Maitake mushrooms don't cause fungal infections but in some cases might create an allergic reaction. The maitake mushroom has other names, which include hen of the woods, sheep's head and ram's head.
Identification
Maitake mushrooms vary from white to shades of brown or gray. They grow in a cluster of spoon shaped caps. The underside is smooth and white and without gills. The multiple cap clusters look like the ruffled feather on a hen's back.
Geography
The maitake mushroom grows in the Northeastern United States and Japan. You find it at the base of dead or dying hardwood trees, primarily on beech and oak. They grow in the same spot every year once established.
Function
Many people use the maitake for medicine but they also are a delicacy as a food. The mushrooms contain beta glucan, a polysaccharide.
Immune System
The mushroom is a fungus, but contrary to giving an infection, they help cure as well as those caused by virus and bacteria. The beta glucans in the mushroom boost the immune system to help fight the infection, according to a study by Suzuki, et al, in 1990.
Cancer
Many studies exist on the effects of the compounds in the maitake as a cancer fighter. A notable study in the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine says the maitake inhibits the growth of tumors.
HIV and Other Maladies
A study published in the August 2000 edition of Mycoscience said the use of maitake extract on HIV patients had a positive impact on their health. Other studies indicate the maitake helps diabetics, lowers cholesterol and helps lower blood pressure.
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