Instructions for using Lion's Mane
What Is Lion's Mane?
Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) grows on old oak, beech and maple trees. It has no cap. The fruiting body is a cluster of soft white spines that hang down like a mane. Some grow to 30 cm or more. Fresh Lion's Mane is firm, and people often say it tastes like crab or shrimp.
In China and Japan it has long been cooked as food and added to teas. Today it draws a lot of attention from researchers, and it ranks among the best-known functional mushrooms.
What's in Lion's Mane
Researchers have identified several groups of compounds in Lion's Mane that interest them most:
- polysaccharides, including beta-glucans;
- hericenones, found in the fruiting body;
- erinacines, found in the mycelium;
- ergosterol (provitamin D);
- fatty acids, including palmitic acid.
Hericenones and erinacines are studied in the lab for their link to the nervous system. Human studies are still limited. In a small 2023 study, young adults took Lion's Mane for 28 days, and researchers then assessed their attention, stress and mood (link at the end of this article).
How to Take Lion's Mane
Lion's Mane is usually taken in the morning, 2–3 g a day, 20–30 minutes before a meal. A course lasts at least 3 months, followed by a one-month break. After that, you can start again if you like. Consistency matters, so try not to skip days.
Lion's Mane comes in three forms, and each is used a little differently:
- Capsules. The easiest option: nothing to measure, just swallow them with water.
- Powder. Stir it into warm water, tea or coffee, or add it to oatmeal or a smoothie.
- Dried caps. Break them up and brew as tea, or cook them in soups and sauces.
You can combine Lion's Mane with other functional mushrooms, such as chanterelles.
Contraindications
Do not take Lion's Mane if you have:
- pregnancy or breastfeeding;
- chronic kidney disease;
- a mushroom allergy or intolerance to any of the ingredients.
Take care during flare-ups of chronic stomach or bowel conditions: mushrooms contain chitin, which is hard to digest. If you take medication, talk to your doctor before starting a course.
DIETARY SUPPLEMENT. NOT A MEDICINE!
Where to Buy Lion's Mane
Muhomornya offers Lion's Mane in capsules, as a powder and as dried caps. Pick the form that suits you best.
Sources
Docherty S., Doughty F.L., Smith E.F. The Acute and Chronic Effects of Lion's Mane Mushroom Supplementation on Cognitive Function, Stress and Mood in Young Adults: A Double-Blind, Parallel Groups, Pilot Study. Nutrients, 2023: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38004235/
Lion's Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus): A Neuroprotective Fungus with Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antimicrobial Potential. A Narrative Review: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12030463/
Lion's Mane on Wikipedia: Hericium erinaceus
