Lion's Mane: Uses, Benefits, Side-effects, And More

The lion's mane mushroom (Hieracium Erinaceus), which often grows on the trunks of broadleaf trees like beech and oak, may have caught your eye. In woodlands all over Europe, Asia, and North America, lion's mane mushrooms can be found. Since ancient times, the lion's Mane has been used for numerous medical benefits. It's a huge, white, shaggy mushroom resembling a full-grown lion's Mane. People are adding it to soups, taking tinctures of it, brewing tea with it, and ingesting capsules to benefit from its numerous potential health advantages. A few Benefits of Lion's Mane include supporting mental clarity, focus, and memory function. In today's blog, learn more about the lion's mane mushroom benefits, including its applications, advantages, negative effects, and more.

What Is A Lion's Mane?

In Asia and Europe, lion's mane mushrooms have been used medicinally and culinarily. According to a 2017 study published in the Journal of Restorative Medicine, the usage of medicinal mushrooms dates back to 450 BCE when Greek physician Hippocrates recognized the potential anti-inflammatory properties of fungi and their role in wound cauterization. On aged or dead broadleaf tree trunks, lion's mane sprouts. Seasonally losing their leaves, broadleaf trees disperse their seeds using an object like fruit. The external fruiting body (the mushroom) and the mycelium, the base structure that mimics roots, make up the lion's Mane. The fruiting body and the mycelium, which resembles a root, contain substances that may benefit health.

What Is The Lion's Mane Used For?

Some uses of the lion's mane mushroom are,

• Numerous substances found in lion's Mane, including antioxidants, anti-inflammatory drugs, and nerve growth hormones, may have advantageous effects on the body.
• The polysaccharides, erinacines, hericerins, steroids, alkaloids, and lactones found in Lion's Mane are among their active constituents. These components support the growth and regeneration of nerve cells while defending the body against inflammation and free radical damage.
• Lion's Mane, in particular, has been associated with promoting the production of the nerve growth factor (NGF) protein. Neuron conductivity and brain health depend on nerve growth factors.
• The lion's Mane also supports the heart and immune systems. "While many of the bioactive substances work together to produce the possible benefits, polysaccharides may be the helpful components in boosting immunological and cardiovascular health.

Also Read: How To Increase Immunity In Child Naturally?

What Are The Benefits of Lion's Mane?

Do you want to know the benefits of lion's mane mushrooms? The lion's mane mushroom has many possible advantages for physical, mental, and cognitive health. Some of them are:

1. Enhances Brain Health

One of the essential benefits of Lion's Mane is improving brain health and promoting overall cognitive well-being. Due to how lion's Mane affects nerve growth factor levels, it may be able to help prevent diseases like Alzheimer's that cause cognitive impairment. As a form of nootropic, Lion's Mane includes substances that enhance the health and functionality of the brain. Some studies have indicated improvement in some memory and cognitive function tests.

For instance, placebo-controlled research published in Phytotherapy Research suggests that a lion's Mane may be useful in reducing the signs of moderate cognitive impairment. For 16 weeks, adults between 50 and 80 consumed four 250-milligram powdered lion's mane pills thrice daily. Participants who took Lion's Mane performed better on cognitive function tests than those who took a placebo, and their cognitive performance got better the longer they took the supplement. 

Also Read: What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy And How Does It Work?

2. Boosts Recovery From Brain Injury

A paper published in 2021 in the journal Antioxidants describes some encouraging findings on lion's Mane for those who have suffered traumatic brain injury or TBI. The research discovered that Coriolus versicolor, a different kind of fungus often known as turkey tail, and the lion's mane mushroom both had neuroprotective properties against the inflammation and oxidative stress frequently connected to traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI can result in neurodegeneration, or the gradual destruction of nerve cells, which can cause other illnesses, including Parkinson's disease. Lion's mane therapy may lessen the effects of brain injury and TBI side effects, including Parkinson's disease.

Also Read: What Qualifies as Brain Injury?

