Maitake (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.
Number of studies
2
Safety
Requires caution
Time to effects
In clinical studies, immune and quality-of-life effects were assessed after several to more than a dozen weeks of regular use.
Monthly cost
ok. 90–150 zł/miesiąc
Price in Poland
90–150 zł za 90 kapsułek ekstraktu (500 mg); 200–250 zł za skoncentrowany ekstrakt 20:1 (100 g)
Who it's for
Produkty typu D-fraction/MD-fraction o wyższej standaryzacji są zauważalnie droższe niż standardowe ekstrakty polisacharydowe
Indicative prices for the Polish market — we don't point to specific retailers; the real price depends on the manufacturer, form and place of purchase.
Table of contents
TL;DR
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.
- →In a randomized clinical trial of 141 patients with advanced laryngeal/pharyngeal cancer, maitake D-fraction given during chemoradiotherapy eased the severity of treatment side effects and improved quality of life
- →In a phase I/II trial in breast cancer survivors, an oral polysaccharide extract from maitake showed a measurable effect on select immune parameters, with a good safety profile
- →Traditionally used to support immunity and vitality in Far Eastern medicine
| Latin name | Grifola frondosa |
|---|---|
| Family | Grifolaceae (order Polyporales) |
| Active compounds | D-fraction (beta-1,6-glucan with beta-1,3 branches), MD-fraction, SX-fraction |
| Form | Dried fruiting bodies, powder, standardized extract in capsules, liquid D-fraction extract |
| Level of evidence | Preliminary — mainly adjunct studies in cancer patients and animal models regarding insulin sensitivity |
| Interactions | Antidiabetic drugs/insulin, immunosuppressants, anticoagulants/antiplatelets |
| Status | Available over the counter as a dietary supplement; D-fraction studied clinically but not registered as a drug |
Understand
Overview
Maitake (Grifola frondosa) is a functional mushroom that forms large, fan-shaped clusters of fruiting bodies at the base of oak trunks and other deciduous trees across East Asia, Europe, and North America. The Japanese name 'maitake' literally means 'dancing mushroom.' In English-speaking countries it also goes by 'Hen of the Woods,' due to its appearance resembling ruffled feathers.
In traditional Japanese and Chinese medicine, maitake has been used for centuries to support immunity and vitality. Modern research focuses mainly on the polysaccharide D-fraction and its derivative, MD-fraction, tested primarily as an adjunct therapy in oncology, and to a lesser extent on how select fractions affect carbohydrate metabolism. Despite promising preclinical results, the number of well-designed studies in healthy humans remains limited.
In practice, maitake is most realistically of interest to people looking for general, mild immune support through diet, and — with considerable interpretive caution — to those interested in the preliminarily studied effect of select fractions on carbohydrate metabolism. It's worth emphasizing that the strongest available evidence concerns a specifically purified D/MD-fraction given to cancer patients under medical supervision as adjunct therapy, not to healthy people taking standard capsules off the shelf — those effects shouldn't be directly extrapolated to commercially available supplements with lower standardization. People treated with insulin or hypoglycemic medications, those with autoimmune disease, those preparing for surgery, or those who are pregnant should exercise particular caution.
Where it's found
Grifola frondosa grows at the base of old oak trunks and other deciduous trees in temperate forests of East Asia (Japan, China), Europe, and North America, forming characteristic fan-shaped clusters of fruiting bodies.
History of use
In traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine, maitake has been used for centuries as a tonic to support immunity and vitality. In feudal Japan it was also prized as a rare culinary delicacy, hence the joy of foragers finding this impressive species in the forest, which gave rise to the name 'dancing mushroom.'
Mechanism of action
The main subject of research is the D-fraction — a beta-1,6-glucan complex with beta-1,3 branches, isolated from maitake fruiting bodies — along with its more purified derivative, MD-fraction. In preclinical studies and some clinical studies in cancer patients, these fractions activated macrophages, NK cells, and T lymphocytes, and modulated cytokine responses — hence their testing as an adjunct therapy to ease the side effects of chemoradiotherapy. A separate fraction (SX-fraction) has been studied for its effect on insulin sensitivity, mainly in animal models; human data are very limited.
The D-fraction isn't a pure polysaccharide but a glycoprotein complex — a beta-1,6-glucan with beta-1,3 branches bound to a protein core — which structurally distinguishes it from lentinan in shiitake: the dectin-1 receptor acts here synergistically with the complement receptor CR3 (Mac-1) on the surface of macrophages and neutrophils, enhancing their phagocytic capacity and NK cell cytotoxicity. The separate SX-fraction has been studied in animal models for its effect on translocation of the GLUT4 glucose transporter and tissue insulin sensitivity — a promising mechanism, but still unconfirmed in well-designed clinical studies in humans.
Recognition of D-fraction by dectin-1 and CR3
The D-fraction's glycoprotein complex binds simultaneously to the dectin-1 receptor and the complement receptor CR3 (Mac-1) on macrophages and neutrophils.
Activation of macrophages, NK cells, and T lymphocytes
Stimulated innate and adaptive immune cells show increased phagocytosis and cytotoxicity toward altered cells.
Adjunct use in chemoradiotherapy
In cancer patients, this effect translated into eased treatment side effects and improved quality of life.
