Maitake, a native of Japan, is a large mushroom that grows at the base of oak trees and can reach up to 100 pounds. This highly valued medicinal mushroom was worth its weight in silver during Japan's feudal era. Shiitake, native to Japan and other parts of Asia, is widely grown and used in the United States for its distinctive flavor and purported health benefits. Both maitake and shiitake offer a variety of potential medicinal uses.
Maitake Immune Benefits
Maitake possesses immune-boosting compounds called beta-glucans, which, though present in certain other foods, possess a structure in maitake mushrooms that is particularly effective. Receptors for these polysaccharide molecules, known as D-fraction, are found on a category of white blood cells known as macrophages. When you eat maitake mushrooms these cells, which have the job of engulfing foreign particles such as pathogens and tumor cells, are activated. Macrophages, in turn, activate other components of the immune system, such as natural killer cells and cytotoxic T cells. Unlike other anti-cancer agents, which must be injected, maitake D-fraction is effective when taken orally, making it useful as a food or dietary supplement.
Maitake has shown antihypertension, antidiabetic, antiobesity and cholesterol-lowering properties and reduces oxidation in the body by up to 69 percent, according to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Additionally, a study published in the December 2002 issue of the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry" demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects of maitake. The tissue culture study showed that fatty acids in maitake extract inhibited cyclooxygenase enzymes COX-1 and COX-2, which are pro-inflammatory molecules. Further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results.
Shiitake Immune Benefits
The ancient Chinese used shiitake to improve energy levels, speed recovery from illness, slow the aging process and as a treatment for respiratory and liver diseases. Modern science focuses on shiitake's immune-stimulating effects. Though none of the mushroom's purported benefits have been substantiated, preliminary evidence shows that the beta-glucan in shiitake, known as lentinan, may enhance the effects of certain chemotherapy drugs, according to New York University's Langone Medical Center. Shiitake also boosted immune anti-tumor activity and increased the effectiveness of radiation therapy in a tissue culture study of human lung cancer published in the November 2011 issue of the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry." Further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results.
Shiitake is helpful for managing blood pressure, preventing heart disease and keeping your cholesterol under control, according to nutritionist Phyllis A. Balch, author of the book "Prescription for Herbal Healing: An Easy-To-Use A-Z Reference to Hundreds of Common Disorders and Their Herbal Remedies." Its immune-enhancing properties also make it useful for fighting viral infections such as hepatitis or HIV/AIDS. A study of previously published research that appeared in the 2010 issue of the journal "Current Medicinal Chemistry" found that shiitake has proven immune-enhancing, antibiotic, anti-cancer and antiviral properties that may be useful in treating a wide variety of conditions including allergies, respiratory infections, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Maitake and shiitake are generally considered safe, though toxicity studies on these mushrooms are lacking. As with any food, you may experience an allergic reaction. If you are pregnant or nursing or have advanced liver or kidney disease consult your doctor before consuming maitake or shiitake mushrooms.