Lion’s is the first word you’ll hear when exploring adaptogens and mushrooms: Mane. Mane is a highly-rated functional mushroom known for its remarkable effects on cognition. It stands out with its white, short cascading “hair,” which resembles that of a lion. Easy to remember: Your Brain’s lions mane powder rhymes! Enjoy Lion’s Mane in all its delicious glory by mixing erbology lion’s mane powder into stews, soups or hot water dishes or add half a teaspoon into coffee/tea/hot chocolate beverages every day (ideally at least twice). However, note: discontinue usage after 6-8 weeks has passed!
Fast and Dirty: This practical mushroom aids concentration, cognition and imagination. Its flavor is earthy yet light; however, it cannot be classified as a culinary umami mushroom. Plus, its effects are focused without the use of caffeine.
This mushroom has been used for centuries in Native American Traditions and Traditional Chinese Medicine. It also makes an exquisite food and folklore remedy. Native Americans used it topically to stop bleeding while Chinese medics frequently used it to treat digestive issues. Nowadays, you can find this mushroom being featured in Michelin-starred restaurants due to its similar texture and taste to seafoods like lobster.
Lion’s Mane benefits are limited to between 3,000-5,000 mg daily. However, certain compounds like Vitamin C may help with absorption of these essential amines; therefore, I suggest pairing it with foods rich in Vitamin C like citrus, herbs or fruits. While there’s no set time to take Lion’s Mane, there are certain occasions when it’s most effective: as an addition to coffee (Lion’s Mane anyone?) or when midday slumps begin to set in.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom Could Dementia Prevention Strategies Beneficial?
As we age, the brain’s capacity to form new connections and develop is diminished. This could explain why so many people suffering from dementia experience impaired mental functioning. Researchers are investigating two components found in lion’s mane mushrooms that might help promote brain cell growth. They are commonly known as hericenones and erinacines. Animal studies have also suggested that Lion’s Mane hair could potentially aid in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease, a chronic brain disorder which may cause memory loss. Lion’s mane mushrooms and extracts from them have been scientifically proven to reduce memory loss symptoms in mice. Furthermore, these mushrooms protect neurons against amyloid beta plaques (which build up in the brain during Alzheimer’s disease) through a study on older individuals with mild cognitive impairments. Three grams of powdered Lion’s Manae mushroom powder was shown to significantly improve mental performance over four months for these patients.
Can accelerate recovery from nerve system injuries Lion’s Mane Mushroom
The nervous system consists of the spine cord and other nerves found throughout the body. They work together to send and transmit signals that control nearly every bodily activity. If these organs are injured, irreparable harm can ensue with motor and cognitive functions lost for an extended period. Studies have demonstrated that extracts of lion’s mane mushrooms can expedite recovery from injuries by stimulating nerve cell growth and repair, potentially decreasing stroke-related brain injury risk.
Guards Against Ulcers in the Digestive Tract
Traditional herbal uses of the hair of a lion include digestive (GI) aiding and wound repair. Legend has it that lion’s mane can repair and safeguard tissue within the gastrointestinal tract, particularly around ulcers in the stomach. Ulcers can occur anywhere along the digestive tract, such as in the stomach, small and large intestines, as well as in the colon. Two major causes of stomach ulcers: H. pylori overgrowth and damage to the mucous layer of the stomach. H. Pylori infection is typically caused by long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). Lion’s Mane extract helps prevent H. Pylori development by protecting the stomach lining with its extract. Lion’s Mane extract can reduce inflammation and shield tissues in other areas of the intestine from damage. It has potential uses for treating Crohn’s disease as well as ulcerative colitis; in fact, a study on patients suffering from ulcerative colitis revealed that taking 14% lion’s mane extract as a supplement to mushrooms significantly improved symptoms and their quality of life over a three week period.
Reduce Inflammation and Oxidative Stress
Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are believed to be at the root cause of many modern-day illnesses like cancer and heart disease. Studies have demonstrated that lion’s mane mushrooms contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances which may help lessen these illnesses’ severity. A study that evaluated the antioxidant capacities of 14 species of mushrooms revealed that lion’s mane mushrooms had the fourth highest capacity for antioxidants. It was suggested as an excellent source of these beneficial compounds. Lion’s Mane mushrooms may reduce inflammation in fat tissue, potentially helping to combat obesity-related health risks. While more research is necessary to confirm these benefits for humans, preliminary evidence from animal and laboratory experiments suggests some promising results.
Furthermore, it strengthens the Lion’s Mane Mushroom Immune System
Strong immune systems protect the body from viruses and bacteria, while weak ones may lead to more serious illnesses. Studies on animals have demonstrated that Lion’s Mane mushroom can strengthen the immune system due to its increase in function of the intestinal immune system which protects against pathogen entry through mouth or nose. These beneficial effects may arise due to changes caused by gut bacteria; one study revealed mice given salmonella in their blood nearly tripled their life expectancies when given extracts of lion’s-mane daily.
Lion’s Mane mushroom provide an impressive 22g of protein per 100g dried mushroom, as well as essential amino acids. With such a high nutritional value and similar amino acid composition to egg protein, Lion’s Mane makes for an ideal vegan or vegetarian protein source that limits animal proteins.
Safety and Side Effects on the Side
Although no human studies have been conducted to examine the potential adverse effects of Lion’s Mane mushroom or their extracts, these mushrooms appear to be generally safe.
Due to its mushroom nature, those with allergies or sensitive should avoid lion’s mane mushroom. Some individuals have reported skin rashes and breathing difficulties after exposure to these mushrooms; this is likely due to either inadequate preparation or allergies.
Dosage and Administration Lion’s Mane Mushroom
Lion’s Mane is widely used in Asian countries as both food and medicinal ingredients. Unfortunately, lack of studies have made it impossible to accurately calculate the dosage for various benefits; thus pregnant women should avoid applying products containing lion’s hair since there is insufficient evidence on whether this dosage is safe during pregnancy.
