Hen Of The Woods (Maitake, Sheep's Head) Mushroom Identification & Health Benefits with Adam Haritan

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Maitake (Grifola frondosa, hen of the woods, sheep's head) is a choice edible and medicinal mushroom that can be found during the autumn months. In this video, Adam Haritan discusses identification, look-alikes, medicinal benefits, and more!
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[@dustydamsel6314]

These are the best, most informative videos I've seen on KZbin about mushrooms. You are so passionate and knowledgeable about this topic that it's hard to stop watching. I always think I will get bored but I never do, and always watch until the very end!

[@LearnYourLand]

Hey thanks! I appreciate the kind words. Glad you enjoy them! :D

[@amybritt1363]

I know right! I so agree! I'm like who are the 19 clowns who gave it a thumbs down?

[@vickiemyers79]

I agree totally!!!

[@mikehall9]

You've been a friend for a long time calm down then you'll understand

[@Freedom-nu5kp]

I just started to learn about and take medicinal mushrooms. I ate my first Shitake last night, delicious, much more mushroom flavor than white caps with a hint of smokiness to them. I'm on Reishi for blood pressure and taking Lions Mane for memory, increased cognition. I'm 65 and off all big pharma meds. Off to find some Maitake in Massachusetts....

[@scottorico]

Great final message Adam! Ancient Sioux healing wisdom states, “your always crawling distance to the medicines you need”

[@amylynn3026]

My husband and I just found our first one! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@Rerum_Novarum]

What a great channel. You're super knowledgeable. I love the balance between science and mysticism being presented here.

[@LearnYourLand]

Thanks!

[@dogzebra2708]

I've been finding these in my yard for years. I generally clean and freeze them and use them in soups and salads for the winter season.

[@maryalice5357]

How do you clean and freeze.? Thanks.

[@overratedprogrammer]

​@@maryalice5357ideally don't rinse, brush off dirt, break up and freeze in freezer bag. Don't even have to thaw out to cook, just break pieces off and throw in whatever you're making and cook!

[@FarmbyGardens]

We have a property that has ENDLESS oak trees. Every time I'm there, I hope and pray to find some Maitake. No such blessing yet. I'll never give up! Last weekend we found about 4 pounds of Lion's Mane and it was absolutely DELICIOUS! We coated them with organic steak seasoning, cooked them in some coconut oil in a cast iron skillet and served them on fresh-baked organic, gluten-free buns with garden-fresh red onions, lettuce and tomato. OH SO VERY DELICIOUS! You never need any meat with Lion's Mane. They can replace meat in just about everything! Mmm...

[@LearnYourLand]

Lion's mane is wonderful! It's one of my favorites, and I agree - the flavor is superb.

[@chrispoteet5327]

I just found one about 5 pounds and three small immature ones I will definitely be back for the others in a few days. I love your enthusiasm .

[@curiousturtle3011]

I love how you are so clearly passionate about mushrooms and their health benefits. The way you express it is how I express my passion and education with turtles. I love it! Thank you for your knowledge and passion :-D

[@LearnYourLand]

+Bodacious Wonk Thanks for the kind words! Turtles are great too, maybe even better ;)

[@curiousturtle3011]

Haha turtles are pretty awesome :-)

[@marthab4172]

@@curiousturtle3011 i was walking in the park where we have a lot of turtles in the big water pond. And came across a tiny tiny baby turtle the length of my index finger. Was fortunate to release it in the safe water habitat near it❤Turtles ❤😊!

[@curiousturtle3011]

@@marthab4172 I absolutely love this!

[@mw82006]

I watched the video with my grandfather whose been collecting mushrooms in the woods for decades. We had no idea they were so medicinal. Thanks for the great video!

[@robburke5577]

I’ve had a gold mine on my property all this time! We’re currently soaking some while watching this video! Thanks for the info!

[@edwardsouth1711]

Just started foraging for the edible/medicinal plants three or four years ago, but now I’m looking forward to the fungi thinking they might serve my health better. Great stuff as usual Adam, and I do love the spark you bring to the learning process, and to the table.

