March 29, 2022 6 min read

The Maitake mushroom (Grifola frondrosa) has gained a reputation as an adaptogenic powerhouse, meaning it can "adapt" to the body's needs to help regulate imbalances and strengthen crucial bodily processes. For instance, studies have found Maitake to be among one of the most powerful mushrooms for boosting the immune system, while other evidence suggests that Maitake supplementation may even help to regulate cholesterol or manage diabetes.

Researchers still have a lot to learn about Maitake’s full therapeutic potential, but those who are convinced of this medicinal mushroom’s body-balancing benefits have only one important question left–how much maitake should I take each day?

A fresh maitake mushroom, which can be consumed raw or cooked, or dried and powdered.

We’ll dig into the research and anecdotal reports to try to tell you everything you need to know about maitake dosage, like when is the best time to take maitake and exactly how much you should take.

Let’s start with the basics:

Table of Contents
How Much Maitake Should I Take?
What’s the Best Way to Take Maitake?
When Should I Take Maitake?
Who Shouldn’t Take Maitake?
Maitake Dosage FAQs
Resources

Key Takeaways

  • Maitake doses range from 50-450 mg daily, and it can be taken in either one or two daily doses.
  • Less Maitake may be needed when taking it alongside other functional mushrooms and adaptogenic herbs for immune boosting or supporting general wellness.
  • The exact dosage you need depends on your health condition, weight, age, and other biological factors. You may need to start with small doses and increase as needed.
  • Some people should not take Maitake, like those with blood pressure or blood sugar related issues. Talk to your doctor before adding Maitake to your wellness routine.

How Much Maitake Should I Take Daily?

Before we can dive into the most important question at hand–how much Maitake should I take–let's cover some important details.

First, keep in mind that your Maitake dosage will vary from others' based on unique biological factors like weight, age, health condition, and more. You should also consider that Maitake is sold as a supplement in the United States, which means dosage recommendations are not standardized. In most cases, it's best to start in the lower end of the dosing threshold suggested and work your way up to larger doses. With a little work and introspection, you can quickly find the dose that best meets your needs.

Doses between 50 mg and 450 mg of Maitake powder have been used successfully to reap its various benefits. Lower doses may be needed when using maitake alongside other mushroom compounds.

If you're taking Maitake on its own, you can start at the low end of this dosing threshold and increase as necessary. If you're using a product that contains Maitake alongside other functional mushrooms or adaptogenic herbs, you'll want to make sure that you pay attention to the proper dosage threshold for other ingredients when adjusting your dosage. These types of formulas are common, and it may be best in this case to just follow the recommended dosage in the label.

In the case of taking Maitake on its own, the dosage may vary based on health needs. Here are some of the recommended doses based on anecdotal reports and the dosages used In limited studies and preclinical trials:

Maitake for Immune Boost

One study used 3mg/kg twice daily for boosting immune system functions with positive results. That translates to 3 milligrams for every 2.2 pounds of body weight, or around 200 mg for a 150 lb person. This dosage was used twice daily, although once daily doses of 50-150 mg have also been successfully used for similar therapeutic benefits.

Maitake for PCOS Symptoms

One study found that Maitake and a blend of other mushrooms may help manage symptoms related to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. In this study, women took 9 tablets containing 18mg of Maitake (plus 250 mg of powdered mushrooms) daily, or 162mg of Maitake daily.

Maitake for Cancer

More research is needed to prove the benefits of Maitake for Cancer, but one study used doses of 40-150 mg of extract and an additional 4-9 grams of whole mushroom powder daily.

What's the Best Way to Take Maitake Mushrooms?

As you dive into the different Maitake dosing options available, you'll quickly find that there are two primary options–capsules and powder–plus a variety of multi-mushroom combinations. If you're asking yourself "what's the best type of Maitake to take?", you'll be happy to know that it generally depends on your personal dosing needs. The most important thing is finding a trustworthy supplier. Here are the benefits and drawbacks of each type of Maitake dose:

A bowl filled with maitake mushroom capsules filled with maitake powder.

Capsules

Capsules are simply pre-measured, encapsulated doses that are great for daily dosing at any time of day. You won’t need to measure the dosage each time, and many people love this flavorless Maitake dosing option.

