Herb Profiles

Maitake

February 15, 2021

MAITAKE

Grifola frondosa

Family: Meripilaceae

Part used: Fruiting body, mycelium

Energetics: Sweet, warm, moist

Actions: Antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, diuretic, hepatoprotective, immune amphoteric, immune tonic

Maitake, also known as hen of the woods, is a well-loved mushroom to wild foragers, and for good reason. It’s tasty. Once you know how to identify it safely, it’s an easy mushroom to find, and you can find large amounts. Once Gus came home with one that was over 40 pounds (18 kg)! I still remember that day clearly; what a find! We had some delicious meals that week and good medicine was made. I like to eat it or dry it for future use in soup stocks and double extractions, and we use it in our award-winning Elderberry Elixir, mushroom elixir and all other sorts of formulas for its immune support. Maitake is a great choice for supporting people with either compromised immune systems due to illness, disease or cancer or an overactive immune system such as autoimmune diseases. It’s also protective to the liver and can help lower cholesterol.

Contraindications: Avoid if you have allergies to mushrooms.

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