[@slimjim1756]

Your enthusiasm is contagious

[@HonJazzz]

I tried this mushroom for the first time today. Absolutely delicious and I’m happy to hear about the added health benefits. Nature has all of the answers.

[@frankdomestico1167]

This is my first year looking for and finding mushrooms thanks to you !! I have found about 30lbs of hen of the woods mushrooms so far this fall. I'm cooking and drying them for the winter. I can / jar my veggies and will be doing the same with theses. I just wanted to say thank you for all your videos and for being so straight forward with identification and making it easier to understand. I've become a big fan !! Thanks !!

[@missmya3972]

I just found 3 Maitake mushrooms last night around an oak tree right next to my house, literally 20 ft from my front door. Maybe nature is trying to tell me something and taking care of me :)

[@FarmbyGardens]

That's the Creator looking out for you!

[@missmya3972]

Yes He is :)... I went out there again today and found another one around the same tree and it's not a real big oak either!! Its a medium sized oak. God is good!

[@FarmbyGardens]

missmya3972 That is so exciting to have that so close to your home! Two years ago my German Shorthair Pointer was diagnosed with end-stage osteosarcoma. He was given 1-8 weeks to live. I started making his food from organic, homegrown fruits and veggies and I added in Maitake mushrooms with every meal. He lived HAPPILY almost 18 months! I truly believe it had to do with the medicinal herbs and mushrooms God gave us to heal ourselves without Big Pharma. :)

[@haggard21077]

+FarmbyGardens I agree...big pharma has its time and place but for people who don't know look into health benefits of reishi, lions mane, Turkey tail, cordyceps, oyster, and the chaga mushroom, all grow in the USA with the exception of cordyceps. that just lists the amazing mushrooms available for us and not the wild plants all around us that are medicinal. but as always if your not experienced with this stuff be careful....but I do recommend educating yourself with wild medicinal plants and mushrooms.

[@FarmbyGardens]

+Josh Gardner So very true! :)

[@jasondonatelli2313]

Great videos. Your channel is the most informative and interesting content I have come across in my journey to learn my land.

[@synethesiaserpent3538]

I absolutely loved this video and I can feel the excitement

[@LearnYourLand]

Awesome, thank you!

[@orion3267]

I found one on my property by a very old stump. So far on my property I've seen the Cherry Dogwood, Walnut and Pear trees. Ive also seen fern starting to grow, blackberries and now the Maitake mushroom. Can't wait to find more edibles. I have Purslane and Stinging Nettle where I currently live. I'm going to transplant it on my property for future use. The Purslane leaves taste just like lettuce. I love this channel.

[@justinweaver7543]

I'm so glad to have discovered your channel. Sheep's Head was the first wild mushroom I ever tasted, and I can say it is truly delicious. My father's friend enjoyed mushroom hunting and he said that he had the best luck finding Sheep's Head around oak stumps.

[@LearnYourLand]

Excellent! It is indeed a tasty mushroom!

[@f_youtubecensorshipf_nazis]

this is the best mushroom I have had so far, haven't had chicken of the woods yet, but these taste just like chicken on a pizza with spinach and goat cheese. Now my vegetarian wife knows what my favorite pizza tastes like. I need a beefy mushroom next, turkey tail powder has a meatiness to it but being a powder there is no chew to it and the texture is really key to convincing my own mouth.

[@midgegalligan]

Thank you! So informative ! I ran into someone in the woods collecting these and she explained it to me but before I tried it I wanted to make sure it was edible! You have sold me... I will be making soup today. Nice work!

[@equalizer1553]

this channel is so fantastic! learning so much from you dude!

[@jamesoliver4739]

Thank you for making me want to study mycology in depth.I am a Pharmacist but know little about fungi.You have enlightened me and inspired.

[@LearnYourLand]

Awesome, you're welcome!

[@briandrew2689]

I'm in New Hampshire it's july and i am finding them!

