With all the buzz surrounding it, you may be trying to figure out what lion’s mane mushrooms are and why everyone is so excited about them. People are claiming all sorts of health benefits from Lion’s mane mushrooms, and the market is exploding with lion’s mane mushroom supplements. Before you jump on the band wagon, take a few minutes to learn what lion’s mane mushrooms are and some of their health benefits.
Lion’s mane mushrooms (Hericium erinaceus) are edible mushrooms that grow most broadly in East Asian countries. This distinctive mushroom gets its name from its shaggy, white appearance. A series of white spines grows from the central stalk of the mushroom, giving it a hair-like, mane-like appearance. Its name literally translated from Latin means hedgehog because as a young mushroom before its spines grow long, it resembles a headless, white hedgehog.
For centuries, lion’s mane mushrooms have been used in traditional Chines medicines. Today, it has demonstrated a wide array of health benefits. These mushrooms are rich in vitamins and minerals, such as thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, potassium, and zinc. Some of its compounds are unique to this mushroom and give it unusual health benefits. More research needs to be done, but some of the benefits of lion’s mane mushrooms have been well documented.
Five common benefits of Lion’s mane mushrooms
- Fighting inflammation and free radicals
- Fighting dementia and other brain diseases
- Reducing anxiety and depression
- Managing diabetes
- Protects against ulcers in the digestive tract
How to consume
Fresh lion’s mane mushrooms have the greatest health benefits, according to some researchers. When it’s cooked, this variety of mushroom is delicate, tender, juicy, and meaty. Some people say it tastes like seafood or crabmeat. Here are a couple recipes that use this delicious mushroom. However, this mushroom can be difficult to locate and expensive to buy.
Instead, you may reap the benefits of lion’s mane mushrooms through one of the other forms you can find it.
- Tablets
- Capsules
- Powder
- Tinctures
Here is our list of the best lion’s mane supplements.
References:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38289992/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10675414/
https://www.realmushrooms.com/lions-mane-mushroom-lookalikes/