Traditional Uses of Lion’s Mane Mushroom

Hericium erinaceus is the Latin name for one of the most valued culinary mushrooms in Japan and China. With a protein content of about 22% and a wide range of minerals and ergosterol, it represents a nutrient-dense food source.

For hundreds of years the mushroom we know as Lion’s Mane (Yamabushitake in Japanese) was consumed as part of the versatile Asian diet. Over time people noticed that stews and soups made with the mushroom – essentially mushroom extracts – helped to alleviate pain from gastric/stomach issues.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history of using Lion’s Mane to treat ulcers and gastritis, maintain digestive health, fortify the spleen and protect the liver. Practitioners of TCM also administer the mushroom as an anticancer drug, especially for gastric and oesophageal cancer.

Scientific Research on Lion’s Mane Mushroom

Modern science is increasingly recognising the properties of Lion’s Mane and the concentrated extracts derived from it, explaining the reasons for gastric support and other health benefits that this delicious mushroom has to offer.

Rich in the powerful 1,3-1,6 beta-D-glucans, known for their role in supporting optimum immune function, balancing blood sugar levels and lowering cholesterol, Hericium erinaceus is also a source of other secondary compounds.

Two of the most known actives are called hericenones and erinacines. Having low molecular weight, they are able to pass the blood-brain barrier and potentiate the production of nerve growth factor (NGF). In short, NGF is a protein that helps repair neurons and reduces inflammatory processes in both the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Scientists have linked low levels of NGF to cognitive decline and motor deficits, but NGF is also involved in, for example, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and depression.

Lion’s Mane Extract for Nervous System and Brain Health

Lion’s Mane is thus believed to enhance cognitive abilities like concentration, reasoning, learning, and memory and could even assist in improving neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.

In fact, a large volume of scientific data indicates the potential of Lion’s Mane extract in the prevention and reversal of neurological damage. It may, for instance, speed up recovery from peripheral nerve injuries caused by trauma or diseases and help patients following a stroke.

Moreover, a recent clinical trial conducted by Japanese psychologists on menopausal women points to Lion’s Mane extract being beneficial in elevating the mood and relieving symptoms of anxiety and depression.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.