Lion’s Mane
Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) is a mushroom indigenous to Asia that has been used in traditional medicine for hundreds of years. This well researched mushroom (fungi) has antioxidant, neuro-protective and immunomodulating properties, which creates numerous health benefits to humans.
It has been used to help repair nerve damage to protect against dementia, reduce anxiety and depression and its strong immune boosting and anti-inflammatory abilities have beneficial effects on various systems in human bodies.
Studies have shown that it contains an exceptionally large amount of different physiologically important bioactive components that has the potential to treat, prevent or alleviate some of the major global diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease and neurodegenerative diseases in particular.
As the brain ages, the ability to grow and form new networks may also decline. However, Lion’s mane contains two particularly special compounds, namely hericenones and erinacines, that stimulate the growth of brain cells, reducing symptoms of memory loss and preventing neuronal damage.
Studies have shown that consuming lion’s main daily, improves mental functioning, especially in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. It may therefore help in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, because it promotes nerve growth.
It can also help speed up recovery of nervous system injurious, because the mushroom stimulates nerve cell repair and growth, which is often damaged after a stroke for instance.
As a result of the anti-inflammatory properties, it can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, which is often related to chronic inflammation. In particular, Lion’s Mane has been shown to improve the functioning of the hippocampus, the region of the brain responsible for processing emotions that can influence the symptoms of anxiety and depression.
The antitumor activity may be related to the activation of different immune responses in humans by components in the mushroom that can trigger strong boosting of the immune system. The immune system can then do its job properly in preventing and treating symptoms in the body.
