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Medicinal mushrooms are getting more and more attention and so is Maitake. People praise its positive effects on health, energy and the immune system. Below you can read what you can use maitake for and what science says about it.
Maitake (Grifola frondosa, also called oak hare) is an edible medicinal mushroom. It grows naturally in Japan, China and North America. You usually find it under trees such as oaks, maples and elms. The name maitake means “dancing mushroom” in Japanese. He got this name because people apparently started dancing for joy when they found him.
This mushroom is considered an adaptogen: an agent that helps the body resist and better cope with harsh conditions. Maitake can be used in cooking, but is often taken as a supplement. It is rich in valuable nutrients, such as:
Possibly maitake can help with diabetes. From research, published on PubMed in 2021 suggests that maitake may help lower blood sugar levels in animals. High blood sugar is associated with developing diabetes. It is the polysaccharides, pyrrole alkaloids, ergosterols and and unsaturated fatty acids that play a role in this. These affect the way insulin interacts with sugar in the body.
Such research is hopeful. However, it is important to keep in mind that this study was conducted on animals. It is not clear whether oak hare also has this effect on humans.
There are several studies (study on PubMed from 2021, which analyzed bioactive compounds in Maitake) have been conducted showing that maitake can support the body in the fight against cancer. This follows three paths: protecting healthy cells, inhibiting the growth of cancer cells and preventing cancer cells from spreading.
The results of some studies seem to indicate that certain substances in maitake may support the immune system. They activate key cells that enable the body to fight cancer cells. Other substances may affect genes involved in cancer cell growth. They can cause apoptosis, which means cell death, in these cells.
However, more research is needed to draw clear conclusions about the effectiveness of oak hare in cancer. We cannot say with certainty that eating maitake or using a supplement containing this mushroom is helpful for cancer. We need more data to find out if maitake could be part of a cancer treatment.
“According to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, certain compounds in maitake may stimulate the immune system, although more research is needed to properly substantiate its effects in humans. They also stress that interactions with medications are possible.”
(Source: MSKCC – Maitake)
Possibly maitake can be used to support the body in its fight against pathogens. Several studies show that these mushrooms could fight viral infections, such as HSV-1, HIV and hepatitis B. Certain substances in maitake may help speed recovery and support the immune system. They can also potentially help prevent infections.
It has been shown that polysaccharide extracts from various medicinal mushrooms (including the oak hare), can be useful in controlling influenza (flu) in living creatures. This was mentioned in a study on PubMed from 2022. But again, more research is needed, especially on humans to clarify the effectiveness of medicinal mushrooms in humans.
There is also a lot of interest in the impact the oak hare may have on cholesterol and blood pressure. For example, from research on rats found that the mushroom can help lower cholesterol and phospholipids in the blood. There are other studies showing that mushrooms can support the liver in processing cholesterol and lowering systolic blood pressure.
These studies were unfortunately done several years ago and were also all done on animals. So again, more research is needed to get reliable data based on human studies.
Unfortunately, not much is yet known about the side effects of oak hare and how safe it is to use. However, this mushroom has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine and is valued there for its positive effects on health. Still, it is wise to ask your doctor for advice if you want to use maitake as a supplement.
People who are allergic to mushrooms, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and those taking medication are well advised not to use this mushroom, as it is not known if it is safe for this target group.
There are several maitake supplements available. You can take it as a capsule, powder or extract. See which form is easiest for you to take. Make sure you buy a supplement from a reliable supplier and stick to the recommended dosage.
This article is intended as a source of information and not medical advice.
Valid from March 20 to 31, 2025
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