I use lion's mane in my tinctures. It has many health benefits, being a powerful medicinal mushroom for brain function, protecting against dementia and helping repair the nerve pathways.
Lion's mane has long been used by Buddhist monks to help focus during meditation. I love it to support creativity and productivity during long working days. This fungus has become well-known in recent years, for its properties linked to cognitive ability and the nervous system.
Lion's Mane - A cognitive boost that is good for the brain
Lion's Mane contains many bioactive substances that can be assumed to have very beneficial effects, especially on the brain, heart, stomach and intestines. Was very rare in the wild and therefore highly valued.
A mushroom that used to be for the privileged
Lion's Mane used to be a mushroom that was mainly consumed by rich and powerful people. Today it is a relatively easy to grow mushroom and therefore common. They are white in color and can be between 10-20 cm wide and are mainly characterized by hanging thorns that can be up to 5 cm long, reminiscent of the mane of a lion. They are naturally found in many different places in the world, it is the most common fungus in East Asia.
Lion's mane has long been used in cooking and for medicinal purposes in countries such as India, China, Korea and Japan. They can be eaten raw, boiled, dried or drunk in tea. The taste is mild and reminiscent of Seafood. One of the hottest tips, if you want to use the mushroom in cooking, is to slice it up and fry it slowly with butter and pepper. It does not have to be more difficult than that.
Medicinal effects of Lion's Mane There are many studies that have shown correlations between consuming Lion's Mane and positive effects on cognitive ability, mood and nervous system. There are researchers who claim that Lion's Mane may be used as part of Alzheimer's treatments. The assumption is based on the fact that Lion's Mane contains two special substances that stimulate the growth of brain cells: hericenones and erinacins. There are also those who are believed to be behind the fact that the fungus seems to boost mental capacity with regular consumption. A small study conducted by Kyoto Bunkyo University in Japan found that women who were in menopause reported less irritation and anxiety after eating cookies with Lion’s Mane for a month. A result that is strengthened by studies conducted at Chiba University, Chiba, Japan and HungKuang University, Taichung in Taiwan, among others. They found that the fungus' anti-inflammatory effects can help alleviate depression and are based on the theory that inflammation can sometimes be a strong contributing factor to depression. Can protect against stomach ulcers and cardiovascular disease Lion's Mane contains substances that prevent the growth of H. pylori, a bacterium that causes stomach ulcers. However, it has only been tested in test tubes and not in clinical trials in humans. Even more promising was the result of a study from Soonchunhyang University, Korea. It showed great potential for Lion's Mane to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Experiments on mice showed that substances in Lion's Mane improve fat burning and provide lower levels of so-called triglycerides (a fatty acid that is harmful in high amounts). Lion’s Mane in short - Full of antioxidants - Anti-inflammatory - Increases cognitive ability