Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus)

 

Lion’s mane or Hericium erinaceus has many aliases. In Chinese, it’s known because of its shape as ashóu tóu gū, or monkey head mushroom.  We have long known of the beneficial qualities of H. erinaceous, but have not been able to offer extracts because we hadn’t found it locally in sufficient quantities to conscientiously gather, process and bottle it. In doing research for a friend of mine who has some mild cognitive disorders, and whom we know would benefit from it, we came across a west coast mushroom gathering group who offered it for sale. We contacted them and have secured a working arrangement that assures us that we will have sufficient supplies of the mushroom to offer the extracts commercially.

 

Hericium erinaceus has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine.  Among the  major components are diverse phytochemicals, including polysaccharides, such as β-glucan, as well as hericenones and erinacines. Other compounds include vitamin D, hexadecenoic acid (26%), linoleic acid (13.1%), phenylacetaldehyde (8.9%) and benzaldehyde (3%), and volatile oils, such as 2-methyl-3-furanthiol, 2-ethylpyrazine and 2,6-diethylpyrazine. This type of polysaccharide is known for its immune-boosting properties. Low concentrations of ergosterol are also present. (Reference: Wikipedia)

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Research shows that lion’s mane mushrooms improve cognitive function in mice, especially memory and visual recognition. This is appears to be because the fungus increases the production of nerve growth factor or NGF. Studies have found that lion’s mane mushrooms also contain two special compounds that can stimulate the growth of brain cells: hericenones and erinacines. Additionally, animal studies have found that lion’s mane may help protect against Alzheimer’s disease, a degenerative brain disease that causes progressive memory loss.

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Other animal studies have found that lion’s mane extract can also help regenerate brain cells and improve the functioning of the hippocampus, a region of the brain responsible for processing memories and emotional responses.

 

Other nonspecifically brain related potential benefits:

This mushroom was often used in Chinese medicine to treat gastrointestinal issues and science seems to back that up. Multiple studies have shown that lion’s mane can reduce inflammation and symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease, a disease that affects more than 3 million people in the United States. 

Injuries to the brain or spinal cord can be devastating. They often cause paralysis or loss of mental functions and can take a long time to heal. research has found that lion’s mane mushroom extract may help speed recovery from these types of injuries by stimulating the growth and repair of nerve cells In fact, lion’s mane mushroom extract has been shown to reduce recovery time by 23–41% when given to rats with nervous system injuries.

 

While these results are promising, no studies have been conducted in humans to determine if lion’s mane would have the same therapeutic effect on nervous system injuries. In addition to killing cancer cells, lion’s mane extract has also been shown to slow the spread of cancer.One study in mice with colon cancer found that taking lion’s mane extract reduced the spread of cancer to the lungs by 69%. No adverse effects have been seen in rats, even at doses as high as 2.3 grams per pound (5 grams per kg) of body weight per day for one month or higher dosages for three months .

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Anyone who is allergic or sensitive to mushrooms should avoid lion’s mane, As well as, our other extracts.

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