The lion’s mane mushroom is a large fungus with a distinctive shaggy appearance and a long history in Chinese traditional medicine. It’s known for its nootropic ability to focus your mind and keep your brain alert.
Hericium erinaceus (also called lion’s mane mushroom, monkey head mushroom, bearded tooth mushroom, satyr’s beard, bearded hedgehog mushroom, pom pom mushroom, or bearded tooth fungus) is an edible mushroom belonging to the tooth fungus group. Native to North America, Europe and Asia, it can be identified by its long spines (greater than 1 cm length), occurrence on hardwoods, and tendency to grow a single clump of dangling spines. The fruit bodies can be harvested for culinary use.
Lion’s mane is a type of medicinal mushroom. Long used in traditional Chinese medicine. Scientific research shows that lion’s mane contains a number of health-promoting substances, including antioxidants and beta-glucan
Health Benefits Can be known to help towards the following
Proponents claim that lion’s mane can help with a variety of health problems, including:
Alzheimer’s disease
Anxiety
Depression
High cholesterol
Inflammation
Parkinson’s disease
Ulcers
In addition, lion’s mane is said to strengthen the immune system, stimulate digestion, and protect against cancer.
Lion’s mane may benefit older adults with mild cognitive impairment, according to a small study published in Phytotherapy Research in 2009. For the study, researchers assigned 30 older adults with mild cognitive impairment to take either lion’s mane extract or a placebo every day for 16 weeks. In cognitive tests given at weeks eight, 12, and 16 of the study, members of the lion’s mane group showed significantly greater improvements compared to members of the placebo group.
In a more recent study (published in Biomedical Research in 2011), scientists examined the effects of lion’s mane on brain function in mice. Results revealed that lion’s mane helped protect against memory problems caused by the build up of amyloid beta (a substance that forms the brain plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease). Studies have also shown a possible neuro-protective effect against ischemic stroke.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) cautions that while some small preliminary studies on the impact of natural supplements on cognitive function have shown modest effects, “direct evidence is lacking.” Claims made to the contrary are not supported by evidence.
Information taken from Wikipedia, PubMed, Medical news, health line, very well mind, London tropics, and time health
People wishing to incorporate lion’s mane mushrooms into their diet should cook them until the outer layer is crispy as the taste can be bitter otherwise.
Lions Mane is included in Bryt Supplements available in my online store in capsule form:
You must be logged in to post a comment.