[@shadowfox277]

I’m coming lol to get them ❤😊

[@cantgetenoughoutdoors3258]

I’ve been watching your teachings all day bro! I’ve learned a ton!! 🙏 P.S. I subscribed my brother

[@LearnYourLand]

Thank you! Much appreciated!

[@dakotabob10]

I wish this mushroom grew here in North Dakota. If it does, I have yet to find it. I have bought dried Maitake mushrooms and I can attest to its ability to control my A1C. It is also one of the better tasting mushrooms. Once again Adam, this was a great video.

[@shannanon]

"The universe is so abundant, everything that we need is quite literally all around us"

[@reallyhappytrees]

greetings from eastern PA, I will be out next summer early looking for morels, maitake, turkey tails, and many more. Last year was my first year foraging, hope to get out more this spring. Nature is where it's at. Take care

[@LearnYourLand]

+reallyhappytrees Sounds great! If you ever make your way to the Western side of the state, check out the Western PA Mushroom Club!

[@reallyhappytrees]

hey thanks for the heads up, i've been meaning to look into joining a mushroom club this year!

[@kjbare]

We found one tonight, cleaning up after taking down an ash tree in our back yard. we were very excited and hope to find another shortly! hubby is planning to cook a little up tonight and I'm planning to dehydrate the rest. there's probably 10 lbs of it!

[@kjbare]

btw, we are in central Indiana

[@LearnYourLand]

Wow, that's great! Congrats on such a big find.

[@argonaught5666]

I'm a fellow mycophagist! Miatakies are great! I get matsi's in my area. Ive heard Pennsylvanian is a place where matsi's grow!

[@MrTrecutter1]

The closing statement @8:30 is absolutely 💯 👌...

[@cedarwoman2]

Just wanted to say thank you for pushing for the old ways of healing. Upon the Mother there are plants that can heal us. Main thing is that we as humans have to harvest wisely. Too much of the Earth is being destroyed daily. Blessings upon you and thank you for the videos that you make.

[@gmanll0]

Great video--all of yours are. I went out in the woods today and found 2 huge Maitake mushrooms at the base of this gigantic oak tree. I went home and got my three sons to show them, and they found three more on the other side of the trunk. Amazing! Now to find a way to cook them.

[@erinearth]

Found one today! Thanks for the info!

[@lextaylor5440]

Thank you for spreading this great knowledge dude!

[@LearnYourLand]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@sarahwilley2024]

You are so informative. I love how I can feel the passion of your love for Fungi. Your vibe is hella strong! Thank you 🍄❤️

[@DonsAdventures]

great video. I found my first sheeps head on the LHHT last fall. I wasnt sure or confident but I took a pic and so I left it there.

[@LearnYourLand]

Check that spot next year and you may find another nice specimen! The LHHT is a beautiful trail... I try to get out there at least once a year.

[@talon769]

Nutritious AND absolutely delicious!!

[@Ralphb1969]

Well done. My family gathers this mushroom for decades. North East New Jersey.

[@bonnied72]

Have you ever made Maitake jerky? It'd delicious! My mom has an abundance of Maitake growing in her yard Sept-Oct.

[@boundlessspirit121]

Thank you so much for the tips and advice! I love watching your videos and love your passion with nature 🙌🏼❤️ we can learn to live off the land again and reconnect with our roots! The medicine and abundance is all around us! 🌳

[@scottdean7613]

Just found around 15 pounder this morning in northern Iowa. Thanks for the video.

[@KaoruKoike]

Being from Japan, maitake mushroom is one of my favorites. Thank you for the very informative video

[@LearnYourLand]

Thanks for watching!

[@shadowfox277]

I just ate some form Japan 🇯🇵 dry in my soup 🍜 I didn’t know we have them in USA ❤

[@PlantsAmore]

Your excitement is contagious!❤️

[@marthab4172]

Great info about Maitake! I found a lot of turkey tail in Georgia nine months ago. Still have some in the jar. Now can't wait for an Autumn to look for Maitake ! Also going to order it from Real Mushrooms, they have just added Maitake to their line up of medicinal mushrooms. Everyone should order Maitake only from real mushrooms. Because they are using the correct extraction methods with hot water!❤ Thank you buddy 😊!

