Lion's Mane Benefits

Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) provides a number of health benefits not found anywhere else. Ranging from supporting the brain and nervous system, to guy health and full body immunity, Lion's Mane is a mushroom that has earned its spot in being the active shroom in mushroom teas and mushroom coffees found online. Lion's Mane may go by other names, in Chinese it is "Hou Tou Gu", which means "Monkey Head Mushroom". In Japanese it is called "Yamabushidake" this translates to "Mountain Priest Mushroom." Wild Mushroom hunters in the west refer to Lion's Mane as Pom Pom Mushroom, Bearded Tooth Mushroom, Bear's Head or Hedgehog mushroom.

History of Usage of Lion's Mane

Traditional Chinese medicine has been using Lion's Mane for centuries in soups for its numerous benefits, including supporting digestion and the nerves. A major breakthrough occurred in 2008 when Koichiro Mori and his team published their findings of Lion's Mane stimulating Nerve Growth Factor. These findings produced remarkable results: both compounds successfully triggered the growth of new brain cells, or neurogenesis. Promising research findings caused the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation to give Lion's Mane some attention, igniting interest and incorporation in the western world, leading to where we are today.

Health Benefits of Lion's Mane Mushroom

1. Improves Cognitive Function: Recent research suggests that incorporating Lions' Mane mushrooms into your diet may result in improved memory retention. Learning aptitude and concentration levels due to their positive effect on cognitive functioning. This mushrooms capability to promote neurogenesis is another factor which further contributes towards brain health and enhances cognition overall(2).

2. Supports Nerve Growth and Repair: The benefits of Lion's Mane are noteworthy as it supports the growth of nerve cells. This is particularly useful for individuals suffering from peripheral neuropathy and nerve damage who may prefer to use natural remedies for regeneration and repair(3).

3. Boosts Immune System: Lion's Mane mushrooms have been found to contain substantial amounts of potent antioxidants as well as polysaccharides that train the immune system. These properties offer support in fortifying ones immune system whilst also suppressing inflammation and oxidative stress. Recognized contributors for chronic conditions(4).

4. Reduces Anxiety and Depression: Potential anti anxiety and antidepressant effects of Lion's Mane exist. There exists research demonstrating that supplementing with this extract for just four weeks can lead to decreased symptoms aligned with both anxiety and depression(5).

5. Supports Digestive Health: In ancient healing practices, Lion's Mane remains as a go-to remedy for combating various digestive disturbances like ulcers and gastritis. Contemporary investigations have established that this fungus may provide crucial support for safeguarding a person's gastrointestinal tract and cultivating favorable gut bacteria(6).

Lion's Mane and Multisystem Support

The physiological influence of Hericium erinaceus extends far beyond its reputation as a nootropic. Emerging evidence from biomedical research suggests this fungus exerts pleiotropic effects on various organ systems, including the brain, gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, liver, and kidneys. By acting on diverse cellular and molecular pathways—particularly those involving neurotrophic signaling, anti-inflammatory regulation, and oxidative stress reduction—Lion’s Mane may function as a systemic modulator of health. This section provides a foundational overview of these mechanisms, allowing for deeper exploration through dedicated organ-specific cluster articles.

Neuroprotection and Central Nervous System Regeneration

Lion’s Mane is perhaps best known for its impact on the central nervous system (CNS). It is unique among medicinal fungi for its capacity to stimulate the production of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), a neurotrophin critical for the survival, development, and function of neurons (Kawagishi et al., 1991).

NGF enhances synaptic plasticity and supports neurogenesis in key regions like the hippocampus, a structure essential for learning and memory. Hericenones (from the fruiting body) and erinacines (from the mycelium) are the two classes of compounds in Lion’s Mane that promote NGF synthesis both in vitro and in vivo (Mori et al., 2009).

In models of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, these compounds have been shown to reduce amyloid-β plaque accumulation, promote cholinergic neurotransmission, and restore mitochondrial function—contributing to improved cognitive outcomes (Zhang et al., 2021). Additionally, anti-inflammatory effects mediated through inhibition of microglial activation and cytokine suppression (e.g., TNF-α, IL-1β) offer further neuroprotective support (Kim et al., 2016).

Gut-Brain Axis and Gastrointestinal Integrity

The gastrointestinal system, often referred to as the "second brain" due to its dense enteric nervous network and hormone-producing capabilities, is both influenced by and influences brain function. The bidirectional communication between the gut and brain is largely mediated by the vagus nerve, cytokine signaling, and microbial metabolites.

