Power mushroom Lion's Mane: What health benefits does the powerful mushroom offer?

Veröffentlicht am: October 15, 2024
Dr. med. Wolfgang  Bachmann
Dr. med. Wolfgang Bachmann

General practitioner

Have you ever heard of the mushroom that looks like a lion's mane? The lion's mane mushroom is not only associated with its effect on the brain, but also with dozens of other health-promoting properties.

In traditional Chinese medicine, the lion's mane mushroom is a popular nootropic food. In recent years, a great deal of research has focused on this mushroom, with astonishing results.

A study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry lists the benefits of the lion's mane mushroom. It has antibiotic, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-fatigue, anti-hypertensive, anti-cholesterol, anti-aging, heart-protective, liver-protective, kidney-protective and nerve-protective properties and relieves anxiety, cognitive disorders and depression.

If you're interested in trying this mushroom in your mushroom coffee, if you're looking for the best way to prepare it or if you just want to know what this strange-looking mushroom could be good for, you'll be impressed.

Contents

What is the lion's mane mushroom?

Hericium erinaceus, also known as lion's mane mushroom, hedgehog mushroom, yamabushitake or hedgehog spiny beard, is native to North America, Europe and Asia. It is characterized by long, dangling "spines" that are usually longer than one centimetre. Unlike most mushroom species, the spines of the Hericium erinaceus protrude outwards, giving it the unique appearance of a lion's mane.

These mushrooms grow on both living and dead deciduous trees and are often found in the late summer and fall months.

Research shows that lion's mane has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune-stimulating properties. The mushroom has been used as a medicinal mushroom for thousands of years, especially in traditional Chinese medicine.

In parts of Asia, it is known for its positive effect on various bodily functions and conditions. In Japan, the peculiar-looking mushroom has been revered by Buddhist monks for centuries, if not millennia, and is regarded as an almost mystical food source.

The Yamabushi, a Buddhist monk sect, wear a garment called "Suzukake", which consists of many long threads of fur. This garment is strikingly similar to the lion's mane mushroom and is probably the reason why the mushroom is known as yamabushitake in some areas.

According to some sources, it used to be reserved for kings only.

 

The effect of the lion's mane mushroom on health

1. lion's mane mushroom improves brain function and has a positive effect on the nervous system

Perhaps the best researched property of the Lion's Mane mushroom is its effect on brain cells and associated functions. This amazing mushroom could have a revolutionary impact on neurodegenerative diseases.

One way in which the mushroom affects brain function is by promoting "neurite outgrowth" in the brain and associated organs, according to research published in the International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. The term "neurite outgrowth" refers to the growth of axons and dendrites of neurons.

This is of great importance for brain research. By stimulating this growth, it may be possible to slow down or even reverse the degeneration of brain cells - the main feature of diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

A study conducted in Malaysia in 2012 showed that eating lion's mane can regenerate damaged cells following peripheral nerve injury - an injury that affects the delicate tissue between the brain and spinal cord.

When scientists study how certain drugs or treatments affect brain diseases, they often use the so-called PC12 cell line for testing. Extracts and various forms of lion's mane mushroom appear to have a major impact on PC12 cells, protecting them from damage and significantly delaying their cell death.

This finding could be of great importance for the prevention or treatment of brain diseases.

In animal studies published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the mushroom stimulated cognitive function and helped improve memory in mice with and without Alzheimer's disease. Several studies found an inverse correlation between the mushroom and the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, meaning that the mice's symptoms improved after consuming the mushroom extract.

In a study published in the journal Phytotherapy Research, people also showed an improvement in mild cognitive impairment after taking Lion's Mane over a period of 8 to 16 weeks.

The risk of ischemic damage (damage caused by a lack of blood flow) to neurons is also relevant when it comes to brain damage and disease. Laboratory tests in Taiwan have shown that the lion's mane mushroom helps to prevent this type of damage.

An animal study published in the Journal of Translational Medicine also found that taking lion's mane mushroom supplements may have a protective effect against the spread of Parkinson's disease, another neurodegenerative disorder.

