Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 1 of 2 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Maitake Extract Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Host Defense Mushrooms

Liquid Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Maitake Extract is a dietary supplement by Host Defense Mushrooms with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for immune support, blood sugar support in diabetes, high blood pressure.Based on those ingredients, 260 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Maitake Mycelium Extract, Fresh. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Maitake Extract by Host Defense Mushrooms

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Low disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Low

Most active ingredients don't disclose an individual amount — you can't tell how much of each you're getting.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 0 of its 2 active ingredients.
  • “Proprietary Extract Blend” is a proprietary blend — the label gives one combined amount (1 mL) without saying how much of each component you get.

This product contains 2 active ingredients, both from maitake mushroom: a fresh mycelium extract and a dried fruit body extract. The blend is suspended in water and alcohol.

Maitake is a medicinal mushroom traditionally used in Asia; these extracts aim to deliver its active compounds in concentrated form.

Does it work?

Not established
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use — see Maitake Mushroom's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Supports healthy blood sugar in normal range.
  • We looked for evidence on: Diabetes, Obesity, Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), Glucose metabolism, Insulin sensitivity.
  • The closest evidence on file: Maitake Mushroom is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Diabetes (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Maitake Mushroom is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Obesity, Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

The evidence we hold for maitake doesn't establish clear benefit for the uses we have on file — allergic rhinitis (hay fever), chemotherapy-induced anemia, laryngeal cancer, chemotherapy-induced diarrhea, and chronic fatigue syndrome all carry a rating of insufficient reliable evidence to rate. That doesn't mean it doesn't work; it means the research either isn't there yet or isn't strong enough for us to call it proven.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Maitake Mushroom

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Maitake mushroom is generally well tolerated when taken by mouth. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal — digestive upset, diarrhea, and stomach pain — though these occurred in small numbers of trial participants.

One person reported a rash and itching after two doses, though it resolved without treatment. However, concentrated supplements haven't been fully studied for safety, so they're not advised during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

As a food, maitake is familiar; as a concentrated supplement, the data is thinner.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Maitake Mushroom

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Maitake Mushroom.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 260 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before taking this product, check with us if you're on warfarin or another blood thinner — maitake may boost its effect. Also double-check if you take blood-pressure medication or diabetes drugs; maitake can theoretically lower both, and combining them could push your numbers too far down.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Maitake Extract may be worth trying if you're looking for immune or general wellness support, but it's not for you if you're on warfarin or need close control of blood pressure or blood sugar. Talk to your pharmacist before you start — especially if you take any medications for heart, blood pressure, or diabetes.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 2 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jun 20, 2024.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Maitake Extract, straight from the product label.

Brand Host Defense Mushrooms
Net contents 2 Fluid Ounce(s); 60 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 20, 2024
DSLD ID 312246
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Organic, Gluten Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Maitake Extract by Host Defense Mushrooms, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 mL
Servings per container
60
IngredientAmount% DV
Proprietary Extract Blend1 mL--
Maitake Mycelium Extract, Fresh0 NP--
Maitake Fruit Body Extract, Dried0 NP--

Other ingredients: Water, Alcohol

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: Take 1 full dropper bulb squeeze (1mL) twice per day.

Precautions

Caution: If you have a medical condition, are taking medications, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult a healthcare professional before using this product.

Keep out of reach of children.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Formula

Superfood mushroom mycelium

Formulation

Non GMO GF Gluten Free

Supports healthy blood sugar already in the normal range

USDA Organic Certified Organic by the WSDA Certified Organic Washington State Department of Agriculture Organic Program

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Seals/Symbols

USDA Organic Certified Organic Washington State Department of Agriculture Organic Program

See for yourself

Maitake Extract by Host Defense Mushrooms label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Maitake Extract by Host Defense Mushrooms

These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container60 Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

