Maitake aka Hen of the Woods Mushroom

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 The name maitake means "dancing mushroom" in Japanese. Some say that one day a couple of hungry monks were walking through the woods when they came across this rather large mushroom and began dancing with joy for the plentiful nourishment it would provide. Others say it just looks as if the mushroom "pedals" are dancing. Either way Maitake is one of the most promising medicinal mushrooms of the future. Maitake Mushrooms contain many different medicinally active constituents including unique polysaccharides that stimulate the immune system. A polysaccharide is a complex carbohydrate made up of smaller sugar molecules; these sugars stabilize blood pressure, blood sugar, and have an effect on free radicals. 

Specific polysaccharides known as beta-D-glucans, high quantities of which are present in this mushroom, are also suspected to stimulate the immune system to fight cancer. The exact cancer fighting action of these molecules is still not clear and is under study. Rather than attacking tumors themselves, some researchers believe they stimulate the production of T cells to fight the afflicted cells. Whatever the mode of action is, the fact remains that they are effective.

In the wild they grow under large oak trees in the fall, but Maitake can also be grown in controlled environment to provide a higher consistency and quality than their wild counterparts. A versatile mushroom as it is known for its potent medicinal benefits but also renowned for its flavor in gourmet cooking. This mushroom is definitely one you shouldn't miss out on; after eating it, it will even have your taste buds dancing!

 Potential health benefits when consuming Maitake Mushrooms: 

• Immune Boosting
• Anti-cancer
• Antioxidants
• Nutrient dense
• Reduce risk of diabetes
• Causes Weight Loss