Even if this research is still in its infancy and in most cases has not yet led to large-scale studies on humans, the lasting effect of lion's mane mushroom on brain cells should not go unnoticed.

 

2. lion's mane mushroom can help protect against cancer

A number of research results indicate that lion's mane may also be of importance in cancer therapy. It has been found to varying degrees that active ingredients from the lion's mane mushroom or supplementation with this mushroom can slow down cancer growth or reverse the spread of cancer:

  • Leukemia
  • Stomach cancer
  • Lung cancer
  • Cervical cancer
  • Liver cancer
  • Colon cancer
  • Breast cancer

In relation to leukemia, a Korean study has shown that Lion's Mane significantly reduces the number of leukemia cells. Another Korean study, conducted by the Department of Molecular Science and Technology at Ajou University, has shown that the lion's mane mushroom has "therapeutic potential against human leukemia" thanks to its phytochemicals.

In relation to gastric cancer, a study published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules showed that Lion's Mane causes cell death and cell cycle arrest in gastric cancer. The researchers conclude that "the study provides in vitro evidence that HEG-5 is a potential candidate for the treatment of gastric cancer".

Both cell and animal studies published in the Journal of Natural Products and the Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences demonstrate the ability of Lion's Mane mushroom to help treat lung cancer. In vitro and animal studies published in the Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology and the Journal of Ethnopharmacology show that Lion's Mane also has an anti-cancer effect on colon, breast and other cancers.

Some studies even suggest that Lion's Mane supplements could be used to treat cancer, although large-scale long-term studies have not yet been conducted to prove this possibility.

Another interesting detection concerns metastasis (spread of cancer) from the colon to the lungs. If a cancer spreads to more than the original organ in which it was discovered, the patient is classified as having stage IV cancer.

In a Korean study on rats, the animals were given either hot water with lion's mane extract or ethanol extracts of the lion's mane mushroom heated in the microwave. The consumption of lion's mane extract inhibited the metastasis of cancer cells in the lungs of the rats examined by 66% and 69% respectively.

 

3. lion's mane mushroom supports the health of the cardiovascular system

The lion's mane mushroom can also help prevent heart disease. In vitro and animal studies have shown that lion's mane extracts can prevent the rise in LDL cholesterol (the so-called "bad" cholesterol), increase HDL cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol) and lower triglycerides in the blood, which are an early indicator of heart disease.

An extract from the lion's mane mushroom can prevent blood clots and reduce the risk of stroke. This is the result of a study on rabbit blood platelets carried out by the Department of Cellular Signaling, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Tohoku University in Japan.

 

4. lion's mane mushroom can improve the health of the digestive tract

Due to its strong anti-inflammatory properties, the mushroom can improve the function of the stomach and digestive system.

Several studies have shown that the lion's mane mushroom protects against stomach ulcers or reduces their size. In a study on rats conducted by the Center for Mushroom Research at the University of Malaya in Malaysia, the researchers came to the conclusion that the bioactive compounds in Lion's Mane extract could be responsible for the gastroprotective effect in rats.

Studies on mice in China, published in the International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, confirm this: "The results indicate that the polysaccharide fraction is the active component of the H. erinaceus mycelium culture that protects against gastric ulcers.

Lion's Mane can also significantly alleviate the symptoms of two major inflammatory diseases of the digestive tract, gastritis and inflammatory bowel disease, as laboratory studies and research on mice have shown.

 

5. lion's mane mushroom reduces inflammation

A Japanese study from 2015 showed that the lion's mane mushroom can reduce inflammation in fatty tissue. This is important because inflammation in adipose tissue is a factor in the development of metabolic syndrome, a group of diseases that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Lion's Mane also has an antibacterial effect against the bacterium H. pylori, which is often referred to as "the most successful pathogen in human history". Many people have no symptoms if they carry this bacterium, but for some it can lead to severe stomach problems such as stomach and/or intestinal ulcers.

