Maitake mushrooms are becoming hugely popular as a health supplement that is known to be a natural relaxant and support mental clarity as well as having other nutritional benefits. In the West, we see Maitake as a superfood that offers adaptogenic properties and may support a wide range of health benefits. Find out about the potential benefits of Maitake mushrooms by reading this article and decide whether you’d like to try them yourself. But first, let’s take a look into the rich history of Maitake mushrooms to discover where they grow and how they came to earn their reputation as the perfect addition to any wellness routine. History of Maitake Mushrooms Grifola frondosa, also known as Maitake, the ‘dancing mushroom’ in the East, or hen of the woods in the West, predominantly grows in China, Japan, and North America. In nature, it grows on the forest food beneath the branches of oak, elm, or maple trees. As an edible mushroom, Maitake was probably eaten by people living everywhere within its range, but its recorded history begins in Japan. According to legend, it was discovered by people who found its taste delightful, and who celebrated their find by dancing with joy, thereby giving it the name “Maitake.” From its origins as a tasty gift of nature, Maitake mushrooms soon gained a reputation as a medicinal plant that was believed to promote healing and has gained worldwide popularity as a health supplement in recent decades. Nutritional Benefits of Maitake Mushrooms Before people understood the world around them, a great many phenomena were attributed to magic and mysticism. Today we understand nutrition better and we can understand the “magic” in certain foods by looking at their nutritional value. Many of the health benefits attributed to Maitake mushrooms can be explained when we look at the nutrients these mushrooms contain. Maitake contains a range of beta-glucans, polyphenolics, flavonoids, and fatty acids such as linoleic acid. This essential organic compound has shown in studies in promote relaxation. (2) Beta glucans are complex sugars (polysaccharides) found in functional mushrooms, including Maitake. They are believed to help reduce blood pressure, lower “bad” cholesterol levels, promoting heart health, and may even help with the regulation of blood sugar levels. As a soluble source of fibre, they promote digestive health and may help with weight management. Apart from all this, Maitake mushrooms contain a range of amino acids, and although they are not complete protein sources, they may prove valuable to vegetarians and vegans hoping to supplement their amino acid intake. Analysis shows that Maitake is also rich in B Vitamins as well as Vitamin D and Vitamin C. It also contains essential minerals, particularly copper and potassium. Maitake Mushrooms’ Possible Benefits Stress Tolerance and Recovery Adaptogenic foods and supplements are believed to contain nutrients that help people to cope with and recover from stress. Maitake is believed to offer adaptogenic support to help you feel more calm and relaxed. May Help With Managing Blood Sugar and Cholesterol Levels The hypothesis that Maitake can be used to balance blood sugar levels is currently being researched. It’s also believed that some of Maitake’s nutritional components could help you to reduce the amount of “bad” cholesterol in your bloodstream. Food for Healthy Gut Flora Beneficial bacteria in our digestive systems are important to digestive health. It’s believed that the polysaccharides in Maitake could help to “feed” gut flora fostering a healthy population of these beneficial bacteria. Antioxidants and Polysaccharides Boost Immunity Immune system support is helpful to most people and the nutrition that Maitake provides can help with immunity. However, if you have an overactive immune system, these mushrooms might not be good for you. How to Take Maitake Mushrooms The adaptogenic properties of Maitake are the primary reason why these mushrooms have become so popular. If you’re hoping for a calming and soothing supplement to relieve stress-induced exhaustion and undo some of the negative effects of stress, Maitake could offer you the support you need. Grass & Co. has developed a unique vegan capsule formulation that consists of a full-spectrum Maitake extract from organically-grown mushrooms. Ashwagandha, an adaptogenic herb, and Magnesium, a mineral that plays a role in combatting stress and anxiety, harmonise with Maitake, rounding off a supplement that’s been aptly named RELAX. It’s a natural supplement that provides the nutrients your body needs to balance itself better. As an edible mushroom, Maitake is safe for most people. However, if you have an existing health condition, or are taking prescribed medicine, we recommend that you talk to your doctor about the supplements you plan to use. Very rarely, people are allergic to mushrooms, so if you’re using Maitake and notice any allergy symptoms, discontinue its use. For the majority of us, however, RELAX is a rich supplement that confers all the benefits of Maitake mushrooms in an easy-to-use, convenient format. Are you ready to RELAX with Grass & Co? Nothing could be more natural. Grass & Co. and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. The information and products presented on this site are not intended for medical use nor do they make any medical claims. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health-related programmes. (2) Wu, J. Y., Siu, K. C., & Geng, P. (2021). Bioactive Ingredients and Medicinal Values of Grifola frondosa (Maitake). Foods (Basel, Switzerland), 10(1), 95. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10010095 Scientific review of bioactive compounds present in Maitake mushrooms and their various mechanisms in which the mushroom exerts its therapeutic effects. Investigates sugar content, free amino acid content, polysaccharides, proteins and peptides and other bioactive molecules in relation to anti-tumour, immunomodulation, antiviral, antibacterial, antidiabetic, antihypertension, antioxidant and gut regulatory effects. More about functional mushrooms
