Grifola gargal
A wild edible mushroom from Patagonia's southern beech forests, prized locally for its almond aroma. One very small human pilot study suggests an effect on triglyceride levels, but the evidence is scant.
Number of studies
2
Safety
Moderate
Time to effects
No reliable data — the only human results come from a 4-week pilot study on 10 people.
Who it's for
Table of contents
TL;DR
A wild edible mushroom from Patagonia's southern beech forests, prized locally for its almond aroma. One very small human pilot study suggests an effect on triglyceride levels, but the evidence is scant.
- →In a small pilot study (n=10, 4 weeks), a water extract from cultivated mycelium lowered triglyceride levels — a preliminary result, unconfirmed in larger studies
- →Extracts from the fruiting bodies show moderate antioxidant activity in vitro
- →Locally prized in Patagonia as a tasty edible mushroom
| Latin name | Grifola gargal |
|---|---|
| Family | Grifolaceae |
| Active substances | Trehalose, phenolic compounds, an uncharacterized low-molecular-weight mycelial extract |
| Form | Fresh/dried fruiting bodies (traditionally); an experimental water extract (study use only) |
| Evidence level | Preliminary — a single small human pilot study (n=10) |
| Interactions | Theoretical caution with lipid-lowering and antidiabetic drugs |
| Status | No commercial products on Western markets, including Poland |
Understand
Overview
Grifola gargal is a species scientifically described in 1969, belonging to the same genus as maitake. It grows exclusively in the Andean-Patagonian forests of Argentina and Chile, on southern beech trees. Locally known as 'gargal,' it's a prized edible mushroom with an almond aroma.
There's a single, very small study from a Japanese research group: a low-molecular-weight extract from cultivated mycelium lowered triglycerides and blood glucose in mouse models, and a clinical pilot in 10 people with prediabetes recorded a significant drop in triglycerides. This is, however, a single, unreplicated result from a very small sample. No commercial products are available on Western markets, including Poland.
Who can this realistically help, and who probably shouldn't count on it? With such a modest evidence base (one pilot study in 10 people, unreplicated), it's not possible to identify a group for whom Grifola gargal supplementation would be a justified health recommendation — especially since no products are available at all on Western markets. People expecting an effect similar to its well-studied relative, maitake, will be disappointed — this is an entirely different, far more modest evidence base.
Where it's found
Grifola gargal grows exclusively in the Andean-Patagonian forests of Argentina and Chile, on the trunks and dead wood of southern beech, in the region's cool, humid climate.
Mechanism of action
Chemical analyses of the fruiting bodies showed a high trehalose content and phenolic compounds correlating with moderate antioxidant activity in vitro. In animal studies, a low-molecular-weight extract suppressed expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6, though the mechanism responsible for the triglyceride-lowering effect in humans hasn't been explained.
The interleukin-6 suppression observed in the animal study suggests that any effect on lipid metabolism could partly stem from limiting the low-grade inflammation that accompanies obesity and insulin resistance, rather than from a direct effect on fat-metabolizing enzymes. This remains a hypothesis, though — in humans, only the end effect was studied, not the underlying mechanism.
High trehalose and phenolic compound content
Chemical profiling of the fruiting bodies showed unusually high trehalose levels and phenolic compounds correlating with in vitro antioxidant activity.
IL-6 suppression in animal models
A low-molecular-weight extract from cultivated mycelium limited expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 in obese, diabetic mice.
Lowering of glucose and triglycerides in animals
In the same mouse models, the extract lowered blood glucose and triglyceride levels.
Preliminary effect in humans
In a clinical pilot (10 people, 4 weeks), a significant drop in triglycerides was recorded — a single, unreplicated result.
Evidence: early-stage — based on 2 studies in this database.
Benefits
Common myths
MythGrifola gargal is a 'Patagonian maitake' with the same immunomodulatory properties as the well-studied Grifola frondosa.
FactIt's a distinct species with an entirely different, far more modest evidence base.
Forms & variants
Grifola gargal comes in several forms that differ in bioavailability and use case — the form you pick genuinely matters for how effective the supplementation is.
Fresh or dried fruiting bodies
The traditional form of consumption in Patagonia.
Best for: Local consumption as food, only after certain identification
Practice
Frequently asked questions
Practically not — no commercial products are available on Western markets, including Poland.
