Lion’s Mane

Other Names:

Yamabushitake

What is lion’s mane?

Lion’s mane – given its name due to its resemblance to the King of the Jungle’s locks – is a mushroom that grows wild throughout North America, Europe and Asia, usually on decaying hardwood trees.

Used for centuries in Chinese medicine, it has been proven to offer a number of mind-affecting benefits such as boosting cognitive function and helping to enhance memory. It also has other medical benefits, such as improving digestion, strengthening the immune system and improving lipid profile.

Health Benefits:

Helps relieve mild symptoms of anxiety & depression

Recent studies have found that the mushroom has anti-inflammatory effects that can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Lion’s mane has also been shown to help regenerate brain cells and improve the part of the brain that is responsible for processing memories and emotional responses, called the hippocampus.

Could protect against dementia and improve brain function

As we age, the brains ability to grow and form new connections typically declines, however research shows that lion’s mane mushrooms contain two special compounds – hericenones and erinacines – that stimulate the growth of brain cells.

Studies of animals suggest  the mushroom extracts have been shown to reduce symptoms of memory loss in mice, whilst also preventing the neuronal damage caused by amyloid-beta plaques, which accumulate in the brain during Alzheimer’s disease.

Another study found that taking 3 grams of powdered lion’s mane daily for four months significantly improved the mental functioning in adults with mild cognitive impairment.

Protects against stomach ulcers

There are two major factors that usually cause stomach ulcers. These are the overgrowth of a bacteria called H. pylori and damage to the mucus layer of the stomach. Studies suggest that lion’s mane extract may protect against the development of stomach ulcers by inhibiting the growth of H. pylori and protecting the stomach lining.

The mushroom can also prevent tissue damage and prevent inflammation in other areas of the intestines. For example, they could help treat inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease.

History:

Lion’s mane is also known as ‘Yamabushitake’, named after the Yamabushi Buddhist monks in Japan. The definition is ‘those who sleep in the mountains’, which reflects the solitary nature of the mushroom as well as describing the practices of the monks.

Typical Uses:

We suggest taking 1 to 2 capsules or 0.5 to 2g of our Lions Mane (Hericium Erinaceus‎) High Strength daily, or as directed by a healthcare practitioner.

Sources:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26150007/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29091526/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24266378/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21383512/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18844328/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26853960/