Lion’s mane mushroom has got this mighty name due to its majestic appearance. It is marked by the icicle-like long teeth, hanging from its central stalk. These teeth can stretch up to more than 5cm sometimes. Its fancy Latin name is Hericium erinaceus and it hails from the family Hericiaceae. 

The dangling spines of the lion’s mane mushroom are enough to frighten the forthcoming humanly disorders. Lion’s mane mushroom is celebrated zealously in the Traditional Chinese Medicine system (TCM), where it addresses five most vital internal organs (heart, liver, spleen, lungs & kidneys).

Lion’s mane is highly cheered in Asia countries but its seemingly endless medicinal benefits have penetrated Western borders too and now it’s utilized globally for its extraordinary taste and amazing health benefits.

Medicinal Benefits of Lion’s Mane

Lion’s mane mushroom has got various purported benefits and it can help support various disorders, including:

·  Parkinson’s Disease

·  Alzheimer’s Disease

·  Dyslipidemia

·  Anxiety

·  Depression

·  Inflammatory disorders (like rheumatoid arthritis)

·  Peptic ulcer

So far, lion’s mane isn’t cheered among scientists and very little research has been conducted on this undeniably amazing mushroom. Some meta-analyses, devoted to lion’s mane, have expressed quite a bunch of novel medicinal benefits.

Various preclinical, clinical, and test-tube studies proclaim a lion’s mane mushroom to have boosted the immune system, induce healthy digestion, shield against cancer, and support even neuronal disorders too. (1) Apart from its culinary perks, the lion’s mane has really got some serious medicinal benefits, making it a well-established candidate for nervous health.

mushroom coffee grateful earth lions mane

Novel Medicinal Benefits of Lion’s Mane

Lion’s Mane For Healthy Brain

Lion’s mane is happily cheered among older adults as it helps with mild cognitive impairment. And there are different studies that confirm this perk of lion’s mane. A recent clinical placebo-trial addressed the usage of either a placebo or a lion’s mane. The trial was continued for exactly 16 weeks and after 4 weeks, the group receiving lion’s mane showed improved cognitive movements. (2)

Another supplemental preclinical trial involved the medicinal effect of the lion’s mane on the brain of mice. The findings of the study propose that lion’s mane may be helpful in preventing dementia. Also, the lion’s mane enhances with memory and learning function, all the while preventing cognitive dysfunction. (3)

Lion’s mane mushroom is rich in erinacines which is quite fruitful in keeping in improving Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, ischemic strokes, and even depression. (4)

Lion’s Mane For The Immune System

Lion’s mane mushroom is fervently used in Japanese and Chinese culture for boosting the immune system. It enhances both innate and acquired immunity by improving the expression of lymphocytes, macrophages, and natural killer cells. (5)

Lion’s mane not only bolsters the immune system but also wards off the viruses during the season of coughs and sniffs.

Lion’s Mane For Depression And Anxiety

Depression is one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders, with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s following close behind in the race. In a preclinical trial, the lion’s mane reverses the levels of excitatory neurotransmitters like norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine.

Lion’s mane is clinically proven for moderate to severe depressive disorders by modulating the proinflammatory mediators. (6)

Lion’s Mane Protects Against Cancer And Reduces Tumor Size

Lion’s mane is able to freeze the picture of cell proliferation during cancer and can promisingly protect against its occurrence. A not-so-outdated meta-analysis, conducted in 2011 on mice addresses a reduction in the size of tumors upon the ingestion of the lion’s mane. Fine tumor regression in the colons of mice was reported, proving that the lion’s mane had played its cards well. (7)

Another study proclaims that the lion’s mane can be helpful in halting the spread of cancer from one organ to another by inhibiting its spread on the cellular level. (8) These results prove that the lion’s mane is a stellar anti-metastatic agent.

Side Effects Of Lion’s Mane Mushroom

Side effects are a big nuisance on this earth.

Lion’s mane poses some serious side effects if taken by an asthmatic patient. Lion’s mane can exacerbate the asthmatic attack as they increase the levels of leukotrienes in the body. The leukotrienes are responsible for bronchoconstriction and inflammation of airways.

So, the lion’s mane is a no-go zone for someone with asthma.

Warnings/Interactions

Pregnancy And Lactation:

There isn’t much evidence for the use of the lion’s mane during pregnancy and lactation. It is better to stay on the safe side and avoid its usage.

Lion’s Mane And Surgery:

Lion’s mane thins the blood as it slows the clotting time. Its consumption must be stopped at least a week or two before undergoing any sort of surgery.

Lion’s Mane And Hypoglycemia:

A diabetic patient must monitor his sugar levels time and again as the lion’s mane is quite good at excessively lowering the blood sugar levels.

Preparations Involving Lion’s Mane:

With lion’s mane comes an open field of creativity. Feel free to play around with the lion’s mane in your kitchen. The meaty taste gives us a mindfulness of ideas. Either sauté it or roast it, it can even be raw or steeped into teas to experience its seafood-like flavor.

Watch Out For

Let’s set out the rules to avoid the products that claim to have benefits that are not associated with lion’s mane. For instance, there isn’t much research data on humans regarding lion’s mane, better skip those products that claim to be clinically proven.

To market the lion’s mane product, some supplements claim to be good at preventing heart diseases and weight loss, which is obviously not true.

Learn the mantra of steering clear of the companies that shout for unsubstantiated claims to market their product. Conduct a good long search through the internet about the product you want, and then keenly make your next move.