Lions Mane Mushroom Research
Lions Mane Mushrooms have demonstrated:
(Hericium erinaceus)
Enhanced memory and concentration
Reduction in depression and anxiety
Stimulation of nerve and brain health
Mood improvement
Improved cognitive function
Reduced fatigue
Promoting increased energy levels
Benefits to the digestive tract
Treatment of peptic or gastric ulcers
Modulation of diabetes
Improvement of digestion
Enhancement of the immune system
Anticancer activity
DISCLAIMER: Please consult your physician before using any of our products for health purposes. This information/product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Enhanced Memory and Concentration
Lion’s mane mushrooms help stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) production (*).
-NGF is a neuropeptide that helps maintain neurons, which are the cells responsible for helping your brain process and transmit information.
In one study, lion's mane dietary supplements appeared to give mice better object recognition and recognition memory.
A Japanese study on adults aged between 50 and 80 years with mild cognitive impairment found that daily consumption of mushroom extract for 16 weeks led to higher scores on cognitive function scales compared with a placebo group. These scores decreased again once the participants stopped taking the extract.
Consistent use of Lions mane mushrooms can be potent nourishment for nerve regeneration and has been shown in research to help improve memory and increase mild impaired cognitive function. (*)
Stimulation of Nerve and Brain Health
Lions mane mushrooms can stimulate the synthesis of nerve growth factor, containing the two unique compounds: hericenones and erinacines.
(Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a neuropeptide that helps the maintenance, survival and regeneration of neurons and nerve cells.)
NGF gene therapy has been studied as a potential treatment for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's. (*)
In a study published in the Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms it states, "In conclusion, the aqueous extract of H. erinaceus contained neuroactive compounds which induced NGF-synthesis and promoted neurite outgrowth in NG108-15 cells."
In one study, it was concluded that "H. erinaceus offers neuroprotective effects after ischemic brain injury (stroke) and has the ability to scavenge free radicals, this being related to endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling."
Lions mane mushrooms have been shown to promote the production of new neurons within the brain itself, particularly the hippocampus region. (*)
In addition, other research on mice indicates that "H. erinaceus prevented impairments of spatial short-term and visual recognition memory induced by amyloid β(25-35) peptide." (*)
-Amyloid plaques form when pieces of beta-amyloid proteins (from fatty membranes around nerve cells) clump together. These smaller proteins can build up and block the neurotransmission or the signals between cells and may eventually trigger an inflamed condition (eg. neurodegenerative disorders).
Researchers have concluded that these mushrooms may have the potential to treat or prevent such diseases that cause a decline in cognitive health, such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
In the 2016 study entitled "Erinacine A-enriched Hericium erinaceus mycelium ameliorates Alzheimer’s disease-related pathologies", Lion's mane mushrooms were shown to reduce "cortical and hippocampal amyloid plaque burden."
Research suggests that extracts of Lion's mane mushrooms may encourage nerve cells to grow and repair more quickly.
This study showed that rats with nerve damage receiving a daily extract of lion's mane mushrooms had quicker nerve regeneration than control animals.
The neurotrophic NGF stimulating effects of concentrated lions mane mushroom extracts also appears to promote myelin repair (*) and could also be helpful for various psychiatric disorders, including depression.
Mood improvement & Less anxiety
In a 2015 study, mice that consumed Lion's mane mushroom extract displayed fewer depressive behaviors and had blood markers that indicated lower depression.
A more recent study supports this, with the authors concluding that these mushroom extracts may contain agents that are useful for treating depressive disorders.
In a Japanese study, women with a variety of health issues, including menopausal symptoms, depression and poor sleep quality, ate cookies containing lion's mane extracts or placebo cookies for 4 weeks. The participants who ate the extract reported lower levels of irritation and anxiety than those in the placebo group.
Promotion of Increased Energy Levels
Lion’s mane mushrooms contain antioxidants that support overall cellular health, resulting in better energy transport between cells (*).
They also reduce lactic acid in the blood while promoting increased tissue glycogen content, resulting in more energy production (*).
Benefits Digestive Tract
Hericium erinaceus has an anti-bacterial compound that acts against the Helicobacter pylori bacteria linked to gastritis and related ulcerative disorders, aiding the gut flora and reduce inflammation in the GI tract (*).
