The Maitake mushroom is an edible
mushroom famous for its taste and health benefits. It is very large – the size of a basketball and grows deep in the mountains of Northeastern Japan.
The Maitake mushroom has been revered for its medicinal purposes for thousands of years. It is commonly used in Japan to strengthen the immune systems of people undergoing chemotherapy treatments for cancer. And as published in Readers Digest, “Studies have shown that Maitake extracts increase the effectiveness of lower chemotherapy doses while protecting healthy cells from the damage such drugs can cause.”
Some studies have indicated medicinal mushrooms may be powerful enough to help people with HIV infection and AIDS. Laboratory research has shown components of medicinal mushrooms are able to overcome HIV in the test tube. Other people with compromised immune systems, such as those with chronic fatigue syndrome, may benefit from medicinal mushrooms.
Current research is confirming its immune boosting, anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-cancer effects.

The Miracle of Mushrooms

Reishi and Maitake are more than exotic sounding words on an Asian menu. They are mushrooms and members of a special group of medicinal mushrooms. Part of the fungus kingdom, they have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 3000 years. More recently they’ve undergone the scrutiny of scientific research in the United States and the results have been fascinating!

Studies have shown there are numerous powerful compounds found in these mushrooms. These compounds are well absorbed when taken orally and seem to have tremendous positive effects in enhancing the human immune system. Laboratory tests show they activate the production of immune cells, which can fight against bacteria and viral infection, and even cancer!

In the late 1980’s Japanese scientists identified the Maitake mushroom as the most potent of all medicinal mushrooms, especially for the purpose of enhancing the immune system. Human studies in China on patients with lung, stomach or liver cancers or leukemia who took Maitake mushroom supplements showed ‘anti-cancer’ effects. Additionally, according to prominent Japanese researchers, people with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus may also benefit from Maitake mushroom supplements.

A healthy immune system is the key to staying healthy. If your immune system is compromised or fails, the door opens for cancers and/or infections to increase or become more life threatening. Infections and cancer combined kill a similar amount of people each year when compared to the #1 killer; heart disease.