Officially known as Hericium erinaceus, other names are: bear’s head, hedgehog, monkey head, yamabushiitake (Japanese), hou tou gu (Chinese).
Lion's mane is a beautiful coral-like mushroom that has medicinal properties and also is delicious when used in cooking.
Lion's mane has a healing and restorative action and is neuroprotective.
It is researched and recommended for its ability to stimulate the production of NGF (nerve growth factor) which promotes neuron repair and renewal, including myelination. Myelination is the formation of the myelin sheath around a nerve to allow for improved transfer of information and conductivity. De-myelination is considered to be linked with the occurrence of multiple sclerosis.
Low levels of NGF have been linked to early stages of dementia and Alzheimer.
It is currently a very popular mushroom among people interested in holistic wellbeing and considered a nootropic - a natural substance which has the potential to enhance brain activity and performance, clear brain fog, increase creativity and focus.
These are some of the key potential benefits of lion's mane:
Anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antibiotic, anti-diabetic, anti-carcinogenic (inhibits colon tumour growth)
Blood sugar regulating
Blood pressure lowering
Counteracting gastritis and ulcers
Protecting the liver
Nerve support and repair (for neuropathy, pinched nerves or nerve injury)
Stimulates NGF (nerve growth factor)
Protects and repairs brain cells
Improves memory, cognition and performance
Can help prevent Parkinson, Alzheimer, dementia, multiple sclerosis
Eases anxiety and depression
A lot of these medicinal properties are due to the over 35 bioactive polysaccharides (especially the beta-glucans) identified in the lion's mane. Diterpenes, triterpenes, fatty acids, GABA are among the other active compounds. For example, hericenones and erinacines (both diterpenes) have the unique ability to support nerve repair.
Ways to incorporate into your diet:
>> Cook with fresh or dried lion's mane
The fresh ones can be added to soups or stir-fried, baked, grilled. The dried ones need to be soaked in water for about 30 minutes and then squeezed of liquid before using.
>> Consume the powder or extract
The powder can be added to food when cooking (soups, sauces, stews) or used to make a delicious sweet hot drink - the high temperature will help access more nutrients and make them bio-available for human digestion.
The extract can also be added to smoothies, salads, no need for thermal processing.
We offer the lion's mane powder as part of a blend with 9 mushrooms and carob, you can check it out here.
>> Consume the tincture
A tincture is a concentrated extract that can be taken directly into the mouth or mixed with water/ juice and taken best 20 minutes before eating.
We offer the lion's mane tincture made with double extract and also charged with high frequencies, you can check it out here.