of bruising or bleeding.
Curcumin
Curcumin, the active compound in Turmeric, is known for mild anticoagulant properties. Combining it with Maitake, which may also have mild blood-thinning effects, could theoretically lead to an increased risk of bruising or bleeding.
Ginger
Ginger may possess mild antiplatelet effects. When combined with Maitake, which may also have mild anticoagulant properties, there could be an additive effect that theoretically increases the risk of bruising or bleeding, particularly in sensitive individuals.
Sources

Up to five highest-ranked published examples per goal. Study counts and charts include all published studies for the connection.

  1. Maitake mushroom supplementation modulates upper respiratory symptoms and immune responses in healthy adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
    Masuda Y; Nakayama Y; Shimizu R; Jogi EM; Kato MC; Yamasaki K; Aoki R; Hashimoto M; Ohno M; Ohata S; Kato S; Konishi M · Food & function · 2026
    Randomized trialImmunity
  2. A phase I/II trial of a polysaccharide extract from Grifola frondosa (Maitake mushroom) in breast cancer patients: immunological effects.
    Deng G; Lin H; Seidman A; Fornier M; D'Andrea G; Wesa K; Yeung S; Cunningham-Rundles S; Vickers AJ; Cassileth B · Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology · 2009
    Single-arm trial34 participantsImmunity
  3. Maitake mushroom extract in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS): a phase II study.
    Wesa KM; Cunningham-Rundles S; Klimek VM; Vertosick E; Coleton MI; Yeung KS; Lin H; Nimer S; Cassileth BR · Cancer immunology, immunotherapy : CII · 2015
    Single-arm trial21 participantsImmunity
  4. Effect of Maitake (Grifola frondosa) D-Fraction on the activation of NK cells in cancer patients.
    Kodama N; Komuta K; Nanba H · Journal of medicinal food · 2004
    Single-arm trial10 participantsImmunity