Top 10 Health Benefits of Lions Mane Mushroom

People over time have been taking advantage of the benefits of lions mane mushroom (Hericium Erinaceus). This specific mushroom is an edible and medicinal nootropic that belongs to the tooth fungus group. The species goes by a number of names such as the pom pom mushroom, Satyr’s Beard, Yamabushitake and bearded tooth mushroom.

The lion’s mane mushroom has been used as a general tonic and health treatment by the Chinese and was actually considered a valuable possession and could only be served to the emperors. It was often used in Chinese cooking as a meat replacement as it’s very rich in protein. Nowadays, it’s consumed by numerous other Asian countries such as Korea and India.

The mushroom is a popular nootropic in traditional Chinese culture. The extensive research done on this brain-boosting mushroom in the past several years has shown outstanding results. According to Paul Stamets, a renowned fungi expert, this might be the first ‘smart mushroom‘ boosting cognitive function, including attention, creativity, and memory. History has it that Buddhist monks have been using it to boost their concentration powers.

That being said, let us take a look at the

Top 10 Health Benefits of Lions Mane Mushroom:

Improved Cognitive Function from Lions Mane Mushrooms

The widely known benefit of this mushroom is its nootropic effects. Research on the plant has shown significant results in boosting cognitive function which includes enhanced memory and recall. It can help with staying focused and attentive, something that practically everyone should benefit from.1 By improving an individual’s ability to put more focus on study or work, the person will find themselves more productive within the workplace or school. Hericium Erinaceus is a natural supplement that goes a long way in boosting all-around brain function.

Lions Mane to Alleviate Anxiety and Depression

In this competitive world, most of us all subjected to stress, which has resulted in an increase in cases of anxiety and depression. More and more people have become victims of these disorders and there has been a demand for natural supplements that can help combat them.

Well, the lion’s mane mushroom has been seen to reduce anxiety, irritation and depression levels in individuals who take it compared to those who don’t. These benefits are primarily because of the mushroom’s action on stimulating nerve growth factor (NGF), a protein that encourages nerve health.

Bearded Tooth Anticancer Mushroom

Lion’s mane mushroom extracts have been seen to have anti-tumor effects against some forms of cancer such as colon cancer, gastric cancer, and liver cancer. Research shows that Hericuim Erinaceus extracts, when used in conjunction with some chemotherapy drugs can treat hepatocellular cancer or liver cancer which is usually resistant to treatment with just drugs.

Lions Mane Helps Repair Myelin Sheaths

Hericuim Erinaceus is a beneficial complementary medicine for CNS conditions, particularly where myelin sheaths located around injured nerves. This is more noticeable within an illness called multiple sclerosis. The mushroom shows no toxicity when taken for this particular reason and has a beneficial effect on the growth of myelin, by accelerating its development.

Pom Pom Mushroom Prevents Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a condition whereby the arteries harden and become narrow. This is a result of high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, high cholesterol levels as well as smoking. This is a condition that can lead to numerous health issues such as myocardial infarction or heart attack, peripheral artery, stroke and many more. Hericuim Erinaceus lowers both high blood sugar and high cholesterol, which are the primary causes of atherosclerosis.

A Mushroom to Reduce Fatigue

Lion’s mane mushroom has shown significant results in reducing fatigue. The supplementation of this plant’s extracts boosts energy levels, which in turn reduces fatigue. It increases antioxidant enzyme and tissue glycogen content, which helps minimize fatigue. Serum urea nitrogen, malondialdehyde, and blood lactic acid levels are also reduced, which play a role in causing fatigue. This property has led to the use of the lion’s mane mushroom in sports nutrition.

Digestion Improves with Lions Mane Mushrooms

Hericuim Erinaceus contains a number of ingredients that promote digestion. The proper functioning of gastric mucus is vital in preventing the development of ulcers and ideally maintain healthy digestion. Compounds found in the mushroom such as polysaccharides help maintain a healthy gastric mucus barrier.

Yamabushitake May Protect The Liver

According to recent studies, Hericuim Erinaceus extracts may have the ability to protect the liver. They can reverse liver damage or hepatotoxicity often caused by toxicity or acute alcohol exposure. The consumption of these extracts has been proven to minimize the levels of alanine aminotransferase, maleic dialdehyde, and aspartate aminotransaminase, which are all markers of liver damage.

Eat Lions Mane to Improve Cholesterol

Consuming Hericuim Erinaceus can help fight high cholesterol levels. This was concluded from a study that showed a 45% reduction in bad cholesterol in animals and also a 31% increase in good cholesterol. As such, adding this mushroom in your diet can help maintain healthy cholesterol levels.

Pom Pom Mushroom Boosts The Immune System

The lion’s mane mushroom is rich in anti-oxidants, beta-glucoxylan, beta-glucan and polysaccharides, all of which help strengthen the immune system. All these components tend to manifest immune-modulating features, which help minimize long-term swelling that is related to arthritis.

Lions Mane is commonly found in mushroom supplement mixes that include cordyceps, reishi, and turkey tail, as well as other medicinal mushrooms.

As you can see, there are numerous lions mane mushroom health benefits.

But is there anything to be worried about? Well, there aren’t many noted side effects that come from Hericuim Erinaceus supplementation. Those that report side effects usually experience scratchy skin, which is explained by the boost in NGF. The mushroom has been tested in mice and no signs of poisoning have been indicated. As such, it is regarded as safe to use. Of course, before taking any supplement that can impact your health, you’ll want to check with your physician if you have existing conditions, are pregnant or nursing, or are on any other medications.

Overall, many people report feeling better and thinking more clearly with continued use of lions mane mushroom.  If you’ve been looking for something that can help your overall physical and mental health, or heal specific nerve conditions, you may want to try it!