Powder

Maitake powder is a convenient, popular option because it allows ultimate control over your Maitake dosage. Many people mix it into food, beverages, or smoothies for a seamless dose, although "drink mix" style options are available. For instance, Maitake coffee or tea is a great option for daily dosing that requires hot water or cream to prepare.

Some sources suggest that Maitake powder can offer better absorption since it's usually consumed with healthy fats and plenty of fluids. If you're looking for a functional blend that includes Maitake and other types of mushrooms and herbs, you'll likely find this in powder form since the dosage is usually too large to fit in a few capsules. Pay close attention to the serving size when adjusting the dosage of Maitake powder.

Looking for a tasty product that takes advantage of medicinal mushroom and nootropic ingredients like this? We recommend checking out Lucid Super Coffee.

When Should I Take Maitake?

Because Maitake is usually taken to help boost immune functions and support general wellness, the most important thing is to make sure you take it every day. It may take two weeks to experience the benefits of a functional mushroom dose since the effects need to "build up" in the body to help create systemic balance.

Some people take Maitake in multiple doses throughout the day. Most commonly, the doses are split into morning and afternoon doses, taken with breakfast and dinner. It's not uncommon to take Maitake once daily in the morning as part of a regular dosing routine.

Deciding how to take Maitake really depends on your general wellness routine. For instance, if you already take a large amount of supplements in the morning, you may prefer to split Maitake into two smaller doses daily.

Who Should Not Take Maitake?

Maitake is generally well tolerated and is a regular part of diet and cuisine in many parts of the world. In fact, the edible mushroom is often considered a delicacy that’s forged during its harvest season and cooked fresh. Still, some people should avoid supplementing with maitake, including people who:

  • May have a mushroom allergy
  • Are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Take blood thinning medications
  • Take other medications or supplements that may lower blood sugar
  • Have low blood pressure or take medications to lower blood pressure

You should also avoid taking maitake before surgery since it may thin the blood. Quit taking maitake at least two weeks before a scheduled surgery.

As with any changes to your wellness routine, you should talk to your doctor before adding maitake to your diet, especially if you already take other medications or supplements daily to manage one or more health conditions. In general, adverse effects are often related to poor product quality, so make sure you buy your Maitake supplements from a trustworthy source.

Read "Maitake Side Effects" to learn more. 

Maitake Dosage FAQ's

What's the best Maitake dosage?

Maitake dosage can range from 50-450 mg daily, though many people take 150-200 mg per day on average.

Can I take Maitake everyday?

Yes, and you should! Functional mushrooms work best when taken consistently, and it may take up to two weeks of consistent doses to experience the full benefits of a maitake dose.

Should I take Maitake in the morning?

Many people find that incorporating maitake in the morning is the best way to create a consistent dosing routine. You can take maitake in the morning, or you can take maitake at whatever point in the day best suits your needs. No matter what time you choose, you should try to take your maitake dose at the same time each day.

Should I take Maitake more than once a day?

Many people choose to take one dose of maitake daily for convenience, but the dosage can also be split into two smaller doses. This is often the way that maitake is taken in many of the preclinical trials available.

Should I take Maitake with food?

Some people take Maitake without food with no issue. If you feel nauseous after taking it on an empty stomach, try taking your Maitake dose with a small meal.

Resources

  1. “Immune-enhancing effects of Maitake (Grifola frondosa) and Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) extracts” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4202470/
  2. “Effect of Dietary Maitake (Grifola frondosa) Mushrooms on Plasma Cholesterol and Hepatic Gene Expression in Cholesterol-Fed Mice” https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jos/62/12/62_1049/_article
  3. “Submerged-Culture Mycelia and Broth of the Maitake Medicinal Mushroom Grifola frondosa (Higher Basidiomycetes) Alleviate Type 2 Diabetes-Induced Alterations in Immunocytic Function” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26349512/
  4. “Maitake mushroom (Grifola frondosa) extract induces ovulation in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a possible monotherapy and a combination therapy after failure with first-line clomiphene citrate” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21034160/
  5. “Maitake mushroom (Grifola frondosa) extract induces ovulation in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a possible monotherapy and a combination therapy after failure with first-line clomiphene citrate”https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21034160/
  6. “Effect of Maitake (Grifola frondosa) D-Fraction on the activation of NK cells in cancer patients” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14977447/

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