Kriakovy Hrib (Grifola frondosa) is a native European mushroom, however it is rare in Central Europe, but occurs in Eastern Asia and North America as well. In Japanese it is called  maitake. Mostly its Hungarian name („bushy mushroom”) reveals reality, i.e. its bush-like appearance. A parasitic fungus, it adapts to the color of the tree bark it grows on.
 

Grifola frondosa - Kriakový hríb

Although eatable before mature, it is not considered to be among the edible species but has greater significance in medicine. Its polysaccharide content help regulate blood pressure, inhibit the growth of various types of cancer cells, lower blood glucose level, protect liver cells and enhance the immune system. Since the needs of medicine cannot be covered by the amount of Grifola frondrosa found in the wild, a method of artificial cultivation has been developed. Today 98% of the Grifola frondrosa distributed in the world is grown in Japan.
 

Osteoporosis	Intestinal tumor

Beside the medicinal components described above, Grifola frondrosa to a large extent contains ergosterol, which is a biological precursor (a provitamin) to vitamin D2 and naturally assist in the preservation of a healthy skeletal system. The so-called D-fraction, which can be separated from the mushroom extract is considered particularly important by experts, as several tests carried out on lung and large intestinal tumor patients proved succesful in the US. In Germany a Grifola frondrosa concentrate is sold in capsules under the name of Grifolanin. Recently experiments conducted to produce the active agents needed in the treatment of AIDS patients have proved promising, which is due to the D-fractions of Grifola frondosa as well.