Oct 14, 2022

Lion's Mane (Hericum erinaceus) - Secret weapon of 5 organs

"Suddenly my head is clear and I feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day. Anything that comes to mind can be done immediately and with ease… Plus, in the evening I have energy to do more! I feel super productive and the quality of workdays has improved a lot. I have a new job, therefore lots of new things to learn and before the Lion's Mane extract of Seente Vägi I was tired by four o'clock and my brain stopped working. After a week of taking the extract, it became easier to remember new information and in the mornings I would wake up without feeling tired. I recommend Seente Vägi’s Lion's Mane to colleagues, friends and family!" - Kersti

With the arrival of autumn, we have been asked a lot about which mushrooms help to improve brain function, maintain focus and reduce brain fog.

Many people who do intense mental work benefit greatly from Lion's Mane. Mighty Fungi Lion’s Mane guarantees deeper concentration and more efficient working days.

What exactly is this Lion's Mane?

In this article, we highlight the growth process, active ingredients and therapeutic properties of the medicinal mushroom Lion's Mane. A medicinal mushroom known in Chinese medicine since ancient times has reached us in the 21st century. In the text below, we outline everything you should know about Lion's Mane.

Many people have health problems. Chronic diseases, brain fog, obesity and insomnia are just some of the examples that result from an unhealthy diet and lifestyle. [9]

Drug companies make huge profits from diseases caused by unhealthy lifestyles. However, various chemical drugs often have strong side effects. To prevent this, scientists are increasingly investigating natural alternatives, and functional mushrooms are seen as having great potential! [10]

ABOUT Lion's Mane IN GENERAL

Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is a species of mushroom belonging to the tooth fungus group.

This mushroom is also known as Hou Tou Gu and Yamabushitake. [5] The fungus is distributed in Asia, Europe and North America. Lion's Mane grows mostly on deciduous trees, including oak, hazel, and maple trees. The mushroom can be recognized by its white fringes, which resemble either a beard or a Lion's Mane. [1]

Lion's Mane (Hericum Erinaceus) is an edible mushroom that is credited with healing properties.

Lion's Mane has been used in Chinese medicine for hundreds if not thousands of years. The mushroom can be consumed raw, both as a natural or a processed extract from which all useful active substances have been extracted. [6]

In Lion's Mane we find antioxidants, vitamins and various nutrients that support the overall health of the body.

The fruiting body, mycelium and pure bioactive particles of the Lion's Mane mushroom have health-promoting properties. Among them, we can count it as a natural antibiotic, anti-fatigue, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-aging and anti-depressant. Research has identified 70 different bioactive metabolites that help prevent or treat chronic, cognitive and neurological diseases or abnormalities. [7]

ACTIVE INGREDIENT IN LION’S MANE

Various bioactive metabolites (useful metabolic products) are assimilated into Lion's Mane. These in turn are classified into high molecular weight compounds such as polysaccharides and low molecular weight compounds like polyketides and terpenoids. [6]

Polysaccharides - Mushroom polysaccharides are mainly found in the cell walls, which we find in both the fruiting body and the mycelium of the mushroom. More than 35 different polysaccharides have been found in Lion's Mane coral reef. [6] The main polysaccharides identified are beta-glucans, alpha-glucans and glycan-protein complexes. It is primarily these bioactive compounds that have attributed the healing properties of Lion's Mane. [5]

Terpenes - In addition, various terpenes, which are natural carbohydrates, have been found in Lion’s Mane. Aromatic compounds such as erinacines and hericenones - natural particles that support nerve growth factors [5].

Alkaloids - Natural steroids enhance performance and alkaloids are natural pesticides that act as plants' self-defense against pests. This means that the alkaloids fight against bad bacteria in the body. [6]

Mighty Fungi Lion’s Mane effect on brain

HEALING PROPERTIES

In Chinese and Japanese medicine, Lion's Mane is believed to stimulate the spleen and improve digestion, as well as have anti-cancer properties. Lion's Mane is said to work on five organs (liver, lung, spleen, heart and kidneys).

We highlight some of the healing properties attributed to Lion's Mane:

1.Increases brain power

Lion's Mane restores the work of brain neurons, stimulates cognitive functions and improves memory [7]. The mushroom is best known for its potential to regenerate brain cells. Daily consumption of Lion's Mane also helps with memory problems. [1] Lion's Mane has also been proven to be effective against Alzheimer's and dementia [4].

