Benefits of Lion's Mane Mushroom
When you hear a name like Lion’s mane, your first thought may be Mufasa, not mushrooms. While the king of the jungle is definitely top dog (or cat) of the animal kingdom, its fungi counterpart is an underfoot force to be reckoned with.
So, in the supplement world, what exactly is Lion’s mane? What can it do to benefit our health?
Let’s do some digging on this fierce fungus.
What is Lion’s Mane Mushroom?
Lion’s mane gets its luxurious name from its long, shaggy features that resemble the mane of a lion. Along with its regal title, Lion’s mane also has a pretty royal lineage. It’s part of the shiitake family which is known as the “king of the mushrooms.”
Along with some other fun names like hedgehog mushroom and Yamabushitake, Lion’s mane also goes by Hericium Erinaceus for those who especially love Latin.
This furry mushroom is usually found on dead broadleaf trees and can be used for both food and for health benefits such as promoting restful sleep.1 But what else can it do for us?
Benefits of Lion's Mane
Lion’s mane packs a lot of power under its furry frame and can provide an array of clinically studied health benefits.
Here’s a quick list to just name a few of them:
Mood Support
This mushroom is full of good vibes and may help you maintain a sense of calm while also remaining alert. One study on a small group of women showed that eating Lion’s mane for a month helped promote relaxation and tranquility while also providing nutritional support to cope with everyday stress and tension.2
As an adaptogen, Lion’s mane may also reduce occasional sad or anxious feelings and may support mental and emotional wellbeing and positive thinking for a positive attitude.3
Cognition
The hericenone and erinacine compounds that are found in lion’s mane may also contribute to brain and nerve cell health.4 A study on the mushroom showed that it may aid short term memory support, healthy cognitive function and memory recharge.5
It's also potentially associated with other brain-supporting benefits like promoting optimal neurological health, staying on track mentally and encouraging focus.6
Digestion
As far as some internal improvements such as enjoying meals and not suffering for it later, there may also be some benefits from this mushroom. Lion’s mane may be linked to digestive health. Not only could it support gastrointestinal health, but it's thought to support immunity due to the connection between the digestive system and immune system in the body.7
Skin
One of the skin health benefits that Lion’s mane may contribute to is cellular health. This has been tested on rats showing that the fungus could have some positive effects on skin health such as enhancing collagen production.8
Other Benefits
Additional benefits offered by Lion's mane mushroom may include easier weight management, protection against oxidative stress caused by free radicals and promoting genral comfort.9,10,11
This all-around mighty mushroom can be a great supplement in many forms and flavors for people all across the board.
How to Get the Benefits of Lion’s Mane?
Since Lion’s mane can be consumed raw, there are a lot of great ways to incorporate it in your daily routine. If you’re good with its texture and taste, you can eat it as is or cook it up into a meal. There are Lion's mane powders available to mix into smoothies, or it can also be dried and steeped into tea if you’re looking for a relaxing end to a long day.12
With so many ways for this mushroom to be prepared and consumed, it’s much easier to sneak this snack into your diet.
If you’re not a fan of the fuzzy texture or would rather not include it in your meal plan, there are also Lion’s mane capsules available that provide an array of clinically studied health benefits. This is a quick and simple method to really supplement your diet.
Regardless of how you take Lion’s mane mushroom, there’s a form that can fit into your daily routine so that you can enjoy the roaring health benefits and feel like the king (or queen!) of the jungle.
About Lindsey Toth, MS, RD
Lindsey is a nationally-recognized registered dietitian and nutritionist with a soft spot for pie. She empowers people to take charge of their health by finding the balance between the pleasure and nourishment in food. Her philosophy is that you should take care of your body because it’s the only permanent home you have. It’s what inspired her to pursue a career in nutrition.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Sources:
1. Neurological Activity of Lion’s Mane. Research Gate. See source
2. Reduction of Depression and Anxiety. PubMed. Read source
3. Effects. National Library of Medicine. Read source
4. Neurotrophic Properties Lion's Mane. PubMed. Read source
5. Effects of Yamabushitake. PubMed. Read source
6. Hericium Erinaceus. PubMed. Read source
7. Extracts from Hericium Erinaceus. National Library of Medicine. Read source
8. Potential Lion's Mane Mushroom. PubMed. Read source
9. The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Lion's Mane Mushroom. National Library of Medicine. Read source
10. Lion's Mane Medicinal Mushroom. PubMed. Read source
11. Edible Mushrooms. PubMed. Read source
12. 9 Health Benefits of Lion's Mane Mushroom. HealthLine. Read source
