Did you know that there’s a mushroom that looks a bit like a lion’s scruff?
The lion’s mane mushroom has been linked with amazing brain, anti-cancerous properties, and many other potential health benefits.
This nootropic food is already very popular in traditional Chinese medicine. Increasing research in the last couple of years is proving its astounding healing properties.
It’s praised for its anti-cancerous, antibiotic, anti-diabetic, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and beneficial for anxiety and depression.
What Kind of Mushroom Is this?
Lion’s mane or Hericium erinaceus is a mushroom that naturally grows in Europe, Asia, and America. It’s part of the tooth fungus group.
It’s a mushroom with long and dangling spines larger than a centimetre in length.
Unlike other mushrooms, with spines coming from a branch, the spines of this mushroom grow outwards and thus, give it a one-of-a-kind look that reminds of a lion’s mane.
Like other healing foods, this mushroom has long been known in Asia for being able to help with different body functions and conditions.
In Japan, it’s been used for centuries and it’s praised by Buddhist monks.
Below, learn more about some of the best benefits of lion’s mane mushroom.
The Best Health Benefits of Lion’s Mane Mushroom
Betters the brain function & it’s good for the nervous system
This mushroom influences the brain’s function by boosting the neurite outgrowth in the brain; found a research published in the Medicinal Mushrooms journal.
Neurite outgrowth refers to the growth of dendrites and axons from neurons. By boosting this growth, it may possibly help slow down or reverse the brain cell degeneration which is a characteristic of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
In another study done with animals and published in the Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, this mushroom was found to better the mice’s memory, both in those with and without Alzheimer’s.
Lion’s mane supplementation also helped avert Parkinson’s disease spread in a study published in the Translational Medicine journal.
May have anti-cancerous properties
Several studies have found this mushroom beneficial in keeping us safe from cancer, especially from lung, cervical, gastric, liver, colon, and breast cancer, as well as leukaemia.
What’s more, an interesting fact was that the consumption of lion’s mane of mice showed a reduction metastasis of the cancer cells to the lungs.
This is essential if we take into account that when cancer is in the IV stage, it means it has spreads to other organs.
Supports the cardiovascular health
Research has concluded that the extracts of this mushroom may help avert the rise of bad cholesterol and elevate the good cholesterol and decrease the triglycerides-early indicators of heart illness.
Moreover, it may be of aid in lowering the risk of blood clots and strokes, according to a study that was done in Tohoku University in Japan.
May better your digestion
Since it has anti-inflammatory power, lion’s mane mushroom may help you better the digestive health.
In several studies, it has been found beneficial in reducing the size of gastric ulcers or preventing them from developing.
Moreover, it significantly bettered the symptoms of two main inflammatory disorders of the digestive system, that is, IBS and gastritis.
Lowers inflammation
According to a study from 2015 done in Japan, this mushroom successfully lowered inflammation in fatty tissue.
This inflammation is a sign of metabolic syndrome or conditions that elevate a person’s risk of stroke, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Good for the mental health
When supplementing with this mushroom, you may experience better sleep and lower risk of mental health problems.
Namely, the polysaccharides which it contains were found beneficial in reducing fatigue.
And, they were also good in balancing the circadian rhythms of mice, which is highly beneficial for individuals of a higher risk of dementia.
And, it may lower our anxiousness and depression too.
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