2. Anti-cancer

Active substances have been found in the Lion's Mane mushroom that prevent the spread of cancer. The fungus inhibits the formation of cancer cells. [5]

3. Supports heart and blood circulation

Lion's Mane lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol in the body and increases HDL (good) cholesterol. The mushroom also reduces the risk of a heart attack because it supports blood circulation. [7]

4. Improves digestive systems

Because Lion's Mane has an anti-inflammatory effect, its bioactive particles and polysaccharides support the stomach and protect against stomach ulcers. Studies show that Lion's Mane coralline can improve inflammation in the digestive system, both gastritis and other inflammatory bowel diseases. [3]

5. Reduces inflammation in the body

Since Lion's Mane has an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect, it repairs already existing inflammation and prevents new ones from forming. This means that your overall health and immune system will improve. [5]

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. When to take Lion's Mane extract?

The first option is to consume the mushroom every morning

We recommend taking Lion's Mane in the morning so that you will have a pleasant energy charge throughout the day. Although it should be mentioned that Lion's Mane can be taken any time of the day.

Lion's Mane mushroom protects the human body and increases the capacity of the immune system [2]. Namely, Lion's Mane helps to produce white blood cells that protect the body by attacking the disease site and organisms that cause inflammation [3]. Daily consumption of Lion's Mane coral prevents memory problems [4].

Another option is to take Seente Vägi Lion's Mane before or after a workout

We recommend taking Lion's Mane extract before or after exercise. It stimulates the brain and removes fatigue. Thanks to this, you will feel more clarity during a workout and will be able to enjoy it more. After the workout session, Lion’s Mane provides a commendable amount of minerals and vitamins to restore the body's natural balance. [5]

A third option is to consume Lion's Mane before going to sleep

While most of the time we recommend taking Lion's Mane extract in the morning for clarity throughout the day, some studies recommend taking the mushroom at night before bed. Lion's Mane mushroom has a mild sedative effect that can ensure a good night's sleep. Lion's Mane stimulates neural growth factor (NGF), which ensures a quality sleep cycle and deepens REM sleep. [4]

2. How Much Lion's Mane Extract to Take?

With natural food supplements it's always difficult to say how much is the right dose. First of all, a person must know their own body and understand whether it is suitable for them to consume more or less than the average amount. The right amount depends on the age of the person as well as the quality of the raw produce.

However, studies show that it would be best to take between 250 to 1000 mg of Lion's Mane powder at a time. [6] Lion's Mane capsules containing 750 mg of extract should be taken three times a day. [8]

Since it is a natural food supplement, there is no information about overconsumption or poisoning. There are also no known side effects. This means that a person can also experiment with larger amounts and see how the Lion's Mane affects them. [5]

3. How to take Lion's Mane extract?

If you’re consuming mushrooms on a daily basis, we strongly recommend becoming familiar with the quality of the mushroom extract provider. Today, many companies use medicinal mushrooms for the purpose of generating money. This means that the mushroom fruit body together with the mushroom mycelium is pulverized. Mushroom mycelium, however, is grown in a laboratory, and in most cases it is not known what the raw material is growing on. The result is mushroom powder with unknown additives.

However, Seente Vägi team has tested their Lion's Mane powder and the results can be found HERE. It is truly a high-quality and potent raw material. Our extracts have a concentration of 20:1, which means that 20 kg of dried mushrooms have been used to obtain 1 kg of double extract. Many other manufacturers that sell the extract have this ratio as 8:1 or 10:1.

Lion's Mane Powder

Lion's Mane can be purchased in a powder form. You can mix one teaspoon of it in your morning coffee, smoothie or porridge. Research shows that baking bread with Lion's Mane powder has great health benefits. [7] If, for example, you add the powder to yogurt, it becomes a delicious nootropic snack. Similarly, the powder can be added to various teas, syrups, cakes and muesli. The more creative the better, since options to experiment are endless.

Lion's Mane capsules

We recommend taking three Lion's Mane capsules after breakfast. Together with the healthy fats you get from breakfast, the mushroom extract is better absorbed by the body. However, to be completely honest, it doesn't actually matter when you consume the mushroom. It is natural, and some people can simply take the mushroom with their morning coffee and have breakfast later. This means we encourage you to listen to your body! Your body knows exactly when and how much Lion's Mane extract is good for you!

4. How quickly will the results become obvious?

Results are usually seen within two weeks. Some more sensitive organisms feel the effect of Lion's Mane mushroom within just a few days, and it might be necessary to reduce the amount after a few weeks. Another person might feel the first results only after a month, so for them we recommend extending the course up to three months. The longer you consume this miracle mushroom, the better the results. Simple!

SUMMARY

Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is a species of mushroom belonging to the tooth fungus group.
In Lion's Mane we find antioxidants, vitamins and various nutrients that support the overall health of the body.
Various bioactive metabolites (useful metabolic products) are assimilated into Lion's Mane.
Lion's Mane increases brain power and is anti-cancer, supports heart and blood circulation, improves digestive systems, and reduces overall levels of inflammation in the body.
Daily consumption of Lion's Mane prevents memory problems.
Research the manufacturer, supplier and quality of your mushroom extract. Seente Vägi team has tested their Lion's Mane powder and the results can be found HERE.