Lion’s mane mushrooms are antibiotic, anticarcinogenic, antidiabetic, anti-fatigue, antihypertensive, anti-hyperlipodemic, anti-aging, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, and neuroprotective, and improves anxiety, cognitive function, and depression. WHEW.
Lion’s mane, or Hou Tou Gu, have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries, as well as by buddhist monks who consider them a “mystical source of nutrition.” 🔮 These mushrooms are found in herbal formulas, supplements, and can be cooked on their own (and taste similar to lobster or crab 🦀).
🍄 Stats:
Antioxidant Power:
A study showed that lion’s mane extract sped up wound healing compared to placebo.
Can prevent osteoporosis, protect against alcohol-induced liver damage, and slow the aging of skin.
Immune Boosting:
Lion’s mane supports healthy gut bacteria which in turn creates a strong immune system.
Anti-Inflammatory:
Lion’s mane can protect from as well as shrink gastric ulcers and therefore improves symptoms of gastritis and IBS.
Lion’s mane is antibacterial against h. Pylori which is a bacteria responsible for a multitude of gastric conditions.
Heart Health:
In vitro and animal research showed that lion’s mane can prevent the increase of LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) and increase HDL (the good kind) as well as lower triglycerides.
Lion’s mane has been shown to lower the risk of blood clots, and therefore stroke.
Brain Health:
Lion’s mane has been shown to slow or reverse cell degeneration in the brain. Once the active compounds cross the blood-brain barrier, they stimulate enzymes that release NGF (nerve growth factor) which helps relieve symptoms of diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and dementia.
A 2012 study found that consuming lion’s mane could regenerate damaged cells from a peripheral injury that affects the tissue between your brain and spinal cord.
Mental Health:
Lion’s mane has antidepressant effects and can provide relief for anxiety because it stimulates the repair and creation of neurons. This in turn boosts neurotransmitters which affect mood, learning, recall, and memory.
Cancer:
Lion’s mane has been found to slow the progression and even reverse the spread of leukemia, stomach cancer, lung cancer, cervical cancer, liver cancer, colon cancer, and breast cancer.
A study in Korea showed that the phytochemical in lion’s mane mushrooms significantly reduced leukemia cells and provided a therapeutic potential against leukemia.
Check out my Fullscript Online Dispensary for my favorite supplements. Sign in, go to Favorites, and navigate to the Mushroom category. You’ll find all of my preferred supplements for purchase.
With Love,
Charlotte Morgan, M.S. L.Ac.