Getting to Know Lion's Mane Mushrooms
Lion's mane mushrooms, also referred to as hedgehog mushrooms, are a unique edible variety appreciated for their flavor and potential health benefits. They have exploded in popularity in recent years as more people discover their range of medicinal uses.
From supporting brain health to relieving inflammation, lion's mane mushroom shows promise in improving wellness. Read on to learn all about this mushroom, including where you may find it and how to incorporate it into your healthy lifestyle.
What are Lion's Mane Mushrooms?
Lion's mane mushrooms, scientifically known as Hericium erinaceus, are a tooth fungus distinguished by their long, flowing tendrils. They belong to the tooth fungus group as they grow tooth-like icicle spikes rather than the typical cap and stem mushroom shape.
Fresh lion’s mane mushrooms may appear white, yellow or brown. As they age, the tendrils turn yellow then brown. Dried lion’s mane used for supplements and extracts tends to be brown or off-white in color.
These mushrooms grow on hardwoods and forested areas across North America, Europe and Asia. They earned the name lion’s mane thanks to their wild, hair-like tendrils resembling a lion’s mane.
Where to Find Lion's Mane Mushrooms
If seeking wild lion’s mane mushrooms, use a local mushroom hunting guide to properly identify them. Make absolutely certain of their identity before consuming as some toxic lookalikes exist.
Lion’s mane mushrooms grow most abundantly on dead or dying hardwood trees and logs, especially maple, beech, oak, walnut, alder and sycamore trees. Look for them in forested areas in late summer through late fall.
Beyond mushroom foraging, you can also locate lion’s mane mushrooms in select grocery stores, Asian food markets, health food stores and online:
- Purchase fresh lion's mane mushrooms when available to use as ingredients
- Buy dried lion's mane mushrooms to add to soups, teas, and extracts
- Purchase lion's mane supplements and extracts
- Order lion’s mane mushroom grow kits to cultivate at home
Benefits and Uses for Lion's Mane Mushrooms
Both the mushroom's fruiting body and the mycelium (root-like fibers) contain bioactive compounds linked to a range of health perks. Some key benefits associated with lion’s mane mushrooms include:
- Supports cognitive function and memory
- Protects against neurological decline
- Boosts nerve growth factor (NGF)
- Alleviates mild symptoms of depression and anxiety
- Offers antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities
- May support digestive and heart health
- Possesses immunomodulatory and antibacterial properties
People use lion’s mane mushrooms in four key ways to gain these advantages:
- Consuming them as an edible mushroom
- Using medicinal extracts and supplements
- Drinking them as teas
- Growing and using them fresh
Keep reading to learn more about how lion’s mane is used both culinarily and therapeutically today.
Eating Lion's Mane Mushrooms
A delicious way to benefit from lion’s mane mushrooms is to eat them! Both fresh and dried lion's mane work well as edible mushrooms.
They have a seafood-like flavor often described as a cross between crab or lobster meat and something like a mild mushroom. Their delicate flavor and tender texture make them suitable for many recipes.
Try sautéing fresh lion's mane mushrooms in butter or olive oil, then serve over pasta, rice, meat or fish dishes. You can also bake, grill, tempura fry or stuff lion’s mane caps as edible treats.
Incorporate dried lion's mane into soups, teas, broths, grains or veggie dishes. Or simply steep slices in hot water like tea to extract the healthful compounds before enjoying the mild tasting mushroom pieces.
The Many Lion’s Mane Supplement Options
Beyond eating them whole as ingredients, lion’s mane mushroom compounds are also increasingly used in supplements touting brain, nervous system, digestive and heart benefits:
- Powdered capsules
- Liquid extract tinctures
- Gummies
- Powder mixes
Look for pure lion’s mane mushroom in these supplements without unnecessary fillers or additives. Pair supplements with a diet incorporating whole food sources of lion’s mane as well for optimal effects.
Brewing Lion’s Mane Mushroom Tea
Steeping dried or powdered lion’s mane mushroom like tea is an easy therapeutic use. Simply add hot water to dried pieces or a teaspoon of powder and allow to steep 15+ minutes.
Sweeten if desired with a natural sugar substitute. Chai spices like ginger, cinnamon and clove also complement it beautifully. Sip your nourishing medicinal lion’s mane mushroom tea daily.
Growing Your Own Lion’s Mane
Another way to easily access fresh lion’s mane mushroom is by growing your own right at home! Purchase a grow kit online with everything you need to cultivate lion's mane in your kitchen or yard.
Kits come with lion’s mane mycelium already growing on a substrate log, block or bag. Following the provided instructions, your mushrooms will fruit abundantly so you have a consistent harvest.
Research on Lion’s Mane Mushroom Benefits
Early laboratory research and small human studies show promising health effects from lion’s mane mushrooms. However, larger scale human clinical trials are still needed to confirm many proposed benefits.
Here’s an overview of some of the key research to date on this unique medicinal mushroom species:
Supports Brain Function and Nerve Health
Two unique groups of compounds found in lion’s mane mushrooms — hericenones and erinacines — stimulate the synthesis of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in the brain and body.
NGF is a protein crucial for the growth, maintenance, proliferation and survival of neurons. Increased NGF synthesis may explain many of lion’s mane’s neuroprotective effects.
Rodent studies reveal improved memory and cognitive function with lion’s mane supplementation. Early small-scale human studies show faster mental processing, improved memory scores, and reduced depression and anxiety symptoms.
Lion’s mane consumption also appears protective against Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and oxidative damage from stroke in animal model studies.
Relieves Inflammation and Oxidative Stress
Chronic inflammation and oxidative damage drive numerous age-related health issues from heart disease to arthritis. Lion’s mane extract demonstrates potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in cells.
Lab analysis confirmed lion’s mane mushroom contains bioactive polysaccharides and other beneficial compounds that suppress inflammatory chemicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.
This antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity helps explain its neuroprotective effects and likely other systemic health benefits as well.
Supports Immune Function
Preclinical studies reveal immunoprotective effects from lion’s mane mushroom. Extracts enhance maturation of immune cells and circulation of protective white blood cells.
Lion’s mane also stimulated increased production of immune-regulating cytokines in lab tests. More research is underway, but current evidence suggests it may help support immune response.
Anticancer Potential
Early cell and animal model research demonstrates anti-tumor effects of lion’s mane mushroom extracts against certain cancer lines. It appears to suppress genes involved in cancer cell proliferation, induce cancer cell death, and prevent
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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