[@beckyjo367]

So, someone PLEASE tell me, how do I preserve this. There's a huge 1 at the base of my oak tree in my front yard- right at the bottom of my front porch. 1st yr that this kind has been there. *the very next video I will be watching is just for/about what I asked for. 👍

[@MElaughs]

New time enthusiast, first wild identification and harvest was some field blewits (lepista personata). They offered a real Bovril quality, very pleasant to eat - I appreciate not everyone's digestive system gets on with said mushroom but definitely worth trying. I have subscribed, I will continue bingeing. Thank you for a relaxed, charming and very informative show.

[@MElaughs]

Watched the whole thing, worth it - wow, what am incredibly healthy mushroom

[@jodiesalmon3718]

Bless you your knowledge and wisdom. You are an amazing young man. Keep up the great work 😃

[@goodbadben]

adam, you are my spirit animal! 🤩 i love all your content. 🌳💚

[@LearnYourLand]

Thanks, Ben!

[@honeybunny2245]

AMAZING! had to share on my Facebook page! Been busy harvesting the abundance of this beautiful season

[@mothermycelium12]

it's coming up on 5 years of me foraging. I did it before of course but didn't call it that. I just went though an awful 6 weeks and then a week where a lot of the time the only peaceful way I could get food was to forage. I was listening to Mojave Phone Booth's hollow the numbers. when grandmother variations transitioned into landlocked, I found a hen of the woods and knew everything would be okay. I'm going to memorize landlocked on glockenspiel (marimbas are expensive) and drink rooibos tea made with the hen of the woods, a Ganoderma, and some turkey tail. thank you Adam for introducing me to this mushroom. it's benefits have always been clear to me but especially now.

[@mothermycelium12]

will prob delete this. well see after i play GLOCK🔫

[@mothermycelium12]

now why would i do that. it was true.

[@jennifersakarian4528]

Love what you have to say Adam! The universe is abundant :-) I found my first untouched hen of the woods and it was euphoric! Made an omelet today and going to delve into medicine making making with the rest! Happy foraging

[@TheLastZ0mbie]

I found one today about the size of a volley ball. Your video really helped in identifying this mushroom. Thanks

[@lucypumkinjack2984]

I walked out my backdoor and found under one of my oak trees tons of this mushroom. It seemed too easy. LOL

[@angelademarse1788]

Your videos are amazingly helpful. There's no mushroom clubs in my area and looking through my books doesn't give me the confidence to actually eat what I find. Are you completely self-taught or did you take any courses to get all the knowledge you have?

[@2112cygnus1]

I just discovered your channel and watched about 4 of your videos, really good information and useful to know,especially for proper identification and uses. i have always been interested in this subject and have a reasonable knowledge. i wondered if in your videos you could also mention if whatever mushroom you are talking about grows in the UK. i know we have a lot of them that are the same but sometimes with a different common name.it would save us having to Google every one of them to find out. Your information is accurate and a tip on whether we are likely to have it here would be a great help. You make good videos, interesting, informative and useful. Thank you for sharing what you have learned.

[@charlesnagyiii8938]

My personal favorite--you truly are Linnaeus’s krazy godchild/--appreciate how you qualify your statements especially on levels of corroboration with modifiers on whether it “is” or is “known to be”. Lotta trust in ur expertise, but really enjoy all ur stuff. I also grew up in Eastern PA @ the base of Hawk 🏔 & have traveled extensively but realize what a great area I now roam around in! Hope this goes thru///1st time I tried to send to one of these. ‼️🏴‍☠️

[@bellakatou]

You’re so passionate about it, I love it! Keep us informed, thanks Adam!

[@rosemaryschiebel8754]

Going out this morning to look for some of these lovelies. So far I have used mullen, Labrador, pine needles, and boneset to build my health up from covid.