Lion’s Mane contributes to gastrointestinal health in multiple ways. It has demonstrated regenerative effects on gastric and intestinal mucosa in models of chronic gastritis and ulceration, potentially via modulation of prostaglandin levels and mucosal cytokines (Liang et al., 2013). Polysaccharides in Lion’s Mane have shown prebiotic activity, promoting the growth of beneficial gut microbiota such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, while suppressing opportunistic pathogens (Li et al., 2019).

Moreover, because enteric glial cells and gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) communicate directly with the CNS, supporting gut integrity may indirectly reduce neuroinflammation and enhance mood, cognition, and stress resilience—a phenomenon referred to as the microbiota-gut-brain axis (Cryan et al., 2019).

Cardiovascular and Vascular Modulation

Although research on Lion’s Mane and cardiovascular health is still emerging, several studies have pointed toward modest but measurable effects on lipid metabolism, endothelial function, and inflammatory markers relevant to vascular health.

In animal models, Lion’s Mane extracts reduced serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides while increasing HDL-cholesterol. This lipid-modulatory effect has been linked to the suppression of hepatic HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis (Abdullah et al., 2020).

Additionally, Lion’s Mane polysaccharides possess antioxidant properties that protect endothelial cells from oxidative damage and apoptosis, helping to preserve vascular integrity. Enhanced nitric oxide (NO) production and reduced vascular adhesion molecule expression may contribute to improved vasodilation and reduced arterial stiffness (Zhao et al., 2020).

These findings indicate potential cardiovascular benefits that may complement conventional approaches to managing dyslipidemia and endothelial dysfunction.

Hepatoprotective Effects and Liver Enzyme Modulation

The liver plays a central role in detoxification, metabolic regulation, and immunological balance. Lion’s Mane has shown hepatoprotective effects in rodent models exposed to hepatotoxins such as carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and ethanol. The mushroom extract attenuated liver damage by reducing levels of ALT, AST, and malondialdehyde (MDA)—markers of liver injury and lipid peroxidation (Park et al., 2011).

Mechanistically, these effects are attributed to the upregulation of hepatic antioxidant enzymes including glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), along with reduced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-6 and TNF-α. Furthermore, polysaccharides from Lion’s Mane may downregulate fibrogenic factors like TGF-β, potentially mitigating the risk of hepatic fibrosis in chronic liver conditions (Zhang et al., 2020).

Kidney Function and Anti-Nephrotoxic Potential

The renal system, responsible for fluid-electrolyte balance and waste elimination, is vulnerable to both acute and chronic injury, particularly in the context of oxidative stress, glycation, and inflammation. Though research is limited compared to other organ systems, preliminary studies suggest Lion’s Mane may exert renoprotective effects.

In nephrotoxicity models, Lion’s Mane supplementation reduced serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), indicators of renal dysfunction (Yu et al., 2015). Histopathological assessments revealed preservation of glomerular and tubular structures, suggesting structural as well as functional protection.

The observed reduction in renal oxidative stress markers and pro-inflammatory cytokines further supports the role of Lion’s Mane as a nephroprotective agent, particularly in contexts of chemically induced or diabetes-associated kidney injury.

Explore Lions Mane benefits by Body Region 

These organ-specific insights into Lion’s Mane’s biological actions present a roadmap for future in-depth investigations. By understanding how Lion’s Mane influences multiple physiological systems, we gain a more holistic view of its potential as a health-supportive intervention.

Read more about how Lions Mane benefits different systems in the body

Brain

Gut

Heart

Liver

Kidneys

These pages will offer comprehensive discussions on how Lion’s Mane engages with each organ system, from molecular mechanisms to functional outcomes.

Recommended Doses

The recommended dose of Lion's Mane can vary depending on the form consumed and individual needs. The standard suggestion is 500-3,000 mg of Lion's Mane powder daily or equivalent, divided into two or three doses per day (7). Our Ultrasound Lion's Mane Extract contains 1887mg per 1ml serving. 

Incorporating Lion's Mane into Your Daily Routine

Lion's Mane can be consumed in various forms, including Fresh Lion's Mane, powders, and liquid extracts. If you are looking to experience the full health benefits of Lion's Mane, our ultrasound extract is an excellent option. Ultrasound extraction ensures that the beneficial compounds in Lion's Mane are preserved, providing you with the highest quality supplement.

