Lion’s Mane is an edible mushroom that has been gaining a lot of popularity as a food supplement in recent years. Its Latin name is Hericium erinaceus. You recognise it straight away by the white, shaggy strands that call to mind a lion’s mane. In this blog you can read what Lion’s Mane is exactly, where it comes from, what is in it and how you use it.
What is Lion’s Mane?
Lion’s Mane grows naturally on deciduous trees such as beech and oak, mainly in Asia, North America and parts of Europe. The mushroom does not have a cap with gills like the one you know from a button mushroom, but hanging white spines. It owes its English name Lion’s Mane to that appearance.
These days Lion’s Mane is also grown under controlled conditions, which makes it available as a supplement all year round. At Dutch Balance we offer Lion’s Mane in capsule form from the brand Pure Mushrooms.
How has Lion’s Mane traditionally been used?
In East Asia, Lion’s Mane has been part of the kitchen and the herbal tradition for centuries. The mushroom was used in teas and soups and had a place in traditional Chinese herbalism. In Japan it goes by the name yamabushitake, after the mountain monks who knew the mushroom.
That long history is one of the reasons Lion’s Mane is now getting so much attention in the West as well. It is worth knowing that traditional use is something other than scientific proof.
What is in Lion’s Mane?
Lion’s Mane contains a number of compounds that make it interesting to researchers. The best known are hericenones and erinacines, two groups of compounds found mainly in this mushroom. Lion’s Mane also contains beta-glucans: complex sugars you come across in more mushrooms.
These compounds help determine the character of the mushroom. What exactly they do in the body is still very much the subject of research.
Lion’s Mane and research
Compounds from Lion’s Mane are being looked at scientifically, among other things in relation to the nervous system. That research is still at an early stage and has largely been carried out in the lab or in animals. There are no hard conclusions for humans yet.
There are currently no EU-approved health claims for Lion’s Mane. It is a food supplement, not a medicine and not a replacement for a healthy lifestyle or medical care. Do you take medication, are you pregnant or breastfeeding? Then consult your doctor first.
How to use Lion’s Mane
The simplest way to fit Lion’s Mane into your routine is in capsule form. You take our Pure Mushrooms capsules with a sip of water. Stick to the dose on the packaging, generally two capsules a day.
Choose a fixed moment, at breakfast or lunch for instance. That way you make a habit of it and are less likely to forget. Would you like to try it out? Then feel free to start with one capsule a day to see how you get on with it.
What should you look for in terms of quality?
Not every mushroom supplement is the same. With Lion’s Mane, pay attention to these points:
- Extract from the whole fruiting body (the mushroom itself), not only from mycelium on grain.
- Organically grown, without unnecessary additions.
- Traceable from grower to capsule.
- Checked for purity per batch.
Our Pure Mushrooms Lion’s Mane meets those requirements. Want to know more or order straight away? Have a look at the Lion’s Mane capsules or our full range of mushrooms.
Buying Lion’s Mane? Have a look at the organic Lion’s Mane capsules from the whole fruiting body.