[@kareemcampbell2387]

Amazing speech to the end, glad to find this channel

[@jimmynolan5291]

I found my first one today in my local park! Slightly different in looks as it have a little more of a brainy look and not so “flaky” but everything else checks out so I’m going for it! Great channel!!!

[@Thewowchamp408]

I've no idea what it is, but I found a somewhat similar mushroom last weekend. It does have some distinct differences, though. Gills, the color was a brownish-orange, and, although it was growing in a cluster somewhat like hen, it's shape was funnel like. It was also growing on, I think, a cut down coniferous tree (no idea what specific tree, it was cut down long ago, I'm just guessing by the texture of it's bark). I posted it in a mushroom I.D. group on facebook, but no one was able to help with it.

[@mpaz48mo]

Adam, excellent video. I too admire your passion and the way you choose to feed your body. Can't wait to see what you have to say about the great one, the Morel.

[@LearnYourLand]

Thanks, Michael! I'm hoping for a successful morel season!

[@kyrgyzstanification]

Is there anything about mushrooms Adam doesn't know?! Love it!

[@johnathanw2565]

Dude! Just found you and this vid... I am from Western PA too! I live on a massive farm with woods, if you're ever up to come pick and look around let me know! I'd love a chance to learn more and share what we have!

[@sallylenhoff2110]

I found some at the base of a big dead ash. Thank you for teaching me must of my mushroom knowledge.

[@lilithskies7440]

I think I just found one in my yard! This is amazing. Thank you for all of the info you have provided me with! I can't wait to learn more :)

[@bumpyb]

fantastic video! the last minute is gold. thanks, Adam

[@oldmanpatriot1490]

Hen of the woods just became my favorite mushroom... It use to be morels.. But after this video,,,, Now its hen of the woods... I have both,, stage 3 renal cell carcinoma (clear cell) and type 2 diabetes... I will be hunting my ass off this year for hen of the woods....

[@Jase1121]

I love mushrooms and it's benefits💕

[@nathalieu]

Thanks a lot ! I think I found my first hen of the woods today. Still need to do extra research to make sure I identified it properly though. The pores are very big and wet and look a little like tiny teeth in some areas...

[@ceinobrien5055]

You're an inspiring dude! Keep up the great work :)

[@LearnYourLand]

Thanks!

[@overson15]

I have a dozen tree's nearby that produce every year. They are also very easy to get to grow . If you find and older specimen or past the edible stage pick it and spread it around under mature oak or Cherry . You will get them to grow for a year or 2

[@christopherellis2663]

Agreed 🤝 bought some today 🇷🇴

[@ronnielunsford1449]

Father Yahweh has provided for us immensely. Much love from the Foothills of NC, Adam! Thanks for sharing your wonderful knowledge. May Yahweh bless.

[@tropicalco2339]

Just stick to Mother Nature.

[@veronicajohnson898]

EXCELLENT TEACHING ON MAITAKE MUSHROOMS AND BENEFITS: I ENJOYED THIS VIDEO THANK YOU 👏👏👏 💯🅰️+ KEEP UP THE BEAUTIFUL ART WORK AND KNOWLEDGE GREAT UNDERSTANDING TEACHINGS ON DIFFERENT TYPES OF FORAGING MUSHROOMS" MOTHER NATURE IS POWERFUL AND VERY KIND AND PLENTIFUL IN GIVING TO US TO HELP US WITH OUR HEALTH JOURNEY" IM VERY GRATEFUL AND MY GRATITUDE IS THANK YOU HEAVENLY FATHER FOR ALL THAT YOU DO WITH YOUR MORE THAN AMAZING CREATIONS ALL OVER YOUR BEAUTIFUL EARTH" 👏👏👏

[@42freedom16]

I think I'm pretty close to you geographically . Im in Westmoreland and have had my first year of real success looking. Thankyou for helping in my journey

[@leefury7]

I always sun dry as much as possible and if necessary, then throw in the dehydrator before powdering it. If not, they will take up 1/2 of my freezer. None last year because it was so dry. Hopefully this coming summer sees more rain later in the year.