If you're interested in enjoying Lion's Mane as a culinary experience, you can purchase our farm grown Fresh Lion's Mane Mushrooms and incorporate them into your favorite recipes. Lion's Mane has a delicate, savory flavor and can be prepared in endless ways, such as sautéed, roasted, or added to soups and stews and even be your new favorite vegan based meat replacement option!

A Glimpse Into Traditional Chinese Medicine

Throughout centuries of use Lion's Mane mushroom has become renowned for its ability to promote general health by assisting with various ailments.

Unfortunately, chronic illness is not new, still being practiced in ancient China Lion's Mane was put in high esteem because of its capacity to improve digestive functions, enriching both liver & stomach functionality. Providing insurance against potential damage this may prevent and heal issues such as gastritis ulcers & inflammation from said conditions. Apart from promoting better digestion faculties, the miracles that Lion's mane could potentially bring forth are quite numerous when looking at traditional origin practices. TCM believes that using this mushroom daily may boost your immunity tremendously. An individual's brain function could be ultimately enhanced, a definite plus considering cognitive decline can be associated with ageing. Those looking to bolster mental prowess may resort to trying Lions Mane out. To add some good news regarding the ageing process, this mushroom has been known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which could go a long way when it comes down to age related degeneration and neurological diseases. As we move forward into the modern day—research is continuously being conducted supporting the claims made by TCM practitioners in regards to Lion's Mane.

Through scientific meta analysis of academic studies, Lion's Mane Mushroom has been proven to enhance "neurotrophic properties" and provide neurological protection in its users. Preventative measures & treatments for typically overwhelming neurodegenerative diseases are currently being researched [8] Reports have shown that Lion's Mane can even combat cancerous developments, giving further evidence of its traditional use as a natural cancer treatment. [9]

While Lion's Mane is traditionally consumed as a whole food in TMC, modern extraction methods have made it more accessible and convenient. Today, Lion's Mane supplements and extracts are widely available, allowing people worldwide to experience the mushroom's remarkable health benefits.

A Comparison of Consumption Methods

1. Fresh Lion's Mane

Eating meals prepared with fresh Lion's Mane allows you to enjoy its natural flavor and texture. For some, it can be challenging to find fresh mushrooms, and the nutrients may not be as concentrated as in extracts. Additionally, fresh Lion's Mane has a shorter shelf life than most produce, making it less convenient for regular consumption.

2. Lion's Mane Powder Extracts

Lion's Mane powder extracts offer a convenient way to consume this mushroom regularly. The powdered form is easy to toss into smoothies, coffee, or other beverages. However, the drying process might destroy beneficial compounds found in Lion's Mane, resulting in a less potent product compared to other extraction methods. Our guide on how to make your own Lions Mane powder can be found here

3. Lion's Mane Dual Extracts

Dual extracts combine both water and alcohol extraction methods to capture a broader range of beneficial compounds from Lion's Mane. This method results in a more potent product than powder extracts, but it can still miss some of the mushroom's essential components or harm them with the alcohol content.

4. Ultrasound Extracts 

Our Patent Pending ultrasound extract is the most favorable method for consuming Lion's Mane. This innovative extraction process uses ultrasonic waves to break down the mushroom's cell walls, releasing all its beneficial compounds, without harming the target compounds. The result is a highly concentrated, bioavailable product that harnesses the full potential of Lion's Mane.

5. Dried Lion's Mane

Dried Lion's Mane can be reconstituted with broth and used as fresh or used to make brain broth! This is a great way to get everything lion's mane has to offer by pairing Dried Lion's Mane or Powdered Lions Mane with Lion's Mane Triple Extract.

Lion's Mane mushroom contains: 

1. Erinacines: These are potent neuroprotective compounds that promote nerve growth factor synthesis and support brain health 
2. Hericenones: These compounds have neuroregenerative properties and assist in cognitive function improvement 
3. Beta-glucans: These polysaccharides offer immune system support, providing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects 
4. Polysaccharide-peptides: These bioactive compounds contribute to the immunomodulatory and gut microbiota enhancement properties of Lion's Mane

References:
1. Mori K, et al. (2008). Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytotherapy Research.

2. Lai PL, et al. (2013). Neurotrophic properties of the Lion's mane medicinal mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Higher Basidiomycetes) from Malaysia. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms.

3. Zhang CC, et al. (2016). Neuroprotective effects of erinacine A on lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation.

4. Ren Z, et al. (2017). Polysaccharide of Hericium erinaceus attenuates colitis in C57BL/6 mice via regulation of oxidative stress, inflammation-related signaling pathways and modulating the composition of the gut microbiota. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry.

