library.onepin.app/maitake Peptide Education Library
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OnePin Peptide Library · Immune

Immune Grifola frondosa (Hen of the Woods)

Maitake

Grifola frondosa

Grifola frondosa (Hen of the Woods)Beta-Glucan Immune ModulatorTCM / Japanese Traditional MedicineDietary Supplement

Maitake (Grifola frondosa, also called 'Hen of the Woods') is a medicinal mushroom traditionally used in Japanese and Chinese medicine. The most-researched bioactive is the D-fraction polysaccharide complex (specifically MD-fraction, a beta-1,6-glucan with beta-1,3-glucan branches) - widely studied for immune modulation and as cancer adjunct therapy.

Quick Start
Route
Oral capsule, powder, or liquid extract
Start low
500mg-3g daily
Frequency
1-3x daily
Timing
Independent

Independent.

❋

Start here. Every protocol below is ordered lowest-first. Begin at the smallest effective dose, hold about a week to assess tolerance, and step up only if needed.

Tiered Protocols · lowest first
Quick Start
Conservative start
500mg-3g daily · Oral capsule, powder, or liquid extract · 1-3x daily
Lowest starting point. Hold about a week to assess tolerance before stepping up.
500mg-3g daily
1-3x daily
Standard
Immune & Metabolic Support
500-1000 mg · Oral · Daily
human clinical trial · Deng et al. 2009 (J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 135(9):1215-21)
500-1000 mg
Daily
◆
01

How it works

Maitake bioactives drive multiple effects:

D-Fraction Beta-Glucans

Activate dendritic cells, macrophages, NK cells via dectin-1 and complement receptor 3 - shifts immune balance toward Th1.

MD-Fraction (specific isolate)

More-purified D-fraction with greater immune-modulating potency.

Glucose Regulation

Some studies show improved insulin sensitivity and reduced fasting glucose - mechanism unclear, possibly via beta-glucan delaying GI carbohydrate absorption.

Cholesterol Reduction

Beta-glucan binds bile acids in intestine, reducing reabsorption and lowering serum cholesterol - same mechanism as oat beta-glucan.

Cancer Adjunct

Multiple Japanese trials support use alongside chemotherapy for immune support and quality-of-life improvements.

02

What to expect

Early
Days 1–7

Days 1-14: subtle subjective effects.

Mid
Weeks 2–4

Weeks 2-12: peak immune effects.

Later
Weeks 4–12

Long-term continuous use traditional.

03

Evidence

HumanPresent
AnimalStrong
In-vitroPresent
2003Maitake D-Fraction enhancement of innate immune system · Kodama N et al, Journal of Medicinal Food ↗peer reviewed
2009Maitake mushroom extracts ameliorate progressive prostate cancer in mice · Konno S et al, Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine ↗peer reviewed
2009Anti-cancer effects of Maitake D-fraction · Deng G et al, Journal of the Society of Integrative Oncology ↗peer reviewed
04

Interactions & stacking

What's safe to combine, and what belongs in a separate pin.

Keep separate

05

Side effects & safety

Commonly reported

  • Mild GI
  • Allergic skin reactions rare

Less common & notes

  • Hypoglycemia in diabetics.
  • Antiplatelet activity.
  • Long-term safety good.
06

Pharmacokinetics

Illustrative plasma concentration · 24 h
Half-life
Variable
Peak · Tmax
1-3 hours
Elimination
Cumulative effects over weeks
Activity
Daily dosing

Storage. Capsule/powder. Cool dry location.

07

Regulatory status

Dietary supplement (US, DSHEA).

Put it to work

Calculate, log & track

Open Maitake straight into OnePin with your vial and dose pre-filled, then let it handle the syringe math and remind you before the vial runs out.

Open Maitake in the app →

Go deeper

The guide & community

The complete Maitake walkthrough, real protocol discussion and coaching live inside the BlessUp community on Skool.

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