[@tittyrino]

I harvested over 200 pounds last year.They grow all around me in Washington Co,PA

[@truyennam]

excellent,

[@Forevertrue]

Always a great vid. Thanks for this.

[@SaxonRanger94]

Love what you said towards the end. Agree 100%. We all should take responsibility for our health as naturally possible. Much better than petropharmaceuticals and synthetic chemicals.

[@mtarves24]

awesome videos man! love how you present them with such enthusiasm! great teacher

[@LearnYourLand]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@larrynapier5003]

I so love the explanation my body needs the D2 and I bet I can so much more out of this,my diabetes the inflammation of my joints! I will look in the woods behind my home in Tennessee and let you know how eating and taking care of my body goes,thank you,L.Napier

[@LearnYourLand]

You're welcome, Larry!

[@fryloc359]

I think its growing next to my garage, so I'm here to help make a positive ID.

[@sarahmarshall29]

Thanks so much! Love your excitement and knowledge!

[@desi4657]

Wow super informative thank you so much.

[@spinisper]

I just found over 30lbs at a local playground in Central NH!!!

[@gregorymorgan2667]

Yo man you're awesome !!! I'm inspired by your KZbin videos! I was just hunting wild turkey this spring ,upstate New York and found a mother load of morel mushrooms! I'm from Eastern PA, Pinegrove. Ramsheads grow everywhere in my area ... I really enjoyed the information and knowledge that you have. Thank you!

[@LearnYourLand]

Thanks, Gregory! I appreciate the kind words. Hope you've been finding some good things this year!

[@lindseyzacek5211]

I think it's time to write a book my friend

[@thnksno]

I'm finding maitake and chicken of the woods now. I live near I80 in Illinois.

[@davidwelicki]

Outstanding teacher!

[@evandorco5193]

Thank you keep up the great work I love your videos and I love foraging I'm subscribed and have been binge watching your videos

[@LearnYourLand]

Thanks!

[@yotagerlie]

Such a true statement at the end of this video! And great info on this mushroom thank you

[@LearnYourLand]

You're welcome!

[@MITimberwookie]

Great vid. It's that time of year, keeping my eyes open.

[@LearnYourLand]

Thanks! And yes, it certainly is that time of year!

[@Anybodyelse2294]

Didn’t find many this fall in western PA

[@kerrypitt9789]

Adam you refer to your personal health program. or something similar in a number of your videos. How did you develop the program based on the consumption of wild mushrooms and fungus? I think it took a brush with my own death, to cause me to realize over time, that all we need to be healthy and become healthy is growing around us. We may be years apart but our philosophy is the same. You are ahead of me I am catching up but your help and enthusiasm is pushing me along

[@LearnYourLand]

Kerry - I developed it (and I'm still developing it) based on illnesses that I was experiencing years ago, and ones I'd probably still experience today if I wasn't so tuned into my body's needs. Early on it was a lot of experimentation and reading, and with the mushrooms, I really focused on the ones that grow nearest to where I live. In fact, most of my medicine is derived from Western Pennsylvania, and as long as I'm here I'd like to keep it that way. Personally, nothing works quite as well for me as the medicinal mushrooms.

[@kerrypitt9789]

Learn Your Land, agreed! So did you isolate each issue and treat those individually or did you look for links between the issues and treat those things in common as separate from some of the individual issues? Sorry Adam I am excited about this and someone of your youth speaking to issues I have only pondered is well, pretty emotional for me. I suffer from depression, diabetes type 2, high blood pressure and a general malaise I treat with some prescription drugs I probably shouldn't. Anyway Jazz and I are starting the hunt tomorrow. I live in northern Alberta with my wife and dog, right now I have hope for better quality life thank you.

[@halfgridhomestead]

Had our first one last year and made a great soup out of it!! Yummmm!

[@LearnYourLand]

Excellent! It's one of the best, in my opinion.

[@Killemgrillem00]

Is it possible to find one all-white no brown, I ate one the same size was absolutely brilliant. Thank you for the work you do.