5. Nagano M, et al. (2010). Reduction of depression and anxiety by 4 weeks Hericium erinaceus intake. Biomedical Research.

6. Sheng X, et al. (2018). Immunomodulatory effects of Hericium erinaceus derived polysaccharides are mediated by intestinal immunology. Food & Function.

7. Dosage information from WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1531/lions-mane-mushroom

8. Lai, P. L., Naidu, M., Sabaratnam, V., Wong, K. H., David, R. P., Kuppusamy, U. R., ... & Malek, S. N. A. (2013). Neurotrophic properties of the Lion's mane medicinal mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Higher Basidiomycetes) from Malaysia. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 15(6), 539-554

9. Kim, S. P., Kang, M. Y., Choi, Y. H., Kim, J. H., Nam, S. H., & Friedman, M. (2011). Mechanism of Hericium erinaceus (Yamabushitake) mushroom-induced apoptosis of U937 human monocytic leukemia cells. Food & Function, 2(6), 348-356

10. Lai, P. L., Naidu, M., Sabaratnam, V., Wong, K. H., David, R. P., Kuppusamy, U. R., ... & Malek, S. N. (2013). Neurotrophic properties of the Lion's mane medicinal mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Higher Basidiomycetes) from Malaysia. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 15(6), 539-554 

11. Mori, K., Inatomi, S., Ouchi, K., Azumi, Y., & Tuchida, T. (2009). Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytotherapy Research, 23(3), 367-372. 

12. Nagano, M., Shimizu, K., Kondo, R., Hayashi, C., Sato, D., Kitagawa, K., & Ohnuki, K. (2010). Reduction of depression and anxiety by 4 weeks Hericium erinaceus intake. Biomedical Research, 31(4), 231-237. 

13. Ren, Z., He, C., Fan, Y., Si, H., Wang, Y., & Shi, Z. (2020). Immune-enhancing activities of low molecular weight β-glucan depolymerized by γ-irradiation. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 164, 3306-3313

14. Friedman, M. (2015). 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, 63(32), 7108-7123

15. Sheng, X., Yan, J., Meng, Y., Kang, Y., Han, Z., Tai, G., ... & Zhou, Y. (2017). Immunomodulatory effects of Hericium erinaceus derived polysaccharides are mediated by intestinal immunology. Food & Function, 8(3), 1020-1027.

• Abdullah, N., et al. (2020). Hypocholesterolemic effects of Hericium erinaceus in rats fed with high-fat diet. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 20(1), 179. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-020-02938-2

• Cryan, J. F., et al. (2019). The microbiota-gut-brain axis. Physiological Reviews, 99(4), 1877–2013. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00018.2018

• Kawagishi, H., et al. (1991). Hericenones and erinacines: Stimulators of nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis in Hericium erinaceus. Tetrahedron Letters, 32(35), 4561-4564. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4039(00)73559-7

• Kim, S. P., et al. (2016). Hericium erinaceus suppresses neuroinflammation and memory loss via inhibition of NF-κB. Nutrients, 8(6), 394. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu8060394

• Li, Y., et al. (2019). Prebiotic properties of Hericium erinaceus polysaccharides and their modulatory effects on gut microbiota. Food Chemistry, 289, 286–294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.03.066

• Liang, C., et al. (2013). Protective effects of Hericium erinaceus extract on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 147(1), 160–167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2013.03.016

• Mori, K., et al. (2009). Neuroprotective effects of Hericium erinaceus in mild cognitive impairment: A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytotherapy Research, 23(3), 367–372. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.2634

• Park, Y. K., et al. (2011). Antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of Hericium erinaceus extracts. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 13(4), 377–384. https://doi.org/10.1615/IntJMedMushr.v13.i4.60

• Yu, C. H., et al. (2015). Nephroprotective activity of Hericium erinaceus against cisplatin-induced renal toxicity in rats. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 10(5), 1835–1841. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2015.2750

• Zhang, Z., et al. (2020). Protective effect of Hericium erinaceus polysaccharides against CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 132, 110833. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110833

• Zhang, J., et al. (2021). Neuroregenerative potential of Hericium erinaceus in neurodegenerative diseases: Mechanistic insights. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 13, 667370. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2021.667370

• Zhao, C., et al. (2020). Cardiovascular protective activity of Hericium erinaceus via modulation of nitric oxide and inflammatory pathways. Journal of Functional Foods, 64, 103646. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2019.103646