Lion’s Mane (Hericium Erinaceus)- History and Medicinal Benefits
A mature Lion’s Mane ready for harvest. Maturity is recognized by the length of the spines growing off the mushroom. The spines are where spores are ejected from.
Let’s get to the point, Lion’s Mane (Hericium Erinaceus) has taken over the internet. If there was a mushroom popularity contest in 2023, Lion’s Mane aka Old Man’s Beard, Pom Pom, Bear’s Head, Monkey’s Head, Satyr’s Beard, Yamabushi-take, would win by a long shot.
Because it carries the flavor of lobster, and touts an ~30g/100 gram protein content, chefs and vegans have taken preparing this mushroom for the dinner table to a new level.
Aside from being remarkably tasty, this mushroom has long been studied for the scientific benefits associated with its ingestion.
Studies in Japan, on humans, in the late 80’s and early 90’s revealed tremendous medicinal benefits when patients took regular doses of this mushroom in capsule form.
These benefits included:
1) Effective treatment of ulcers and tumors within the digestive tract
2) Anti-carcinogenic impact
3) Stimulation of nerve growth synthesis- improving memory and damage from neurological stressors like strokes
Recent research performed at the University of Queensland (2023) confirmed the pathway in which active compounds isolated from Lion’s Mane drive neurite outgrowth via the enlargement of growth cones (https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-02-mushrooms-magnify-memory-boosting-nerve.html)
This image was pulled from the article by the University of Queensland on 2/26/23 (https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-02-mushrooms-magnify-memory-boosting-nerve.html)
Experiencing symptoms associated with brain fog? (confusion, forgetfulness, lack of focus)-
Don’t hesitate to try out the Lion’s Mane tincture! Tinctures are extracts wherein the main solvent is a high proof alcohol.
Forage & Cultivate Lion’s Mane tincture is made with 100% Lion’s Mane mushrooms grown by Emma in Indiana. The alcohol used as a solvent is certified organic cane alcohol. This tincture is a dual-extracted tincture. This means the Lion’s Mane was first processed by soaking in alcohol for an entire month and then went through secondary processing in reverse osmosis water resulting in a 50:50 dilution of 190 proof alcohol and RO water.
Why a dual extract? To put it simply- not all active compounds in the Lion’s Mane are brought out by alcohol, and not all of them are easily derived by water, therefore a dual-extract ensures the tincture contains the full spectrum of active constituents.
Why does it matter that Lion’s Mane fruit bodies were used in the extract? Many popular medicinal mushroom companies use ground myceliated grain kernels to produce tinctures. This means these companies take high proof alcohol and pour it over grain which has the primary form of a mushroom (mycelium) growing on top of it. This is an easy way for these companies to bulk the final volume of material to make medicines out of. Unfortunately, mycelium does not carry as high of concentration of medicinal compounds as the Lion’s Mane fruitbody. Also, by soaking grain in alcohol, these tinctures carry higher levels of starch than those produced from fruit bodies alone.
How do I take my Lion’s Mane tincture?
Easy! Place 2-4 droppers full of the dual-extracted Lion’s Mane tincture into a beverage of choice throughout the day. Drink at your leisure!
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