Proprietary Extract Blend

1 mL per serving

Other (inactive) ingredients: Water, Alcohol. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Maitake Extract by Host Defense Mushrooms Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Maitake Extract?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
260Drugs
260 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Maitake Extract with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Maitake Mycelium Extract, Fresh3 drug types · 260 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, combining maitake mushroom with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Clinical research shows that taking maitake mushroom polysaccharide (MMP) can lower blood glucose levels in patients with types 2 diabetes.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, combining maitake mushroom with antihypertensive drugs might increase the risk of hypotension.
Animal research shows that maitake mushroom can lower blood pressure.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Warfarin (Coumadin)

There is limited evidence that maitake mushroom may increase the anticoagulant effects of warfarin.
In a case report, a patient previously stabilized on warfarin developed an elevated international normalized ratio (INR) of 5.1 after taking maitake mushroom (Grifron-Pro Maitake D-Fraction) 1 drop/kg daily in three divided doses for one week. The elevated INR resolved after holding warfarin for two days, then reducing the dose by 11%. It is thought that the beta-glucan constituent of maitake mushroom might cause warfarin dissociation from proteins, resulting in increased free warfarin levels and increased warfarin effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Maitake Extract, from the product label.

Host Defense Mushrooms

See all Host Defense Mushrooms products
Name
Fungi Perfecti, LLC
Street Address
PO Box 7634
City
Olympia
State
WA
ZipCode
98507
Phone Number
877-504-6926
Web Address
Hostdefense.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Maitake Extract by Host Defense Mushrooms: Common Questions

Does Maitake Extract by Host Defense Mushrooms interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Maitake Extract has a known interaction with 260 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Maitake Extract contains 2 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
The safety data isn't there yet, so concentrated maitake supplements are advised against during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized guidance.
What are the most common side effects?
Digestive upset — diarrhea, stomach pain, and nausea — are the main ones reported in trials, though they occurred in only a small number of people. One patient experienced a rash, which cleared on its own.
Is this proven to work for anything?
We don't have solid evidence to say it works for the uses listed here — hay fever, chemotherapy-related side effects, or chronic fatigue. That means the research either isn't robust enough or hasn't been done yet, not that it's useless.
Can I take this with food?
Maitake mushroom is generally well tolerated as food, and this product is suspended in water and alcohol. The facts don't cover food interactions specifically, so check with your pharmacist if you have concerns.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Maitake Extract is safe with your meds?

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Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Maitake Extract label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Maitake Extract's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 8 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Maitake Mushroom 8 references
  1. Kabir Y, Kimura S. Dietary mushrooms reduce blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 1989;35:91-4. PubMed
  2. Kabir Y, Yamaguchi M, Kimura S. Effect of shiitake (Lentinus edodes) and maitake (Grifola frondosa) mushrooms on blood pressure and plasma lipids of spontaneously hypertensive rats. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 1987;33:341-6. PubMed
  3. Konno S, Tortorelis DG, Fullerton SA, et al. A possible hypoglycaemic effect of maitake mushroom on Type 2 diabetic patients. Diabet Med 2001;18:1010. PubMed
  4. Chen JT, Tominaga K, Sato Y, et al. 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. J Altern Compl
  5. Hanselin MR, Vande Griend JP, Linnebur SA. INR elevation with maitake extract in combination with warfarin. Ann Pharmacother 2010;44:223-4. PubMed
  6. Talpur, N. A., Echard, B. W., Fan, A. Y., Jaffari, O., Bagchi, D., and Preuss, H. G. Antihypertensive and metabolic effects of whole Maitake mushroom powder and its fractions in two rat strains. Mol.Cell Biochem. 2002;237(1-2):129-136. PubMed
  7. Deng, G., Lin, H., Seidman, A., Fornier, M., D'Andrea, G., Wesa, K., Yeung, S., Cunningham-Rundles, S., Vickers, A. J., and Cassileth, B. A phase I/II trial of a polysaccharide extract from Grifola frondosa (Maitake mushroom) in breast cancer patients: i
  8. Wesa KM, Cunningham-Rundles S, Klimek VM, et al. Maitake mushroom extract in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS): a phase II study. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2015;64(2):237-47. PubMed

See these in context on the Maitake Mushroom monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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