The presence of beta-glucan polysaccharides, along with polypeptides and fatty acids can enhance the function of the gastric mucus barrier, and may result in a healthier colon and digestive tract (*).
Lion's Mane mushroom's polysaccharides, along with adenosine and oleanolic acids, stimulate the induction of interferons and modulation of the immune system, helpful for healing stomach related health issues (*).
The antibacterial component of Lion's mane mushrooms may improve digestion(*).
The extract of Lion's mane mushrooms may protect against stomach ulcers (*).
Enhanced Immune System
Lions mane mushrooms contain high amounts of antioxidants, beta-glucan polysaccharides and other anti-inflammatory compounds. These health components are powerful immuno-modulators that support "deep immune health" and may protect against cancers. (*)
Treatment of Lyme’s Disease
Herbalists may use Lions mane mushrooms in conjunction with other herbs, such as Astragalus, to eliminate the spirochaete bacteria of Lyme's disease from the brain and spinal cord. (See: "Healing Lyme: Natural Healing and Prevention of Lyme Borreliosis and Its Coinfections." Stephen Buhner)
Cancer Prevention and Treatment
The antioxidant properties of Lion's mane mushrooms may play a role in cancer prevention and treatment:
The results of an in vitro study indicate that Lion's mane extracts have therapeutic potential against human leukemia.
A study found that these mushroom extracts may also fight liver, colon, and gastric cancer cells.
Modulation of Diabetes
In a study, blood sugar levels in rats with diabetes were lower after they received lion's mane mushroom extract for 4 weeks.
Another longer study on rats, showed not only lower blood sugar levels, but also reduced feelings of nerve pain, and improved antioxidant activity.
Risks and side effects
Most studies on lion's mane mushrooms have used animals, however, in the animal studies, even high doses did not produce adverse effects.
DISCLAIMER: Please consult your physician before using any of our products for health purposes. *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Our Product Description
Greenwood Farm’s Lion's Mane Mushroom Double- Extract provides the soluble compounds from both water and alcohol, and is bottled in an ultra-violet glass with dropper. Our product is compliant with the United States Department of Agriculture and the PA Liquor control board.
Directions for Use
Add to any beverage, such as tea or coffee. Alternatively, one can stir into batter of baked goods or other food products.
More Research about Scientific Studies Regarding Lion’s Mane Mushrooms (Hericium erinaceus):
Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial - Phytotherapy Research - March 2009
Reduction of depression and anxiety by 4 weeks Hericium erinaceus intake - Biomedical Research - August 2010
Hericium erinaceus enhances doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells - Cancer Letters - November 2010
Mechanism of Hericium erinaceus (Yamabushitake) mushroom-induced apoptosis of U937 human monocytic leukemia cells - Food & Function - June 2011
Hericium erinaceus: an edible mushroom with medicinal values - Journal of Complementary & Integrative Medicine - May 2013
Hericium erinaceus (Lion's Mane) mushroom extracts inhibit metastasis of cancer cells to the lung in CT-26 colon cancer-transplanted mice - Journal of Agriculture & Food Chemistry - May 2013
Anticancer potential of Hericium erinaceus extracts against human gastrointestinal cancers - Journal of Ethnopharmacology - April 2014
Anti-Gastric Ulcer Activity of Polysaccharide Fraction Isolated from Mycelium Culture of Lion's Mane Medicinal Mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Higher Basidiomycetes) - International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms - 2015
Chemistry, Nutrition, and Health-Promoting Properties of Hericium erinaceus (Lion's Mane) Mushroom Fruiting Bodies and Mycelia and Their Bioactive Compounds - Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry - August 2015
Isolation and identification of aromatic compounds in Lion's Mane Mushroom and their anticancer activities - Food Chemistry - March 2015
Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Ethanol Extract of Lion's Mane Medicinal Mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Agaricomycetes), in Mice with Ulcerative Colitis - International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms - 2016
Hericium erinaceus, a medicinal mushroom, activates peripheral nerve regeneration - Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine - October 2016
High molecular weight of polysaccharides from Hericium erinaceus against amyloid beta-induced neurotoxicity - BMC Complementary & alternative Medicine - June 2016