Dosage & timing
Typical dose
The only published pilot study used 9.2 g daily of a low-molecular-weight water extract for 4 weeks
Form
Fresh or dried fruiting bodies (traditionally) or an experimental water extract — no standardized commercial products exist
The available data are too scant to treat Grifola gargal as a proven functional mushroom.
Best times to take it
- Not applicable — no established supplementation regimen
Safety
Side effects & contraindications
Possible side effects
No specific adverse effects reported, beyond the general risks associated with eating wild-foraged mushrooms
Contraindications
People with a mushroom allergy
Self-foraging without certain identification isn't recommended
Pregnancy and breastfeeding — no data
Interactions
Exercise caution when using lipid-lowering or antidiabetic drugs concurrently
Is it worth taking?
Who it's for
- People foraging mushrooms in Patagonia under the supervision of an experienced expert
- Researchers interested in applied mycology
Not for
- People with a mushroom allergy
- Self-foraging without certain identification isn't recommended
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding — no data
Evidence
Worth knowing
Scientifically described by mycologist Rolf Singer in 1969.
The only published study involving humans included just 10 people.
Studies
In a four-week pilot study of 10 people with prediabetes, a low-molecular-weight extract from cultivated Grifola gargal mycelium significantly lowered triglyceride levels.
Harada E. et al., International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 2020
Medicinal Mushroom, Grifola gargal, Lowers Triglyceride in Animal Models of Obesity and Diabetes and in Adults with Prediabetes
Early-stage evidenceHarada E, Morizono T, Kanno T, Saito M, Kawagishi H · International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms · 2020
In mouse models of obesity and diabetes, the extract lowered blood glucose and triglycerides. In a very small clinical pilot (10 people, 4 weeks), a significant drop in triglycerides was recorded.
View studyChemical and Antioxidant Properties of Wild Edible Mushrooms from Native Nothofagus spp. Forest, Argentina
Early-stage evidenceToledo CV, Barroetaveña C, Fernandes Â, Barros L, Ferreira ICFR · Molecules · 2016
Chemical profiling of wild mushrooms from Patagonian forests, including G. gargal — high trehalose content and moderate antioxidant activity.
View studySources & bibliography
Citations are illustrative for this demo version and require full bibliographic verification by the editorial team before production publication.
Compare with similar entries
About the authors of this entry
Author
Julia WiśniewskaEditor, Neurohacking & Sleep
Julia writes about nootropics, chronobiology and recovery protocols.
45 publications on this site
Medical review
dr Anna KowalczykEditor-in-Chief, Molecular Biology
Anna oversees the editorial process and scientific review of every publication in the knowledge base. She previously researched autophagy and mitochondrial biology.
50 publications on this site
Related entries
4.1Maitake (Hen of the Woods)
A functional mushroom also known as 'Hen of the Woods,' studied mainly for immune modulation (D-fraction) in oncology and, more preliminarily, for carbohydrate metabolism — evidence in healthy people remains limited.
3.3Grifola sordulenta
A Patagonian 'sister' species to Grifola gargal, growing on koihue and prized locally for its culinary qualities — but, unlike gargal, with practically no research in humans or animals at all.
4.5Turkey Tail
The mushroom behind PSK and PSP — the only fungal polysaccharides registered in Japan as drugs supporting chemotherapy. Among the most solid clinical evidence of any functional mushroom, but this is NOT a standalone cancer therapy.
4.4Lion's Mane
A functional mushroom studied for its effect on nerve growth factor (NGF) and cognitive function — human evidence is still preliminary.
4.3Shiitake
A culinary-functional mushroom rich in lentinan and beta-glucans, studied clinically for immune modulation and lipid profile — one of the best-researched functional mushrooms on the market.
4.3Tremella (Snow Fungus)
A jelly-like mushroom trendy in cosmetics as a 'vegan alternative to hyaluronic acid' — real clinical trials in humans, however, mostly involve oral supplementation and endpoints other than skin hydration.
4.3Antrodia camphorata (Niu Chang Zhi)
A mushroom endemic to Taiwan, growing exclusively on an endangered camphor tree, traditionally used for the liver — one of the few RCTs in humans shows a promising, if modest, improvement in liver enzymes.
Comments (2)
- KW
Kasia W. 2 weeks ago
Very clearly explained, especially the interactions section — I hadn't seen it laid out this well anywhere else.
- MT
Marek T. a month ago
Are you planning to update this with the newest study from this year? I saw an interesting meta-analysis.