Hericium erinaceus

Lion's Mane

Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is also known as the hedgehog mushroom, and once you see if you’ll know why! This edible mushroom is tasty albeit unusual in appearance, and it has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine for supporting the brain and neurological health.* Native to North America, Asia and Europe, this unique mushroom is commonly found during late summer into the autumn. It grows on hardwoods in the wild, particularly American beech trees. A mushroom goes through many stages during its life cycle, just like any plant or animal. Each part of a mushroom has unique attributes that support wellness and serve a different purpose for the organism, but it’s the fruiting bodies that receive the most attention and are the most familiar. Fruiting bodies emerge from the substrate on which they grow — such as trees or fallen logs — to become the part of the mushroom we recognize. They’re the above-ground part that we can see when we walk through the woods, and they’re also what have been traditionally foraged and consumed, in food and supplements.

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What is Lion's Mane Used For?

The fruiting bodies of this mushroom contain polysaccharides, specifically a type called beta-glucans, which have been studied to support immune health and overall wellness, as well as normal, healthy cell growth and turnover.* The fruiting body extracts we use contain these polysaccharides, without unnecessary fillers or starches. Lion’s Mane provides nourishment for the brain, crossing the blood-brain barrier to directly support brain cells.* It also supports production of nerve growth factor.*

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Traditional Health Benefits of Lion's Mane

Highlights

What is Lion's Mane Used For?

The fruiting bodies of this mushroom contain polysaccharides, specifically a type called beta-glucans, which have been studied to support immune health and overall wellness, as well as normal, healthy cell growth and turnover.* The fruiting body extracts we use contain these polysaccharides, without unnecessary fillers or starches. Lion’s Mane provides nourishment for the brain, crossing the blood-brain barrier to directly support brain cells.* It also supports production of nerve growth factor.*

View Important Precautions

Traditional Health Benefits of Lion's Mane

Active Constituents of Lion's Mane
Beta (1>3),(1>6)-glucans Hericenones; cyathanes
Parts Used
Fruiting bodies
Additional Resources
1. Friedman M. Chemistry, nutrition, and health-promoting properties of Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane) mushroom fruiting bodies and mycelia and their bioactive compounds. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 3015, 63(32), 7108-7123.2. He X, Wang X, Fang J, et al. Structures, biological activities, and industrial applications of the polysaccharides from Hericium erinaceus (Lion's Mane) mushroom: A review. Int J Biol Macromol. 2017 Apr;97:228-237.3. Mori K, Inatomi S, Ouchi K, Azumi Y, & Tuchida T. Phytother Res. 2009 Mar;23(3):367-72. 4. Nagano M, Shimizu K, Kondo R, et al. Biomed Res. 2010 Aug;31(4):231-7.
Important Precautions
Not for use during pregnancy or lactation. If you have a medical condition or take pharmaceutical drugs please consult your doctor prior to use.
Disclaimer
This information in our Herbal Reference Guide is intended only as a general reference for further exploration, and is not a replacement for professional health advice. This content does not provide dosage information, format recommendations, toxicity levels, or possible interactions with prescription drugs. Accordingly, this information should be used only under the direct supervision of a qualified health practitioner such as a naturopathic physician.