SX-fraction and insulin sensitivity
A separate SX-fraction has been studied in animal models for its effect on the GLUT4 glucose transporter — human data remain very limited.
Evidence: early-stage — based on 2 studies in this database.
Benefits
Common myths
MythMaitake cures cancer.
FactResearch on the D-fraction concerns exclusively an adjunct role — easing the side effects of chemoradiotherapy, conducted under medical supervision. Maitake does not replace cancer treatment.
MythMaitake and shiitake are the same mushroom under a different name.
FactThese are two distinct species (Grifola frondosa and Lentinula edodes) with partially overlapping but independently studied activity profiles.
Forms & variants
Maitake (Hen of the Woods) comes in several forms that differ in bioavailability and use case — the form you pick genuinely matters for how effective the supplementation is.
Dried fruiting bodies / powder
The natural form used culinarily and traditionally
Best for: People wanting to add maitake to their diet in culinary form
Standardized extract (capsules)
A concentrated extract from fruiting bodies, standardized for polysaccharide content
Best for: People seeking a convenient, standardized form for everyday supplementation
D-fraction / MD-fraction (liquid extract)
A highly purified polysaccharide fraction most often used in clinical studies, harder to find commercially
Best for: People seeking the form closest to what's used in scientific studies — only after medical consultation
Practice
Frequently asked questions
Yes — it's the same mushroom species (Grifola frondosa). 'Maitake' is the Japanese name, also used commercially, while 'Hen of the Woods' is the common English name.
Preliminary studies, mostly in animals, suggest a potential effect of select polysaccharide fractions on insulin sensitivity, but well-designed clinical studies in people with diabetes are lacking.
D-fraction and MD-fraction are highly purified, standardized polysaccharide fractions used in clinical studies. Standard supplements available in stores are usually less purified extracts with lower standardization.
Dosage & timing
Typical dose
500–1500 mg of standardized extract (10–40% polysaccharides) daily, in 1–3 divided doses
Form
Dried fruiting bodies, powder, extract in capsules, liquid extract (D-fraction)
Standardized consumer products differ significantly from the D-fraction/MD-fraction used in clinical studies — effects from research don't necessarily translate directly to supplements available in stores.
Best times to take it
- With a meal — for better gastric tolerance
- Regularly, at consistent times — clinical studies used divided doses
What to combine with
Good combinations
Shiitake — A common pairing in functional mushroom complexes that support immunity
Lion's Mane — Complementary activity profiles in mushroom stacks
Cordyceps militaris — A popular pairing in 'mushroom blend' supplements
Safety
Side effects & contraindications
Possible side effects
Generally well tolerated in clinical studies
Rare: rash, itching — observed at higher doses in a phase I/II trial
Rare: nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort
Theoretical: enhanced hypoglycemic effect when combined with antidiabetic medications
Contraindications
Mushroom allergy
Autoimmune disease — caution warranted due to potential immunostimulatory effect
Diabetes treated with insulin or hypoglycemic medications — medical consultation required
Planned surgery — discontinuation recommended about 2 weeks beforehand
Pregnancy and breastfeeding — insufficient data
Interactions
Antidiabetic medications/insulin — theoretical risk of additive blood-glucose lowering
Immunosuppressants — theoretical weakening of drug effect
Anticoagulants/antiplatelets — theoretical risk of enhanced effect
Is it worth taking?
Who it's for
- People looking for natural immune support in their everyday diet
- People interested in the preliminarily studied support for carbohydrate metabolism — as a complement, not a substitute for treatment
Not for
- Mushroom allergy
- Autoimmune disease — caution warranted due to potential immunostimulatory effect
- Diabetes treated with insulin or hypoglycemic medications — medical consultation required
- Planned surgery — discontinuation recommended about 2 weeks beforehand
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding — insufficient data
Evidence
Worth knowing
The Japanese name 'maitake' literally means 'dancing mushroom' — according to tradition, named after the joy of foragers finding this impressive species in the forest
In English-speaking countries maitake is known as 'Hen of the Woods' — individual wild specimens can weigh as much as several dozen pounds
Studies
Maitake D-fraction given during chemoradiotherapy in patients with advanced laryngeal/pharyngeal cancer eased the severity of treatment side effects and improved quality of life.
Hu Q, Xie B, Acta Biochimica Polonica, 2022
Effect of Maitake D-fraction in advanced laryngeal and pharyngeal cancers during concurrent chemoradiotherapy: A randomized clinical trial
Early-stage evidenceHu Q, Xie B · Acta Biochimica Polonica · 2022
A randomized trial in 141 patients with advanced laryngeal/pharyngeal cancer showed that maitake D-fraction given during chemoradiotherapy eased the severity of treatment side effects and improved quality of life.
View studyA phase I/II trial of a polysaccharide extract from Grifola frondosa (Maitake mushroom) in breast cancer patients: immunological effects
Early-stage evidenceDeng G, Lin H, Seidman A, Fornier M, D'Andrea G, Wesa K, Yeung S, Cunningham-Rundles S, Vickers AJ, Cassileth B · Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology · 2009
A dose-escalation phase I/II trial in 34 breast cancer survivors found a complex, nonlinear dose-response relationship in select immune parameters after oral maitake extract, with a good safety profile.
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
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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.