3. Reduces Stress and Anxiety

According to Best, lion's Mane may reduce stress, and a 2010 study published in Biomedical Research offers some proof in favor of this claim. The results of the study, which looks at the impact of lion's Mane on brain function, show that those who had cookies for four weeks that contained 0.5 grams of powdered lion's Mane (particularly the mushroom or fruiting body) felt less anxiety than people who consumed placebo cookies. According to the study's authors, the lion's mane mushroom's anti-anxiety properties may be influenced by its effect on nerve growth.

4. Possibly Promotes Digestive Health

Researchers have found that lion's Mane may stop the growth of H. pylori, a bacteria that can harm the gut lining, in test tube samples and mice. Scientists must do human studies before they can fully comprehend how lion's mane mushrooms affect our digestive systems.  Mice afflicted with H. pylori that received lion's mane extract had lower amounts of the bacteria in their stomachs than mice who weren't given lion's Mane, according to a 2019 study published in the International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. 

Also Read: Best Supplements For Gut Health

5. Helps control diabetes

To effectively manage diabetes, blood sugar levels must be under control. In one study, mice with diabetes that received lion's mane mushroom extract for four weeks had decreased blood sugar levels. Nerve damage from protracted high blood sugar levels is one of the complications of diabetes. Positive outcomes from a 2015 study on rats who consumed lion's mane extract for 6 weeks included lower blood sugar levels, less nerve pain sensations, and enhanced antioxidant activity. Thus, the benefit of lion's mane includes managing and controlling diabetes. 

6. Cancer treatment

Lion's mane mushrooms have antioxidants that could help treat or prevent cancer. An in vitro study's findings suggest that lion's mane extracts have the potential to treat human leukemia. According to a study employing animal models, these mushroom extracts may also be effective against gastric, colon, and liver cancer cells. Although these results are encouraging, it is impossible to confirm that the same outcomes will occur in people. 

7. Improves Heart Health

Keeping the heart healthy is one of the crucial benefits of lion's mane. Even though much of the study has involved animal participants, lion's mane extract may help heart health. The mushroom extracts may decrease cholesterol, according to research on rats.

Also Read: What do 'Cholesterol Levels' mean?

What Are The Benefits Of Lion's Mane and Chaga?

The benefits of lion's mane are mentioned above but so many people do not know about chaga. There are many and it has been used for many purposes.

1. Chaga also known as Inonotus obliquus, has anti-oxidant properties that prevent damage caused by free radicals. It leads to longevity. 

2. It improves the immune system 

3. It has anti-inflammatory properties which reduce inflammation in the body.

4. It increases and improves endurance which supports stamina.

5. You can include it in the skincare routine because it improves and nourishes the skin.

What Are Some Side Effects Of Lion's Mane?

Fresh lion's Mane generally poses minimal dangers. Lion's mane supplements, on the other hand, are often well accepted and considered safe when taken orally daily for up to 16 weeks at a dose of up to 750 milligrams (mg).  Consult your doctor before attempting Lion's Mane if you have a medical condition, a history of allergies or asthma, or other health issues. Although lion's Mane is typically well tolerated, the most frequent adverse reactions include gastrointestinal distress, nausea, and skin rashes.  If you notice any side effects, stop taking Lion's Mane until you consult a medical professional. According to a 2022 case study published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, signs of a potentially serious allergic reaction to lion's mane mushrooms included hives, swelling, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. 

Conclusion

Adding Lion's Mane into your wellness routine can lead to a brighter mental landscape, enhancing memory, focus, and overall cognitive vitality for a more enriching and fulfilling life. You can consume lion's mane mushrooms as food or take them as a supplement, powder, or liquid extract. Despite the lack of research on the health benefits of lion's Mane improvements in brain function and depressive symptoms appear promising.  The mushroom is a wonderful potassium source packed with vitamins and nutrients. The lion's mane mushroom supplement has few negative effects, but it's vital to consult your doctor to see if it's right for your particular health needs.

Also Read: Take The Best Reishi Mushroom Supplements To Improve Quality Of Life!