Lions Mane Mushroom - Benefits and Chemical Composition


Lions mane has been used traditionally in both the Chinese & Japanese medical systems for hundreds of years. It is used to nourish the gut, fortify the spleen and is nutritive to the five internal organs (liver, lung, spleen, heart and kidney). It is well-known for its affects on the central nervous system and other symptoms synonymous with deficiences in the Qi 





The magical health benefits of Lions Mane;

Anticancer properties
Promotes healthy digestion and gut health
Helps fight fatigue and increase strength and vitality
Helps with gastric and duodenal ulcers as well as chronic gastritis
Calms and soothes the central nervous system
Neuroprotective and neurotrophic, helping to prevent and treat Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Dementia (A double-blind placebo clinical trial found that regular consumption of Lions Mane markedly improved results of the Hasegawa Dementia Scale but these effects decreased when dosage was stopped)
Counteracts neuron death
Increases the efficacy of free radical scavenging
Anti-ageing (by enhancing the activities of antioxidant enzymes in the skin)
Protects against oxidative stress
Increases concentration, memory and learning abilities
Helps prevent stress related cardiovascular disease
Reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression especially in menopausal women
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-bacterial
Anti-fungal
Contains antitumor properties including Hemagglutinating and antineoplastic properties (clumps and prevents, inhibits or halts tumor activity)
Stimulates the synthesis of nerve growth factor (NGF)
Helps the treatment of leukemia (by enhancing the killing action of cancerous cells)
Antimutagenic (helps prevent DNA mutations)
Increases the numbers of lymphocytes and macrophages which boosts the immune system
Enhances cognitive functions
Lowers cholesterol
Lowers blood pressure
Protects the liver
Helps relieve insomnia and induce sound sleep

Chemistry  of Lions Mane;

The typical composition of Lions Mane is as follows;
Carbohydrates 57%
Fats 3.52%
Fibre 7.81%
Protein 22.3%
Ash 9.35%
Considerable amounts of potassium and phosphorus
Trace amounts of manganese, copper and zinc
* These percentages are from the fruiting body of Lions Mane, not the mycelium
Lions Mane also contains;
19 amino acids including L-alanine, L-leucine, L-tryptophan and L-phenylaline. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein which is essential for our growth and development.
32 aroma substances containing nitrogen or sulfur, ketones, esters and alcohols
12 polysaccharides with the following activity; immunomodulatory (modulates the immune system response), anticancer, anti-bacterial, gastroprotective, cholesterol and triglyceride lowering, hepatoprotective (protects the liver), blood glucose lowering.
Hericenones A-B have cytotoxic and anti-platelet aggravation properties (meaning anticancer and helps increase heart health, reducing thrombosis and stroke risk)
Hericenones C-H and erinacines A-1 both have neuroprotective and neuroregenerative properties which are used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, dementia and depression
Hericirine which reduces inflammatory inducing mediators and cytokines
Poliphenols which are antioxidants that helps protect against our skin ageing

As you can see, Lions Mane is an excellent adaptogen tonic that you can take daily to help nourish and protect the brain plus much, much more! 

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