There are many maitake mushroom benefits to know about. Read this article and discover how these ‘dancing’ mushrooms can make a healthful tea
Are you interested in the benefits of maitake mushrooms? Maitake mushroom (Grifola fondosa), also commonly known as “Hen of the Woods,'' appears as a fluffy fungus growing at the base of various trees.
Maitake mushrooms are known as functional mushrooms for health as well. They’ve been used for thousands of years for their medicinal properties [1]. Because of its delicious flavor, it’s also been used in culinary arts throughout history as well.
You might be wondering: is there any evidence to back up the claims that this delicious mushroom can provide health benefits? It’s been used in traditional medicine for centuries, but is there scientific evidence to back up the anecdotal claims?
At Tamim Teas, we’re dedicated to utilizing natural plant medicines in a healthful and useful ways. In this post, we’re going to look at maitake mushroom benefits people have noted, and the scientific studies that support those benefits.
Let’s get started!
History of Maitake Mushroom
As we’ve already mentioned, maitake mushrooms have long been used for medicinal and culinary practices. Their initial use began as long as 3,000 years ago in Japan and China [2].
The name “maitake mushroom” translates to “dancing mushroom” in Japanese. Stories say that the reason it got this name is because people would dance with joy upon finding this somewhat rare mushroom in the wild (before mushroom cultivation began) because of its many medicinal properties along with its delicious taste.
Other stories tell that in feudal Japan, the mushroom itself was used as currency at one point in Japan as well [3].
These mushrooms appear layered like flower petals and grow at the bottom of trees. They can grow to be huge sizes with some reaching 50-100 pounds [4 and 5]!
At Tamim Teas, we’ve created a blend on Lion’s Mane Mushroom and Maitake Mushroom to create our Lion-Maitake Clarity blend. This includes nutrient-packed tulsi, zesty ginger, and cinnamon to create a well-rounded spicy and earthy tea.
Maitake Mushroom Benefits
Now, we’re going to look at some maitake mushroom benefits that have been supported with studies.
Immune System
Our maitake mushroom tea is an adaptogenic tea blend. Both maitake and lion’s mane are considered adaptogens. Adaptogens are specific types of mushrooms or plants that contain certain chemicals and properties that help cells resist physical, chemical, and biological stress [6].
Besides that factor, studies show that ingestion of maitake mushroom can increase immune system defense responses [7].
Not only that, but maitake mushrooms have a very high concentration of antioxidants. High levels of antioxidants have been linked to stronger immune systems as well as reduced risk of cellular damage [8].
Another functional mushroom packed with antioxidants is reishi mushroom. Tamim Teas has a couple of reishi mushroom blends including our Reishi Delight and our Reishi-Chaga Boost.
Packed with Nutrients
We already mentioned that maitake mushrooms are packed with antioxidants, but that’s not the only healthful nutrient found in these earthy and delicious mushrooms.
One maitake mushroom cultivator studied these mushrooms and found that on average, her organic-grown maitake contains:
- 25 percent protein
- 28 percent fiber
- 0 percent cholesterol
- High levels of B vitamins, including niacin (vitamin B3), riboflavin (vitamin B2), and pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
- High concentration of potassium (2.3 percent of its dry mass)
The high levels of protein and fiber make this a nutritious protein source that can also help with healthy digestion.
B vitamins have been linked to:
- Energy boost & increased metabolism [9]
- Improved concentration [10]
- Better brain function [11]
- Improved digestion [12]
- Immune function & cellular health [13]
The high levels of potassium in maitake mushrooms are directly linked to energy levels [14].
Fatigue
Speaking of energy levels, maitake is yet another functional mushroom that can help boost your energy. The high B vitamin and potassium concentration could explain why so many people find that tea of this amazing mushrooms is great for getting them energized, focused, and motivated.
There are additional reasons as to why maitake may help with energy. Going beyond B vitamins and potassium, maitake has been shown to increase fatty acid levels that provide energy [15].
Maitake also has a great amount of protein and calories in small serving sizes, which gives your body the energy it needs to power up and get moving.
Want Maitake Mushroom in a Delicious Tea? Check Out Our Shop!
Ready to see if maitake mushroom benefits you and your body? Note that you may not experience the benefits we went over here, but the studies and anecdotal evidence is certainly exciting and has a lot of potential for herbal healing.
After reading this article, we bet you understand why this mushroom once acted as currency!
To see how maitake mushroom tea benefits you, check out our delicious Lion-Maitake Clarity.
