Lion’s Mane is a type of mushroom growing on the bark of dead hardwood trees. They look quite like a lion’s mane and hence the name. They are also called Hericium erinaceus, mountain-peak mushrooms, and bearded tooth fungus. These mushrooms can be found on the trunks of Oak, Maple, Birch, etc.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom has quite a long history in East Asia. People in China, Japan, India, and Korea believed and used it to strengthen their immune system and for nerve development.
It was also believed that the mushroom protected nerves from any damage. The benefits did not stop only with these, however.
There was no evidence of all these health benefits in the early days. However, with the progress of scientific research, there are traces of health-promoting substances in these mushrooms.
The Health Benefits of Hericium erinaceus Extracts
There are multiple claimed health benefits of the Hericium erinaceus extracts, according to proponents. Some of the most significant ailments that the mushroom can help cure are:
- Anxiety and Depression
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- High Cholesterol issues
- Inflammation
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Ulcers
- Digestive problems
- Weak Immune System
- Cancer
While Lion’s Mane cannot cure Cancer, people believe it can help in toning down its severity. Also, most of these have little research done till today. So, talking of the findings, here are some of them.
Protection Against Dementia
As you grow old, your brain loses its active ability to form new connections. That is why different mental diseases start showing up.
Alzheimer’s disease is one of them. It is a degenerative brain disease. Loss of memory is the primary symptom of the disease. However, Dementia can be the effect of different other disorders as well.
What these mushrooms do to prevent Dementia is by stimulating the growth of brain cells with the help of two of its special compounds – Hericenones and Erinacines. These two compounds can reduce the symptoms of memory loss. They are also said to boost the cognitive functioning of humans.
Relief Against Anxiety/Depression
The reasons behind anxiety or depression are not one or two, but many. Mental health issues like anxiety and depression do not have major cure options in the medical world. And it is one of the most raging diseases that stay hidden in most developed and developing nations.
Sometimes, anxiety and depression get triggered due to chronic inflammation. Lion’s Mane mushrooms have an anti-inflammatory property in their extracts. Based on animal studies, it reduces inflammation and regenerates brain cells.
Besides, it also improves the functioning of the hippocampus (part of the brain responsible for emotional responses). That’s why these mushrooms are one of the indirect cures for depression.
Faster Healing Against Neural Injury
Neural injuries hamper the coordinated connection that works among your brain, spinal cord, and nerves. As a result, sometimes, you might feel disoriented if you have a neural injury. Such injuries are usually very fatal because they might disrupt the entire functioning of your Nervous System.
For example, injuring your brain or spinal cord can lead to paralysis. Usually, it might take months to heal if you are suffering from a neural injury. For severe cases, it even takes years of suffering from neural injuries.
However, recent research has found that the extracts from these popular mushrooms can fasten the healing process. What it does is just stimulate the nerve cells. That results in faster growth and repair of the cells. All of these are based on fruitful results achieved after researching and experimenting on animals.
The Conclusion
The benefits you read were all final words based on animal research. So far, Lion’s Hericium erinaceus Mane Mushroom and its extracts have never shown any negative effects. But, scientists speculate that these mushrooms might not be as beneficial for humans as they are for animals.
So, if you want to intake these mushrooms for their medicinal values, it’s always good to consult your physician first. There are also a number of brands that offer authentic supplements with the essential properties of the Hericium erinaceus mushroom.
You may consider exploring these supplements from any of the reputed brands as per your preference for easier consumption with your normal diet.