 

6. lion's mane mushroom acts as a powerful antioxidant

The molecules in the lion's mane mushroom have antioxidant properties and help reduce and prevent oxidative stress caused by poor diet and exposure to chemicals in the environment.

These antioxidants can be useful for wound healing, among other things. A study by the University of Malaya has shown that a liquid extract of lion's mane significantly accelerates wound healing in rats compared to natural healing.

These antioxidants can also:

  • Prevent osteoporosis
  • protect against alcohol-induced liver damage
  • slow down skin ageing

 

7. lion's mane mushroom improves mental health

Supplementing with Lion's Mane can also contribute to a better general state of health by improving sleep and alleviating the effects of psychological problems.

The effective polysaccharides from lion's mane have been shown to combat fatigue in experiments with mice. They are also said to be able to normalize the biorhythm, as was the case with mice in a study conducted by the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at Kyushu University's Faculty of Agriculture.

Eating the lion's mane mushroom can also be a natural remedy for treating depression and anxiety.

In one study, 30 women were given either a placebo or lion's mane mushrooms for four weeks. The researchers concluded: "Our results show that ingestion of H. erinaceus can alleviate depression and anxiety, and these results suggest a mechanism other than the NGF-enhancing effect of H. erinaceus". This appears to be partly related to the inflammatory factor associated with depression.

 

8. lion's mane mushroom improves immune function

Lion's Mane improves the function of the immune system, which is also related to the polysaccharide content of the mushroom.

 

9. lion's mane mushroom can help in the treatment of diabetes

An animal study from 2013 showed a significant improvement in blood sugar levels, insulin sensitivity and various other diabetes symptoms when the animals were given an extract of lion's mane mushroom.

Administration to animals also appears to alleviate the pain caused by diabetic neuropathy, which is probably due to the antioxidant effect of the lion's mane mushroom. 

 

Nutrients of the lion's mane mushroom

Research has shown that lion's mane is a source of at least 32 bioactive compounds. Although it is difficult to determine the exact vitamin and mineral content of lion's mane, it is believed to be an excellent source of potassium, zinc, iron and selenium.

One reason why the lion's mane has been researched for a variety of purposes is the polysaccharides it contains. Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrate structures, such as glucose.

Lion's Mane contains beta-glucan polysaccharides, which are scientifically known to be associated with various health benefits such as heart health and immune response.

 

Lion's Mane vs. Reishi


Both lion's mane and reishi are mushrooms used in traditional Chinese medicine for medicinal and therapeutic purposes. They have many similar health-promoting properties, including the ability to strengthen the immune system and fight oxidative stress.

Lion's Mane is often used in traditional Chinese medicine to maintain Qi, the vital energy of humans, and to alleviate problems of the central nervous system. It is recommended for patients with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, depression, anxiety, insomnia and cognitive disorders.

The reishi mushroom is known for its amazing healing powers. Similar to the lion's mane, it has a strong anti-inflammatory effect and strengthens the immune system.

It is also used to promote mental clarity and help the body cope with the negative effects of stress, which is why it is also known as an adaptogenic remedy. Reishi mushrooms also contain polysaccharides, such as lion's mane, which give them their potential anti-cancer properties.

 

Use of the lion's mane mushroom

The lion's cap mushroom has been used as a food and medicinal plant in several Asian countries for centuries. In the last 10 years, this medicinal mushroom has attracted a lot of attention for its potential therapeutic properties in neurodegenerative diseases.

In the East, mushrooms have been revered for many centuries and are referred to as "spirit plants" that are said to confer longevity and spiritual strength. According to a study published in the Journal of Restorative Medicine, lion's mane is traditionally used in Chinese and Japanese medicine to nourish the gut, strengthen the spleen and fight cancer.

In traditional medicine, it is considered nourishing for our five internal organs - lungs, heart, spleen, kidneys and liver - and is used to promote good digestion, strength and general vitality.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lion's Mane Mushroom is also used to improve the symptoms of Qi deficiency ("lack of vital energy") and is often taken for central nervous system problems, insomnia and weakness.

 

 


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